Iowa Permit Test key terms

The legal priority to proceed first in a traffic situation. It is never something you simply take; you yield it when rules, signs, or safety require, such as at intersections or when merging.

A downward-pointing triangle sign meaning you must slow down and let cross traffic and pedestrians go before entering or crossing. Stop completely if traffic requires it.

An intersection where all approaches have stop signs. The first vehicle to stop goes first; if two stop at once, the driver on the left yields to the driver on the right.

A solid white line painted across your lane at an intersection. You must stop before it, keeping the entire vehicle behind the line so crosswalks and cross traffic stay clear.

A marked or unmarked path where pedestrians cross a roadway. Drivers must yield to pedestrians in a crosswalk and must not block it while stopped in traffic.

The walk and don't-walk lights at signalized crossings. A flashing don't-walk means pedestrians should not start crossing; drivers still must yield to anyone already in the crosswalk.

Electric lights controlling traffic at an intersection. A steady red means stop, green means proceed if clear, and a flashing red is treated like a stop sign.

A left-turn signal meaning you may turn left after yielding to oncoming traffic and pedestrians. It does not give you the right-of-way; a green arrow does.

Joining moving traffic from an entrance ramp or lane. You must adjust speed and yield to vehicles already on the roadway, using the acceleration lane to match traffic flow.

The ramp lane that lets you build speed to match highway traffic before merging. Use it to reach a safe speed, then signal and merge without forcing others to brake.

Your vehicle's blinking indicator. Signal before turning, changing lanes, or merging, and continue signaling until the maneuver is complete; cancel it afterward.

Moving from one traffic lane to another. Check mirrors, signal, check your blind spot over your shoulder, and move only when the lane is clear and there is enough space.

The area beside and behind your vehicle that mirrors do not show. Check it by turning your head before changing lanes, and avoid lingering in other drivers' blind spots.

The gap between your vehicle and the one ahead. Use at least a three-second count in good conditions and add more in rain, snow, darkness, or when following large trucks.

The maximum legal speed for a road under normal conditions. It is not a target; slower speeds are required when weather, traffic, or visibility make the posted limit unsafe.

The rule that you must never drive faster than is safe for current conditions, regardless of the posted limit. Rain, ice, fog, or heavy traffic can make the posted speed too fast.

A roadway section near a school with reduced speed limits during posted hours or when children are present. Watch for children, crossing guards, and stopped school buses.

The red stop sign extended from a school bus picking up or dropping off children. You must stop in both directions on undivided roads until the arm retracts and lights stop flashing.

A place where tracks cross the road. Slow down, look both ways, and never stop on the tracks; obey flashing lights, bells, and gates, which mean a train is coming.

A circular intersection with traffic flowing counterclockwise. Yield to vehicles already inside, enter to the right, and do not stop inside the circle unless traffic requires it.

When parking uphill with a curb, turn wheels away from the curb; downhill, turn them toward it. Always set the parking brake so the vehicle cannot roll into traffic.

A separate brake, also called an emergency brake, that holds a parked vehicle in place. Engage it every time you park, including on flat ground and with automatic transmissions.

The raised edge between the roadway and sidewalk. It affects how you angle your wheels when parking on a hill and marks where you may not park too close.

A maneuver to reverse direction on a narrow road using forward and backward movements. Check for traffic first, signal, and use it only where the road is clear and turning is legal.

Backing into a space between two parked vehicles along a curb. Signal, check mirrors and blind spot, angle in slowly, and straighten without striking the curb or other cars.

Blood alcohol concentration, the percentage of alcohol in your blood. Iowa's per se limit for drivers 21 and older is 0.08 percent; lower limits apply to underage and commercial drivers.

By driving on Iowa roads you agree to submit to chemical testing when lawfully arrested for OWI. Refusing can lead to license revocation even without a conviction.

Operating while intoxicated, Iowa's term for drunk or drugged driving. It can be charged based on alcohol, drugs, or a combination, and even below 0.08 if you are impaired.

An unsealed alcoholic beverage in a vehicle's passenger area. Iowa law bars drivers and passengers from possessing open containers of alcohol in the vehicle.

Any activity that takes your eyes, hands, or attention off driving, such as texting, eating, or adjusting controls. Iowa bans texting while driving and restricts phone use by minors.

The restraint system that keeps occupants inside the vehicle and reduces injury. Iowa requires front-seat occupants and all minors to be buckled, and officers may stop a vehicle for that violation.

A car seat or booster sized to a child's height and weight. Iowa requires approved restraints for children under six, and rear-facing seats belong in the back seat away from airbags.

An inflatable cushion that deploys in a crash to protect occupants. It works with seat belts, not instead of them, and can injure children placed too close in front of it.

Your vehicle's forward lights, required at night and in bad weather. Use low beams in fog or when meeting traffic, and switch off high beams when another vehicle approaches.

Bright headlights for unlit roads with no oncoming traffic. Dim them when a vehicle approaches or when following closely, so you do not blind other drivers.

A loss of tire grip, often on ice, rain, or loose gravel. Ease off the accelerator, steer where you want to go, and avoid hard braking until traction returns.

When tires ride on a layer of water instead of the road, reducing steering and braking control. Slow down in heavy rain and avoid sudden moves until grip returns.