Free · 30 short lessons · Quoted from the manual
Idaho Driver Handbook, Chapter by Chapter
Start with lesson 1Every chapter of the Idaho Driver's Handbook that matters for the written test, cut down to the rules and exact numbers you need. Each point links to the manual text it comes from, with the page, and ends with questions from our free Idaho practice test.
30 lessons in handbook order
Read one lesson, answer its 3 check questions, then drill that topic in the practice test. Most lessons take about 5 minutes.
- Lesson 1One Driver, One License, One RecordLaws and paperwork
Driver training and instruction permits
Idaho drivers under 17 must finish an approved driver training program before they can be licensed. Older beginners can practice with a Class D instruction permit and a licensed adult.
9 key points · 8 numbers · Handbook pp. 3 to 19
- Lesson 2One Driver, One License, One RecordLaws and paperwork
Graduated Driver's License rules
New Idaho drivers in the GDL program must complete a supervised instruction period before they can test for a license. Young licensed drivers also face daylight and passenger limits.
8 key points · 6 numbers · Handbook pp. 16 to 19
- Lesson 3One Driver, One License, One RecordLaws and paperwork
The vision, knowledge and skills tests
You must be at least 15 to take Idaho's knowledge and skills tests. Know the vision standard, how many mistakes are allowed and how long to wait after a failure.
8 key points · 4 numbers · Handbook pp. 32 to 37
- Lesson 4One Driver, One License, One RecordLaws and paperwork
Expiration, renewal, extensions and address changes
Idaho licenses expire on your birthday, and young drivers' licenses expire shortly after they turn 18 or 21. You must report an address change within 30 days.
7 key points · 7 numbers · Handbook pp. 17 to 31
- Lesson 5Vehicle Equipment & SafetyLaws and paperwork
Required equipment, seat belts and child seats
Idaho has no annual safety inspection, but an officer may cite you for an unsafe vehicle. The law sets exact distances for brakes, lights, horns and mirrors, and requires seat belts and child seats.
10 key points · 10 numbers · Handbook pp. 38 to 42
- Lesson 6Highway & Vehicle KnowledgeRoad signs
Regulatory and work zone signs
Regulatory signs tell you the law and are usually black and white or red and white. Orange signs, cones, drums and barricades mark work zones, and you must never move barriers to cross a closed road.
9 key points · 0 numbers · Handbook pp. 44 to 48
- Lesson 7Highway & Vehicle KnowledgeRoad signs
Warning signs
Most Idaho warning signs are black on yellow diamonds, and school signs may be fluorescent yellow green. They warn of unexpected conditions so you can slow down or act in time.
8 key points · 1 numbers · Handbook pp. 49 to 52
- Lesson 8Highway & Vehicle KnowledgeRoad signs
Guide signs and barricades
Guide signs use color to show whether they give directions, services or points of interest. Barricades tell you whether a road is closed or which side to pass on.
6 key points · 0 numbers · Handbook pp. 47 to 54
- Lesson 9Highway & Vehicle KnowledgeSignals and markings
Traffic signals
Idaho signals follow a red, yellow and green order and use arrows and flashing lights with their own meanings. A signal that is not working is treated like a four way stop.
9 key points · 0 numbers · Handbook pp. 55 to 56
- Lesson 10Traffic Laws & the Rules of the RoadSignals and markings
Stopping at red lights and pedestrian beacons
Idaho law tells you exactly where to stop at a red light and when you may turn. Pedestrian hybrid beacons tell you when to slow down and when to stop for people in the crosswalk.
8 key points · 0 numbers · Handbook pp. 56 to 69
- Lesson 11Highway & Vehicle KnowledgeSignals and markings
Pavement markings
Yellow center lines tell you when you may cross to pass or turn, and white lines separate lanes going the same way. Solid lines limit passing and lane changes.
8 key points · 0 numbers · Handbook pp. 58 to 60
- Lesson 12Highway & Vehicle KnowledgeSignals and markings
Railroad crossings and roundabouts
A collision with a train is 40 times more likely to kill or seriously injure than other crashes, and Idaho sets exact stopping distances at crossings. Roundabouts run counter clockwise, and you yield to traffic already in the circle.
8 key points · 3 numbers · Handbook pp. 60 to 62
- Lesson 13Traffic Laws & the Rules of the RoadSpeed limits
Speed limits and the basic rule
Idaho's basic rule requires a reasonable and prudent speed at all times, and driving so slowly that you impede traffic breaks it even under the limit. Default maximums range from 35 mph in residential, business or urban districts to 80 mph on some interstates.
8 key points · 4 numbers · Handbook pp. 68 to 83
- Lesson 14Traffic Laws & the Rules of the RoadSpeed limits
Passing and slow vehicles
Idaho bans passing within 100 feet of an intersection or railroad crossing and around a stopped school bus. A special rule lets some drivers go up to 15 mph over the limit while passing on two lane roads posted 55 mph or more.
8 key points · 5 numbers · Handbook pp. 76 to 79
- Lesson 15Traffic Laws & the Rules of the RoadSignals and markings
Turns, signals and U turns
Idaho requires a signal 100 feet or five seconds before you turn or change lanes. It also sets rules for arm signals, turn lanes and U turns.
