An adult driver is moving with traffic and holds a phone to make a routine call. What does Iowa’s hands-free guidance require?
Correct answer: Do not hold the phone; use a lawful hands-free option or park safely off the traveled roadway before handling it.
Iowa’s current guidance prohibits holding a phone while driving, not just typing messages. This ordinary-call scenario does not involve an emergency exception.
Source: Iowa DOT current guidance; What actions are prohibited; read September 29, 2026. ↗
An adult starts a video call by voice command while driving. Does voice activation make the video call permissible?
Correct answer: No; the guidance prohibits video calls even with voice commands.
Hands-free does not mean every screen-based task is permitted. Iowa specifically lists streaming video and video calls among prohibited actions even when voice activated.
Source: Iowa DOT current guidance; What actions are prohibited; read September 29, 2026. ↗
You are preparing to drive your car on Iowa roads. Which documents should be available?
Correct answer: Your license or permit, vehicle registration, and proof of insurance.
The manual directs drivers to carry the driving credential, registration and insurance proof. It permits registration and insurance proof in paper or electronic form.
Source: Iowa Driver's Manual, MM1170 07/23/2026; printed page 5, physical PDF page 5; Required documents while driving. Readable text only; no diagram interpretation used. ↗
You stop after a collision and someone appears injured. What information is important when calling 911?
Correct answer: The crash location and the need for emergency assistance.
Contact emergency services for an injury crash and give a clear location. This question does not state disputed property-damage reporting thresholds or written-report deadlines.
Source: Iowa Driver's Manual, MM1170 07/23/2026; printed page 63, physical PDF page 63; In the event of a crash. Readable text only; no diagram interpretation used. ↗
A collision causes no injuries. Both cars can be driven safely, and a nearby safe area is available. What does the manual advise?
Correct answer: Move the vehicles out of traffic to that safe area.
For a no-injury crash with operable vehicles, the manual advises clearing the roadway safely. Moving out of traffic does not mean leaving without fulfilling crash responsibilities.
Source: Iowa Driver's Manual, MM1170 07/23/2026; printed page 22, physical PDF page 22; Steer it — clear it. Readable text only; no diagram interpretation used. ↗
After drinking alcohol, you are unsure whether you can drive safely. What is the responsible choice?
Correct answer: Arrange a sober ride rather than driving.
Alcohol and drugs can impair driving. Do not use familiarity, a self-check or assistance technology as a reason to drive while impaired. This is a safety decision, not a claim about a specific BAC threshold.
Source: Iowa Driver's Manual, MM1170 07/23/2026; printed page 37, physical PDF page 37; Alcohol and drugs. Readable text only; no diagram interpretation used. ↗
For an ordinary car trip, which restraint matches the Iowa manual’s guidance for an 8-month-old infant weighing 15 pounds?
Correct answer: An appropriate rear-facing child restraint.
The manual requires rear-facing restraint for a child who is under one year old and weighs less than 20 pounds. This is not advice to turn a child forward immediately on reaching either threshold; follow the restraint’s fit and use instructions.
Source: Iowa Driver's Manual, MM1170 07/23/2026; printed page 35, physical PDF page 35; Seat belts and Iowa law. Readable text only; no diagram interpretation used. ↗
You reach the sign shown at a quiet intersection. What does it require even when no traffic is visible?
Correct answer: A complete stop before proceeding when safe.
STOP requires a full stop, not merely a reduction in speed. Use the stop line, or the appropriate crosswalk or intersection stopping position, then yield before proceeding.
Source: FHWA MUTCD 2009, Figure 2b_01; sign R1-1: Stop; official illustration and description checked September 15, 2026. ↗
What instruction does this triangular sign give as you approach crossing traffic?
Correct answer: Slow down and give way, stopping if necessary.
YIELD means give the right-of-way to traffic in the intersection or road you are entering. Slow enough to assess the situation and stop when needed.
Source: FHWA MUTCD 2009, Figure 2b_01; sign R1-2: Yield; official illustration and description checked September 15, 2026. ↗
This sign faces you at a roadway opening. Which action follows its instruction?
