Iowa DOT practice tests 2026
Get ready for the Iowa written knowledge tests: numbered practice tests that follow the official Iowa format, with 128 questions on Iowa law, from teen licensing and speed limits to alcohol limits and insurance, plus the road rules that apply everywhere.
Choose your Iowa test
Car
The written knowledge test for a learner permit or a Class D driver license.
Motorcycle
The written test for a Class M license or motorcycle endorsement.
CDL
The general knowledge test every commercial driver license applicant takes.
Handbook
The official Iowa driver, motorcycle and CDL handbooks every test is based on.
All Iowa practice tests
Iowa Permit Practice Tests
Iowa Motorcycle Practice Tests
Iowa CDL General Knowledge Practice Tests
How to pass the Iowa knowledge test
- Read the handbook. Every question comes from the official Iowa manuals; the handbook page links to the agency's own copies.
- Practice test by test. Each numbered test mixes Iowa law with the national road rules, like the real exam.
- Read every explanation. Especially for answers you got right by guessing.
- Simulate the real exam on the category page when you pass the tests comfortably.
Iowa written test format
| Test | Questions | Pass mark | Minimum age |
|---|---|---|---|
| Car | 25 | 20 correct (5 mistakes allowed) | 14 years for an instruction permit |
| Motorcycle | 25 | 20 correct (5 mistakes allowed) | 14 years for a motorcycle instruction permit |
| CDL | 50 | 40 correct (10 mistakes allowed) | 18 years |
Car. The Iowa DOT CDL Testing page lists the Iowa operator knowledge test as 25 questions with 5 allowed misses, and the Iowa DOT practice test page states that a score of 80 percent or higher is needed to pass.
Motorcycle. Iowa requires a motorcycle knowledge test plus an on-cycle skills test. The Iowa DOT does not publish a separate question count for the motorcycle knowledge test, so the noncommercial format of 25 questions at 80 percent is shown here.
CDL. General knowledge test for any CDL class is 50 questions with 10 allowed misses. Endorsement and specialty tests are separate: combination 20 questions, air brakes 25, passenger 20, school bus 20, doubles and triples 20, hazardous materials 30, tank 20.
What the Iowa questions cover
| Topic | Questions |
|---|---|
| Licensing and permits | 24 |
| Graduated licensing for teen drivers | 16 |
| Speed limits | 13 |
| Alcohol limits and DUI | 16 |
| Penalties and points | 16 |
| Phone use and distraction | 8 |
| Insurance requirements | 11 |
| Move over law | 7 |
| Other state rules | 17 |
Sources and accuracy
The Iowa facts on this site were checked against these official sources on August 28, 2026. Test formats that the Iowa DOT does not publish are marked as such in the notes above.
- legis.iowa.gov/docs/code/321.180B.pdf
- legis.iowa.gov/docs/code/321.194.pdf
- legis.iowa.gov/docs/code/321.196.pdf
- legis.iowa.gov/docs/code/321.20B.pdf
- legis.iowa.gov/docs/code/321.275.pdf
- legis.iowa.gov/docs/code/321.276.pdf
- legis.iowa.gov/docs/code/321.284.pdf
- legis.iowa.gov/docs/code/321.285.pdf
- legis.iowa.gov/docs/code/321.323A.pdf
- legis.iowa.gov/docs/code/321.372.pdf
- legis.iowa.gov/docs/code/321.445.pdf
- legis.iowa.gov/docs/code/321A.21.pdf
- legis.iowa.gov/docs/code/321J.2.pdf
- legis.iowa.gov/docs/code/321J.2A.pdf
- iowadot.gov/drivers-licenses-ids/driver-education/manuals-practice-tests/drivers-manual
- iowadot.gov/drivers-licenses-ids/driver-education/manuals-practice-tests/motorcycle-manual
- iowadot.gov/drivers-licenses-ids/driver-education/manuals-practice-tests/take-practice-test
- iowadot.gov/drivers-licenses-ids/commercial-drivers/get-cdl
- iowadot.gov/drivers-licenses-ids/commercial-drivers/get-cdl/cdl-testing
- iowadot.gov/drivers-licenses-ids/commercial-drivers/get-cdl/commercial-learner-permits-clp
- iowadot.gov/drivers-licenses-ids/commercial-drivers/restricted-cdl
- iowadot.gov/media/7175/download?inline
- iowadot.gov/media/325/download?inline
- iowadot.gov/media/326/download?inline
DMV Exam Test is not affiliated with the Iowa Department of Transportation. To book a test, pay fees or check your license, use the official Iowa DOT website.