Iowa Online Driver Education and Iowa Licensing Procedures
Congratulations on starting the process of applying for your Iowa learner's permit or first Iowa driver license. Iowa has a Graduated Driver License Program for Iowa teen drivers, and there are a few things to keep in mind to make sure that applying for your Iowa driving license goes as smoothly as possible. So let's get started.
Iowa Instructional Permit or Iowa Learner Permit
When you turn 14, you can apply for an Iowa learner's permit. In order to apply for your Iowa learner's permit, you'll need to make an appointment at your local Iowa driver's license station and then bring the following:
At the Iowa Driver's License Station, you'll present all of these application materials and then take two tests:
- driving knowledge test
- vision screening test
If you survived, then congratulations. You've just earned your Iowa learner's license, which is valid for 2 years. If you are enrolled in an approved Iowa driver education program, you may practice with a certified driving instructor, a driver over 25 (with written permission from your parent or guardian), or with any members of your family over 21. After you've had your Iowa learner permit for 6 months, you're ready to apply for your Iowa intermediate license.
Your First Iowa Driver's License
In order to apply for your first Iowa driver's license, you'll need to make sure you follow a few Iowa State requirements:
- keep your Iowa learner's license for at least 6 months
- complete 20 hours of supervised driving
- at least 2 hours must be of night driving
- must drive accident-free and violation-free for 6 consecutive months
- 30 hours of classroom instruction (including 4 hours of substance abuse education)
- 6 hours laboratory, 3 of which must be behind the wheel
So when you're 16 and have met all of the Iowa instruction permit conditions, head on down to your local Iowa Driver's License Station with:
Then, take the dreaded road test. If you passed, then congratulations. You've just earned your Iowa intermediate driver license! However, for the next year you'll have to abide by a few restrictions.
Iowa Teen Driver License Restrictions and Penalties
There are several restrictions you need to keep in mind regarding Iowa intermediate driver's license:
- you may not drive between 12:30AM and 5AM without supervision
- the exception is if you have a waiver for driving to/from a work or school-related extracurricular activity
- during this year, you must complete 10 hours of supervised driving
- 2 of these hours must be at night
- all passengers must wear seat belts
- you must drive without accidents or violations for 12 consecutive months
Provided you've driven without incident for 12 months, you can now apply for your Indiana full license.
Iowa Auto Insurance Iowa Financial Responsibility Laws
Once you receive your Iowa driver's license, you're ready to drive--or are you? Any vehicle registered in Iowa must be covered by liability insurance. If you are found to be driving without Iowa mandatory liability insurance, your Iowa intermediate driver license could be suspended and you could be fined.
Iowa Drunk Driving, Cell Phone, and Text Messaging Laws
As a new Iowa driver, it's important for you to learn the Iowa drunk driving, cell phone, and text messaging laws.
Upon your first conviction of a Iowa DUI (0.08), you will face the following penalties:
- Jail sentence from a minimum 48 hours to 1 year
- $625-1,250 fine
- Iowa license suspension of 180 days
And of course, further Iowa DUI convictions will result in increased jail time, community service, fines, and Iowa license suspension or even Iowa license revocation.
Currently, Iowa does not have a law prohibiting cell phones or text messaging.
Iowa Online Driver Education
For information about approved Iowa online driver education courses, see the Iowa Driver's Manual.
