DES MOINES – Gov. Kim Reynolds, along with Lt. Gov. Adam Gregg and Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) Director Mark Lowe, unveiled a new app on Monday for commercial driver’s license (CDL) testing prep.
The app is designed as an interactive study guide to help Iowans interested in getting a CDL study for the written portion of the exam. The app also helps seasoned drivers brush up on skills or study for certification of new skills.
“Nationwide, we’re facing a shortage of licensed commercial drivers,” Gov. Reynolds said. “These drivers are essential to the success of both Iowa’s economy and the American economy. Every product we use, and every good our famers and manufacturers export outside our state’s borders, relies on a safe, well-trained commercial driver to get to its destination.”
The Iowa DOT pursued development of the app in response to the shortage of drivers and after data analysis showed a large percentage of CDL applicants failed their written exam on the first attempt.
“Delivering safe mobility and being customer driven demanded a new approach,” Director Lowe said. “Transforming the traditional written manual to an interactive, adult learning app helps our customers be successful the first time and helps us more quickly deliver safe professional drivers to the job market and transportation industry.”
“Its purpose is to ensure that we as a state are preparing our commercial drivers for true competency – not just memorization,” Lt. Gov. Gregg said. The lieutenant governor also expressed his appreciation for the involvement of a number of industry partners, including the Iowa Motor Truck Association, in the development and testing of the app.
The app is an interactive version of the official CDL manual developed by the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators and approved by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, with resource guides and quizzes to help users identify subject areas they may need to study further. The app also provides full-length practice tests.
The Iowa CDL Testing App is available on mobile devices through iOS and Android app stores, as well as online. It’s free to anyone with an Iowa driver’s license or ID card.
