Idaho DMV Permit Test cheat sheet
Idaho DMV Permit Test · Keep the key ideas within reach.
Traffic Signs, Signals and Road Markings
Sign shapes carry meaning: octagon = stop, inverted triangle = yield, diamond = warning, pennant = no-passing zone, pentagon = school zone/crossing, round = railroad advance warning, rectangle = regulatory or guide.
Colors: red = stop/prohibit, yellow = warning, fluorescent yellow-green = pedestrian/school warning, orange = construction/maintenance, blue = services/driver information, green = distance/direction guidance, brown = recreation/cultural, white = regulatory.
A flashing red signal is treated exactly as a STOP sign: full stop, yield, then proceed when clear. A flashing yellow means slow down and proceed with caution; no stop required.
A steady red arrow prohibits turning in that direction; a green arrow grants protected right-of-way for that movement only. A yellow arrow warns the protected phase is ending.
Solid yellow center line(s) separate traffic moving in opposite directions; you may not cross them to pass. Broken yellow lines permit passing when safe.
Double solid white lines separate lanes moving in the same direction and may not be crossed except in specific HOV/managed-lane cases.
A stop line, crosswalk, or the edge of the roadway (in that order) marks where you must stop at a stop sign or signal.
Railroad crossbucks (X-shaped) mark the crossing itself; round yellow advance-warning signs appear well before it. Never stop on tracks.
Right-of-Way and Intersection Rules
At an uncontrolled intersection (no signs or signals), yield to the vehicle already in the intersection, and to the vehicle on your right if you arrive at the same time.
At a four-way stop, first vehicle to stop proceeds first; simultaneous arrivals resolve by yielding to the vehicle on the right.
A vehicle turning left must yield to oncoming traffic going straight or turning right, and to any pedestrian in the crosswalk.
Right turn on red is permitted after a full stop and yield, unless a sign prohibits it. Left turn on red is allowed only from a one-way street onto another one-way street in Idaho.
You must yield to pedestrians in a marked or unmarked crosswalk, and to any pedestrian who has stepped into your half of the roadway.
Emergency vehicles with lights and siren have right-of-way; pull to the right edge and stop. On a divided highway, pull to the nearest edge.
When entering a highway from a driveway, alley, or private road, you must yield to all traffic already on the roadway.
Do not enter an intersection unless you can clear it; blocking the box is a violation even on a green light.
Speed Limits, Following Distance and Lane Use
Idaho default limits (unless posted): 35 mph in urban areas, 55 mph on non-interstate highways in rural areas, and 65 mph on interstate highways; posted signs always govern.
Basic speed rule: never drive faster than is reasonable and prudent for actual conditions, even below the posted limit.
Three-second following rule: pick a fixed object ahead; you should reach it no sooner than three seconds after the vehicle ahead. Add a second for each adverse condition (rain, dark, heavy load, being tailgated).
At least four seconds of following distance behind motorcycles, and additional space behind large trucks and buses.
Keep right except when passing or preparing for a left turn; slower traffic must stay in the right lane on multi-lane roads.
Passing is prohibited on the left when a solid yellow line is on your side, at railroad crossings, at intersections, and where visibility is limited.
Move-over law: on multi-lane roads, change lanes away from stopped emergency, tow, or maintenance vehicles with flashing lights; if you cannot, slow below the posted limit.
Turn into the corresponding lane: right turns into the rightmost lane, left turns into the leftmost available lane, unless markings direct otherwise.
Sharing the Road with Pedestrians, Cyclists and Large Vehicles
Bicycles are vehicles with the same roadway rights as cars; give them at least three feet of clearance when passing in Idaho.
Before opening a car door, check for cyclists ("door zone"); a cyclist struck by an opening door is a common crash type.
Pedestrians in a crosswalk have the right-of-way; do not pass a vehicle stopped at a crosswalk, as it may be yielding to someone you cannot see.
Large trucks have large blind spots ("No-Zones") on all four sides, especially the right side and directly behind the trailer; if you cannot see the driver's mirrors, the driver cannot see you.
Trucks need extra room to turn right because of off-tracking; never squeeze between a turning truck and the curb.
When passing a large vehicle, do so quickly and do not linger alongside; trucks need far longer distances to stop than cars.
At railroad crossings, buses and trucks carrying hazardous materials must stop; be prepared for them to halt even when no train is visible.
Motorcyclists and cyclists are harder to see and judge speed on; give them a full lane when possible and never share a lane with a motorcycle.
