Iowa · Handbook chapter 6 · 5 min read

Vehicle checks for brakes, lights, glass, tires and mirrors, seat and mirror set-up, driver-assistance technology, blind spots, Iowa seat belt and child restraint law, loose objects, distractions and the hands-free law, drowsy driving and Iowa 511.

Why this chapter matters

Many crashes are decided before the engine starts: by a bald tire, a dirty windshield, a loose seat belt or a phone within reach. Iowa's seat belt, child seat and hands-free laws are all fair game on the test.

Keeping your vehicle safe

• Brakes: every car must have two independent brakes: the foot brake and the parking brake. Have them checked if they are noisy, smell odd or the pedal sinks to the floor.
• Lights: two headlights, at least one red tail light visible from 500 feet, and a white light on the rear plate. Dirty lenses can cut light output by 50 percent.
• Glass: replace damaged glass, keep the windshield clean and clear snow and ice from all windows. The windshield and the front side windows must let at least 70 percent of light through, and Iowa has no medical exemption for tint.
• Tires: check pressure when the tires are cold. Use the penny test: push a penny into a tread groove head first; if the whole top of the portrait's head shows, the tread is too shallow and the tire should be replaced.
• Exhaust: leaking fumes can kill quickly. Never run the engine in a garage or sit in a running car without opening a window.
• Horn: use it only as a warning.
• Mirrors: your rearview mirror must show at least 200 feet to the rear.

Seat and mirrors

• Keep at least 10 inches between your chest and the steering wheel, with the air bag aimed at your chest. The top of the wheel should be no higher than your shoulders.
• Set the head restraint level with the center of your head.
• Set the inside mirror to frame the whole rear window. Lean toward each side and set the side mirrors so you can just see the side of your car.

Driver-assistance technology

Features such as blind spot monitors, back-up cameras, lane departure warnings and automatic emergency braking help, but you must still check mirrors and look over your shoulder. On the drive test, safety technology such as a back-up camera may be used, but convenience technology such as adaptive cruise control and automatic parallel parking may not.

Blind spots

• Blind spots are areas your mirrors do not show.
• Do not ride in another driver's blind spot, get past it quickly when passing, and never linger beside a truck or bus.
• Look over your shoulder before changing lanes or pulling into traffic.

Seat belts and child restraints

• Not wearing a belt is a primary offense: you can be stopped for that alone. Fines are up to $50 per passenger, or $100 for each passenger under 18.
• Everyone in the front seat must be belted, and so must everyone under 18 in any seat.
• A child under 1 year and under 20 pounds rides in a rear-facing child seat.
• A child under 6 rides in a child restraint (safety seat or booster), not just a belt.
• A child from 6 to 18 uses a child restraint or seat belt in every seating position.
• No one under 18 may ride in the back of a moving pickup truck.
• Over half of traffic deaths happen within 25 miles of home, so buckle up on short trips too.

Loose objects

At 60 mph, a 20-pound object can hit with over 1,000 pounds of force in a sudden stop. Secure loose items, and keep anything from rolling under the brake pedal.

Distractions and the hands-free law

• Distractions are visual (eyes off the road), manual (hands off the wheel) and cognitive (mind off driving).
• Distracted driving is a primary offense. Iowa's hands-free law bans holding a phone, typing, scrolling, entering a GPS address, streaming video or video calls while driving. Calls are allowed only hands-free or by voice.
• Before reading or writing a message, pull to a complete stop off the traveled road.
• Drivers under 18 with a permit, intermediate or special minor's license may not make or take calls at all unless stopped off the road.

Drowsy driving

Being awake for 18 hours straight impairs you about as much as a BAC of 0.08. Daydreaming, missing the last few miles, yawning, drifting from your lane or hitting a rumble strip all mean it is time to stop, rest or switch drivers.

Iowa 511

Check 511ia.org or the free app for weather, construction and crashes before you go.