Driving Test Practice

Iowa road sign library

Every sign, signal and marking the Iowa driver manual shows or names, with its meaning in the manual's words and its page.

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Regulatory signs - Iowa

  • SPEED LIMIT 40

    SPEED LIMIT 40

    Speed limit signs indicate the maximum or minimum safe speed that is allowed. Maximum speed limits are for ideal driving conditions. Sometimes you must reduce your speed when conditions require it, such as when the roadway is slippery (during rain or snow) or it is difficult to see clearly down the road (during fog).

    Manual page 8

  • SPEED LIMIT 70 / MINIMUM 40

    SPEED LIMIT 70 / MINIMUM 40

    Some high-speed roads have minimum speed limits. If this minimum speed is too fast for you, then you should use another route.

    Manual page 8

  • STOP

    STOP

    A stop sign means you must come to a full stop and wait until crossing vehicles and the cross-walk are clear before proceeding. Stop at the stop line if one is present. If necessary, you may then pull forward to the stop sign or the edge of the intersection and then proceed when it is safe to do so.

    Manual page 7

  • YIELD

    YIELD

    A yield sign means you must slow down and yield the right of way to traffic in the intersection you are crossing or roadway you are entering.

    Manual page 7

See them all (24) →

Warning and work zone signs - Iowa

  • NO PASSING ZONE

    NO PASSING ZONE

    These signs mark where it is not safe to pass another vehicle. The no passing zone sign is located at the beginning of the no passing zone. Passing areas are based on how far you can see ahead. Where passing is allowed, you may do so only if it is safe.

    Manual page 7

  • NARROW BRIDGE

    NARROW BRIDGE

    Warning. Alerts you to special road hazards. Words or pictures on the sign will show you why you need to slow down or use extra caution.

    Manual page 7

  • Crossroad

    Crossroad

    There is another road ahead that crosses the road you are on. Watch carefully for cross traffic in your path.

    Manual page 9

  • Signal Ahead

    Signal Ahead

    These signs are used on roads with higher speeds. Be ready for an intersection and a stop light.

    Manual page 9

See them all (29) →

Guide, railroad and other signs - Iowa

  • REPORT PROBLEM OR EMERGENCY (ENS Sign)

    REPORT PROBLEM OR EMERGENCY (ENS Sign)

    This blue sign is posted on both sides at each railroad crossings and provides critical information for reporting a problem or emergency on or near the tracks. It includes a phone number to contact the railroad and a unique crossing identification number. Drivers should use the phone number and crossing ID to report stalled vehicles, malfunctioning signals, or any other hazardous situation at the crossing.

    Manual page 8

  • Slow-Moving Vehicle Emblem

    Slow-Moving Vehicle Emblem

    A reflective orange triangle on the rear of a vehicle means it is traveling 35 mph or less. You may see this sign on road maintenance equipment, farm vehicles, or horse-drawn wagons.

    Manual page 11

  • MILE 1

    MILE 1

    Mile markers show the number of miles from where the Interstate route entered the state you are traveling in. They can be used to calculate how far you are from your exit or destination and give your exact location in an emergency.

    Manual page 11

  • Twiner Park

    Twiner Park

    Recreation and cultural points of interest. Provides direction to historical sites, parks, or recreational areas.

    Manual page 11

See them all (18) →

Traffic signals - Iowa

  • Standard Traffic Signal

    Standard Traffic Signal

    The manual does not state it

    Manual page 11

  • Solid Red Signal

    Solid Red Signal

    Come to a complete stop.

    Manual page 11

  • Flashing Red Signal

    Flashing Red Signal

    Treat it the same as a stop sign.

    Manual page 11

  • Solid Yellow Signal

    Solid Yellow Signal

    Do not enter the intersection if you can stop safely. If you cannot stop safely, proceed through the intersection with caution.

    Manual page 11

See them all (14) →

Pavement markings - Iowa

  • One-Direction Roadway

    One-Direction Roadway

    White lines separate traffic moving in the same direction.

    Manual page 15

  • Two-Direction Roadway

    Two-Direction Roadway

    Yellow lines separate traffic moving in opposite directions. On two-way roads you will see a solid yellow line with a dashed line beside it in some places. Passing is not allowed on the side with the solid yellow line. Vehicles on the side with the dashed line may pass when safe to do so.

    Manual page 15

  • DOUBLE YELLOW CENTER LINE

    DOUBLE YELLOW CENTER LINE

    No passing in either lane.

    Manual page 45

  • Double Yellow Center Line with Broken White Lane Lines

    Double Yellow Center Line with Broken White Lane Lines

    No passing either way over center yellow lines. Broken white lines separate traffic traveling in the same direction. Passing is allowed when a broken white line is in your lane.

