A road has a yellow centerline and white lines between lanes on your side. What do those colors ordinarily separate?
Correct answer: Yellow separates opposing directions; white separates same-direction lanes.
Iowa describes yellow lines as separating opposite directions and white lane lines as separating traffic moving in the same direction. This is a text-based color distinction, not a claim about an unseen diagram.
Source: Iowa Driver's Manual, MM1170 07/23/2026; printed page 15, physical PDF page 15; 2.12 Pavement markings. Readable text only; no diagram interpretation used. ↗
A car approaching from your left has its right-turn signal on. You are waiting to enter its road. What is safest?
Correct answer: Wait until its movement confirms the turn and your path is clear.
An indicator can be left on or activated early. Confirm the vehicle is actually turning before relying on that opening.
Source: Iowa Driver's Manual, MM1170 07/23/2026; printed page 50, physical PDF page 50; Intersections. Readable text only; no diagram interpretation used. ↗
You recognize your turn too late to slow and position safely. What is the best response?
Correct answer: Continue and find a safe lawful way to return.
Plan and position for turns in advance. A missed turn is safer to correct later than with a sudden sharp maneuver.
Source: Iowa Driver's Manual, MM1170 07/23/2026; printed page 43, physical PDF page 43; Proper turning techniques. Readable text only; no diagram interpretation used. ↗
You plan to change lanes on a road that appears empty. What should you do?
Correct answer: Signal and check carefully before moving.
Signal every change of direction, including lane changes, turns, merging and parking. Road users you have not noticed may depend on the warning.
Source: Iowa Driver's Manual, MM1170 07/23/2026; printed page 43, physical PDF page 43; Turn signals. Readable text only; no diagram interpretation used. ↗
You need to move across two lanes. How should you carry out the move?
Correct answer: Check, signal and complete one lane change before assessing the next.
Make lane changes individually, checking the space and yielding to traffic in each lane. A gap in the first lane does not prove the next lane is clear.
Source: Iowa Driver's Manual, MM1170 07/23/2026; printed page 44, physical PDF page 44; Changing lanes. Readable text only; no diagram interpretation used. ↗
You and a car two lanes away both appear to be moving toward the lane between you. What should you do?
Correct answer: Delay your move until that lane is safely available.
Check the target lane and nearby lanes for vehicles moving into the same space. Signaling does not reserve a lane.
Source: Iowa Driver's Manual, MM1170 07/23/2026; printed page 44, physical PDF page 44; Changing lanes. Readable text only; no diagram interpretation used. ↗
You have lawfully passed a car on a two-lane road. What helps you judge when there is enough room to return?
Correct answer: See the front of the passed car in your rearview mirror, then return safely.
Leave room rather than cutting off the passed vehicle. Seeing its front in the rearview mirror helps establish clearance before returning safely.
Source: Iowa Driver's Manual, MM1170 07/23/2026; printed page 45, physical PDF page 45; Passing. Readable text only; no diagram interpretation used. ↗
Before reversing from a driveway, your camera shows no vehicle directly behind. What else should you do?
Correct answer: Check around and behind the car, turn to look, and keep checking while backing slowly.
Mirrors and cameras do not show everything and can distort distance. Look directly, check blind spots and keep the backing speed low.
Source: Iowa Driver's Manual, MM1170 07/23/2026; printed page 43, physical PDF page 43; Backing. Readable text only; no diagram interpretation used. ↗
An entrance ramp provides room to accelerate before merging. What should you normally do?
Correct answer: Use it to approach traffic speed and merge into a safe gap.
The acceleration lane helps you join smoothly. Look for a safe gap and avoid stopping unless conditions make it necessary.
Source: Iowa Driver's Manual, MM1170 07/23/2026; printed page 51, physical PDF page 51; Merging onto interstate highways. 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 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. ↗
