Iowa: Distracted and drowsy driving Practice Test
Visual, manual and cognitive distractions, Iowa’s texting and hands-free laws, phone rules for drivers under 18, and drowsy driving.
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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 27 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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Which kind of distraction involves doing something that requires the driver to look away from the driving task?
- Manual
- Cognitive
- Auditory
- Visual
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Correct answer: Visual
A visual distraction is doing something that requires the driver to look away from the driving task, such as looking at a GPS.
Source: Iowa Driver’s License Manual (July 2026), page 36
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What is a manual distraction?
- Doing something that requires the driver to take one or both hands off the wheel
- Doing something that requires the driver to look away from the driving task
- Doing something that causes the driver’s mind to wander or focus elsewhere
- Doing something that requires the driver to take both feet off the pedals
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Correct answer: Doing something that requires the driver to take one or both hands off the wheel
A manual distraction is doing something that requires the driver to take one or both hands off the wheel, such as eating or putting on makeup.
Source: Iowa Driver’s License Manual (July 2026), page 36
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What is a cognitive distraction?
- Doing something that requires the driver to look away from the driving task
- Doing something that requires the driver to take one or both hands off the wheel
- Doing something that causes the driver’s mind to wander or focus elsewhere
- Doing something that makes loud noise inside the vehicle
Show answer
Correct answer: Doing something that causes the driver’s mind to wander or focus elsewhere
A cognitive distraction is doing something that causes the driver’s mind to wander or focus elsewhere, such as having a conversation.
Source: Iowa Driver’s License Manual (July 2026), page 36
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Which kinds of distractions can be dangerous while driving?
- Only visual distractions
- Only visual and manual distractions
- Only distractions that involve taking a hand off the wheel
- All three kinds: visual, manual, and cognitive
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Correct answer: All three kinds: visual, manual, and cognitive
All types of distractions can be dangerous while driving.
Source: Iowa Driver’s License Manual (July 2026), page 36
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What does the manual say about common tasks people do behind the wheel?
- Each of them fits into exactly one kind of distraction
- Many of them can fit into more than one kind of distraction
- Most of them are not distractions at all
- Only tasks done with the hands count as distractions
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Correct answer: Many of them can fit into more than one kind of distraction
Many tasks that people commonly do behind the wheel can fit into more than one category of distraction.
Source: Iowa Driver’s License Manual (July 2026), page 36
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What does Iowa’s distracted driving law prohibit with mobile phones and other hand-held electronic communication devices?
- Carrying them in the vehicle unless they are turned completely off
- Looking at them while the vehicle is parked off the roadway
- Using them to write, send, or view an electronic message while driving
- Mounting them anywhere inside the passenger compartment
Show answer
Correct answer: Using them to write, send, or view an electronic message while driving
The law prohibits using mobile phones and other hand-held devices to write, send, or view an electronic message while driving.
Source: Iowa Driver’s License Manual (July 2026), page 36
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Before typing or reading a text message, email, or social media post on a hand-held phone, what must you do?
- Bring the vehicle to a complete stop off the traveled portion of the roadway
- Stop the vehicle in the traveled lane and turn on your hazard lights
- Slow down to a speed below 25 miles per hour and keep both eyes on the road
- Wait until you reach a red light and the vehicle has stopped completely
Show answer
Correct answer: Bring the vehicle to a complete stop off the traveled portion of the roadway
Before writing or reading a message on a hand-held device, the vehicle must be brought to a complete stop off the traveled portion of the roadway.
Source: Iowa Driver’s License Manual (July 2026), page 36
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When performing official duties, which group is an exception to Iowa’s law against using hand-held devices for messages while driving?
- Drivers of commercial trucks and buses
- Taxi and rideshare drivers on duty
- Members of public safety agencies
- Delivery drivers on their routes
Show answer
Correct answer: Members of public safety agencies
Members of public safety agencies performing official duties are an exception to the law.
Source: Iowa Driver’s License Manual (July 2026), page 36
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When are healthcare professionals exempt from the law against writing, sending, or viewing messages while driving?
