To receive a driver’s license in Iowa, you will need to be at least 17 years old and have proof of your age, identity, Iowa residence, and Social Security number. You’ll also have to pass a vision, knowledge, and driving test at a designated driver’s license station.

Getting a driver’s license is a big step toward adulthood for many people, but the process can be confusing because of the different requirements in each state. That’s why the

car insurance

broker app

Jerry

is here to walk you through Iowa’s driver’s license requirements. (We'll also tell you how to save on your

Iowa car insurance costs

down below.)

What are the requirements for a driver’s license in Iowa?

Though you can get a driving permit in Iowa as young as 14, you’ll need to be at least 17 years old to get your driver’s license.

Before you head to your local driver’s license station, you’ll want to find documents that can verify your:

Age and identity—birth certificate, passport, certificate of citizenship

Iowa residence—lease or mortgage paperwork, W-2 or 1099 form, car insurance bill

Social Security number—Social Security card, paycheck with complete SSN, W-2, or 1099 form

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What are the requirements for young drivers?

You can get your full driver’s license at the age of 17 if you have your parents’ consent and meet the following requirements:

Hold an intermediate license for 12 months

Log 10 hours of supervised driving, with a minimum of two hours between sunset and sunrise

Maintain a

clean driving record

for 12 months

If you are willing to wait until you turn 18, you can obtain your full license without meeting the requirements listed above.

What are the requirements for out-of-state drivers?

If you’re a new resident of Iowa, the process of obtaining a license is very similar, whether you have a valid driver’s license in another state.

In both cases, you’ll need to:

Present a valid ID, proof of residency, and your Social Security number

Pass a vision test

Not have a license that’s suspended, revoked, or canceled in another state

Pay applicable fees

If you do not have a driver’s license, you’ll also need to pass a written (if applicable) and driving test.

Additionally, keep in mind that you do not need to transfer your out-of-state driver’s license if you qualify as the following:

You are a student or visitor with a driver’s license in another state or country

You are operating a military vehicle while in service to the U.S. Armed Forces

You are driving farm equipment between your home farm and a farm or farm operation within two miles

MORE:

Seat-belt laws in Iowa

How to get a driver’s license in Iowa

The process of getting your driver’s license in Iowa isn’t difficult. However, you will need to pass a few tests to prove that you are fit to operate a vehicle and understand the laws of the road.

Vision test

The first test you’ll take before getting your driver’s license is a vision test.

Iowa law requires drivers to have at least 20/40 vision in one eye. This can be with or without corrective lenses, but you will be required to wear your lenses while driving if you need them to pass the vision test.

Knowledge exam

The second test is a knowledge test administered by an automated system.

The test will be composed of 35 multiple-choice questions that cover topics such as road signs, traffic laws, and safe-driving practices.

Don’t forget, you can take practice knowledge tests online before you take the real one! You should take at least one to two practice tests to help ensure that you pass your knowledge test the first time.

Road test

The final test you’ll be required to take is a road test.

This test is performed mostly by appointment, so you’ll need to call ahead to schedule a date and time. Additionally, you’ll need to provide a vehicle for use in the test.

During the test, the proctor will observe your handling of the vehicle in addition to whether or not you follow the traffic laws and practice safe-driving habits.

If you pass all of the tests, you’ll finish the process by submitting all your documents and paying a fee of $10.

MORE:

What are Iowa’s car insurance laws?

How to save money on car insurance in Iowa

Once you receive your Iowa driver’s license, take the time to celebrate, but remember that the work isn’t over. Keeping your car in working order, getting it inspected, and securing appropriate car insurance will be ongoing responsibilities as a driver. Thankfully, the

Jerry

app can help you ease the load.

As a licensed insurance broker and

trusted super app

, Jerry will take the stress out of finding affordable car insurance. It does this by finding you the best quotes from a pool of the top insurance companies. There’s no lengthy paperwork or conversations with salespeople, just download the app, fill out a brief questionnaire, and wait less than two minutes for your results.

“I would 11/10 recommend
Jerry
. I was originally quoted $700+ for insurance for my new car, but by using Jerry I got my payments down to $320 a month. They also have a great support team ready to answer any questions!” —Tobias F.