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Iowa permit test: intersections, turns and roundabouts

Controlled and uncontrolled intersections, turn signals, turns on red, turning maneuvers and U-turns, rural four-lane crossings, on-ramps and roundabouts. 26 questions, 10 at a time, starting with ones you haven't seen.

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Rules to remember10 key intersections, turns and roundabouts rulesShow the rules
  1. Iowa law only tells drivers who has to yield; nobody is ever granted the right-of-way. (p. 18)
  2. Coming out of an alley, driveway or roadside spot, you wait for vehicles that are already traveling on the main road. (p. 19)
  3. At an all-way stop, when vehicles arrive at the same time, the vehicle on the right goes first. (p. 19)
  4. Stay at least 500 feet behind any emergency vehicle that is using lights and sirens. (p. 19)
  5. You must yield or stop for pedestrians in both marked and unmarked crosswalks. (p. 19)
  6. Drivers turning left must yield to oncoming vehicles going straight ahead. (p. 19)
  7. Three-point turns are generally not safe and raise your crash risk. (p. 43)
  8. Check to your left, then your right, then left once more before you pull into an intersection. (p. 50)
  9. Roundabouts direct traffic counterclockwise around a center island. (p. 54)
  10. When entering a roundabout, yield to all traffic already in it. (p. 54)

Taken from the explanations to checked practice questions; page numbers link to the official handbook.

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Sample intersections, turns and roundabouts questions

  1. 1.You missed your street and want to turn around. What does the handbook suggest instead of a three-point turn?

    • AGo on to the nearest intersection
    • BTurn in the nearest driveway
    • CMake a U-turn mid-block
    • DBack up to the street you missed
    Show the answer

    ✓ A. Go on to the nearest intersection

    Three-point turns are generally not safe and raise your crash risk. It is better to go on to the nearest intersection.

    Source: Iowa Driver's License Manual (Complete Book) (back cover 'M M1170 07/23/2026'), page 43

  2. 2.At a corner with no painted crosswalk, a pedestrian starts to cross in front of you. What must you do?

    • AGo first; it is not a marked crosswalk
    • BHonk so the person waits
    • CYield or stop for the pedestrian
    • DSwerve around the person
    Show the answer

    ✓ C. Yield or stop for the pedestrian

    You must yield or stop for pedestrians in both marked and unmarked crosswalks.

    Source: Iowa Driver's License Manual (Complete Book) (back cover 'M M1170 07/23/2026'), page 19

  3. 3.You want to turn left at an intersection, and an oncoming car is going straight. Who must yield?

    • AWhoever signals first
    • BWhoever is going faster
    • CYou, the left-turning driver
    • DThe oncoming car
    Show the answer

    ✓ C. You, the left-turning driver

    Drivers turning left must yield to oncoming vehicles going straight ahead.

    Source: Iowa Driver's License Manual (Complete Book) (back cover 'M M1170 07/23/2026'), page 19

  4. 4.At a reduced-conflict intersection, you want to go left onto a four-lane highway. How do you do it?

    • AUse the shoulder to turn left
    • BTurn right, merge left, then U-turn
    • CCross both lanes and turn left
    • DWait for a signal light to turn left
    Show the answer

    ✓ B. Turn right, merge left, then U-turn

    At a reduced-conflict intersection, side-road drivers turn right, merge into the left lane, then make a U-turn at a marked median opening.

    Source: Iowa Driver's License Manual (Complete Book) (back cover 'M M1170 07/23/2026'), page 52