Iowa Car / Permit practice
Iowa Car / Permit: Signals & Pavement Markings practice test
How to read traffic signals, lane lines, and pavement markings — including yellow and white lines, arrows, and flashing lights.
Content reviewed against official driver handbooks · August 12, 2026
14 questions · pass with 11 correct. You get instant feedback and an explanation after every answer.
Choose your level
Up to 20 questions on this topic, with feedback after every answer.
Study questions with answers
12 sample Signals & Pavement Markings questions with the correct answer, a short explanation, and the official handbook reference. Read through them, then take the quiz above.
Show all 12 questions with answers
1. A flashing yellow arrow appears in your left-turn signal head. What does it allow?
Correct answer: A turn made cautiously after yielding to oncoming vehicles and people crossing
You may turn left carefully after giving way to oncoming vehicles and to people crossing, because traffic coming toward you has a green light.
Source: Iowa Driver's License Manual — Chapter 2, Traffic Signals
2. A two-way road is marked with a solid yellow line next to a broken yellow line. Who may pass?
Correct answer: Only the side with the broken line, and only when it is safe
Only drivers on the side where the broken line lies may overtake, and only when it is safe to do so; the solid line forbids passing on its side.
Source: Iowa Driver's License Manual — Chapter 2, Pavement Markings and Other Lane Controls
3. At a pedestrian hybrid beacon, the two red lights at the top begin flashing. What may a driver do?
Correct answer: Stop if you have not already, then move on carefully once the crosswalk is empty
You must stop if you have not already, and only then may you move ahead carefully once the crosswalk has cleared.
Source: Iowa Driver's License Manual — Chapter 2, Bicycle and Pedestrian Signals
4. A traffic signal ahead of you is showing a flashing red light. How should you treat it?
Correct answer: The same way you would handle a stop sign
The manual says a flashing red is handled the same way as a stop sign, so you stop and then move on when the way is clear.
Source: Iowa Driver's License Manual — Chapter 2, Traffic Signals
5. A center lane is bordered on each side by a solid yellow line paired with a broken yellow line. How may you use it?
Correct answer: To wait for a gap before turning left, but never to overtake
This is a shared left-turn lane. Drivers from either direction may pull into it and wait to turn left, but nobody may use it to overtake.
Source: Iowa Driver's License Manual — Chapter 2, Shared Left-Turn Lane
6. The light turns solid yellow as you approach an Iowa intersection. What does the manual instruct?
Correct answer: Stay out of the intersection whenever stopping can be done safely
Stay out of the intersection if you can halt safely; if a safe stop is no longer possible, continue through carefully.
Source: Iowa Driver's License Manual — Chapter 2, Traffic Signals
7. Which marking commonly identifies a lane set aside for special vehicles in Iowa?
Correct answer: A white diamond
Reserved lanes carry signs stating the restriction and are usually marked with a white diamond beside the road, painted on the surface, or both.
Source: Iowa Driver's License Manual — Chapter 2, Reserved Lanes
8. Overhead lane-control signals show a red X above the lane you are in. What does that mean?
Correct answer: You may not use that lane
A red X closes that reversible lane to you, so you must not travel in it; a green arrow would mean the lane is open.
Source: Iowa Driver's License Manual — Chapter 2, Reversible Lanes
9. What does a row of solid white triangles painted across your lane indicate?
Correct answer: A yield line marking where you must give way
Those triangles form a yield line and point back toward approaching drivers, marking the spot where you must give way under the accompanying yield sign.
Source: Iowa Driver's License Manual — Chapter 2, Yield Lines
10. What is the difference between white and yellow lines painted on an Iowa roadway?
Correct answer: Yellow divides opposing streams of traffic, white divides lanes headed the same way
Yellow divides streams of traffic heading opposite ways, while white separates lanes whose traffic is moving the same way.
Source: Iowa Driver's License Manual — Chapter 2, Pavement Markings and Other Lane Controls
11. A steady red arrow is displayed for your turning movement. What must you do?
Correct answer: Come to a stop
Drivers who want to make the left or right turn shown by that arrow have to come to a stop.
Source: Iowa Driver's License Manual — Chapter 2, Traffic Signals
12. You approach a stretch of bicycle lane that has been filled in with green paint. What does the manual tell motorists to do?
Correct answer: Check carefully for riders before crossing it, and never stop on it
Drivers must look carefully for riders before crossing the green surface and must not stop on it.
Source: Iowa Driver's License Manual — Chapter 2, Bicycle Lanes and Pavement Markings
More Car / Permit topics
Practice Signals & Pavement Markings in another state
Every Iowa question is written from the official Iowa driver handbook and checked against its current edition. DMV Test Free is a free, independent study resource — not affiliated with any DMV or government agency. About DMV Test Free