Alcohol, Drugs, Distracted and Impaired Driving
Idaho's per se limit is 0.08% BAC for drivers 21 and older; a commercial driver's limit is 0.04%; drivers under 21 are subject to Idaho's zero-tolerance standard.
Implied consent: by driving in Idaho you consent to chemical testing; refusing a test results in license suspension even without a conviction.
Alcohol impairs judgment, reaction time, and vision before you feel intoxicated; a first drink can degrade driving skill.
Prescription and over-the-counter medications that cause drowsiness count as impairment; combining them with alcohol compounds the effect.
Idaho's distracted driving law prohibits texting and the manual entry of data while driving; hand-held use is restricted in work zones and school zones.
Drowsy driving mimics alcohol impairment: after 18+ hours awake, reaction time is significantly degraded.
Open container of alcohol in the passenger area of a vehicle is prohibited in Idaho.
Aggravated DUI (e.g., excessive BAC or prior offenses) carries enhanced penalties; DUI convictions stay on your record and affect insurance.
Idaho Licensing, Insurance and Vehicle Requirements
Idaho issues a Learner's Permit (Instruction Permit) at 14½ with driver's ed, or 15 without; supervised driving hours and a holding period are required before a provisional license.
Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) restricts night driving and passenger counts for drivers under 18 during the provisional phase.
Idaho requires liability insurance: minimum limits of 25/50/15 ($25,000 per person, $50,000 per accident bodily injury, $15,000 property damage).
Proof of insurance must be carried in the vehicle and shown to law enforcement on request.
Vehicles must pass a safety inspection in counties that require emissions testing; registration and plates must be current.
Seat belts are required for all front-seat occupants and all passengers under 18 in any seat; children under 7 must be in an approved child safety seat.
A driver's license must be carried while driving and renewed before expiration; address changes must be reported to the DMV.
Idaho uses a point system: accumulating points for moving violations can lead to license suspension.
Winter, Mountain and Rural Driving Safety
On ice and snow, increase following distance to at least 8–10 seconds and reduce speed by roughly half; stopping distances can double or triple.
Bridges, overpasses, and shaded areas freeze first and thaw last - treat them as icy even when the rest of the road looks clear.
If you begin to skid, ease off the accelerator and steer in the direction you want the front of the car to go; do not slam the brakes.
Use low-beam headlights in fog, snow, and rain; high beams reflect off precipitation and reduce visibility.
Idaho law requires headlights when visibility is limited (e.g., during rain, snow, fog) and from sunset to sunrise.
On steep mountain grades, downshift to a lower gear to control speed; do not ride the brakes, which can overheat and fail.
Watch for black ice on rural roads at dawn and after sunset, and for wildlife (deer, elk) especially at dusk and dawn.
Carry chains or traction devices in mountain passes when posted; chain-up areas are provided before steep climbs.
If stranded in winter, stay with the vehicle, run the engine briefly for heat, and keep the exhaust clear of snow to avoid carbon monoxide.
Traffic Signals and Intersection Signals
A steady circular green means proceed if clear; it does not guarantee a protected right-of-way for turns.
A steady circular yellow warns the signal is about to turn red; stop if you can do so safely, otherwise proceed with caution.
A steady circular red requires a full stop before the crosswalk or stop line; proceed only when allowed (e.g., right turn on red after yielding).
A green arrow gives protected right-of-way for that movement; oncoming traffic is stopped.
A flashing yellow arrow means you may turn but must yield to oncoming traffic and pedestrians (permissive left turn).
A steady red arrow means no turn in that direction; a flashing red arrow is treated like a stop sign for that movement.
Pedestrian signals: a walking person means pedestrians may cross; a flashing hand means finish crossing, do not start.
At an intersection with a malfunctioning signal, treat it as a four-way stop and proceed in turn.
Road Markings and Lane Designations
Yellow lines separate traffic moving in opposite directions; white lines separate lanes moving in the same direction or mark the right edge.
A broken yellow line on your side permits passing; a solid yellow line on your side prohibits passing.
Double solid yellow lines mean no passing in either direction.
White dashed lines separate same-direction lanes and may be crossed to change lanes when safe; solid white lines should not be crossed.
A shared center left-turn lane (two-way left-turn lane) is marked by solid and broken yellow lines and may be used only for turning left.
Bike lanes are marked with a bicycle symbol and solid white line; do not drive, park, or stop in them.
Crosswalk markings may be painted or implied at intersections; pedestrians have right-of-way in both.
Edge lines and rumble strips mark the roadway edge on rural highways - do not cross them except to pull over.
Right-of-Way at Special Situations
At a roundabout, yield to traffic already circulating (coming from your left) before entering; do not stop once inside.
