Iowa Drivers Education
Teens who are interested in obtaining a drivers license in the State of Iowa can begin the process at age 14 with an instruction permit provided they have parental consent which must be provided with a Parent’s Consent Form and be notarized. You must additionally pass a vision screening and a written knowledge test, present proof of your identity and verify your social security number.
Once you have obtained your learners permit, you will be required to hold that permit for a minimum of six months, be supervised at all times by a licensed driver who is (a) your parent or guardian, (b) an immediate family member over 21, (c) a drivers education teacher, (d) a driver over the age of 25 provided you have written permission from your parent/guardian. In addition, the number of passengers in the car when you are driving may not exceed the number of seat belts, you must complete 20 hours of supervised driving (2 of which must be night time driving), you must remain accident and violation free for a period of not less than 6 consecutive months before applying for an intermediate license, you must complete an approved driving course which is at least thirty (30) hours and includes four (4) hours of substance abuse education, twenty (20) minutes of railroad crossing safety instruction as well as organ donation information program. This program must also include six (6) laboratory hours (i.e. simulators) though three (3) are required to actually be behind the wheel – and no parental waiver may be used for behind the wheel time. Your instruction permit will be printed with the words ‘under eighteen’.
Once you have reached the age of 16 and you have completed all of the requirements associated with your instruction permit you will be eligible to apply for an intermediate license. You will need to have another Parental Consent Form signed and notarized (or your parent/guardian may accompany you and have it signed at the DMV), you must hold your intermediate license for not less than twelve (12) months, you will be allowed to drive between 5am and 12:30am without supervision and if you are going to or from work or school (including extra-curricular activities) you may drive between 12:30am and 5:30am. During the time you hold your intermediate license, you must complete a minimum of ten (10) supervised driving hours with not less than two (2) of those hours being between sunset and sunrise – this must be accomplished with your parent or guardian, a licensed family member over the age of 21 or a designated licensed adult over the age of 25. other restrictions include limiting passengers to the number of seat belts in the vehicle, driving accident and violation free for twelve (12) consecutive months before applying for a full license, not allowing the intermediate license to expire or be withdrawn. Your intermediate license will be printed with ‘under 18’ clearly visible. All of the conditions that have been explained to you are in effect until you have been issued a full drivers license (until you are 18).
You may apply for a full drivers license at the age of 17 providing you receive the written consent of your parents and you have met all of the conditions of your intermediate drivers license. You now will have no restrictions placed on your driving although your license will be printed ‘under 18’ or ‘under 21’ (depending on your age).
It is highly recommended that you review the complete Iowa Driver’s Manual which is in sections to allow for easier viewing/printing:
Cover, Introduction, Table of Contents, Index & Test Answers - 183kb
Section 1 - The Driver's License - 57kb
Section 2 - Protecting Your Driving Privileges - 37kb
Section 3 - Car & Truck Registration & Safety - 69kb
Section 4 - Traffic Signs & Rules of the Road - 479kb
Section 5 - Safe Driving Tips - 777kb
Section 6 - Be in Shape to Drive - 31kb
Section 7 - Other Types of Vehicles - 181kb
