Iowa Driver License: Braking, Speed, Steering, Turning, Passing, Defensive Driving and Communicating

30 questions with the correct answer and an explanation for each. Topic: Braking, Speed, Steering, Turning, Passing, Defensive Driving and Communicating. Free, no account needed.

1. A driver shifts an automatic transmission into N while waiting at a long light. What does this do?

Limits the engine's speed
Locks the vehicle in place
Moves the vehicle in reverse
Leaves the engine idling

Answer: D — Leaves the engine idling

N is neutral, which lets the engine idle without engaging the drivetrain.

2. When operating a manual transmission, what is the correct sequence for shifting gears?

Press the clutch with the left foot, shift with the right hand, then slowly press the gas while releasing the clutch
Press the gas first, then engage the clutch with the right foot while shifting with the left hand
Shift gears first, then press the clutch with the right foot before adding gas
Release the clutch fully before shifting, then press the gas and clutch together

Answer: A — Press the clutch with the left foot, shift with the right hand, then slowly press the gas while releasing the clutch

The clutch is worked with the left foot and released gradually as the gas is applied, after shifting with the right hand.

3. A driver traveling 40 mph needs to stop. About how much total distance, reaction plus braking, will the stop take?

189 feet
268 feet
123 feet
69 feet

Answer: A — 189 feet

189 feet is the total reaction-plus-braking distance listed for 40 mph.

4. Traveling at 40 mph in good weather, how many seconds of following distance are recommended?

Four to five seconds
Six or more seconds
Two to three seconds
Three seconds

Answer: A — Four to five seconds

Four to five seconds is the recommended following interval specifically called out for 40 mph.

5. A vehicle with anti-lock brakes needs to stop quickly. What should the driver do with the brake pedal?

Pump the pedal rapidly in short bursts
Release the pedal partway once the car begins to slow
Press the pedal as hard as possible and keep pressing, even if it pushes back
Press lightly and steadily to avoid triggering the system

Answer: C — Press the pedal as hard as possible and keep pressing, even if it pushes back

ABS only works with steady, firm pressure held down, not pumping.

6. No speed limit is posted in a business district. What is the general limit?

25 mph
15 mph
30 mph
20 mph

Answer: D — 20 mph

20 mph is the general unposted limit in a business district.

7. No limit sign is posted in a residential or school district. What speed applies?

25 mph
45 mph
35 mph
20 mph

Answer: A — 25 mph

25 mph is the general unposted limit for residential or school districts.

8. A driver is towing a trailer on a suburban road with no posted speed limit. What is the general limit?

35 mph
55 mph
25 mph
45 mph

Answer: D — 45 mph

45 mph applies to suburban districts and to any vehicle towing another when no limit is posted.

9. A car can only reach 35 mph under normal conditions. Why would it be barred from an interstate?

The maximum interstate speed is 35 mph
Interstates require at least 45 mph at all times
Vehicles under 40 mph must stay on unpaved roads
The interstate system has a minimum speed of 40 mph

Answer: D — The interstate system has a minimum speed of 40 mph

Vehicles that cannot reach the 40 mph interstate minimum are barred from driving on it.

10. Compared to a car traveling 30 mph, roughly how much farther does a car going 60 mph travel before stopping?

Three times as far
About the same distance
Twice as far
Four times as far

Answer: A — Three times as far

Doubling speed from 30 to 60 mph triples the stopping distance.

11. To reduce injury risk from an airbag while keeping good control of the wheel, where should a driver's hands be placed?

10 and 2 o'clock
12 and 6 o'clock
9 and 3 o'clock, or slightly lower at 7 and 5
One hand at 12, the other resting on the gearshift

Answer: C — 9 and 3 o'clock, or slightly lower at 7 and 5

Hands at 9 and 3, or 7 and 5, keep control while limiting airbag injury risk.

12. What is the correct way to turn the steering wheel through a corner?

Cross the arms and hold the wheel rigidly at the bottom
Hand-over-hand or push-pull, never with the palm of one hand
Let the wheel slip back through the fingers to straighten it after the turn
Push the wheel with one open palm for smoother control

Answer: B — Hand-over-hand or push-pull, never with the palm of one hand

Turns should be made hand-over-hand or push-pull, never by pushing with a palm, and the wheel should be straightened by hand afterward rather than letting it slip.

13. While backing up, what is the recommended technique for seeing behind the vehicle?

Turn your head to look over your right shoulder through the rear window
Glance frequently at the rearview mirror while creeping backward
Rely on the backup camera alone for the clearest depth perception
Watch the side mirrors continuously while backing slowly

Answer: A — Turn your head to look over your right shoulder through the rear window

The recommended method is turning the head and looking through the rear window over the right shoulder, not relying on mirrors or cameras.

14. Why shouldn't a driver rely only on mirrors and a backup camera while backing up?

They are usually broken or fogged over
They give only a partial view and mislead depth perception
Turning the head instead is required by law
They only show what's directly behind, never to the sides

Answer: B — They give only a partial view and mislead depth perception

Mirrors and cameras give a partial view and distort depth perception compared to turning the head.

15. A driver plans to turn on a street with a 55 mph speed limit. How far before the turn must the signal begin?

At least 100 feet
At least 500 feet
At least 300 feet
At least 200 feet

Answer: C — At least 300 feet

Where the limit is higher than 45 mph, the signal must begin at least 300 feet before the turn.

16. On a street with a 35 mph limit, how far ahead must a driver signal before turning?

At least 300 feet
At least 50 feet
At least 200 feet
At least 100 feet

Answer: D — At least 100 feet

For roads with a limit of 45 mph or less, the signal must begin at least 100 feet before the turn.