    Manual page 45

See them all (16) →

More signs from our practice questions

  • A plain orange diamond-shaped sign with a black border and no symbol or lettering on it.

    Where orange signs mark road work, what should you be sure to watch for?

    Changing speed limits and workers on the road

    Source: Iowa Driver’s License Manual (July 2026), page 6

  • A plain downward-pointing triangular sign with a white center and a wide red border, with no lettering.

    What does a sign shaped like an equilateral triangle tell you to do?

    Yield the right of way

    Source: Iowa Driver’s License Manual (July 2026), page 7

  • A blank yellow sign shaped like a sideways triangle (pennant) with a black border, on a post

    What does a pennant-shaped sign warn you of?

    A no passing zone

    Source: Iowa Driver’s License Manual (July 2026), page 7

  • A plain yellow four-sided sign standing on one corner like a diamond, with a black border and nothing printed on it.

    What is the purpose of a diamond-shaped sign?

    To warn you of special road hazards

    Source: Iowa Driver’s License Manual (July 2026), page 7

    On a diamond-shaped warning sign, what shows you why you need to slow down or use extra caution?

    Words or pictures on the sign

    Source: Iowa Driver’s License Manual (July 2026), page 7

  • A white square sign showing a red circle with a red diagonal line through it over a black arrow turning right.

    What does a regulatory sign with a red circle and a red slash over a symbol indicate?

    You cannot do the thing shown by the symbol

    Source: Iowa Driver’s License Manual (July 2026), page 8

  • A white and black speed limit sign

    What do speed limit signs indicate?

    The maximum or minimum safe speed allowed

    Source: Iowa Driver’s License Manual (July 2026), page 8

  • A white rectangular sign reading MINIMUM SPEED 40.

    Which roads have minimum speed limits?

    Some high-speed roads

    Source: Iowa Driver’s License Manual (July 2026), page 8

    If the minimum speed limit on a high-speed road is too fast for you, what should you do?

    Use another route

    Source: Iowa Driver’s License Manual (July 2026), page 8

  • A blue car follows a white box truck in the right lane of a two-lane road while a red car drives toward them in the other lane.

    Where passing is allowed, when may you pass?

    Only if it is safe

    Source: Iowa Driver’s License Manual (July 2026), page 8

  • A red car approaching a STOP sign on the right corner, with a solid white line painted across its lane before a crosswalk where two pedestrians and a crossing guard holding a STOP paddle are crossing.

    Where should you stop at a stop sign if there is a stop line?

    At the stop line

    Source: Iowa Driver’s License Manual (July 2026), page 8

  • A blue car at the stop line of a side street beside a red STOP sign, where it meets a road with double yellow centre lines; the back of another STOP sign stands on the far corner.

    After stopping at a stop sign, what may you do if necessary before you proceed?

    Pull forward to the stop sign or the edge of the intersection

    Source: Iowa Driver’s License Manual (July 2026), page 8

  • A white sign with a black arrow bending around the right side of a black island shape

    What does the divided highway sign tell you?

    The road ahead is divided

    Source: Iowa Driver’s License Manual (July 2026), page 8

  • A black rectangular sign with a white arrow pointing right and the words ONE WAY.

    What does a one-way sign mean?

    Traffic moves only in the direction of the arrow

    Source: Iowa Driver’s License Manual (July 2026), page 8

  • A square white sign with a large red circle crossed by a wide horizontal white bar, with the words DO NOT above the bar and ENTER below it in white.

    What kind of place does a Do Not Enter sign mark?

    Roadway openings you are not to enter

    Source: Iowa Driver’s License Manual (July 2026), page 8

    Where will you see Do Not Enter signs?

    At exit ramps

    Source: Iowa Driver’s License Manual (July 2026), page 8

  • Yellow diamond sign with two black arrows side by side, the left one pointing down and the right one pointing up.

    A yellow diamond sign shows one arrow pointing up and one pointing down. Why should you keep to the right when you see it?

    You are leaving a one-way road and entering a two-way road

    Source: Iowa Driver’s License Manual (July 2026), page 9

  • A yellow diamond-shaped sign showing two vertical black lines, the right one bending in toward the left one.

    A yellow diamond sign shows two lanes becoming one lane. What must traffic do when merging?

    Yield to other vehicles

    Source: Iowa Driver’s License Manual (July 2026), page 9

  • A fluorescent orange triangle with a red reflective border mounted on the rear of a farm tractor

    A reflective orange triangle on the rear of a vehicle means what?

