Iowa learner’s permit requirements

Everything here comes from Iowa Department of Transportation, Motor Vehicle Division pages, handbooks or state law, and each fact links to its source. Where Iowa doesn’t publish something, we say so rather than guess.

Last checked September 22, 2026.

At a glance

Minimum age
14 years
Fees
$6 total
Supervised driving
20 hours (2 at night)
Where you take the test
Online or in person

The knowledge test and your permit

Test format
Not publishedSources 123
Passing score
80%Sources 123
Time limit
None published
Permit and test fees
$6 totalCovers the $6 Class C instruction permit (valid 4 years); Iowa DOT lists no separate fee for the knowledge test.Sources 123
Minimum age for a permit
14 yearsInstruction permit at 14 after passing the knowledge and vision tests. Motorcycle instruction permit holders ride with a motorcycle-licensed supervisor on or in a different vehicle within sight and hearing (one learner per supervisor). Adults 18+: an immediate family member 21+, a driver education instructor, or any other person 25+ (Iowa Code 321.180). Under 18: a parent/guardian or immediate family member 21+, or another adult 25+ with the parent's written permission.Sources 567
Supervised driving
20 hours (2 at night)Sources 567
Hold your permit
12 months minimumSources 567
Test languages
21 languagesEnglish, Spanish, Albanian, Arabic, Bosnian, Burmese, Khmer, Chinese, French, German, Greek, Hebrew, Hmong, Italian, Korean, Lao, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Somali, VietnameseSources 123
Take it online
YesSources 123
If you fail
A failed test may be repeated at the discretion of the examiner (761 IAC 604.9(4))test scores are valid for 180 days.Sources 123
Vision standard
Visual acuity of 20/40 or better with both eyes or with the better eye: no restrictionless than 20/40 but at least 20/70: restricted from driving when headlights are required (761 IAC 604.6). Binocular field of vision of at least 140 degrees: no restriction.Sources 567

From permit to full license

  • Instruction permit at 14 (adult supervision required).
  • Intermediate license at 16 after holding the permit 12 months, 6 consecutive months clean record, an Iowa-approved driver education course and 20 hours of supervised driving (2 after sunset): may drive unsupervised 5 a.m.-12:30 a.m. only (waiver available for school/work), passenger limit in the first 6 months.
  • Full license at 17 after 12 consecutive months on the intermediate license plus 10 more supervised hours (2 between sunset and sunrise).
  • Each violation or crash delays the next phase by 12 months.
  • Phone use follows the same hands-free rule as adults (the separate under-18 device ban was repealed effective July 1, 2025; see laws.phone).

Before you go

Rules and fees change. Confirm appointments, documents and current fees on the official Iowa Department of Transportation, Motor Vehicle Division website: iowadot.gov.

Sources

  1. iowadot.gov: take practice test
  2. iowadot.gov: fees
  3. iowadot.gov: online permit test skip trip
  4. iowadot.gov: IowaDOTLEPPlan
  5. iowadot.gov: instruction permit under age 18
  6. iowadot.gov: intermediate license
  7. iowadot.gov: full license
  8. iowadot.gov: download
  9. iowadot.gov: download
  10. legis.iowa.gov: 321.180

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