- In the course of emergency situations
- Whenever they are driving to or from their workplace
- When they are on call at any time of the day
- When they are driving a vehicle marked as medical
Show answer
Correct answer: In the course of emergency situations
Healthcare professionals in the course of emergency situations are an exception to the law.
Source: Iowa Driver’s License Manual (July 2026), page 36
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A person receiving which kind of information is exempt from the law against writing, sending, or viewing messages while driving?
- Text messages from friends and family about their travel plans
- Social media posts and news updates about the local area
- Work messages from an employer about a delivery schedule
- Safety-related information, such as emergency, traffic, and weather alerts
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Correct answer: Safety-related information, such as emergency, traffic, and weather alerts
A person receiving safety-related information, including emergency, traffic, and weather alerts, is an exception to the law.
Source: Iowa Driver’s License Manual (July 2026), page 36
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What does it mean that distracted driving is a primary traffic offense?
- An officer can cite you only if a crash has happened
- An officer can cite you only after you commit another violation
- An officer can pull you over for the violation
- An officer can only give you a warning for the first violation
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Correct answer: An officer can pull you over for the violation
A primary offense means an officer can pull you over for a violation.
Source: Iowa Driver’s License Manual (July 2026), page 36
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In addition to paying fines, what could a distracted driving conviction result in?
- Your vehicle being impounded for a year
- Your license or permit being suspended or revoked
- Your being barred from driving at night for life
- Your being required to retake the road test
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Correct answer: Your license or permit being suspended or revoked
A distracted driving conviction could also result in your license or permit being suspended or revoked.
Source: Iowa Driver’s License Manual (July 2026), page 36
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If you drive distracted and cause the death of another person, what could you face?
- A fine of up to $100 and a written warning, with no effect on your license
- A fine of up to $500 and points on your driving record, but no other penalty
- A required driver improvement course, with no fine and no other penalty at all
- More than $1,000 in fines, license suspension, and possibly a vehicular homicide charge
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Correct answer: More than $1,000 in fines, license suspension, and possibly a vehicular homicide charge
If you drive distracted and cause another person’s death, you could face more than $1,000 in fines, license suspension, and possibly a vehicular homicide charge.
Source: Iowa Driver’s License Manual (July 2026), page 36
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Iowa’s hands-free law prohibits drivers from using electronic communication devices while driving unless:
- The device is mounted on the dashboard
- The vehicle is traveling below 25 mph
- The device is used hands-free
- The driver is on a highway with no traffic
Show answer
Correct answer: The device is used hands-free
The law prohibits using electronic communication devices while driving unless the device is used hands-free.
Source: Iowa Driver’s License Manual (July 2026), page 36
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Under Iowa’s hands-free law, how may a driver hold a phone while driving?
- The phone may not be held in any way
- Only against your ear while you are talking
- Only in one hand with the other hand on the wheel
- Only at a red light or while stopped in traffic
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Correct answer: The phone may not be held in any way
Hands free means you can’t hold your phone in any way.
Source: Iowa Driver’s License Manual (July 2026), page 36
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For a driver age 18 or older, which of these does Iowa’s hands-free law prohibit while driving?
- Answer a call using voice activation
- Place a call using voice activation
- Dial a number using a hands-free feature
- Manually scroll, type, or interact with it
Show answer
Correct answer: Manually scroll, type, or interact with it
Hands free means you can’t manually scroll, type, or interact with your phone in any way.
Source: Iowa Driver’s License Manual (July 2026), page 36
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For a driver age 18 or older, which of these does the hands-free law prohibit while driving?
- Make a call by voice activation
- Enter an address into a GPS
- Dial a number by hands-free feature
- Answer a call by voice activation
Show answer
Correct answer: Enter an address into a GPS
Hands free means you can’t enter an address to GPS while driving.
Source: Iowa Driver’s License Manual (July 2026), page 36
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For a driver age 18 or older, which of these does the hands-free law prohibit even with voice commands?