When a school bus has flashing red lights and an extended stop arm, stop in both directions unless separated by a median.
Funeral processions have the right-of-way; do not cut into or pass a procession unless directed.
At a T-intersection, traffic on the through road has right-of-way over traffic on the terminating road.
When two vehicles approach an uncontrolled intersection from opposite directions, the one turning left yields to the one going straight.
Yield to pedestrians using a sidewalk or crossing a driveway you are entering.
When merging onto a freeway, adjust speed to match traffic and yield to vehicles already on the freeway.
When an emergency vehicle approaches from behind, pull to the right and stop; do not block an intersection.
Speed Limits and Safe Speed Decisions
Posted speed limits are maximums for ideal conditions; reduce speed for rain, snow, fog, curves, and heavy traffic.
Idaho urban default 35 mph, rural non-interstate 55 mph, interstate 65 mph unless otherwise posted.
School zones commonly reduce limits to 20 mph when children are present or lights flash.
Work zones may lower limits and carry doubled fines for violations.
Minimum speed limits exist on some highways; driving too slowly impedes traffic and is unsafe.
Speed affects stopping distance roughly with the square of speed: doubling speed roughly quadruples braking distance.
Enter a curve at a safe speed; brake before the curve, not during it.
In fog or heavy rain, slow down and increase following distance; do not stop in the travel lane.
Alcohol and Drug Impairment
0.08% BAC is the legal limit for drivers 21+; 0.04% for commercial drivers; under-21 drivers face zero tolerance.
Implied consent law: refusing a breath or blood test leads to license suspension.
Alcohol slows reaction time, reduces peripheral vision, and impairs judgment of speed and distance.
Marijuana and other drugs (including prescriptions) can impair driving; driving under the influence of any impairing substance is illegal.
Combining alcohol with medication or marijuana increases impairment more than either alone.
DUI penalties include fines, license suspension, possible jail, and required ignition interlock for repeat offenses.
Open containers of alcohol in the passenger compartment are illegal in Idaho.
Designate a sober driver or use a rideshare; impairment begins with the first drink.
Idaho Licensing and Insurance Requirements
Instruction Permit available at 14½ with driver's ed, or 15 without; must hold it a minimum period and complete supervised driving hours.
Provisional (under-18) license restricts nighttime driving and passenger counts during the first year.
Minimum liability insurance in Idaho: $25,000 bodily injury per person, $50,000 per accident, $15,000 property damage (25/50/15).
Carry proof of insurance in the vehicle; law enforcement may request it at a stop.
Seat belts required for front-seat occupants and all passengers under 18; children under 7 in approved child seats.
Idaho uses a point system; too many points in a period can suspend your license.
Report address changes to the DMV and keep your license current.
Vehicles must be registered and carry current plates; emissions testing required in certain counties.
Winter and Mountain Driving
Increase following distance to 8–10 seconds on snow and ice; stopping distances can double or triple.
Bridges and overpasses freeze first - slow down and avoid sudden braking on them.
If you skid, ease off the gas and steer where you want to go; do not slam the brakes.
Use low-beam headlights in fog and snow; high beams worsen visibility.
Downshift on steep downgrades to control speed; avoid riding the brakes to prevent overheating.
Watch for black ice at dawn, dusk, and in shaded areas, and for wildlife on rural roads.
Carry chains or traction devices when posted in mountain passes; use chain-up areas.
If stranded, stay in the vehicle, run the engine briefly, and keep the exhaust clear of snow.
Sharing the Road with Cyclists and Pedestrians
Give cyclists at least three feet of clearance when passing in Idaho.
Check for cyclists before opening a car door (door zone).
Yield to pedestrians in marked and unmarked crosswalks; do not pass a vehicle stopped at a crosswalk.
Do not drive, stop, or park in a bike lane.
Bicycles are vehicles and must follow the same traffic laws as cars.
When turning, check for cyclists and pedestrians in your blind spot before crossing a bike lane or crosswalk.
Pedestrians using a sidewalk or crossing a driveway have right-of-way.
At night, cyclists must have a front white light and rear red reflector; give them extra room.
Sharing the Road with Large Vehicles
Large trucks have large blind spots (No-Zones) on all four sides, especially the right side and directly behind.
If you cannot see the truck driver's mirrors, the driver cannot see you.
Trucks need extra room to turn right due to off-tracking; never squeeze between a turning truck and the curb.
Pass trucks quickly and do not linger alongside; they need longer stopping distances.
Buses and hazardous-material trucks must stop at railroad crossings; be prepared for them to halt.
Do not cut in front of a large vehicle; leave extra following distance.
