Iowa 14-year-olds can now take learner's permit driving test at school

Teens seeking to get a learner’s driving permit may soon take the test at a school near them. 

The Iowa Department of Transportation is partnering with certain Iowa schools to help parents “Skip the Trip," the governor's office announced Friday.

Currently, teens turning 14 must make a trip to the nearest Iowa DOT or local county treasurer's office to take a knowledge test for an instructional permit.

For parents, that can mean taking time off work or their daily schedules, sometimes multiple times if their student doesn't pass the first time.

“This will save parents time and the expense of potentially making repeat trips to our locations and will help reduce congestion in our service centers," Iowa DOT Motor Vehicle Division Director Melissa Spiegel said.

A new web-based testing system called Skip the Trip allows schools to offer the same driving knowledge test at school — making it more convenient for families.

“Every Iowan should expect easy access to government services,” Gov. Kim Reynolds said. “We know parents and caregivers have busy lives. Skip the Trip is a great example of modern access to State of Iowa services.”

To be eligible, a student must be enrolled with a participating school or agency, be 14 years old or older and cannot currently hold an Iowa instruction permit. Participating schools and agencies have the flexibility to administer tests at times most convenient for their students.

“Testing at school provides a more familiar and comfortable test environment for students, and it’s much easier for the kids to schedule the tests here at school rather than needing to go to a driver’s license service center," Albia school counselor Jani Dorpinghaus said. That district participated in a pilot program.

After successfully completing the test, the students receive an email verification that must be brought to the driver’s license service center along with other required documentation to prove identity.

To ensure integrity in the testing process, service center staff will verify passing test result emails with Iowa DOT records.

Schools looking to offer Skip the Trip can contact the department of transportation at skipthetrip.support@iowadot.us.