- Calling someone using voice activation
- Streaming videos or making video calls
- Answering a call using voice activation
- Dialing a number using voice activation
Show answer
Correct answer: Streaming videos or making video calls
You can’t stream videos or make video calls, even with voice commands.
Source: Iowa Driver’s License Manual (July 2026), page 36
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Under Iowa’s hands-free law, how may a driver age 18 or older make a phone call while driving?
- Only when the phone is held below the dashboard
- Only on roads where the speed limit is below 45 mph
- Only when the vehicle is traveling slower than 25 mph
- Only hands-free or by voice activation
Show answer
Correct answer: Only hands-free or by voice activation
Under the hands-free law you can’t call or dial unless using hands-free or voice activation.
Source: Iowa Driver’s License Manual (July 2026), page 36
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Which of these counts as an electronic device under Iowa’s hands-free law?
- Gaming devices
- A car’s built-in radio
- A vehicle’s speedometer
- A cruise control system
Show answer
Correct answer: Gaming devices
The electronic devices listed include cell phones, laptops, PDAs, tablets, and gaming devices.
Source: Iowa Driver’s License Manual (July 2026), page 36
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How does the manual compare drowsy driving with drunk driving?
- Drowsy driving is less dangerous because the driver is sober
- Drowsy driving is just as dangerous
- Drowsy driving is dangerous only at night
- Drowsy driving is dangerous only on interstates
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Correct answer: Drowsy driving is just as dangerous
The manual states that drowsy driving is just as dangerous as drunk driving.
Source: Iowa Driver’s License Manual (July 2026), page 37
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Which describes how drowsy drivers behave, according to the manual?
- They have fast reaction times but often have poor hearing
- They tend to drive well below the speed limit on all roads
- They stay in their lane but tend to brake far too early
- They react slowly and often swerve in and out of lanes
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Correct answer: They react slowly and often swerve in and out of lanes
Drowsy drivers have slow reaction times, often swerve in and out of lanes, veer off the road, and are more likely to cause a crash.
Source: Iowa Driver’s License Manual (July 2026), page 37
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Which of these is a sign that you should stop driving and rest, according to the manual?
- Feeling unusually warm inside the vehicle cabin
- Hearing a ringing sound in your ears at times
- Trouble remembering the last few miles driven
- Feeling hungry and wanting a snack soon
Show answer
Correct answer: Trouble remembering the last few miles driven
Trouble remembering the last few miles driven is one of the warning signs of drowsy driving.
Source: Iowa Driver’s License Manual (July 2026), page 37
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What should you do if you notice signs of drowsy driving?
- Take a break, pull over to a safe spot, or switch drivers
- Open a window and keep driving until you reach home
- Turn up the radio and drive a little faster to finish
- Slow down and keep driving in the right-hand lane
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Correct answer: Take a break, pull over to a safe spot, or switch drivers
The manual says to take a break, pull over to a safe spot, or switch drivers when you notice signs of drowsiness.
Source: Iowa Driver’s License Manual (July 2026), page 37
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Being awake for how many hours straight is as impairing as a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08 percent?
- 8 hours
- 12 hours
- 24 hours
- 18 hours
Show answer
Correct answer: 18 hours
Being awake for 18 hours straight is as impairing as a BAC of 0.08 percent, which is legally drunk, and leaves you at equal risk for a crash.
Source: Iowa Driver’s License Manual (July 2026), page 37
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According to the manual, what is a distraction?
- Only using a phone or a screen while the vehicle is moving
- Any noise from outside the vehicle that you cannot hear well
- Any activity that diverts your attention from the task of driving
- Any passenger who speaks to the driver more than once
Show answer
Correct answer: Any activity that diverts your attention from the task of driving
A distraction is any activity that diverts your attention from the task of driving.
Source: Iowa Driver’s License Manual (July 2026), page 47
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If you must make adjustments while driving in wet conditions, for how long should you look away from the road?
- About five seconds
- Only a second or two
- Up to ten seconds
- As long as the road ahead is clear
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Correct answer: Only a second or two
Make sure the road ahead is clear first, and look away for only a second or two.
Source: Iowa Driver’s License Manual (July 2026), page 60