Iowa DMV driving test, IA drivers license, CDL, motorcycle practice test

DMV Requirements for Obtaining DL in Iowa

Automobile License

Iowa’s graduated licensing system allows applying for DL starting from the age of 16, but a person may qualify for an instruction permit starting from the age of 14. The first step for obtaining it is to get through a vision screening and a written permit test (the applicant needs to give at least 80% of correct answers). In case this is done successfully, the applicant will receive the document, allowing training on IA roads when accompanied by a parent, who is over 21, a driver education teacher or a licensed driver, who is over 18 and approved by the parents (a written permission is mandatory).

To move on to the next step of receiving an intermediate license, minors must complete a state-approved driver education course, hold the permit for at least a year and acquire necessary behind-the-wheel skills with no violations 6 months prior to applying for the intermediate license. Also, the license is available only for those minors, who are 16 or older.

Though the intermediate license imposes some restrictions, it allows unsupervised driving during certain periods of time. It must be held for a minimum of a year and may be upgraded to a full license, when the holder turns 17 and provided he/she doesn’t have any violations of intermediate license terms.

Motorcycle License

If you want to gain the right to operate motorcycles on Iowa roads, you may add a corresponding endorsement to your existing license or receive a Class M license. In the first case, you need to take a knowledge test and a motorcycle skills examination. In case you don’t have any license, there will be 2 written exams, general and motorcycle specific ones. Minors under 18 must complete a state-approved course for riders. Also, you have to study for a permit test prior to applying for a motorcycle instruction permit, since it may be required for driving practice within the course. The permit is issued for 4 years and within this period you have to get through a road skills exam and to obtain the Class M license or add it to your current DL, since the permit cannot be renewed.

Commercial Driver’s License

In Iowa, a person, who wants to obtain CDL of any class, must be at least 18 and has to start the process from applying for CLP. The commercial learner’s permit can be issued only after submitting required documents that establish the applicant’s identity, SSN, legal presence and IA residency. Also, a vision screening and a knowledge test are required. The applicant should practice the test for CDL based on the fact that in addition to the general test, some specific tests are mandatory. The number of tests and the subject varies depending on a vehicle class. The applicant must score at least 40 correct answers out from 50 general test questions and 80% of correct answers during each specific test. If this is successfully done, the applicant gets CLP for the legal behind-the-wheel training and in 14 days he/she can apply for CDL. This includes providing a medical certificate and passing a skills exam.

Prior to taking your knowledge examinations, you can have useful online practice – driving tests are available on driver-start.com. Here you will find current test questions, which rest on the existing Iowa manuals, and the manuals, which contain all necessary information about the traffic rules and procedures for obtaining the licenses of any desired class. Besides, Driver Start offers a number of convenient ways to learn the rules and to run through the test questions, which are also available via a user-friendly application for smart phones and mobile devices. App Store and Google Play .