Iowa: Alcohol and drugs Practice Test
Operating while intoxicated, BAC limits for adults and underage drivers, implied consent and test refusal, and the open container law.
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Questions are original and based on the official manual "Iowa Driver’s License Manual" (July 2026), Iowa Department of Transportation.
All 18 questions in this practice test
Take the test above first, then use this list to study. Tap “Show answer” to see the correct answer and explanation.
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Iowa defines the offense of Operating While Intoxicated (OWI) as having a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of what level, for a driver who is not under the legal drinking age?
- .08 or higher
- .04 or higher
- .10 or higher
- .12 or higher
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Correct answer: .08 or higher
The Iowa DOT manual defines OWI as having a BAC of .08 or higher, or operating with any amount of a controlled substance in your system.
Source: Iowa Driver’s License Manual (July 2026), page 37
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Besides a BAC of .08 or higher, OWI is also defined as operating with what in your system?
- A controlled substance above a legal limit
- A prescription drug taken in the last day
- Any amount of a controlled substance
- Only a controlled substance that is illegal to own
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Correct answer: Any amount of a controlled substance
Operating with any amount of a controlled substance in your system is OWI, with no minimum level.
Source: Iowa Driver’s License Manual (July 2026), page 37
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How is a driver’s BAC normally tested?
- Only through a blood test taken at a hospital
- Through a breathalyzer, urine sample, or blood test
- Only by a field sobriety test at the roadside
- By the driver counting how many drinks were had
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Correct answer: Through a breathalyzer, urine sample, or blood test
BAC is normally tested through a breathalyzer, urine sample, or blood test.
Source: Iowa Driver’s License Manual (July 2026), page 37
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If you operate while intoxicated but are not convicted of an OWI offense in criminal court, what is the minimum time your driving privileges will still be revoked?
- 30 days
- 90 days
- 270 days
- 180 days
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Correct answer: 180 days
Even without a criminal conviction, driving privileges are revoked for a minimum of 180 days if you operate while intoxicated.
Source: Iowa Driver’s License Manual (July 2026), page 37
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What happens to the penalties for repeat OWI offenses?
- They stay the same as for a first offense, with no added penalty
- They are reduced if the driver completes an education class
- They grow more severe, with longer revocations and harsher penalties
- They are harsher only in the form of a larger fine each time
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Correct answer: They grow more severe, with longer revocations and harsher penalties
Repeat offenses for operating while intoxicated result in longer driver’s license revocations and harsher criminal penalties.
Source: Iowa Driver’s License Manual (July 2026), page 37
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By holding an Iowa driver’s license, you are contractually agreeing to consent to what upon demand by law enforcement?
- A field sobriety test
- A roadside vehicle inspection
- A written knowledge test
- A medical examination
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Correct answer: A field sobriety test
Holding an Iowa license means you consent to a field sobriety test upon demand by law enforcement; this is called implied consent.
Source: Iowa Driver’s License Manual (July 2026), page 37
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Does Iowa’s implied consent to field sobriety testing apply to drivers who live in another state?
- No, it applies only to Iowa residents who hold a license
- No, only to drivers who hold an Iowa license
- Yes, but only on interstate highways
- Yes, it applies to non-resident drivers traveling in Iowa
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Correct answer: Yes, it applies to non-resident drivers traveling in Iowa
The implied consent law also applies to any non-resident drivers traveling in the state.
Source: Iowa Driver’s License Manual (July 2026), page 37
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What does the manual say about refusing a breathalyzer test?
- It prevents a conviction for OWI but still costs you your license
- You can still be convicted of OWI, and your license will still be revoked
- It has no effect on your license if you are not convicted
- It is treated the same as passing the test
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Correct answer: You can still be convicted of OWI, and your license will still be revoked
Refusing a breathalyzer test does not guarantee that you won’t be convicted of an OWI, and test refusal will still result in the revocation of your license.
Source: Iowa Driver’s License Manual (July 2026), page 37
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Refusing a breathalyzer test results in an automatic revocation of your license for how long?
- 30 days
- One year
- 90 days
- 180 days
Show answer
Correct answer: One year
The consequences for refusing a breathalyzer test are more severe than failing a test, with an automatic one year revocation of your license.
Source: Iowa Driver’s License Manual (July 2026), page 37
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What is the minimum fine for refusing a breathalyzer test?
- $250
- $625
- $2,500
- $1,250
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Correct answer: $1,250
Refusing a breathalyzer test carries an automatic one year revocation and a minimum $1,250 fine.
Source: Iowa Driver’s License Manual (July 2026), page 37
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If you are found guilty of refusing a test, what may the court also order?
- A substance use disorder class and evaluation, or an ignition interlock device
- A mandatory defensive driving course and a full vehicle inspection
- A permanent cancellation of your vehicle registration and plates
- Community service hours and a retake of the written knowledge test
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Correct answer: A substance use disorder class and evaluation, or an ignition interlock device
The court may also order a mandatory substance use disorder class and evaluation or an ignition interlock device installed in your vehicle at your expense.
Source: Iowa Driver’s License Manual (July 2026), page 37
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For a driver under the legal drinking age, at what BAC is the driver considered to be operating while intoxicated?
- .00 or more
- .04 or more
- .02 or more
- .06 or more
Show answer
Correct answer: .02 or more
The laws are stricter for drivers under the legal drinking age: an underage driver is considered intoxicated with a BAC of .02 or more.
Source: Iowa Driver’s License Manual (July 2026), page 37
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What is the minimum revocation of driving privileges for an underage driver operating with a BAC of .02 or more but less than .08?
- 30 days
- 90 days
- 120 days
- 60 days
Show answer
Correct answer: 60 days
An underage driver’s driving privileges are revoked for a minimum of 60 days, and for a minimum of 180 days if the BAC is .08 or more.
Source: Iowa Driver’s License Manual (July 2026), page 37
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What is the minimum revocation of driving privileges for an underage driver whose BAC is .08 or more?
- 90 days
- 180 days
- 120 days
- 270 days
Show answer
Correct answer: 180 days
An underage driver’s privileges are revoked for a minimum of 180 days if the BAC is .08 or more.
Source: Iowa Driver’s License Manual (July 2026), page 37
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While their license is revoked for OWI, an offender under age 18 is not eligible for what?
- A replacement license card
- A learner’s permit
- A temporary restricted license
- A license reinstatement hearing
Show answer
Correct answer: A temporary restricted license
Offenders under age 18 are not eligible for a temporary restricted license while their license is revoked for OWI.
Source: Iowa Driver’s License Manual (July 2026), page 37
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Where may open containers of alcoholic beverages be transported in a motor vehicle?
- In the trunk
- In the glove compartment
- Under the front passenger seat
- On the back seat, out of reach of the driver
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Correct answer: In the trunk
It is illegal to transport an open, unsealed container of alcohol in a motor vehicle, but open containers may be carried in the trunk.
Source: Iowa Driver’s License Manual (July 2026), page 37
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A violation of Iowa’s open container law is punishable as what?
- A simple misdemeanor
- A felony
- A civil infraction
- A parking violation
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Correct answer: A simple misdemeanor
The violation of the open container law is punishable as a simple misdemeanor.
Source: Iowa Driver’s License Manual (July 2026), page 37
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Under the open container law, who can be fined up to $200 for the violation?
- Only the driver
- Only the owner of the vehicle
- Each driver and passenger in the vehicle
- Only the person holding the container
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Correct answer: Each driver and passenger in the vehicle
The violation is punishable with up to a $200 fine for each driver and passenger in the vehicle.
Source: Iowa Driver’s License Manual (July 2026), page 37