Idaho: Distracted driving Practice Test
Cell phones and texting, other distractions, fatigue and highway hypnosis, and your mood.
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Questions are original and based on the official manual "Idaho Driver's Handbook" (July 2026), Idaho Transportation Department.
All 22 questions in this practice test
Take the test above first, then use this list to study. Tap “Show answer” to see the correct answer and explanation.
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What may happen if you fail to give your full attention to the safe operation of your vehicle while driving?
- You may be cited for inattentive driving
- Your vehicle may be impounded on the spot
- Your license is automatically canceled
- You must retake the skills test
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Correct answer: You may be cited for inattentive driving
Failure to give full attention to safe operation may cause you to be cited for inattentive driving.
Source: Idaho Driver's Handbook (July 2026), page 43 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 43)
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According to the manual, what should you depend on instead of warnings or signals from other drivers?
- The alertness of the drivers around you
- The signals of the car ahead
- Your own alertness
- The horns of other drivers
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Correct answer: Your own alertness
The manual says not to rely on warnings or signals from other drivers and to depend on your own alertness, not theirs.
Source: Idaho Driver's Handbook (July 2026), page 86 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 86)
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When heavy traffic starts to get on your nerves, what does the manual say is most important?
- Be patient
- Drive faster to get through it
- Change lanes whenever you can
- Act quickly to keep up with traffic
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Correct answer: Be patient
The manual says to be patient, not let heavy traffic get on your nerves, and never act too quickly.
Source: Idaho Driver's Handbook (July 2026), page 86 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 86)
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If you are upset, what does the manual say you should do?
- Let someone else drive
- Drive carefully with the window open
- Drive faster to calm down
- Turn up the radio and keep driving
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Correct answer: Let someone else drive
The manual says that if you are upset you should let someone else drive.
Source: Idaho Driver's Handbook (July 2026), page 88 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 88)
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Which of the following does the manual say makes you far more likely to have a crash?
- Driving a vehicle with an automatic transmission
- Driving with the radio off
- Quarrels, financial problems or illness in the family
- Driving with your headlights on in daytime
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Correct answer: Quarrels, financial problems or illness in the family
Quarrels, misunderstandings, financial problems, illness in the family, personal fears, or over-confidence make a crash far more likely.
Source: Idaho Driver's Handbook (July 2026), page 88 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 88)
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Which of the following is listed as a distraction that can cause crashes?
- Checking the speedometer
- Lighting a cigarette
- Using your turn signal
- Adjusting your seat belt before starting
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Correct answer: Lighting a cigarette
The manual lists changing the radio station or lighting a cigarette among distractions that can cause crashes.
Source: Idaho Driver's Handbook (July 2026), page 91 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 91)
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What can happen if something distracts you, even for a few seconds?
- You will automatically slow down
- You may not see a hazard
- You will receive extra time to react
- Other drivers will take over your task
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Correct answer: You may not see a hazard
The manual says a distraction of even a few seconds may keep you from seeing a hazard.
Source: Idaho Driver's Handbook (July 2026), page 91 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 91)
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How much attention does the manual say you must pay to drive safely?
- Full attention only in heavy traffic
- Full attention only at night
- Partial attention on straight roads
- Full attention at all times
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Correct answer: Full attention at all times
To drive safely, you must pay full attention at all times.
Source: Idaho Driver's Handbook (July 2026), page 91 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 91)
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When should you pre-set your favorite radio stations?
- Before you begin to drive
- While you are waiting at a stop sign
- While driving on a straight road
- Only while another driver is in the car
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Correct answer: Before you begin to drive
The manual advises pre-setting radio stations before you begin to drive.
Source: Idaho Driver's Handbook (July 2026), page 92 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 92)
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How loud should the stereo volume be?
- Loud enough to drown out road noise
- Loud enough to hear every word of a song
- Low enough to hear things outside your car
- Off whenever a passenger is present
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Correct answer: Low enough to hear things outside your car
You must be able to hear emergency sirens, car horns, screeching tires and other sounds outside your car.
Source: Idaho Driver's Handbook (July 2026), page 92 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 92)
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What can someone in the front seat do to help keep you from getting distracted?
- Hold your phone to your ear for you
- Keep you busy in an intense conversation
- Watch the road behind you
- Act as a co-pilot who reads the phone or maps
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Correct answer: Act as a co-pilot who reads the phone or maps
A front-seat co-pilot can look at a phone or maps and tell you where to turn or what to look for ahead.