    It is traveling 35 mph or less

    Source: Iowa Driver’s License Manual (July 2026), page 11

  • A blank green sign panel with a white border

    What do guide signs show?

    Directions and distance to locations

    Source: Iowa Driver’s License Manual (July 2026), page 11

  • A narrow green sign on a post reading MILE 42 in white letters.

    Mile markers show the number of miles from where?

    Where the Interstate route entered the state

    Source: Iowa Driver’s License Manual (July 2026), page 11

    What can you use mile markers to calculate?

    How far you are from your exit or destination

    Source: Iowa Driver’s License Manual (July 2026), page 11

    In an emergency, what do mile markers help you do?

    Give your exact location

    Source: Iowa Driver’s License Manual (July 2026), page 11

  • A blank blue sign panel with a white border

    Which of these do service signs show the location of?

    Fuel stations

    Source: Iowa Driver’s License Manual (July 2026), page 11

  • Three route markers side by side: a red, white and blue Interstate shield with the number 5, a black-and-white U.S. route shield with 20, and a black square holding a white rounded shape with 22.

    What does the shape of a route sign indicate?

    The type of roadway

    Source: Iowa Driver’s License Manual (July 2026), page 11

  • A traffic signal housing showing an illuminated red arrow pointing to the left.

    What does a steady red arrow mean for drivers turning left or right?

    They must stop

    Source: Iowa Driver’s License Manual (July 2026), page 11

  • A steady yellow arrow traffic signal

    What does a steady yellow arrow mean?

    The turn signal is about to turn red

    Source: Iowa Driver’s License Manual (July 2026), page 11

    A steady yellow arrow appears while you are still before the intersection and can stop safely. What should you do?

    Do not enter the intersection

    Source: Iowa Driver’s License Manual (July 2026), page 11

  • An overhead lane-control signal showing a green arrow

    Over a reversible lane there is a green arrow. What does it mean?

    You can use the lane beneath it

    Source: Iowa Driver’s License Manual (July 2026), page 15

  • A lane-control signal showing a red X

    Over a reversible lane there is a red "X". What does it mean?

    You may not use the lane

    Source: Iowa Driver’s License Manual (July 2026), page 15

  • A lane-control signal showing a yellow X

    Over a reversible lane there is a steady yellow "X". What should you do?

    Move out of the lane as soon as it is safe to do so

    Source: Iowa Driver’s License Manual (July 2026), page 15

  • A yellow-green diamond sign with a walking person, a black bar with two unlit rectangular lights below it, and a small yellow-green plaque with an arrow pointing down at an angle, all on one gray post.

    How is a Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacon activated?

    Manually, by a push button

    Source: Iowa Driver’s License Manual (July 2026), page 18

  • A yellow-green pedestrian crossing sign with a diagonal downward arrow plaque and a pair of rectangular warning lights, both unlit, above a push-button box on the post.

    Where are Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons often located?

    At intersections without traffic signals or at mid-block crosswalks

    Source: Iowa Driver’s License Manual (July 2026), page 18

  • A yellow-green pedestrian crossing sign with a dark rectangular light bar below it, a downward arrow plaque and a push button on the post.

    What do the lights of a Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacon look like when the beacon has been activated?

    Amber lights that flash in a rapid pattern

    Source: Iowa Driver’s License Manual (July 2026), page 18

  • A pedestrian hybrid beacon showing a flashing yellow light

    The bottom yellow light of a Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon is flashing. What must motorists do?

    Slow down

    Source: Iowa Driver’s License Manual (July 2026), page 18

  • A pedestrian hybrid beacon showing a steady yellow light

    The bottom yellow light of a Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon has become solid. What must motorists do?

    Prepare to stop

    Source: Iowa Driver’s License Manual (July 2026), page 18

  • A signal head hanging from a mast arm on a pole: two red lamps lit side by side above one dark yellow lamp, on a black T-shaped plate with a yellow border.

    The top two red lights of a Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon have become solid. What must motorists do?

    Stop for pedestrians

    Source: Iowa Driver’s License Manual (July 2026), page 18

  • A pedestrian hybrid beacon hanging over the road, its two top red lights flashing and its bottom light dark.

    The top two red lights of a Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon are flashing. Under what condition may motorists proceed with caution?

    After stopping, if the crosswalk is clear

    Source: Iowa Driver’s License Manual (July 2026), page 18

  • Traffic signal with a green arrow pointing straight up lit.

    At a diverging diamond interchange, what does an up arrow on a traffic signal indicate?

    Driving straight through

    Source: Iowa Driver’s License Manual (July 2026), page 53