Iowa Road Sign Practice Test

How road signs are tested in Iowa

Road sign questions are part of the Iowa written knowledge test (25 multiple-choice questions, 20 right to pass). Know the signs well and those questions become easy points.

Signs from the Iowa Driver's License Manual (M1170 (07/23/2026)). What every kind of sign means, by shape and color: our road sign guide.

Signs the Iowa Driver's License Manual adds

• Two-Way Traffic

  The Two-Way Traffic sign means you are leaving a one-way road for a two-way road; keep to the right. p. 9

• Horse-Drawn Vehicle

  The Horse-Drawn Vehicle sign warns of slow horse-drawn vehicles on the road; reduce your speed and pass slowly. p. 9

• Deer Crossing

  The Deer Crossing sign means deer may try to cross the road in that area; slow down and watch carefully. p. 9

• 2.5 Slow-Moving Vehicle Sign

  A reflective orange triangle on the back of a vehicle means it travels 35 mph or less; you may see it on road maintenance equipment, farm vehicles or horse-drawn wagons. p. 11

• Speed Limit Signs

  Speed limit signs show the maximum or minimum safe speed allowed; some high-speed roads have minimum limits, and if a minimum is too fast for you, use another route. p. 8

• 2.2 Regulatory Signs

  A red circle with a slash over a symbol means that action is not allowed. p. 8

• 2.17 Reserved Lanes

  Some lanes are reserved for special vehicles, such as high-occupancy vehicles (HOV); they are marked by signs and often a white diamond on the road or roadside. Don't drive in one unless your vehicle qualifies. p. 16

• Controlled (Marked with Signs) Intersections

  Right turns on red are allowed after stopping unless a sign prohibits them, and you must yield when making one. p. 19

• Arrow Boards

  Large flashing arrow boards are usually used when a lane or shoulder is closed; barricades, vertical panels, drums, cones and tubular markers are channelizing devices that warn of unusual conditions and guide you through the work zone. p. 14

• Standard Colors

  Blue signs mean: motorist services. p. 6

• 2.6 Guide Signs

  Interstate mile markers count the miles from where the route entered the state; use them to work out how far you are from your exit and to give your exact location in an emergency. p. 11

• 2.8 Route Signs

  The shape of a route sign shows the type of road, such as an interstate, U.S. highway, Iowa route or county road; follow these signs to stay on your route. p. 11

• Parking for Persons with Disabilities

  Park in a space reserved for persons with disabilities only if you have a Persons with Disabilities Parking Permit. p. 21

• Standard Shapes

  Crossbuck signs are placed at each railroad crossing; a number sign under the crossbuck shows how many sets of tracks you must cross. p. 7

• Emergency Notification System (ENS) Sign

  The blue Emergency Notification System (ENS) sign, posted on both sides of each railroad crossing, gives a phone number for the railroad and the crossing's ID number; use them to report stalled vehicles, broken signals or other hazards at the crossing. p. 8

• Advance School Crossing

  A school crossing sign means slow down and watch for children crossing the road. p. 9

• Pedestrian Crossing

  A pedestrian crossing sign means slow down and yield to pedestrians in the crosswalk. p. 9

• Standard Colors

  White signs are regulatory: they give enforceable laws and ordinances. p. 6

• Standard Shapes

  The pennant-shaped no-passing-zone sign is posted on the left side of the road. p. 7

• Standard Shapes

  An eight-sided (octagon) sign always means stop. p. 7

• Standard Shapes

  A downward-pointing triangle sign means yield. p. 7