Large vehicles sway and create wind gusts; hold the wheel firmly when passing.
Motorcyclists and cyclists are harder to see; give them a full lane when possible.
Distracted and Drowsy Driving
Idaho law prohibits texting and manual data entry while driving.
Hand-held phone use is restricted in work zones and school zones.
Drowsy driving mimics alcohol impairment; after 18+ hours awake, reaction time is significantly degraded.
Take a break every two hours or 100 miles on long trips.
Distractions include eating, grooming, adjusting the radio, and interacting with passengers.
Prescription and OTC medications that cause drowsiness count as impairment.
Combining alcohol with medications or marijuana compounds impairment.
Pull over safely to use a phone or navigation device.
Traffic Signals and Signs Review
Octagon = stop; inverted triangle = yield; diamond = warning; pennant = no-passing zone; pentagon = school zone; round = railroad advance warning.
Red = stop/prohibit; yellow = warning; orange = construction; blue = services; green = guidance; brown = recreation; white = regulatory.
Flashing red = stop sign; flashing yellow = slow and proceed with caution.
Steady red arrow = no turn; green arrow = protected movement; flashing yellow arrow = permissive turn, yield to oncoming traffic.
A stop line, crosswalk, or roadway edge marks where to stop.
Railroad crossbucks mark the crossing; round yellow signs warn in advance.
Do not enter an intersection unless you can clear it.
At a malfunctioning signal, treat it as a four-way stop.
Right-of-Way and Intersections Review
Uncontrolled intersection: yield to the vehicle already in the intersection and to the vehicle on your right if arriving simultaneously.
Four-way stop: first to stop proceeds first; simultaneous arrivals yield to the right.
Left turns yield to oncoming traffic and to pedestrians in the crosswalk.
Right turn on red allowed after a full stop and yield unless prohibited; left on red only from one-way to one-way in Idaho.
Yield to pedestrians in marked and unmarked crosswalks.
Emergency vehicles with lights and siren: pull to the right edge and stop.
Entering from a driveway or alley: yield to all traffic on the roadway.
At a roundabout, yield to circulating traffic before entering.
Speed, Following Distance and Lane Use Review
Idaho defaults: 35 mph urban, 55 mph rural non-interstate, 65 mph interstate unless posted.
Basic speed rule: never faster than reasonable and prudent for conditions.
Three-second following rule; add a second per adverse condition; four seconds behind motorcycles.
Keep right except to pass or prepare for a left turn.
Passing prohibited on solid yellow lines, at railroad crossings, and where visibility is limited.
Move-over law: change lanes or slow below the posted limit for stopped emergency/tow vehicles.
Turn into the corresponding lane unless markings direct otherwise.
Speed affects stopping distance roughly with the square of speed.
Winter and Rural Driving Review
Increase following distance to 8–10 seconds on snow and ice.
Bridges and overpasses freeze first and thaw last.
If you skid, ease off the gas and steer where you want to go.
Use low-beam headlights in fog and snow.
Downshift on steep downgrades to avoid brake overheating.
Watch for black ice and wildlife at dawn and dusk.
Carry chains or traction devices when posted in mountain passes.
If stranded, stay in the vehicle and keep the exhaust clear of snow.
Idaho Licensing and Insurance Review
Instruction Permit at 14½ with driver's ed or 15 without; supervised driving hours required.
Provisional license restricts night driving and passengers for under-18 drivers.
Minimum liability insurance: 25/50/15.
Carry proof of insurance in the vehicle.
Seat belts required for front-seat occupants and all passengers under 18; children under 7 in approved child seats.
Idaho point system can lead to suspension.
Report address changes to the DMV.
Emissions testing required in certain counties.
Alcohol and Drug Impairment Review
0.08% BAC for drivers 21+, 0.04% for commercial drivers, zero tolerance under 21.
Implied consent: refusing a test leads to license suspension.
Alcohol impairs judgment, reaction time, and vision before you feel intoxicated.
Prescription and OTC medications that cause drowsiness count as impairment.
Combining alcohol with medications or marijuana compounds impairment.
DUI penalties include fines, suspension, jail, and ignition interlock for repeat offenses.
Open containers in the passenger area are illegal.
Designate a sober driver or use a rideshare.
Sharing the Road Review
Give cyclists at least three feet of clearance when passing.
Check for cyclists before opening a car door.
Yield to pedestrians in marked and unmarked crosswalks; do not pass a stopped vehicle at a crosswalk.
Large trucks have large blind spots on all four sides.
If you cannot see the driver's mirrors, the driver cannot see you.
