Iowa Department of Transportation · 2026
Iowa DOT Test Cheat Sheet
Every number and rule you need to memorize — all on one page. Print this out.
Speed Limits
| Location | Speed |
|---|
| Rural interstate | 70 mph |
| Rural secondary roads (sunrise–sunset) | 55 mph |
| Urban interstate highways | 55 mph |
| Business / residential district | 25 mph |
| School zone (unposted default) | 25 mph |
| Suburban district (unposted) | 45 mph |
| Towing another vehicle | 45 mph |
| Unsurfaced secondary (sunset–sunrise) / trucks on secondary | 50 mph |
| Iowa interstate minimum speed | 40 mph (vehicles below this not permitted on interstate) |
Parking Clearances
| Object | Minimum Distance |
|---|
| Fire hydrant | 5 feet |
| Fire station entrance | 20 feet |
| Stop sign | 10 feet |
| Railroad crossing (nearest rail) | 50 feet |
| Parallel parking (from curb) | 18 inches max |
OWI / Alcohol Laws
| Rule | Value |
|---|
| BAC limit (21+) | 0.08% |
| BAC limit (under 21) | 0.02% |
| OWI — any controlled substance | Same OWI penalties apply regardless of BAC if impaired by drugs |
| Refusing chemical test | 1-year loss of driving privileges (revocation) |
| 1st OWI conviction | Minimum 180-day revocation of driving privileges even without criminal conviction |
| OWI refusal minimum fine | $1,250 (on top of 1-year revocation) |
| Cannabis | Recreational ILLEGAL — limited medical cannabidiol program for registered patients only |
Teen / GDL Rules
| Rule | Value |
|---|
| Instruction permit minimum age | 14 (parental consent required; driver ed needed for intermediate) |
| Supervised driving required | 20 hours (at least 2 at night) |
| Permit hold period | 12 months minimum |
| Night driving required | At least 2 of the 20 supervised hours must be at night |
| Supervisor minimum age | Parent/guardian, family member 21+, driver ed teacher, or licensed driver 25+ with written parental permission |
| Intermediate license age | 16 years old (after 12 months + 20 supervised hours + driver ed) |
| Curfew (intermediate license) | 12:30 AM – 5:00 AM |
| Full license eligible | Age 17 (after 12 months clean intermediate license record) |
| Phone laws | Iowa hands-free law: all drivers no holding phone while driving; under-18 permit/intermediate: no calls while moving |
Distances & Equipment
| Rule | Value |
|---|
| Following distance | 3–4 seconds (beginners: 3 sec min; 40 mph: 4–5 sec; bad conditions: 6+ sec) |
| Signal before turning | 100 ft if speed ≤45 mph; 300 ft if speed >45 mph (Iowa manual p.43) |
| Headlights required | Sunset to sunrise + visibility ≤500 ft (Iowa manual p.49) |
| Move Over law violation | License suspension up to 1 year (Iowa manual p.22) |
| Headlights visibility required | 500 feet |
| Emergency vehicle: stay behind | At least 500 feet when lights/sirens active (Iowa manual p.19) |
| Turn signal: high speed (>45 mph) | 300 feet before turn (Iowa manual p.43) |
| Passing bicyclists | Must completely change lanes — give entire lane (Iowa manual p.58) |
| School bus: railroad crossings | Must stop 15–50 feet from nearest rail before crossing (Iowa manual p.12) |
| License renewal | Check iowadot.gov for current renewal schedule |
| Retake exam after fail | Next calendar day |
| Retake driving test after fail | Wait period set by examiner — schedule a new appointment |
Print tip: Press Ctrl+P (or Cmd+P on Mac) to print this page. Keep it by your desk while studying, then leave it home on test day — you've got this.