Idaho: Cheat Sheet

The most frequently tested facts and numbers, condensed onto one page — free to print or save.

Independent educational site · not affiliated with any government agency or DMV

Driving Test Practiceofficialdrivingtest.com

Licensing basics

New residents must apply within 30 days of residing in Idaho, whether or not the out-of-state license has expired.
You can miss up to six questions before failing the test.

Seat belts and child safety

The law requires approved child car safety seats for children 6 years of age or younger in a non-commercial motor vehicle.
Idaho law requires all occupants to wear safety belts and/or shoulder straps in a vehicle equipped with them by the factory.

Signals and vehicle controls

Headlamps and tail lamps must be lighted from sunset to sunrise and when poor visibility makes them necessary for safety.
Signals must start at least 100 feet in business or residential areas before you turn or change lanes.
The correct arm signal for a left turn is your arm and hand extended straight out the window.

Sign shapes and colors

Regulatory signs are generally black and white, although some are red and white.
Work zones are commonly identified with orange signs, cones, drums, barricades, or flashing arrow panels.
Most warning signs are black on yellow and diamond-shaped.
Warning signs include the fluorescent yellow/green school warning signs.
The manual says white on green guide signs are for directional and distance information.
White on blue guide signs mark motorist's services.

Road signs

At a stop sign you must stop at a clearly marked stop line.
If there is no stop line, you stop before entering the crosswalk on the near side of the intersection.
A Do Not Enter sign means you may not enter this section of highway from the direction you are traveling.
The page shows this red circle and slash sign as the No U-Turn turn prohibition sign.
The Open Range sign means you are in an area where livestock have the right-of-way and may roam freely and unfenced.
This is the 3-way Intersection sign: you are approaching a 3-way T intersection and will have to turn either right or left.
The Intersection/Crossroad sign means another road ahead crosses the road you are on, so watch carefully for cross-traffic.

Right-of-way and turning

You must slow down and yield the right-of-way to other vehicles and pedestrians, and stop if necessary.
All drivers must yield the right-of-way to vehicles already in the roundabout circle.
Drivers must enter counter-clockwise and merge into the circle whatever their intended movement.
When entering a street from an alley, building, driveway, or private road, stop before crossing the sidewalk and yield to pedestrians and traffic.
When turning left, yield the right-of-way to pedestrians and oncoming vehicles.
U-turns may not be made on any curve, or the approach of or near the crest of a hill, where the vehicle cannot be seen by approaching vehicles from either direction within 500 feet.
The first vehicle to arrive at a four-way stop has the right of way.
At an uncontrolled intersection, if two vehicles arrive at the same time, the vehicle on the left must yield to the vehicle on the right.

Emergency vehicles and work zones

The Be Prepared to Stop sign means to slow down and be prepared to stop for road work ahead.
Fines for speeding are increased in work zones where the signage indicates.
You must pull to the nearest curb or the edge on the right side of the roadway and stop.
You are required to immediately reduce your speed below the posted limit and proceed with caution.

Traffic signals

A steady red circular light means stop, and you must come to a complete stop before reaching the stop line, crosswalk, or intersection.
A flashing red indication means stop, then yield to cross traffic or pedestrians and proceed when clear.
If you have not entered the intersection and can come to a safe stop, you should do so.
If you are already in the intersection, you should continue moving and clear it safely.
A flashing circular yellow indication means caution: slow down, look carefully for hazards, and proceed with caution.
The flashing yellow arrow means turns are allowed after yielding to oncoming traffic and pedestrians in crosswalks.
Whenever a traffic signal is not functioning, you treat the intersection as a four-way stop.
At a steady red light you may turn right after stopping and yielding to cross-traffic, except where posted otherwise.

Pedestrians

Two solid red lights indicate drivers must stop at the stop line, and vehicles must stop completely when the lights are steady red.
Motor vehicles must yield to a blind person walking with a white cane.
Motor vehicles must yield to pedestrians who are in a marked or unmarked crosswalk at an intersection.

Pavement markings

Per the manual, a dashed yellow line allows vehicles in either lane to cross it when it is safe.
Double solid yellow lines mean neither lane may cross them except when turning, and no passing is allowed.
Only vehicles in the lane with the dashed line can cross the lines to pass.
Shared center lanes are reserved for left turns, or U-turns where permitted, from either direction.
Edge lines show where the edge of the road is, and help you stay on the road at night or in bad weather.

Railroad crossings

The stopping zone is within 50 feet but no less than 15 feet from the nearest rail.
Drivers must stop when the lights are actively flashing and may proceed only when it is safe.
You must never drive through, under or around a crossing gate that is lowered or being lowered.

Speed and following distance

Idaho law has a basic rule requiring you to drive at a speed that is reasonable and prudent at all times.
Vehicles shall not exceed 65 miles per hour on state highways, and 70 may be allowed where posted.
The maximum speed in any residential, business, or urban district is 35 miles per hour unless otherwise posted.
The three-second following distance rule is the minimum recommended safest procedure.
The manual says to drive slowly enough at night to stop within the distance you can see ahead.
Roads are more dangerous at the start of a light rain because road oil and water mix to form a greasy film.

Sharing the road

You must stop when approaching a school bus displaying flashing red lights while stopped for children, and remain stopped until all children are clear of the roadway and the bus.
You do not have to stop if you are traveling in the opposite direction on highways with four or more lanes if two lanes are going in each direction.
Passing is prohibited at hills, curves, or other obstructions on two-lane roads that prevent you from seeing oncoming vehicles that might pose a hazard.
If you cannot change lanes, pass with as much clearance as possible; a safe margin is at least three feet.
The manual says there are blind spots behind and on each side of large vehicles.

Parking rules

Facing downhill, the front wheels are turned sharply toward and against the curb so the vehicle cannot roll into traffic.
Parking is not allowed within 15 feet of a fire hydrant.

Freeway driving

The manual reminds drivers entering that they must yield to the traffic already on the highway.
The manual says to always signal for at least five seconds before a lane change or exit.

Distracted driving

Reading, writing or sending written communication (text messaging) while driving is illegal and considered an infraction in Idaho.
The manual says to stop driving when drowsy, pull off at the first rest stop or service area and take a nap.

Emergencies

When a skid starts, do not hit the brake; immediately take your foot off the gas pedal, then steer in the direction of the skid.
The manual says to hold the steering wheel tightly and keep the car headed straight down the road.
The manual requires a police report for injury or damage of more than $1,500.

Your driving record

The point table sets a 30-day suspension for 12 to 17 points in any 12 months.
A driver under 17 gets a warning letter for the first conviction for a moving traffic violation.

Alcohol and drugs

Anyone who drives or is in physical control of a motor vehicle has given consent to a BAC or drug test if suspected of driving under the influence.
Neither aspirin, black coffee, deep breathing, exercise, nor eating will sober you up; only time will return you to normal.
The open container law prohibits both drivers and passengers from drinking or possessing an open beverage container of alcohol.
Idaho law considers a driver under 21 to be driving under the influence at a BAC of .02 or more.
The handbook says a driver 21 or older is under the influence at a BAC of .08 or more.
A first conviction brings a mandatory suspension of at least 90 days and up to 180 days (one year if under 21).

Insurance and financial responsibility

For a first no-insurance offense, proof of financial responsibility is required for one year.