A work-zone flagger tells your lane to stop, although your usual route would continue ahead. What should you do?
Correct answer: Stop and follow the flagger’s direction.
Authorized work-zone control directs traffic through temporary hazards. Follow the flagger and leave extra room rather than relying on the usual road arrangement.
Source: Iowa Driver's Manual, MM1170 07/23/2026; printed page 14, physical PDF page 14; Work zones. Readable text only; no diagram interpretation used. ↗
A person is crossing at an intersection in an unmarked crosswalk. What should you do?
Correct answer: Yield; the absence of painted lines does not remove the crosswalk protection.
The manual requires yielding to pedestrians in both marked and unmarked crosswalks. Watch at intersections even when no paint marks the crossing.
Source: Iowa Driver's Manual, MM1170 07/23/2026; printed page 19, physical PDF page 19; Right-of-way rules. Readable text only; no diagram interpretation used. ↗
A person using a wheelchair is crossing in your path at a crosswalk. How should you treat that person?
Correct answer: Yield as you would to a pedestrian walking across.
Iowa’s pedestrian guidance includes people using mobility conveyances. A wheelchair user in the crossing needs the same safe yielding response as a person on foot.
Source: Iowa Driver's Manual, MM1170 07/23/2026; printed page 10, physical PDF page 10; Pedestrian conveyances. Readable text only; no diagram interpretation used. ↗
A vehicle in the next lane has stopped just before a crosswalk and blocks your view. What should you do?
Correct answer: Do not pass it; be ready for a pedestrian hidden by the vehicle.
A stopped vehicle may hide a crossing pedestrian. Do not overtake a vehicle stopped for a person at a crossing.
Source: Iowa Driver's Manual, MM1170 07/23/2026; printed page 58, physical PDF page 58; Sharing the road with pedestrians. Readable text only; no diagram interpretation used. ↗
A truck ahead moves left as it prepares a right turn. An opening appears on its right. What should you do?
Correct answer: Stay back rather than driving into the opening.
Large trucks may need extra space to turn right. Entering the space beside the truck can put your car in the path of the trailer.
Source: Iowa Driver's Manual, MM1170 07/23/2026; printed page 57, physical PDF page 57; Sharing the road with large trucks. Readable text only; no diagram interpretation used. ↗
You have been traveling alongside a large truck near its rear wheels. What is a safer position?
Correct answer: Move out of its blind spot when you can do so safely.
Large vehicles have extensive blind spots. Avoid lingering beside them, and keep enough space to be visible and to react.
Source: Iowa Driver's Manual, MM1170 07/23/2026; printed page 57, physical PDF page 57; Sharing the road with large trucks. Readable text only; no diagram interpretation used. ↗
A motorcyclist occupies only part of the lane ahead. May you squeeze beside the motorcycle within that lane to pass?
Correct answer: No; allow the motorcycle a full lane.
Motorcyclists need the full lane to adjust position and avoid hazards. Do not treat unused-looking space within their lane as a passing lane.
Source: Iowa Driver's Manual, MM1170 07/23/2026; printed page 58, physical PDF page 58; Sharing the road with motorcycles. Readable text only; no diagram interpretation used. ↗
You plan to turn right after passing a bicyclist. What should you check before crossing the bicyclist’s path?
Correct answer: Look beside and behind, and wait if the turn would cut off the bicyclist.
A bicyclist can reach the intersection while you are preparing to turn. Check for the rider and do not turn across the rider’s path unsafely.
Source: Iowa Driver's Manual, MM1170 07/23/2026; printed page 58, physical PDF page 58; Sharing the road with bicycles. Readable text only; no diagram interpretation used. ↗
A wide farm vehicle ahead slows near an unmarked field entrance. What is the best response?
Correct answer: Stay back and allow room for an unexpected or wide turn.
Farm equipment may turn into field entrances that are difficult to see. Its width and turning path require patience and extra space.
Source: Iowa Driver's Manual, MM1170 07/23/2026; printed page 56, physical PDF page 56; Rural driving. Readable text only; no diagram interpretation used. ↗
Before a trip, the brake pedal sinks unusually close to the floor. What should you do?
Correct answer: Have the braking system checked and repaired before driving.
A brake pedal that behaves abnormally can indicate a serious defect. Repair the problem; extra space is not a substitute for functioning brakes.
