Iowa: Speed and following distance — Part 3 Practice Test
Questions in this part include: “When the speed limit is not posted, what general limit applies to any vehicle pulling another vehicle?” · “Besides driving too fast, what else may cause a crash?”
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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 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.
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When the speed limit is not posted, what general limit applies to any vehicle pulling another vehicle?
- 35 mph
- 45 mph
- 40 mph
- 55 mph
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Correct answer: 45 mph
Where no limit is posted, any vehicle pulling another vehicle has a general limit of 45 mph.
Source: Iowa Driver’s License Manual (July 2026), page 42
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When the speed limit is not posted, what general limit applies on unsurfaced secondary roads from sunset until sunrise?
- 35 mph
- 50 mph
- 45 mph
- 60 mph
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Correct answer: 50 mph
Where no limit is posted, the limit on unsurfaced secondary roads from sunset until sunrise is 50 mph.
Source: Iowa Driver’s License Manual (July 2026), page 42
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When the speed limit is not posted, what general limit applies to all trucks on secondary roads at any time of day?
- 35 mph
- 45 mph
- 60 mph
- 50 mph
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Correct answer: 50 mph
Where no limit is posted, the general limit for all trucks on secondary roads at any time of day is 50 mph.
Source: Iowa Driver’s License Manual (July 2026), page 42
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When the speed limit is not posted, what general limit applies on all primary roads?
- 60 mph
- 45 mph
- 55 mph
- 70 mph
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Correct answer: 60 mph
Where no limit is posted, the general limit on all primary roads is 60 mph.
Source: Iowa Driver’s License Manual (July 2026), page 42
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When the speed limit is not posted, what general limit applies on urban interstate highways?
- 45 mph
- 55 mph
- 60 mph
- 70 mph
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Correct answer: 60 mph
Where no limit is posted, the general limit on urban interstate highways is 60 mph.
Source: Iowa Driver’s License Manual (July 2026), page 42
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When the speed limit is not posted, what general limit applies on secondary roads, including unpaved roads, from sunrise to sunset?
- 35 mph
- 45 mph
- 70 mph
- 60 mph
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Correct answer: 60 mph
Where no limit is posted, secondary roads, including unpaved roads, have a general limit of 60 mph from sunrise to sunset.
Source: Iowa Driver’s License Manual (July 2026), page 42
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When the speed limit is not posted, what general limit applies on rural interstate highways?
- 55 mph
- 70 mph
- 60 mph
- 65 mph
Show answer
Correct answer: 70 mph
Where no limit is posted, the general limit on rural interstate highways is 70 mph.
Source: Iowa Driver’s License Manual (July 2026), page 42
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What may happen to the general limits that apply when no speed limit is posted?
- They apply only at night and in bad weather
- They can never be changed
- A lower limit may be set for any of the conditions
- They apply only to commercial vehicles
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Correct answer: A lower limit may be set for any of the conditions
The manual says a lower limit may be set for any of the conditions listed.
Source: Iowa Driver’s License Manual (July 2026), page 42
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Besides driving too fast, what else may cause a crash?
- Driving too slow
- Driving with the general traffic flow
- Using the proper speed for conditions
- Driving at the posted speed limit
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Correct answer: Driving too slow
The manual says that while driving too fast is a major cause of crashes, driving too slow may also cause a crash.
Source: Iowa Driver’s License Manual (July 2026), page 42
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What does the manual say you should try to do on any road?
- Drive with the general traffic flow
- Drive 10 mph under the posted limit
- Stay in the left lane at all times
- Pass slower vehicles whenever possible
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Correct answer: Drive with the general traffic flow
The manual says to try to drive with the general traffic flow on any road.
Source: Iowa Driver’s License Manual (July 2026), page 42
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What is the minimum speed on the interstate system?
- 25 mph
- 30 mph
- 40 mph
- 35 mph
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Correct answer: 40 mph
On the interstate system there is a minimum speed of 40 mph.
Source: Iowa Driver’s License Manual (July 2026), page 42
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What is true of vehicles that cannot go at least the minimum speed under normal conditions?
- They must use the right shoulder
- They are not allowed on the interstate
- They may use the interstate with flashers on
- They must have a flag on the rear
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Correct answer: They are not allowed on the interstate
Vehicles that cannot go at least 40 mph under normal conditions are not allowed on the interstate.
Source: Iowa Driver’s License Manual (July 2026), page 42
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What puts you in a stronger position to deal with other people's driving choices?
- Driving faster than the traffic around you
- Following the vehicle ahead closely so you can react sooner
- Assuming other drivers will drive safely
- Avoiding aggressive and inattentive driving tendencies yourself
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Correct answer: Avoiding aggressive and inattentive driving tendencies yourself
Avoiding aggressive and inattentive driving tendencies yourself puts you in a stronger position to deal with other drivers' choices.
Source: Iowa Driver’s License Manual (July 2026), page 47
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As a defensive driving technique, how far ahead should you scan conditions?
- 5 to 10 seconds ahead
- 20 to 30 seconds ahead
- 10 to 15 seconds ahead
- 40 to 60 seconds ahead
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Correct answer: 20 to 30 seconds ahead
The manual says to check your mirrors frequently and scan conditions 20 to 30 seconds ahead of you.
Source: Iowa Driver’s License Manual (July 2026), page 47
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In defensive driving, what does it mean to leave yourself an out?
- A gap behind you that is big enough to back into
- A lane change you plan ahead of time so you can leave the highway
- A place to go if your immediate path of travel is suddenly blocked
- An exit you decide to take if traffic slows down
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Correct answer: A place to go if your immediate path of travel is suddenly blocked
Leaving yourself an out means having a place to move your vehicle if your immediate path of travel is suddenly blocked.
Source: Iowa Driver’s License Manual (July 2026), page 47
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What is the best way to avoid potential dangers in all driving situations?
- Stay in the left lane at all times so you can pass slower vehicles quickly
- Position your vehicle where you have the best chance of seeing and being seen
- Drive in the right lane at all times, whatever the traffic is doing
- Keep your speed slightly above the flow of traffic
Show answer
Correct answer: Position your vehicle where you have the best chance of seeing and being seen
The best way to avoid potential dangers is to position your vehicle where you have the best chance of seeing and being seen.
Source: Iowa Driver’s License Manual (July 2026), page 47