ID Driving Instructor cheat sheet

Idaho's basic speed rule requires driving at a rate reasonable and prudent for actual conditions; posted limits are maximums, not targets, and a citation can issue below the limit when conditions warrant.

Absolute speed limits in Idaho: 80 mph on rural interstate freeways, 75 mph on urban interstates, 65 mph on state highways, and 55 mph on non-interstate rural roads unless posted otherwise.

Idaho uses a graduated driver licensing structure; nighttime and passenger restrictions apply to under-17 permit and intermediate holders, and violations extend the holding period.

Idaho's safety belt law is primary enforcement for all front-seat occupants and all passengers under 18 in any seat; drivers are responsible for properly restraining minors.

Child passenger safety: rear-facing seats for children under 2, forward-facing harness seats for ages 2-4, booster seats through age 7 or until the seat belt fits correctly (roughly 4'9").

Right-of-way at an uncontrolled intersection belongs to the vehicle that arrives first; if two arrive simultaneously, yield to the vehicle on the right.

Idaho requires stopping for a school bus with flashing red lights on undivided roads; on a divided highway with a median, oncoming traffic need not stop.

Following distance rule: the three-second rule in ideal conditions, extended to four or more seconds at night, in rain, or behind large vehicles that block forward visibility.

Idaho's implied consent law: refusing a breath or blood test after lawful arrest results in license suspension, and refusal may be used as evidence in court.

Idaho instruction permit: minimum age 14 years and 6 months, valid for one year, requires a supervising licensed driver age 21 or older in the front passenger seat at all times.

Permit holders must complete a minimum of 50 hours of supervised driving, including 10 hours at night, before advancing to an intermediate license.

Intermediate (under-18) license: available after holding the permit at least one year with no at-fault collisions or moving violations in the prior six months.

Intermediate license restrictions: no driving between midnight and 5 a.m. unless for school, work, or an emergency, and no passengers under 18 who are not immediate family for the first six months.

All first-time Idaho applicants under 18 must complete an approved driver education course or a state-approved supervised instruction program before licensure.

Idaho driver's license for adults: applicant must be at least 17 (or 16 with driver education completion) and pass vision, knowledge, and skills tests.

Knowledge test passing score: 80 percent or higher; applicants who fail must wait before retesting, and each attempt may carry a fee.

Vision standard for a standard Idaho license is generally 20/40 in one or both eyes with or without correction; restricted licenses may be issued with corrective-lens requirements.

Out-of-state transfers require surrender of the prior license, proof of Idaho residency, and a valid Social Security number or documented exemption.

Instructors must maintain a professional boundary: no personal errands, no non-instructional passengers, and no use of the student's time for the school's business.

Confidentiality rule: student records, test scores, and personal information are disclosed only to the student, parent or guardian of a minor, or a legally authorized requester.

Instructors may not promise a passing result or guarantee a license; grading and pass/fail determinations must reflect documented performance against a rubric.

Prohibited conduct includes accepting gifts or gratuities that could influence evaluation, and any dual relationship with a student that compromises objectivity.

Instructors must report suspected impairment, medical conditions affecting driving safety, or signs of abuse to the school owner and, where mandated, to authorities.

Lesson content must be delivered without discrimination based on race, sex, religion, disability, or national origin; accommodations for documented disabilities are required, not optional.

Instructors must not falsify log entries, backdate supervised driving hours, or sign off on hours they did not personally observe.

Use of a personal phone for non-emergency purposes during a lesson is prohibited; the instructor's attention must remain on the student and the roadway.

Lesson sequence: pre-drive orientation (controls, mirrors, seat, belts), then low-traffic lot practice, then residential streets, then arterials, then freeway entry and exit.

Use the commentary-drive method: the student verbalizes hazards, signals, and intended actions before executing them, building scanning and decision habits.

Instructor uses a dual-control vehicle or a vehicle with a documented safety inspection; the instructor must be able to reach the brake and steering from the passenger seat.

Correct errors with a three-step model: state what happened, state the correct action, and have the student repeat the maneuver correctly before moving on.

Introduce one new skill per lesson segment; combine skills only after each is performed independently at least three consecutive times without prompting.

Freeway instruction: practice merging with a target gap, matching speed on the ramp, and maintaining a following distance of at least four seconds at highway speeds.

Night driving lessons should cover headlight use, glare management, reduced-speed judgment, and pedestrian visibility at crosswalks.

Assess with a rubric covering observation, speed control, lane position, signaling, right-of-way, and hazard response; score each item on a defined scale rather than a global impression.

Maintain a student file for each enrollee containing the enrollment agreement, proof of age, permit or license copy, lesson log, and test results.

Lesson logs must record date, time, duration, route type, skills practiced, instructor name, and signature of student or parent.

Retain student records for the period required by state regulation; when unsure, default to a minimum of three years from the last lesson date.

Enrollment agreements must disclose total cost, refund policy, lesson package terms, and the student's right to cancel within the stated window.

Vehicle records: maintain registration, insurance, and maintenance inspection documentation for every training vehicle, updated at each service interval.

Instructor files must contain proof of valid driver's license, background check results where required, and current certification or training completion records.

Advertising must not imply state endorsement or official affiliation; the school's name and license number must appear accurately in all published materials.

Financial records must separate tuition, fees, and refunds; issue receipts for every payment and reconcile deposits against the lesson log monthly.