Iowa permit test cheat sheet

Iowa-specific rules from our question bank, condensed to one line each with the handbook page. Read it the night before; don’t use it instead of practicing.

Study sheet for before your test. Notes aren’t allowed in the DMV test room. See the study sheets to print.

Test format
Not published
Passing score
80%
Permit and test fees
$6 total
Minimum age for a permit
14 years
Supervised driving
20 hours (2 at night)
Hold your permit
12 months minimum

Permits & licensing

  • Iowa issues an instruction permit at age 14 once you pass the knowledge and vision tests. source
  • A licensed immediate family member who is at least 21 counts as adult supervision for an Iowa permit driver. source
  • An unrelated adult may supervise an Iowa permit driver only if they are at least 25, hold a valid license and have written permission from your parent, guardian or custodian. source
  • You can get an Iowa intermediate license at 16 after completing driver education and meeting the permit requirements. source
  • Iowa requires you to hold your instruction permit for a total of 12 months before moving up to the intermediate license. source
  • You need a clean driving record for at least 6 consecutive months immediately before applying for an intermediate license. source
  • An intermediate license lets you drive alone from 5 a.m. to 12:30 a.m. source
  • With a passenger restriction, for the first six months you may carry no more than one unrelated minor when driving unsupervised. source
  • Before a full license, Iowa intermediate drivers must log 10 more hours of supervised driving, and at least 2 of those hours must be between sunset and sunrise. source
  • For an intermediate license holder, each conviction, crash you cause or restriction violation delays your upgrade to a full license by 12 months. source

Speed limits & control

  • Iowa sets a 20 mph limit in business districts when no other limit is posted. p. 42
  • Without a posted sign, the limit is 25 mph in residential and school districts. p. 42
  • Iowa's general limit in a suburban district is 45 mph when no other limit is posted. p. 42
  • Iowa's rural interstate highways have a 70 mph limit. p. 42
  • Since July 1, 2026, Iowa's general speed limit is 60 mph wherever no other limit applies, including primary roads; the 2026 law struck 'fifty-five' and inserted 'sixty'. source
  • Unpaved secondary roads in Iowa have a 50 mph limit from sunset to sunrise. p. 42
  • Iowa interstates have a minimum speed of 40 mph. p. 42