Iowa CAR DMV Practice Test 10

To complete a turn safely, you should activate your turn signal three to four seconds before your turn.

This signs warns that a four-way intersection is ahead.

You should pass a bicyclist the same way you would pass any other vehicle, but not so fast or close to them that you throw debris in their face or blow them around with the draft of air from your vehicle. Allow at least 3 feet of space between your side mirror and the bicyclist, or at least 5 feet on higher speed roads or when there is a group of bicyclists. Honking unnecessarily may startle riders and make them more likely to crash.

If you approach a flashing red light, treat it the same as you would a stop sign. Come to a complete stop, yield the right-of-way when necessary, and proceed when it is safe to do so.

This sign warns that the road is slippery when wet.

If you approach a stopped school bus that has its lights flashing and arm extended, you must come to a full stop and remain stopped until the signal arm is pulled back and the bus resumes motion. This law applies whether you are traveling in the same direction as the bus or if you are approaching from the opposite side of the street.

The color orange is used only for construction and maintenance warning signs.

When approaching a railroad crossing, you must look, listen, slow down, and prepare to stop. Let any trains pass before you proceed.

Because large commercial vehicles have large blind spots on each side, you should avoid driving beside them for long periods of time.

You should never drive around lowered crossing gates. Always look both ways before turning across train tracks and always obey signs and traffic signals. Trains share the road with motor vehicles and bicyclists.

Smoking while driving can create dangerous distractions by causing you to take your hands off the wheel and/or your eyes off the road.

Warning signs provide notice to road users of a situation that might not be readily apparent and are usually yellow with black markings. This sign warns drivers of an upcoming steep hill. Drivers should adjust their speed accordingly to avoid collisions and brake damage.

The faster you are driving, the longer it will take for you to stop to react to other drivers' unexpected moves.

When passing another vehicle, move back into your original lane only when you can see the passed vehicle’s headlights in your rearview mirror. This ensures that you will have enough room to safely pull back in front of the other vehicle.

This sign indicates that a steep downhill grade is ahead.

This sign warns of an upcoming winding road with three or more curves.

Use your low beams when driving in fog, snow, rain, or mist. Light from high beams will reflect off of precipitation, causing a glare and making it even more difficult to see. Some vehicles are equipped with fog lights that should be used in addition to low beam headlights.

By looking well ahead of your vehicle, you will be able to spot slow-moving vehicles early and will have time to change lanes or slow down safely upon approaching them. Always be ready to adjust your speed to the speed of traffic, within the legal speed limit.

If it feels like your tires have lost contact with the surface of the road, you should ease your foot off the gas pedal and stay off the brakes. Do not try to stop or turn until your tires are gripping the road again.

Drivers must yield to pedestrians when they are crossing at any intersection without a traffic light, whether or not there is a crosswalk.

When changing lanes, you must be sure that there are no vehicles in the space you want to enter. Check for other vehicles behind and to the side of your vehicle by checking your mirrors and blind spots. Always use the proper turn signal before changing lanes to allow surrounding vehicles time to react to your movements.

Blind or partially blind pedestrians may carry a white cane or use the assistance of a guide dog. You must always yield the right-of-way to a pedestrian who is using a guide dog or carrying a white cane.

Warning signs are usually yellow with black markings. They alert you to conditions that are immediately ahead. This sign warns drivers that the number of lanes is reduced ahead and that traffic should merge left.

Using a cell phone while driving is dangerous because it occupies the user's eyes, hands, and mind. Even the most skilled drivers increase their risk of being involved in a crash by using a cell phone on the road.

Drivers making left turns must yield to oncoming traffic that is traveling straight. Drivers must always yield to pedestrians.

Consuming alcohol and other drugs together can increase the impairing effects of both. For example, having one drink while you are also using a cold remedy could affect you as much as several drinks would when being consumed separately from any medications.

Alcohol takes effect quickly and is slow to leave your system. Cold showers, black coffee, and exercise will do nothing to reduce a person's blood alcohol content (BAC). The only way to lower your BAC is to wait.

It is not always easy to maintain a safe distance behind your vehicle. However, you can help keep the driver behind you a safe distance away from your vehicle by maintaining a steady speed and signaling turns, lane changes, and deceleration in advance.

Every time you want to change lanes or otherwise move your vehicle to the right or left, signal to alert other drivers to your intentions. Always check your mirrors and turn your head to check your blind spot before attempting any lateral move.

Before merging into interstate traffic, you should identify a gap, accelerate to the speed of traffic, and signal. Merge into the gap when it is safe to do so. Be alert to other traffic and do not expect other drivers to clear the lane.

Your vehicle's brake lights indicate to other drivers that you are slowing down or stopping. Your brake lights should always be in working order when you are driving on any roadway.

Wet roadway surfaces can be dangerously slick, especially immediately following a rainfall. When you are driving on wet roads, your vehicle is traveling on a thin layer of oil, dirt, and water. Slow down when there is heavy rain, standing water, or slush on the road to reduce the risk of your wheels losing traction on the slick surface.

This sign directs traffic to the right of an island or barrier. The road ahead is divided.

When driving under ideal conditions at speeds slower than 40 mph, experienced drivers should maintain a following distance of at least two seconds. An inexperienced driver should maintain a following distance of at least three seconds. When driving under ideal conditions at speeds above 40 mph, drivers should increase their following distance to four or five seconds. Increase your following distance when anything makes conditions less than ideal.

The faster you drive on a wet roadway, the less effective your tires will be at wiping the water from the road. If your speed becomes excessive enough, your tires will lose their grip on the road entirely and you will begin to hydroplane (that is, to slide down the road on a film of water).