Iowa Car / Permit: Parking & Stopping Practice Test

Question 1

Which of these locations does the Iowa manual list as a place you may not park?

Accepted Answer

Any bridge outside city limits, or a highway tunnel — Bridges beyond city limits and highway tunnels are both on the prohibited list, along with crosswalks, sidewalks, intersections, and interstates.

Answer

A metered space downtown

Answer

A gravel pull-off outside a small town

Answer

An angled space in a shopping center lot

Question 2

You reach a signal that is flashing red. What is required before you continue?

Accepted Answer

Come to a full stop, then go when the way is clear — A flashing red demands a full stop, after which you may go ahead once you can see the way is clear.

Answer

Simply slow to walking speed

Answer

Yield to the right only

Answer

Wait for the light to turn green

Question 3

What does the Iowa manual tell drivers to do before opening the door of a parked vehicle?

Accepted Answer

Check for traffic first, and use the curb-side door when necessary — Look for traffic before the door swings open, and get out on the curb side when circumstances call for it.

Answer

Turn on the hazard lights instead of looking

Answer

Open the door quickly so you are exposed briefly

Answer

Always exit on the traffic side to stay visible

Question 4

How close to the curb must you leave your vehicle when parking on an Iowa street that has one?

Accepted Answer

Within 18 inches — Leave no more than 18 inches between your vehicle and the curb, and keep the vehicle well clear of the travel lane.

Answer

Within 6 inches

Answer

Within 3 feet

Answer

Within 5 feet

Question 5

When you are stopped waiting at a railroad crossing, how much space should separate your vehicle from the nearest rail?

Accepted Answer

15 feet — Leave a minimum of 15 feet between both ends of your vehicle and the closest rail, remembering that trains are wider than the tracks themselves.

Answer

5 feet

Answer

25 feet

Answer

50 feet

Question 6

How far from a railroad crossing must an Iowa driver stay when parking?

Accepted Answer

Fifty feet — Parking is banned within 50 feet of a railroad crossing.

Answer

Fifteen feet

Answer

Twenty-five feet

Answer

One hundred feet

Question 7

What is the minimum distance you must keep between a parked vehicle and a fire station entrance in Iowa?

Accepted Answer

Twenty feet — The manual prohibits parking closer than 20 feet to the entrance of a fire station.

Answer

Ten feet

Answer

Thirty feet

Answer

Fifty feet

Question 8

Iowa's parking rules specifically forbid double parking. What does that describe?

Accepted Answer

Stopping alongside a car that is already parked or stopped — Double parking means leaving your vehicle beside another car that is already stopped or parked at the curb.

Answer

Using two metered spaces for one vehicle

Answer

Parking with two wheels on the sidewalk

Answer

Backing into an angled space

Question 9

How far from a stop sign does Iowa forbid parking?

Accepted Answer

Ten feet — You may not leave a vehicle any closer than 10 feet to a stop sign, since a parked car would hide it from approaching drivers.

Answer

Three feet

Answer

Five feet

Answer

Eight feet

Question 10

The Iowa manual lists situations where a stop is always required. Which of these is one of them?

Accepted Answer

Before crossing a sidewalk when you leave a private driveway or alley — You must stop before crossing a sidewalk as you leave a private roadway, driveway, or alley.

Answer

Before entering a roundabout with no traffic present

Answer

At every yield sign

Answer

Whenever a solid yellow line is on your side

Question 11

How much clearance must an Iowa driver leave between a parked vehicle and a fire hydrant?

Accepted Answer

Five feet — Parking is prohibited within five feet of a hydrant or inside a marked hydrant red zone.

Answer

Two feet

Answer

Three feet

Answer

Fifteen feet

Question 12

You are stopping behind a school bus that has extended its stop arm. How much room must you leave?

Accepted Answer

At least 15 feet behind the bus — Stop no nearer than 15 feet behind the bus and hold there until the arm folds back and the bus starts to move again.

Answer

At least 5 feet behind the bus

Answer

At least 30 feet behind the bus

Answer

One full car length, whatever that measures

Iowa Car / Permit: Parking & Stopping practice test

Study questions with answers

1. Which of these locations does the Iowa manual list as a place you may not park?

2. You reach a signal that is flashing red. What is required before you continue?

3. What does the Iowa manual tell drivers to do before opening the door of a parked vehicle?

4. How close to the curb must you leave your vehicle when parking on an Iowa street that has one?

5. When you are stopped waiting at a railroad crossing, how much space should separate your vehicle from the nearest rail?

6. How far from a railroad crossing must an Iowa driver stay when parking?

7. What is the minimum distance you must keep between a parked vehicle and a fire station entrance in Iowa?

8. Iowa's parking rules specifically forbid double parking. What does that describe?

9. How far from a stop sign does Iowa forbid parking?

10. The Iowa manual lists situations where a stop is always required. Which of these is one of them?

11. How much clearance must an Iowa driver leave between a parked vehicle and a fire hydrant?

12. You are stopping behind a school bus that has extended its stop arm. How much room must you leave?

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