Iowa: Road signs — Part 1 Practice Test
Questions in this part include: “What do regulatory signs provide information about?” · “What are passing areas based on?”
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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 17 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 of these do traffic signs advise drivers of?
- The current weather forecast
- Which vehicles have been recently registered
- Where services are located
- The age of the roadway surface
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Correct answer: Where services are located
Traffic signs advise of traffic laws, hazards, location, directions, and where services are located.
Source: Iowa Driver’s License Manual (July 2026), page 6
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What do regulatory signs provide information about?
- Directions and distances to towns, exits, and rest stops
- Locations of lodging, fuel stations, and restaurants for travelers
- Warnings of road work, crashes, and debris removal ahead
- Rules for traffic direction, lane use, turning, speed, and parking
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Correct answer: Rules for traffic direction, lane use, turning, speed, and parking
Regulatory signs provide information about rules for traffic direction, lane use, turning, speed, parking, and other special situations.
Source: Iowa Driver’s License Manual (July 2026), page 8
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What does a regulatory sign with a red circle and a red slash over a symbol indicate?
- You may do the thing shown, but only with caution
- A rest area is nearby
- You cannot do the thing shown by the symbol
- The thing shown is allowed only at night
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Correct answer: You cannot do the thing shown by the symbol
A red circle with a red slash over a symbol means you cannot do something, such as turn left, turn right, or make a U-turn.
Source: Iowa Driver’s License Manual (July 2026), page 8
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What do speed limit signs indicate?
- Only the maximum speed allowed at night
- The average speed of other traffic
- The maximum or minimum safe speed allowed
- The speed at which trains cross the road
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Correct answer: The maximum or minimum safe speed allowed
Speed limit signs indicate the maximum or minimum safe speed that is allowed.
Source: Iowa Driver’s License Manual (July 2026), page 8
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What do lane control signs mark?
- Where you must stop for pedestrians
- Where passing is allowed
- Where you can go and where you can turn
- Where parking is allowed
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Correct answer: Where you can go and where you can turn
Lane control signs mark where you can go and where you can turn, and often use an arrow symbol.
Source: Iowa Driver’s License Manual (July 2026), page 8
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Where may lane control signs be placed?
- Only along the right side of the road
- Along the road or hanging over the road
- Only painted on the pavement
- Only at the entrance of a freeway
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Correct answer: Along the road or hanging over the road
Lane control signs are along the road or hanging over the road.
Source: Iowa Driver’s License Manual (July 2026), page 8
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What do no passing signs mark?
- Where passing is required
- Where it is not safe to pass another vehicle
- Where passing is allowed at any speed
- Where a vehicle must stop before passing
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Correct answer: Where it is not safe to pass another vehicle
No passing signs mark where it is not safe to pass another vehicle.
Source: Iowa Driver’s License Manual (July 2026), page 8
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Where is the no passing zone sign located?
- At the beginning of the no passing zone
- At the end of the no passing zone
- Halfway through the no passing zone
- At the next intersection
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Correct answer: At the beginning of the no passing zone
The no passing zone sign is located at the beginning of the no passing zone.
Source: Iowa Driver’s License Manual (July 2026), page 8
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What are passing areas based on?
- How many lanes the road has
- The posted speed limit
- The type of vehicles you are following
- How far you can see ahead
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Correct answer: How far you can see ahead
Passing areas are based on how far you can see ahead.
Source: Iowa Driver’s License Manual (July 2026), page 8
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Where passing is allowed, when may you pass?
- Whenever the vehicle ahead is driving slower than you
- Whenever you are driving at or below the posted speed limit
- Only if it is safe
- Whenever you have already signaled to pass
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Correct answer: Only if it is safe
Where passing is allowed, you may do so only if it is safe.
Source: Iowa Driver’s License Manual (July 2026), page 8
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What must you do at a stop sign?
- Slow down and go ahead without stopping if no other traffic is visible
- Stop fully and wait until crossing vehicles and the crosswalk are clear
- Stop only if other vehicles or pedestrians are in front of you
- Slow down and sound your horn before crossing the intersection
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Correct answer: Stop fully and wait until crossing vehicles and the crosswalk are clear
A stop sign means you must come to a full stop and wait until crossing vehicles and the cross-walk are clear before proceeding.
Source: Iowa Driver’s License Manual (July 2026), page 8
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Where should you stop at a stop sign if there is a stop line?
- At the stop line
- At the edge of the crosswalk
- Past the stop line in the intersection
- Beside the stop sign post
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Correct answer: At the stop line
You stop at the stop line if one is present.
Source: Iowa Driver’s License Manual (July 2026), page 8
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After stopping at a stop sign, what may you do if necessary before you proceed?
- Back up a short distance to get a better view of the road
- Drive across slowly without looking for oncoming traffic
- Pull forward to the stop sign or the edge of the intersection
- Pass the vehicle ahead on the shoulder to reach the sign
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Correct answer: Pull forward to the stop sign or the edge of the intersection
If necessary, you may pull forward to the stop sign or the edge of the intersection and then proceed when it is safe.
Source: Iowa Driver’s License Manual (July 2026), page 8
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What does a yield sign mean?
- Come to a complete stop every time, even when no traffic is approaching
- Slow down and yield the right of way to traffic in the intersection or roadway
- Speed up to merge ahead of other traffic in the intersection
- Traffic ahead is allowed to move in only one direction
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Correct answer: Slow down and yield the right of way to traffic in the intersection or roadway
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.
Source: Iowa Driver’s License Manual (July 2026), page 8
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What does the divided highway sign tell you?
- The road ahead is closed
- The road ahead becomes one-way
- The road ahead has a railroad crossing
- The road ahead is divided
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Correct answer: The road ahead is divided
The divided highway sign tells you that the road ahead is divided and directs traffic around an island or barrier.
Source: Iowa Driver’s License Manual (July 2026), page 8
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What does the divided highway sign direct traffic around?
- A railroad crossing
- An island or barrier
- A school zone
- A closed lane with workers
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Correct answer: An island or barrier
The divided highway sign directs traffic around an island or barrier.
Source: Iowa Driver’s License Manual (July 2026), page 8
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What does a one-way sign mean?
- Traffic moves only in the direction of the arrow
- Traffic may move in either direction on the left lane
- Traffic must stop before the arrow
- The road ahead is divided
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Correct answer: Traffic moves only in the direction of the arrow
A one-way sign means traffic moves only in the direction of the arrow.
Source: Iowa Driver’s License Manual (July 2026), page 8