Iowa CDL practice tests

About the Iowa CDL

The Iowa Commercial Driver's License is issued by the Iowa Department of Transportation — Motor Vehicle Division. Like every state, Iowa follows federal CDL standards set by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). To be eligible for a Iowa CDL you must be at least 18 years old (21 for interstate driving or for hazardous materials transport), hold a valid Iowa driver's license, certify your medical fitness with a DOT physical, and pass the knowledge and skills exams that match the class and endorsements of license you want.

Most CDL applicants in Iowa begin with a Commercial Learner's Permit (CLP), which lets you practice driving a commercial vehicle on public roads with a fully licensed CDL holder beside you. After holding the CLP for at least 14 days, you can schedule the behind-the-wheel skills test. The skills test has three parts: a vehicle inspection, basic vehicle control on a closed course, and an on-road driving evaluation in a vehicle that represents the class of CDL you want.

For the knowledge test, Iowa uses multiple-choice questions drawn from the official handbook. Most exams require an 80% passing score. The Iowa DMV will let you re-test a limited number of times before requiring a fee or waiting period, so it pays to over-prepare. The practice questions on this page are designed to match the format and difficulty of the real exam.

What to bring to your Iowa CDL appointment

• Proof of identity (driver's license, U.S. passport, or two secondary IDs)
• Proof of Iowa residence (utility bill, lease, mortgage, or government mail)
• Proof of legal U.S. presence (birth certificate, passport, or USCIS documentation)
• Your Social Security number or a Social Security Administration letter
• A current DOT medical examiner's certificate (Form MCSA-5876)
• Application fee — check the Iowa Department of Transportation — Motor Vehicle Division for the latest amount

Iowa CDL classes

Class A — Any combination of vehicles with a gross combination weight rating of 26,001 pounds or more, provided the vehicle being towed weighs more than 10,000 pounds. Most over-the-road truckers hold a Class A.

Class B — A single vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating of 26,001 pounds or more, or that vehicle towing another not exceeding 10,000 pounds. Straight trucks, large buses, dump trucks, and box trucks fall under Class B.

Class C — Single vehicle, or combination, that does not meet the definition of Class A or B but is designed to transport 16 or more passengers (including the driver) or is used to transport placardable hazardous materials.

For most working drivers in Iowa, a Class A CDL with the Air Brakes and Combination Vehicles endorsements opens the most doors. Add Hazmat for fuel, chemical, or industrial gas hauling. Add Passenger and School Bus for transit or school work.