Source: Iowa Driver's Manual, MM1170 07/23/2026; printed page 23, physical PDF page 23; Vehicle maintenance. Readable text only; no diagram interpretation used. ↗
You are checking tire pressure before driving. Which pressure guidance should you use?
Correct answer: The vehicle placard or owner’s manual, with tires cold.
Check cold tires against the vehicle manufacturer’s recommendation. A tire’s sidewall maximum is not the routine pressure specified for the vehicle.
Source: Iowa Driver's Manual, MM1170 07/23/2026; printed page 24, physical PDF page 24; Vehicle maintenance. Readable text only; no diagram interpretation used. ↗
Frost covers your side windows and snow covers the rear lights. What should you do before moving?
Correct answer: Clear the windows and lights so you can see and be seen.
All-around visibility and visible lights matter. Remove obstructions before driving rather than depending on speed or the defroster to solve the problem later.
Source: Iowa Driver's Manual, MM1170 07/23/2026; printed page 24, physical PDF page 24; Vehicle maintenance. Readable text only; no diagram interpretation used. ↗
You are adjusting the driver’s head restraint. Where should its center be?
Correct answer: At about the center of the back of your head.
Position the head restraint to support the back of the head. A low setting behind the neck does not provide the intended protection.
Source: Iowa Driver's Manual, MM1170 07/23/2026; printed page 25, physical PDF page 25; Adjusting your seating position. Readable text only; no diagram interpretation used. ↗
You borrow a car whose seat and mirrors are set for another driver. When should you adjust them?
Correct answer: Before starting to drive.
Set up your driving position and mirrors before moving. Adjusting them while driving takes attention away from the road.
Source: Iowa Driver's Manual, MM1170 07/23/2026; printed page 25, physical PDF page 25; Adjusting your seating position. Readable text only; no diagram interpretation used. ↗
You want to warm up a gasoline car in a closed garage. What should you do?
Correct answer: Do not run the engine in the closed garage.
Engine exhaust can contain deadly carbon monoxide. Do not run a vehicle in a closed garage or treat an open car window as protection.
Source: Iowa Driver's Manual, MM1170 07/23/2026; printed page 25, physical PDF page 25; Exhaust system. Readable text only; no diagram interpretation used. ↗
Where should the lap portion of your belt fit?
Correct answer: Snugly across the hips and pelvis, not high across the abdomen.
A snug, low lap belt places forces on the pelvis. Everyone should be properly buckled before the vehicle moves.
Source: Iowa Driver's Manual, MM1170 07/23/2026; printed page 34, physical PDF page 34; Seat belts. Readable text only; no diagram interpretation used. ↗
A passenger says a belt is unnecessary for a short drive near home. What is the safest response?
Correct answer: Have the passenger buckle up before you move.
Short, familiar trips still involve crash risk. Proper restraint is a before-moving habit, not something reserved for long or fast trips.
Source: Iowa Driver's Manual, MM1170 07/23/2026; printed page 35, physical PDF page 35; Seat belt myths. Readable text only; no diagram interpretation used. ↗
A bottle is rolling around the driver’s footwell. What should you do?
Correct answer: Secure or remove it before driving so it cannot interfere with a pedal.
Loose objects can injure occupants or roll under a pedal. Remove the hazard before moving rather than trying to manage it while driving.
Source: Iowa Driver's Manual, MM1170 07/23/2026; printed page 35, physical PDF page 35; Securing loose objects. Readable text only; no diagram interpretation used. ↗
Your car has driver-assistance features. What must you still be prepared to do?
Correct answer: Control the vehicle yourself if a feature fails or is unavailable.
Assistance technology does not replace the driver. Understand its limits and remain ready to operate the vehicle safely without it.
Source: Iowa Driver's Manual, MM1170 07/23/2026; printed page 26, physical PDF page 26; Advanced driver assistance systems. Readable text only; no diagram interpretation used. ↗
Your vehicle has forward-collision warning but no automatic emergency braking. An alert sounds. What should you do?
Correct answer: Assess the hazard and take the necessary braking or avoidance action.
A warning-only system alerts the driver; it does not itself brake the vehicle. Know which functions your own vehicle actually provides.
Source: Iowa Driver's Manual, MM1170 07/23/2026; printed page 30, physical PDF page 30; Forward collision warning. Readable text only; no diagram interpretation used. ↗