Never squeeze between a turning truck and the curb.
Buses and hazardous-material trucks must stop at railroad crossings.
Do not drive, stop, or park in a bike lane.
Distracted and Drowsy Driving Review
Idaho law prohibits texting and manual data entry while driving.
Hand-held phone use restricted in work zones and school zones.
Drowsy driving mimics alcohol impairment; after 18+ hours awake, reaction time is significantly degraded.
Take a break every two hours or 100 miles.
Distractions include eating, grooming, and adjusting the radio.
Prescription and OTC medications that cause drowsiness count as impairment.
Combining alcohol with medications or marijuana compounds impairment.
Pull over safely to use a phone or navigation device.
Traffic Signs and Signals Review
Octagon = stop; inverted triangle = yield; diamond = warning; pennant = no-passing zone; pentagon = school zone; round = railroad advance warning.
Red = stop/prohibit; yellow = warning; orange = construction; blue = services; green = guidance; brown = recreation; white = regulatory.
Flashing red = stop sign; flashing yellow = slow and proceed with caution.
Steady red arrow = no turn; green arrow = protected movement; flashing yellow arrow = permissive turn, yield to oncoming traffic.
A stop line, crosswalk, or roadway edge marks where to stop.
Railroad crossbucks mark the crossing; round yellow signs warn in advance.
Do not enter an intersection unless you can clear it.
At a malfunctioning signal, treat it as a four-way stop.
Right-of-Way Review
Uncontrolled intersection: yield to the vehicle already in the intersection and to the vehicle on your right if arriving simultaneously.
Four-way stop: first to stop proceeds first; simultaneous arrivals yield to the right.
Left turns yield to oncoming traffic and to pedestrians in the crosswalk.
Right turn on red allowed after a full stop and yield unless prohibited; left on red only from one-way to one-way in Idaho.
Yield to pedestrians in marked and unmarked crosswalks.
Emergency vehicles with lights and siren: pull to the right edge and stop.
Entering from a driveway or alley: yield to all traffic on the roadway.
At a roundabout, yield to circulating traffic before entering.
Speed and Lane Use Review
Idaho defaults: 35 mph urban, 55 mph rural non-interstate, 65 mph interstate unless posted.
Basic speed rule: never faster than reasonable and prudent for conditions.
Three-second following rule; add a second per adverse condition; four seconds behind motorcycles.
Keep right except to pass or prepare for a left turn.
Passing prohibited on solid yellow lines, at railroad crossings, and where visibility is limited.
Move-over law: change lanes or slow below the posted limit for stopped emergency/tow vehicles.
Turn into the corresponding lane unless markings direct otherwise.
Speed affects stopping distance roughly with the square of speed.
Winter Driving Review
Increase following distance to 8–10 seconds on snow and ice.
Bridges and overpasses freeze first and thaw last.
If you skid, ease off the gas and steer where you want to go.
Use low-beam headlights in fog and snow.
Downshift on steep downgrades to avoid brake overheating.
Watch for black ice and wildlife at dawn and dusk.
Carry chains or traction devices when posted in mountain passes.
If stranded, stay in the vehicle and keep the exhaust clear of snow.
Idaho Insurance and Vehicle Requirements Review
Minimum liability insurance: 25/50/15.
Carry proof of insurance in the vehicle.
Seat belts required for front-seat occupants and all passengers under 18; children under 7 in approved child seats.
Idaho point system can lead to suspension.
Report address changes to the DMV.
Emissions testing required in certain counties.
Vehicles must be registered and carry current plates.
Instruction Permit at 14½ with driver's ed or 15 without.
Impaired Driving Review
0.08% BAC for drivers 21+, 0.04% for commercial drivers, zero tolerance under 21.
Implied consent: refusing a test leads to license suspension.
Alcohol impairs judgment, reaction time, and vision before you feel intoxicated.
Prescription and OTC medications that cause drowsiness count as impairment.
Combining alcohol with medications or marijuana compounds impairment.
DUI penalties include fines, suspension, jail, and ignition interlock for repeat offenses.
Open containers in the passenger area are illegal.
Designate a sober driver or use a rideshare.
Sharing the Road Review
Give cyclists at least three feet of clearance when passing.
Check for cyclists before opening a car door.
Yield to pedestrians in marked and unmarked crosswalks; do not pass a stopped vehicle at a crosswalk.
Large trucks have large blind spots on all four sides.
If you cannot see the driver's mirrors, the driver cannot see you.
Never squeeze between a turning truck and the curb.
Buses and hazardous-material trucks must stop at railroad crossings.
Do not drive, stop, or park in a bike lane.