Iowa: Road signs — Part 3 Practice Test
Regulatory, warning, guide, service and route signs in the Iowa Driver’s License Manual, including the slow-moving vehicle sign. — Part 3
Independent educational site · not affiliated with any government agency or DMV
Ready? Test yourself
- Instant feedback with an explanation
- Every answer cites its source in the manual
- Your best score is saved on this device
Questions are original and based on the official manual "Iowa Driver’s License Manual" (July 2026), Iowa Department of Transportation.
All 16 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.
Show the questions and answersHide the questions
-
You see a T-intersection ahead sign. What should you prepare to do?
- Turn right or left
- Continue straight through the junction
- Merge into a single lane
- Yield to a train at a crossing
Show answer
Correct answer: Turn right or left
A T-intersection ahead sign means the road you are on does not go straight ahead, so you should prepare to turn right or left.
Source: Iowa Driver’s License Manual (July 2026), page 9
-
A yellow-green diamond sign shows a bus with children beside it. What is it telling you?
- A stopped school bus will pick up or drop off passengers
- A lane ahead is reserved for buses during school hours
- A school building entrance is just ahead
- A bus route crosses the road you are on
Show answer
Correct answer: A stopped school bus will pick up or drop off passengers
The school bus stop ahead sign tells you that you are nearing an area where a stopped school bus will pick up or drop off passengers.
Source: Iowa Driver’s License Manual (July 2026), page 9
-
What should you do when you see a school bus stop ahead sign?
- Speed up to pass the bus before it stops
- Pull onto the shoulder and wait for the bus
- Watch for children and be prepared to stop
- Keep your speed and turn on your headlights
Show answer
Correct answer: Watch for children and be prepared to stop
A school bus stop ahead sign says to watch for children and be prepared to stop, since a stopped school bus will pick up or drop off passengers.
Source: Iowa Driver’s License Manual (July 2026), page 9
-
A yellow diamond sign shows an arrow bending gently to the left. What should you be prepared for?
- A sharp turn that requires you to stop first
- A change in direction as the road curves gradually
- A road that rises sharply over a hill
- A lane that ends and merges ahead
Show answer
Correct answer: A change in direction as the road curves gradually
The gradual curve sign tells you the road ahead curves gradually, so be prepared for the change in direction.
Source: Iowa Driver’s License Manual (July 2026), page 9
-
A yellow diamond sign shows a car with curving skid marks. What should you do under the conditions it describes?
- Keep your speed and brake hard
- Follow the vehicle ahead more closely
- Turn on your hazard lights and drive on
- Slow down
Show answer
Correct answer: Slow down
The slippery when wet sign says the road ahead becomes slippery in wet weather, and you should slow down under these conditions.
Source: Iowa Driver’s License Manual (July 2026), page 9
-
A rectangular yellow sign shows one large black arrowhead pointing sideways. When is this chevron sign used?
- To mark the beginning of a no passing zone
- To show where a work zone begins
- With curve signs, to stress a change in direction
- To mark a road that is closed ahead
Show answer
Correct answer: With curve signs, to stress a change in direction
A chevron sign is used in addition to the curve signs when there is a need to draw added attention to a change in the road’s direction.
Source: Iowa Driver’s License Manual (July 2026), page 9
-
A sign reading RAMP 35 MPH is posted. What does the number tell you?
- The recommended speed on an exit ramp
- The minimum speed required on the freeway
- The maximum legal speed on every ramp
- The speed limit of the road you are entering
Show answer
Correct answer: The recommended speed on an exit ramp
A ramp speed sign gives the recommended speed on an exit ramp.
Source: Iowa Driver’s License Manual (July 2026), page 9
-
What should you watch for when you see an advance school crossing sign?
- Railroad tracks near the school grounds
- Loose animals near the school
- A posted sign that lowers the speed limit
- Children and the marked school crossing
Show answer
Correct answer: Children and the marked school crossing
The advance school crossing sign means you are nearing a school area with a crossing, so watch for children and the marked school crossing.
Source: Iowa Driver’s License Manual (July 2026), page 9
-
A reflective orange triangle on the rear of a vehicle means what?
- It is traveling 25 mph or less
- It is traveling 35 mph or less
- It is traveling 45 mph or less
- It is carrying an oversize load
Show answer
Correct answer: It is traveling 35 mph or less
A reflective orange triangle on the rear of a vehicle means it is traveling 35 mph or less.
Source: Iowa Driver’s License Manual (July 2026), page 11
-
What do guide signs show?
- Directions and distance to locations
- Where railroad crossings are located
- Maximum and minimum safe speeds
- Which lane to use at each turn
Show answer
Correct answer: Directions and distance to locations
Guide signs show directions and distance to locations such as cities, airports, state lines, or places of interest.
Source: Iowa Driver’s License Manual (July 2026), page 11
-
Mile markers show the number of miles from where?
- Where the Interstate route entered the state
- The last Interstate exit you passed
- The largest city along the route
- The place where the route leaves the state
Show answer
Correct answer: Where the Interstate route entered the state
Mile markers show the number of miles from where the Interstate route entered the state you are traveling in.
Source: Iowa Driver’s License Manual (July 2026), page 11
-
What can you use mile markers to calculate?
- How fast traffic is moving ahead
- How much fuel your vehicle has burned so far
- How far you are from your exit or destination
- The speed limit on the next section
Show answer
Correct answer: How far you are from your exit or destination
Mile markers can be used 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?
- Find the nearest hospital
- Give your exact location
- Learn the posted speed limit
- Identify the next rest area
Show answer
Correct answer: Give your exact location
Mile markers give your exact location in an emergency.
Source: Iowa Driver’s License Manual (July 2026), page 11
-
Which of these do service signs show the location of?
- Railroad crossings
- School zones
- Work zones
- Fuel stations
Show answer
Correct answer: Fuel stations
Service signs show the location of services such as rest areas, fuel stations, campgrounds, or hospitals.
Source: Iowa Driver’s License Manual (July 2026), page 11
-
What does the shape of a route sign indicate?
- The speed limit of the road
- The distance to the next city
- The type of roadway
- The direction of travel
Show answer
Correct answer: The type of roadway
The shape of a route sign indicates the type of roadway it is, such as interstate, U.S. highway, Iowa route or county road.
Source: Iowa Driver’s License Manual (July 2026), page 11
-
A sign shows a white diamond above the words "HOV 2+ LANE AHEAD." What does it mean?
- The lane is reserved for vehicles that carry no more than two people
- The lane is reserved for vehicles making left turns from either direction
- The lane is reserved for high-occupancy vehicles carrying two or more people
- The lane ahead is reversible at certain times of the day
Show answer
Correct answer: The lane is reserved for high-occupancy vehicles carrying two or more people
In a lane reserved for high-occupancy vehicles (HOV), the vehicle must carry two or more people.
Source: Iowa Driver’s License Manual (July 2026), page 16