Iowa permit test: distracted & drowsy driving
Phone and texting laws, other distractions and fatigue. 4 questions.
You are 16 and drive with an Iowa instruction permit. How may you make a phone call while driving?
Keyboard: press 1–4 or A–D to answer, Enter for the next question, S to save, R to read aloud, P to pause reading, L to listen and answer.
Sample distracted & drowsy driving questions
You are 16 and drive with an Iowa instruction permit. How may you make a phone call while driving?
- A Only while holding the phone on speaker
- B Never, not even hands-free
- C Only in voice-activated or hands-free mode
- D Only at red lights and stop signs
Show answer
C. Only in voice-activated or hands-free mode
Since July 1, 2025, Iowa's hands-free law applies the same way to every driver, including permit and intermediate license holders under 18. You may call using voice commands or a hands-free mode, but you may not hold or manipulate the phone.
Source: Iowa Department of Transportation, Motor Vehicle Division website
You are 30 and hold a full license. Under Iowa's hands-free law, which of these is against the law while driving?
- A Using voice commands to make a call
- B Typing an address into your GPS
- C Hearing a weather alert on your phone
- D Using your car's built-in navigation with a destination set before you left
Show answer
B. Typing an address into your GPS
Iowa's hands-free law bans holding or manually using a phone while driving, including typing an address into GPS. Calls and texts are allowed only by voice or hands-free mode, so set your route before you start driving.
Having a lively conversation while driving is an example of which type of distraction?
- A Cognitive
- B Visual
- C Manual
- D Mechanical
Show answer
A. Cognitive
There are three kinds of distraction: visual (eyes off the road), manual (hands off the wheel) and cognitive (mind off driving). Conversations and music are cognitive distractions because they pull your attention away.
You are an adult driver. A text message arrives while you are driving. Under Iowa's hands-free law, what must you do before reading it?
- A Wait for a red light
- B Slow to under 25 mph
- C Stop completely off the traveled part of the road
- D Hold the phone at eye level
Show answer
C. Stop completely off the traveled part of the road
Iowa's hands-free mode does not include reading an electronic message or notification, so you may not read a text while driving, even with the phone mounted. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop off the traveled portion of the road first. You may send a message by voice.
Source: Iowa Department of Transportation, Motor Vehicle Division website