Iowa · Permit testHow does the Iowa DMV practice test work?
- Open the DOT's practice test page and choose English or Spanish.
- In English, a short video plays first. When it ends, the test starts.
- Answer 25 questions, drawn at random from the DOT's larger pool of sample questions.
- Check your score. The DOT counts 80% or higher as a pass, so that's 20 of 25.
- Start over for a fresh set of 25. There's no limit on how many times you try.
Study options compared
| Option | Price | Free to use | Links |
|---|---|---|---|
| Official and free | |||
Iowa Driver's License ManualOfficial · PDFForm M1170, dated July 2026, 68 pages in five chapters. The DOT names it as the study guide for the permit test. | Free | The whole manual, as one file or chapter by chapter | |
Iowa DOT driver's license practice testOfficial · webEach try draws 25 questions at random from the DOT's pool of sample questions, which the DOT says includes questions from the real knowledge test. It counts 80% as a pass. The English version opens with a short video, and there's a Spanish version. | Free | Unlimited tries, 25 questions each | |
The Parent's Supervised Driving Program and RoadReadyOfficial · PDF and appA March 2026 guide from the DOT and Safe Roads Alliance for parents teaching a teen, in 13 skills from parking lots to interstates, with Iowa's licensing steps and a log for supervised hours. The guide describes the RoadReady app as free. The DOT warns that RoadReady may round driving time up, so check the hours before sending a parent-taught log. | Free | The whole guide, the driving log and the app | |
Motorcycle, moped and CDL study materialOfficial · PDF and appThe Motorcycle Manual (marked archived), the Moped Operator's Manual and the CDL Manual. For commercial permits, the DOT's official CDL test app has over 600 exam-like questions and is free for Iowans who register. | Free | All three manuals, and the CDL app after registering | |
| Apps and websites | |||
Driving-Tests.org and DMV GenieWeb and app · all statesOne company runs both. The Iowa section adds road sign, fines and limits, distracted and drunk driving tests, and an exam simulator of 25 random questions. Premium promises 500+ questions. The page shows the DMV Genie app at 4.7 stars with over 1 million downloads. | Free tests, paid Premium (price not shown on the Iowa page) | Iowa permit practice tests 1 to 3 and a diagnostic quick check | |
ZutobiApp and web · all statesGame-style lessons built around each state's manual. Its Iowa page claims more than 600 Iowa-specific questions and a 4.8 Trustpilot score. | Free to try, then a paid plan (price not shown on its Iowa page) | A free start | |
| In person | |||
Driver education: school districts and licensed schoolsLocalUnder 18, an approved course is required for the school and intermediate licenses. Every Iowa school district must offer one to resident students, and may charge tuition. The DOT's search page lists licensed private schools. | Set by each district or school | Required course for teens; districts may charge tuition and fees | |
DOT-approved parent-taught coursesOnline and home coursesFor the DOT's parent-taught program: AAA How to Drive, Driver Ed in a Box, Driver Education 101, National Driver Training, NICC High School Driver's Ed and Safe2Drive. The parent adds 30 hours of driving, three at night, and the teen then takes the drive test. | Set by each provider | An approved course, plus a parent-led log of 30 driving hours | |
Prices and ratings checked October 2026.
A study plan built on the manual
- Chapter 1, pages 4 and 5, is short: who needs a license and the tests you'll take.
- Chapter 2, pages 6 to 22, is the longest. It covers sign colors and shapes, signals, railroad crossings, work zones, lane markings, right-of-way, school buses and the Move Over or Slow Down law.
- Chapter 3, pages 23 to 38, covers vehicle checks, seat belts and child seats, the hands-free law, alcohol and drowsy driving.
- Chapter 4, pages 39 to 49, covers braking, following distance, speed limits, signaling, lane changes and passing.
- Chapter 5, pages 50 to 64, covers rural four-lane roads, interstates, roundabouts, gravel roads, deer, trucks, weather and emergencies.
- After each chapter, take the DOT's practice test again and reread the parts behind any question you miss.
Do you need driver's ed or an app?
Driver education isn't a study aid for the knowledge test, but teens need it anyway. Under 18, you must finish an approved course before the school license or the intermediate license.
Apps and websites add more questions on top of the DOT's pool, and some track what you get wrong. Each company writes its own questions, so if an answer doesn't match the manual, go with the manual.
Practicing for a motorcycle, moped or CDL test?
The DOT's practice test is for the car knowledge test, which moped riders take too. Motorcycle riders study the Iowa Motorcycle Operator Manual. For commercial licenses, the DOT offers a free official CDL test app with more than 600 questions.
Sources: Iowa DOT · Iowa Driver's License Manual and 3 more. Checked October 2026.
- Iowa DOT: Iowa driver's license practice test ↗
- Iowa DOT: Instruction permit for under age 18 (study guide and practice test) ↗
- Iowa Driver's License Manual, M1170, July 2026 (PDF) ↗
- Iowa DOT: Driver education ↗
- Iowa DOT: CDL testing (CDL test app) ↗
Rules and fees can change, so check the official site before your test.