17. A driver reaches a red light and wants to turn right. When is this allowed?

After a complete stop and yielding to all traffic, unless a sign forbids it
Only during daylight hours, after a rolling stop
Only if no other vehicles are visible, without needing to stop
Never, right turns on red are always illegal

Answer: A — After a complete stop and yielding to all traffic, unless a sign forbids it

Right turns on red are allowed after a full stop and yielding, unless a No Turn on Red sign is posted.

18. A driver considers making a three-point turn to reverse direction on a street. What is generally the safer choice?

Reverse the full block instead of turning around
Proceed with the three-point turn, since it is the standard method
Drive on to the nearest intersection instead
Make a U-turn instead, since U-turns are always safer

Answer: C — Drive on to the nearest intersection instead

Three-point turns raise collision exposure, so driving to the nearest intersection is the safer alternative.

19. A driver wants to move two lanes to the right to reach an exit. What is the correct approach?

Wait until directly at the exit, then merge across both lanes at once
Signal once and move across both lanes in a single smooth motion
Change one lane at a time, checking traffic and yielding each time
Move quickly since exits require fast lane changes

Answer: C — Change one lane at a time, checking traffic and yielding each time

Lane changes should be made one lane at a time, checking traffic and yielding to vehicles already in the lane each time.

20. While checking the blind spot before changing lanes, what should a driver do with the steering wheel?

Steer with one hand while using the other to brace against the door
Keep it straight, since arms tend to follow the head
Let it drift naturally while looking over the shoulder
Turn it slightly toward the target lane to prepare for the move

Answer: B — Keep it straight, since arms tend to follow the head

The wheel should be kept straight while glancing over the shoulder, since the arms tend to follow the direction the head turns.

21. A road has a double yellow center line with no broken lines on either side. What does this mean for passing?

Passing is barred in both lanes
Passing is allowed in both directions when clear
Passing is allowed only from one side
Passing is allowed only for vehicles turning left

Answer: A — Passing is barred in both lanes

A double yellow center line with no broken lines bars passing in both directions.

22. A road has a solid yellow line on a driver's side of the center and a broken yellow line on the oncoming side. Can the driver pass?

No, passing is barred from both sides in this configuration
Yes, but only at intersections
No, passing is barred from the solid side
Yes, passing is allowed from the solid side

Answer: C — No, passing is barred from the solid side

A solid line on a driver's side bars passing from that side, while the broken side allows it.

23. A driver approaches a signed narrow bridge and considers passing the car ahead. At what distance from the bridge does passing become illegal?

Within 100 feet
Within 300 feet
Within 200 feet
Within 50 feet

Answer: A — Within 100 feet

Passing is illegal within 100 feet of a signed narrow bridge, viaduct or tunnel.

24. About what percentage of serious crashes result from dangerous choices or errors by the driver?

84 percent
94 percent
99 percent
74 percent

Answer: B — 94 percent

94 percent of serious crashes come from dangerous driver choices or errors.

25. For good defensive driving, how far ahead should a driver's eyes typically be scanning?

5 to 10 seconds ahead
10 to 15 seconds ahead
20 to 30 seconds ahead
About one full minute ahead

Answer: C — 20 to 30 seconds ahead

Defensive driving calls for scanning 20 to 30 seconds ahead while keeping the eyes moving.

26. A tailgater is following too closely behind. What should the driver in front do?

Brake firmly to warn the tailgater back
Ignore it and maintain the same speed and position
Move slightly right, signal early, and slow to encourage the tailgater to pass
Speed up to put more distance between the vehicles

Answer: C — Move slightly right, signal early, and slow to encourage the tailgater to pass

The recommended response to tailgating is to move slightly right, signal early, and slow to encourage passing.

27. A driver spots a farm vehicle ahead displaying an orange triangle. What does this signal?

The vehicle is disabled and must be avoided entirely
The vehicle is oversized and requires a police escort
The vehicle is traveling slowly, so the driver should be ready to change lanes or slow down
The vehicle has the right of way at all intersections

Answer: C — The vehicle is traveling slowly, so the driver should be ready to change lanes or slow down

An orange triangle marks slow-moving vehicles like farm equipment, warning other drivers to be ready to slow or change lanes.

28. Visibility drops to about 400 feet in heavy fog. What does the law require regarding headlights?

Headlights are optional as long as taillights work
Headlights are required only after sunset, regardless of visibility
Headlights must be on, since the law requires them whenever visibility is 500 feet or less
Only fog lights are required, not headlights

Answer: C — Headlights must be on, since the law requires them whenever visibility is 500 feet or less

Headlights are legally required whenever visibility drops to 500 feet or less, in addition to sunset-to-sunrise use.

29. A driver is passing another car when that car's driver suddenly starts drifting toward the passing driver's lane. What should the passing driver do?

Use the horn to alert the other driver
Flash the headlights repeatedly instead of using the horn
Brake hard and fall back behind the other car
Swerve immediately without signaling

Answer: A — Use the horn to alert the other driver

The horn should be used when a driver being passed starts to turn into the passing driver's lane.

30. A vehicle breaks down and cannot be moved off the traveled lane. What should the occupants do?

Stand directly behind the vehicle to warn approaching drivers
Turn on the hazard lights, then leave the vehicle quickly and stand in a safe area away from the shoulder and moving traffic
Push the vehicle to the shoulder without warning other traffic
Stay inside with the hazard lights on until help arrives

Answer: B — Turn on the hazard lights, then leave the vehicle quickly and stand in a safe area away from the shoulder and moving traffic

Occupants should turn on hazards, exit quickly, and stand in a safe area away from the shoulder and traffic when stalled in a traveled lane.