Correct answer: Do not use that opening to enter the roadway.
DO NOT ENTER prohibits entry from the direction you are approaching. An empty roadway does not cancel the restriction; find a lawful entrance.
Source: FHWA MUTCD 2009, Figure 2b_11; sign R5-1: Do Not Enter; official illustration and description checked September 15, 2026. ↗
You see this sign facing your vehicle after a turn. What danger does it identify?
Correct answer: You are traveling toward opposing traffic in the wrong direction.
WRONG WAY warns that you have entered against the permitted traffic direction. Correct the mistake as quickly and safely as possible; do not continue farther into oncoming traffic.
Source: FHWA MUTCD 2009, Figure 2b_11; sign R5-1a: Wrong Way; official illustration and description checked September 15, 2026. ↗
Which maneuver is ruled out by this symbol?
Correct answer: Turning left.
The red slash cancels the left-turn movement shown by the arrow. It does not itself prohibit going straight or establish priority over pedestrians.
Source: FHWA MUTCD 2009, Figure 2b_04; sign R3-2: No Left Turn; official illustration and description checked September 15, 2026. ↗
A driver wants to turn in the direction crossed out on this sign. What should the driver do?
Correct answer: Continue by a permitted movement instead of turning right.
This is a NO RIGHT TURN regulatory sign. The crossed-out arrow prohibits the maneuver; it is not a yellow warning sign about the road bending.
Source: FHWA MUTCD 2009, Figure 2b_04; sign R3-1: No Right Turn; official illustration and description checked September 15, 2026. ↗
What movement does this sign prohibit?
Correct answer: Turning around to travel in the opposite direction.
The U-shaped arrow identifies a U-turn. The sign prohibits that reversal of direction, rather than every possible movement involving a leftward steer.
Source: FHWA MUTCD 2009, Figure 2b_04; sign R3-4: No U-Turn; official illustration and description checked September 15, 2026. ↗
This sign stands at a roadway obstruction. On which side should traffic pass it?
Correct answer: On the right side of the obstruction.
KEEP RIGHT directs you around the indicated obstruction or road feature on its right. It is not an instruction to leave the roadway.
Source: FHWA MUTCD 2009, Figure 2b_10; sign R4-7: Keep Right; official illustration and description checked September 15, 2026. ↗
This sign applies to the lane you are using at the intersection. Which movement is permitted from that lane?
Correct answer: A left turn only.
The left arrow with ONLY restricts the lane to a left turn. Select a different lawful lane in advance if you need to continue straight.
Source: FHWA MUTCD 2009, Figure 2b_04; sign R3-5: Lane Control; official illustration and description checked September 15, 2026. ↗
What must a driver in the lane governed by this sign plan to do?
Correct answer: Continue straight through the intersection.
The straight arrow and ONLY identify a through-only lane. A turn signal does not create permission to turn from it.
Source: FHWA MUTCD 2009, Figure 2b_04; sign R3-5a: Lane Control; official illustration and description checked September 15, 2026. ↗
How does this yellow sign differ from the red sign it pictures?
Correct answer: It warns that a stop sign is ahead.
STOP AHEAD gives advance notice so you can prepare to stop at the upcoming controlled location. The yellow warning sign itself is not the intersection stop sign.
Source: FHWA MUTCD 2009, Figure 2c_06; sign W3-1: Stop Ahead; official illustration and description checked September 15, 2026. ↗
What should you expect beyond this warning sign?
Correct answer: A traffic signal that may require you to stop.
The pictured signal warns of traffic lights ahead. It does not display the current signal phase or grant permission to proceed.
Source: FHWA MUTCD 2009, Figure 2c_06; sign W3-3: Signal Ahead; official illustration and description checked September 15, 2026. ↗
What traffic change does the joining branch on this sign warn about?
Correct answer: Traffic entering from another road will merge into the roadway.
The joining branch represents merging traffic. Watch for vehicles entering and allow room for a safe merge; do not confuse it with the added-lane symbol.
Source: FHWA MUTCD 2009, Figure 2c_08; sign W4-1: Merge; official illustration and description checked September 15, 2026. ↗
