Iowa Drivers License Instructions

DMV got you confused? Check out our easy instructions for getting your Iowa drivers license.

1. Study for the Iowa learners permit / instruction permit test

2. Apply for the Iowa learners permit / instruction permit

3. Take Iowa drivers education and practice driving under supervision

4. Take the driving test for the Iowa drivers license

Step 1
Step 2
Step 3
Step 4

1. Study for the Iowa learners permit / instruction permit test

In order to get the instruction permit and eventually the Iowa drivers license, everyone regardless of age must pass a written test on traffic laws and signs. Most people fail this test on their first try.

Pass the first time when you learn the rules of the road with DriversEd.com and prepare for the instruction permit test with our Iowa DOT practice permit tests. Our online practice permit tests can be purchased separately or are free when you purchase our online Iowa drivers education course.

2. Apply for the Iowa learners permit / instruction permit

Apply for the instruction permit at a Drivers License Issuing Station near you.
In order to be eligible for the instruction permit, you must:

Be at least 14 years old.
Provide proof of identity, age and Social Security number. View acceptable forms of ID.
Show parent/guardian consent in one of the following ways: 1) the parent/guardian accompanies the teenager to the drivers license station to sign the consent form in the presence of the examiner, or (2) the parent/guardian downloads the form Parent's Written Consent to Issue Privilege to Drive or Affidavit to Obtain Duplicate License Form #430018 and signs the form in the presence of a notary public. The teenager may then present the completed and notarized form to the examiner and the parent/guardian would not have to accompany the teenager to the drivers license station.
Pass a vision screening examination.
Pass a knowledge examination.

Once you have passed the knowledge test, you will be issued an instruction permit with the following restrictions:

If you are under 18, all driving must be supervised by a licensed driver. May drive only with parent/guardian, immediate family member over 21, driver education teacher, a driver over 25 with written permission of parent/guardian.
If you are at least 18 you may drive with driver education instructor, a prospective driver education instructor, a licensed member of your immediate family who is at least 21 years old or another licensed adult who is at least 25 years old.

Number of passengers limited to number of safety belts available in vehicle.

3. Take Iowa drivers ed and practice driving under supervision

Under 18:

If you are under 18, you must take an approved drivers education course once you have your instruction permit. This course must consist of:

30 hours of classroom instruction
Six hours laboratory; minimum three hours must be behind the wheel; may use simulators for the remaining time

Online drivers education courses do not satisfy this requirement.

You must also log at least 20 hours of supervised driving practice with at least 2 of those hours occurring between sunset and sunrise.

DriversEd.com can help make this supervised driving period less stressful. Our Behind-the-Wheel Training Guide teaches important concepts and guides parents step-by-step through the process of teaching their teen to drive. It also comes with a FREE Passenger Side Rear-View Mirror which allows you to see exactly what your teen sees when behind the wheel.

18 or Older:

Drivers education is not mandatory in Iowa if you are 18 or older. However, it’s always a good idea for new drivers to take an Iowa drivers education course. With quality drivers education, you can:

Learn the rules of the road and essential safe driving skills
Have a better chance of passing your learners permit test
Qualify for an auto insurance discount (where applicable)

Take the DriversEd.com Iowa drivers education course online at your own pace and on your own schedule.
Note: this course will not satisfy the Iowa drivers education requirement for new drivers under 18.

4. Take the driving test for the Iowa drivers license

Schedule a driving test with a Drivers License Issuing Station near you.
To be eligible for the Iowa drivers license, you must:

Be at least 16 years old.
Provide proof of identity, age and Social Security number. View acceptable forms of ID.
Have held a valid instruction permit for at least 6 months (if under 18).
Have completed an approved driver education course (if under 18).
Have logged 20 hours of supervised driving; minimum of two hours must be between sunset and sunrise (if under 18).
Have driven accident- and conviction-free for six consecutive months. immediately prior to application for intermediate license.
Pass the driving test.

Once you pass the driving test you will be issued a drivers license. If you are 18 or older, this will be a Full Drivers License.

If you are under 18, you will be issued an Intermediate Drivers License with the following restrictions:

Must be held for a minimum of 12 months.
May drive without supervision from 5 a.m. to 12:30 a.m.; driving is permitted between 12:30 a.m. and 5 a.m. only with a parent/guardian, family member over 21, or designated adult over 25; with a waiver, may drive to and from work or school-related extra-curricular activities.
Must log 10 hours of supervised driving; minimum of two hours must be between sunset and sunrise.
Passengers limited to the number of seat belts in the vehicle.
Must drive accident- and conviction-free for 12 consecutive months immediately preceding application for a full license.
Intermediate license will have a distinct color bar and the words “intermediate license.”

The holder of the Intermediate License will be eligible for a Full Driver License when he/she turns 17. The Full License has full driving privileges with no restrictions. The driver must fulfill following requirements:

Must meet all conditions of intermediate license.
Must have written approval of parent/guardian.

For drivers under age 18 or age 21, the license shall have the words “under eighteen” or “under twenty-one”

DriversEd.com is a privately held company and is in no way associated with the Department of Motor Vehicles or any other government agency. DriversEd.com does not claim any responsibility for the accuracy of the drivers license information posted within or for the business practices associated with any other schools listed on the DriversEd.com site. For up-to-date information, please consult your local Department of Motor Vehicles or vehicle registration agency. Also, DriversEd.com is not liable for any information or claims posted within third party links.