Source: Idaho Driver's Handbook (July 2026), page 92 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 92)
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If you are driving alone, when should you make sure you know the route?
- As you reach each intersection
- Before you get in the car
- While you are driving
- After you reach a rest area
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Correct answer: Before you get in the car
If you are driving alone, make sure you know the route before you get in the car.
Source: Idaho Driver's Handbook (July 2026), page 92 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 92)
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What does the manual advise about pets in the car?
- Let them sit on your lap
- Let them ride loose in the front seat
- Place them in a pet carrier
- Keep them in the footwell
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Correct answer: Place them in a pet carrier
Placing pets in a pet carrier keeps them from causing problems while you drive.
Source: Idaho Driver's Handbook (July 2026), page 92 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 92)
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If you are lost in thought and not paying attention, what should you do?
- Pull the car to the side of the road and stop
- Roll down the window and keep driving
- Turn up the radio and keep driving
- Drive faster until you reach a rest area
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Correct answer: Pull the car to the side of the road and stop
The manual says to pull to the side of the road and stop, which is the reason rest areas are placed along highways.
Source: Idaho Driver's Handbook (July 2026), page 92 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 92)
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In Idaho, what is the legal status of reading, writing or sending text messages while driving?
- It is illegal and considered an infraction
- It is legal if you hold the phone low
- It is legal on freeways
- It is a felony in all cases
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Correct answer: It is illegal and considered an infraction
Reading, writing or sending written communication (text messaging) while driving is illegal and considered an infraction in Idaho.
Source: Idaho Driver's Handbook (July 2026), page 92 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 92)
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To what does the texting law not apply?
- Texts typed on a phone held in your lap
- Texts that are short
- Hands-free devices used without either hand
- Phones held in the left hand
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Correct answer: Hands-free devices used without either hand
The manual says the law does not apply to hands-free devices without the use of either hand.
Source: Idaho Driver's Handbook (July 2026), page 92 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 92)
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If you must use a cell phone, what does the manual say to do?
- Hold it low and glance at it quickly
- Use it only while driving slowly
- Park in a safe place first
- Use it only in light traffic
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Correct answer: Park in a safe place first
If you must use a cell phone, you should park in a safe place before making the call or engaging in text messaging.
Source: Idaho Driver's Handbook (July 2026), page 93 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 93)
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What should you do when you feel drowsy while driving?
- Pull off at the first rest stop and take a nap
- Open the window and keep driving until you arrive
- Drink an energy drink and keep driving
- Turn up the radio and keep driving
Show answer
Correct answer: Pull off at the first rest stop and take a nap
The manual says to stop driving when drowsy, pull off at the first rest stop or service area and take a nap.
Source: Idaho Driver's Handbook (July 2026), page 93 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 93)
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What does the manual say about relying on "stay awake" drugs or energy drinks?
- They are safe if used in small amounts
- They replace the need for a nap
- They are safe on short trips only
- They can make driving even more dangerous
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Correct answer: They can make driving even more dangerous
The manual says not to rely on stay awake drugs or energy drinks because they can make driving even more dangerous.
Source: Idaho Driver's Handbook (July 2026), page 93 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 93)
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What is highway hypnosis?
- Sudden anger at other drivers
- Drowsiness brought on by monotony
- Confusion caused by too many road signs
- Dizziness from changing lanes
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Correct answer: Drowsiness brought on by monotony
Highway hypnosis is drowsiness brought on by monotony and the drone of wind and tires.
Source: Idaho Driver's Handbook (July 2026), page 93 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 93)
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How does the manual say you can fight highway hypnosis?
- Stare steadily at the taillights of the car ahead
- Keep shifting your eyes and focus on objects near and far
- Keep your eyes fixed on the center line of the road
- Close your eyes briefly each time you pass a mile marker
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Correct answer: Keep shifting your eyes and focus on objects near and far
The manual says to keep shifting your eyes from one area to another and focus on objects near and far, left and right.
Source: Idaho Driver's Handbook (July 2026), page 93 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 93)
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What should you do at night if you are tired?
- Open a window and keep driving
- Turn up the radio and drive at a slower speed
- Drive only on lighted roads
- Do not drive, or do not keep driving
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Correct answer: Do not drive, or do not keep driving
The manual says not to drive or keep driving if you are tired.
Source: Idaho Driver's Handbook (July 2026), page 109 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 109)