IA Driving Instructor flashcards

32 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.

Iowa instruction permit age

Minimum age 14 for a school- or driver-education-based instruction permit, with a signed parent or guardian application and a passing knowledge and vision test.

Intermediate license hours restriction

Intermediate license holders may drive unsupervised only between 5 a.m. and 12:30 a.m.; driving outside that window requires a supervising adult aged 21 or older.

Supervised driving hours requirement

Before an intermediate license, the permit holder must log at least 20 supervised driving hours, including 2 hours between sunset and sunrise, verified by a parent or guardian.

Passenger restriction first six months

During the first six months of an intermediate license, the driver may not carry more than one unrelated minor passenger unless a supervising adult is present.

Driver education course hours

An approved course requires 30 hours of classroom instruction and 6 hours of behind-the-wheel training with a certified instructor before the intermediate license.

Clean record requirement

Intermediate license holders must have no moving violations or at-fault crashes for 12 consecutive months before advancing to a full unrestricted license.

Permit holding period

The instruction permit must be held for at least 6 months, and the holder must be at least 16, before applying for the intermediate license.

GDL restriction exceptions

Hours and passenger limits do not apply when a parent, guardian, or licensed adult 21 or older is in the front seat, or during a documented emergency.

REAL ID document requirements

A REAL ID license requires proof of identity, Social Security number, and two proofs of Iowa residency, all presented as original or certified documents.

Iowa license renewal cycle

Standard licenses renew every 8 years for drivers under 72; drivers 72 and older renew every 2 years and may need to pass a vision test.

Vision acuity standard

Applicants need corrected acuity of at least 20/40 in the better eye and a horizontal field of vision of at least 140 degrees to qualify.

Knowledge test passing score

The knowledge test requires 80 percent to pass; a failed attempt may be retaken after one day, with a maximum of two attempts per day.

License class C scope

Class C covers ordinary passenger vehicles and small trucks; Class D covers non-commercial vehicles up to 26,000 lbs, and Class M covers motorcycles.

Non-driver identification card

Issued to applicants of any age, follows the same expiration schedule as a license, and cannot be used to operate a motor vehicle.

SR-22 financial responsibility

Proof of financial responsibility filed with the state after certain violations; required for reinstatement of a suspended or revoked license.

CDL weight threshold

A commercial driver's license is required to operate a vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating over 26,000 lbs or carrying 16 or more passengers.

OWI per se limit

A blood alcohol concentration of 0.08 or higher constitutes OWI for drivers 21 and older; the limit is 0.02 for drivers under 21.

Implied consent refusal penalty

Refusing a chemical test after a lawful OWI arrest triggers a one-year license revocation for a first refusal, separate from criminal charges.

First OWI revocation period

A first OWI conviction results in a 180-day license revocation, a fine, and a mandatory substance abuse evaluation before reinstatement.

Second OWI penalties

A second OWI within 12 years carries a 2-year revocation, possible jail time, and an ignition interlock requirement for a work permit.

Third OWI offense

A third or subsequent OWI is a felony with a 6-year revocation, vehicle forfeiture, and mandatory ignition interlock on any vehicle operated.

Habitual offender revocation

Three or more major traffic convictions within 6 years results in habitual offender status and a 5-year license revocation.

Administrative vs criminal revocation

The license sanction is an administrative action that can occur even when the criminal OWI charge is dismissed or reduced.

Driving while suspended

Operating a vehicle while the license is suspended or revoked is a separate offense; a second conviction carries a minimum 30-day jail sentence.

Reinstatement requirements

Reinstatement after revocation typically requires a completed substance abuse evaluation, a civil penalty, proof of insurance, and any ordered tests.

Three-second following rule

Maintain at least three seconds of following distance in ideal conditions; increase to four or more seconds on wet roads, at night, or behind large vehicles.

Speed and stopping distance

Stopping distance grows with the square of speed, so doubling speed roughly quadruples braking distance, and wet pavement can double it again.

Iowa crash reporting threshold

A crash must be reported to law enforcement when it causes injury, death, or property damage exceeding $1,000.

Child restraint age rules

Children under 1 year and under 20 lbs must ride rear-facing; children under 6 must use a child restraint or booster seat.

Seat belt primary offense

Front-seat occupants and all passengers under 18 must be restrained; the violation is a primary offense for drivers and younger passengers.

Work zone doubled fines

Fines double in marked work zones, and flagger instructions override posted signs and signals, including speed limits.

Bridge icing hazard

Bridges and overpasses freeze before other road surfaces; reduce speed, increase following distance, and avoid cruise control on ice or snow.