20 questions from the Iowa driver handbook. Pick an answer to see the rule behind it.
1. What is the recommended action if you cannot reach a sturdy building during a tornado while driving?
Answer: Pull over, duck down below the windows, keep your seat belt fastened, and cover your head. The handbook instructs drivers to stay in the vehicle, duck below window level, and protect their heads if a building is unavailable.
Iowa driver handbook, page 60: “If you are unable to make it to a shelter, pull over, duck down below the windows in the vehicle, keep your seat belt fastened, and cover your head with your hands or an object such as a blanket or cushion.”
2. What is the basic color of signs and warning devices used in work zones?
Answer: Orange. The handbook specifies that orange is the primary color for traffic control devices in work zones.
Iowa driver handbook, page 14: “Orange is the basic color of these signs and warning devices.”
3. What should you do if your brakes stop working while driving?
Answer: Pump the brake pedal several times. The handbook advises pumping the brake pedal to build pressure as the first step when brakes fail, rather than shifting to Park or turning off the engine.
Iowa driver handbook, page 62: “Pump the brake pedal several times. This will often build up enough brake pressure to allow you to stop.”
4. What is the recommended procedure for changing lanes according to the handbook?
Answer: Change lanes one lane at a time while maintaining speed. Drivers are instructed to change lanes one at a time and to maintain speed during the maneuver unless moving into a slower lane.
Iowa driver handbook, page 44: “Only change lanes one lane at a time. Before changing lanes, check traffic around you and confirm there is space to safely enter the lane and yield to any vehicles already in that lane (see figure 4.4) Figure 4. 4: Changing lanes”
5. What is the minimum visibility distance required for the red light on the back of a vehicle?
Answer: At least 500 feet. The handbook states that the rear red light must be visible for a minimum distance of 500 feet.
Iowa driver handbook, page 24: “You also need at least one red light on the back of the vehicle, and it should be visible for at least 500 feet.”
6. How far ahead should a driver scan conditions while driving?
Answer: 20 to 30 seconds ahead. The handbook instructs drivers to scan conditions 20 to 30 seconds ahead of them.
Iowa driver handbook, page 47: “Check your mirrors frequently and scan conditions 20 to 30 seconds ahead of you.”
7. Under the 2024 update to the Iowa traffic code, which of the following is considered a pedestrian conveyance that vehicles must yield to?
Answer: Scooters. The handbook lists scooters specifically as examples of human-powered devices classified as pedestrian conveyances.
Iowa driver handbook, page 10: “Pedestrian conveyances include, but are not limited to: • Wheelchairs • Strollers • Skateboards • Scooters • Electric personal assistive mobility devices”
8. At a controlled intersection, who must yield when a driver wants to make a right turn after stopping at a red light?
Answer: The driver making the right turn. The rule states that the driver initiating the right turn is responsible for yielding right-of-way.
Iowa driver handbook, page 19: “You must yield when you want to make a right turn after stopping at a red light.”
9. What lighting technique is recommended when driving in extremely dusty conditions on rural roads?
Answer: Use low beam headlights to make your vehicle more visible to others. The handbook specifies using low beam headlights specifically to enhance visibility to other drivers in dusty environments.
Iowa driver handbook, page 55: “Use low beam headlights to make your vehicle more visible to others during extremely dusty conditions”
10. How many separate braking systems are required for cars, trucks, and ATVs/UTVs?
Answer: Two separate braking systems. The handbook clearly defines that these vehicle types require two distinct braking systems: a foot brake and a parking brake.
Iowa driver handbook, page 23: “Cars, trucks, and ATVs/UTVs need two separate braking systems, a foot brake and a parking brake.”
11. What is the purpose of the truck apron in a roundabout?
Answer: To accommodate the rear wheels of long vehicles if needed. The handbook defines the truck apron as a feature designed to accommodate the rear wheels of long vehicles during navigation.
Iowa driver handbook, page 55: “Truck apron: designed to accommodate the rear wheels of long vehicles (semis, vehicles with trailers, firetrucks, etc.) if needed when navigating the roundabout”
12. What is the primary instruction given regarding a driver's attention while operating a vehicle?
Answer: Give your full attention to the task of driving. The manual instructs drivers to focus entirely on driving as a key safety practice.
Iowa driver handbook, page 2: “Give your full attention to the task of driving.”
13. When completing a passing maneuver, when should you signal your intent to return to the original lane?
Answer: When you see the front of the passed car in the rearview mirror and your vehicle is well clear. The correct procedure is to signal once the passed vehicle is visible in the rearview mirror and there is sufficient clearance.
Iowa driver handbook, page 45: “When you see the front of the passed car in the rearview mirror and your vehicle is well clear, signal intent, gently and slowly move back to the original lane, cancel the signal, and return to a safe speed.”
14. How does Automatic Emergency Braking respond if the driver fails to react to a hazard?
Answer: It slows down rapidly or stops the vehicle on its own. The handbook specifies that the system automatically applies brakes to slow down or stop the vehicle if the driver does not take action.
Iowa driver handbook, page 31: “If you fail to brake or steer to avoid a hazard ahead, the vehicle will slow down rapidly or stop on its own to avoid a crash.”
15. What is a common cause of blind spots created by reflections inside the vehicle?
Answer: Glaring reflections off the front windshield. The handbook identifies the front windshield as the primary source of glaring reflections that create blind spots, suggesting the use of visors or sunglasses to mitigate this.
Iowa driver handbook, page 34: “The front windshield is the most common place for glaring reflections and blind spots.”
16. When entering a roundabout, what action must a driver take regarding traffic already inside?
Answer: Yield to all traffic already in the roundabout. The handbook instructs drivers to yield to existing traffic when entering the roundabout.
Iowa driver handbook, page 54: “When entering the roundabout, yield to all traffic already in the roundabout.”
17. According to the basic safety rules listed in the manual, where must a driver ensure they are buckled up?
Answer: No matter where you’re sitting in the vehicle. The manual states that seatbelt usage is required regardless of which seat the occupant is in.
Iowa driver handbook, page 2: “Buckle up, no matter where you’re sitting in the vehicle.”
18. When turning corners, which steering techniques are recommended by the handbook?
Answer: Hand-overhand or push-pull. The handbook specifies that drivers should use either the hand-overhand or push-pull technique when turning corners.
Iowa driver handbook, page 42: “When turning corners, turn the steering wheel using the “hand-overhand” or the “push-pull” technique.”
19. What should a driver do if the minimum speed limit on a high-speed road is too fast for them?
Answer: Use another route. The handbook advises drivers to choose a different route if they cannot meet the minimum speed requirement.
Iowa driver handbook, page 8: “Some high-speed roads have minimum speed limits. If this minimum speed is too fast for you, then you should use another route.”
20. What does a reflective orange triangle on the rear of a vehicle indicate?
Answer: It means the vehicle is traveling 35 mph or less. The handbook defines the reflective orange triangle as a marker for vehicles traveling at speeds of 35 mph or less.
Iowa driver handbook, page 11: “A reflective orange triangle on the rear of a vehicle means it is traveling 35 mph or less.”