7 key points · 2 numbers · Handbook pp. 58 to 100
- Lesson 16Traffic Laws & the Rules of the RoadRight of way
Right of way between drivers
In Idaho, right of way is something to be given, not taken. The rules cover four way stops, uncontrolled intersections, T intersections, left turns and dark signals.
7 key points · 0 numbers · Handbook pp. 74 to 76
- Lesson 17Traffic Laws & the Rules of the RoadRight of way
Yielding to pedestrians and funeral processions
Drivers must yield to pedestrians in crosswalks, when leaving driveways, and to blind pedestrians. Funeral processions always get the right of way.
6 key points · 0 numbers · Handbook pp. 70 to 78
- Lesson 18Traffic Laws & the Rules of the RoadEmergencies
Stopping for school buses and emergency vehicles
Idaho law lists the times you must stop, including for police, emergency vehicles and school buses. For a school bus, you must stay stopped until all children are clear of the roadway and the bus.
6 key points · 1 numbers · Handbook p. 70
- Lesson 19Traffic Laws & the Rules of the RoadSafe driving
Following distance, parking and backing
Idaho recommends at least three seconds of following distance and more at high speed or in bad weather. It also sets exact distances for parking and forbids backing on freeways.
9 key points · 6 numbers · Handbook pp. 71 to 82
- Lesson 20The Driving TaskSafe driving
Defensive driving, distractions and fatigue
Driver error causes more than 90% of highway crashes. Look 10 to 15 seconds ahead, never text while driving, and pull off to rest when you feel drowsy.
9 key points · 5 numbers · Handbook pp. 86 to 94
- Lesson 21Sharing the RoadEmergencies
Emergency vehicles and the move over law
When an emergency vehicle comes up behind you, pull right and stop. When you pass one that is stopped with lights flashing, you must slow down and, on multi lane roads, move over.
6 key points · 0 numbers · Handbook pp. 42 to 133
- Lesson 22Sharing the RoadSafe driving
Pedestrians, children, horses and bicyclists
Stop for a pedestrian even where there is no crosswalk, and never sound your horn near a horse or close to a bicyclist. Leave at least three feet when passing a bicyclist.
8 key points · 2 numbers · Handbook pp. 96 to 101
- Lesson 23Sharing the RoadSafe driving
Right hooks, motorcycles and large vehicles
Stay behind a bicyclist before a right turn, and give motorcycles a full lane and more than 3 seconds of following room. A loaded truck at 55 mph needs 450 feet to stop.
9 key points · 2 numbers · Handbook pp. 99 to 106
- Lesson 24Sharing the RoadLaws and paperwork
Mountains, open range and winter driving
In the mountains, use a lower gear going down long hills. Livestock under controlled movement have the right of way, and studded snow tires are allowed only from October 1 to April 30.
8 key points · 2 numbers · Handbook pp. 42 to 115
- Lesson 25Sharing the RoadSafe driving
Night, fog, rain and flash floods
At night, drive slowly enough to stop within the distance you can see ahead. Idaho gives exact distances for headlights and the speeds at which tires lose their grip on wet roads.
8 key points · 5 numbers · Handbook pp. 43 to 112
- Lesson 26Be PreparedEmergencies
Skids, emergency braking and car trouble
Idaho explains how to recover from a skid, stop with or without ABS, and warn others when your car breaks down. It also covers an oncoming car in your lane and a tire blowout.
8 key points · 1 numbers · Handbook pp. 116 to 120
- Lesson 27Be PreparedEmergencies
Crashes and the law
If you are in a crash, Idaho requires you to stop and to report it when someone is hurt or damage tops $1,500. On an interstate or major divided highway, a crash with no death or injury must be moved off to the shoulder, median or emergency lane.
7 key points · 3 numbers · Handbook pp. 119 to 121
- Lesson 28What Affects Your Driving Privilege and RecordLaws and paperwork
Points, suspensions and reinstatement
Idaho gives one to four points for each moving violation and suspends drivers who build up too many. Drivers under 17 face their own GDL penalties.
9 key points · 10 numbers · Handbook pp. 123 to 127
- Lesson 29What Affects Your Driving Privilege and RecordAlcohol and DUI
DUI limits, penalties and test refusal
Idaho sets BAC limits of .02 for drivers under 21, .04 for commercial drivers and .08 for everyone else. Refusing a test or repeating a DUI brings long suspensions.
8 key points · 10 numbers · Handbook pp. 126 to 132
- Lesson 30What Affects Your Driving Privilege and RecordAlcohol and DUI
Administrative suspension and how alcohol affects you
Failing a test brings an administrative suspension that is separate from any court penalty. Crash risk climbs fast as BAC rises, and only time sobers you up.
9 key points · 6 numbers · Handbook pp. 125 to 130
Read, check, then practice
- Read a lesson. Open any point's source to see the exact manual wording and page.
- Answer the 3 check questions at the end without looking back.
- Drill that topic in the free Idaho practice test, then take a full test when every lesson feels easy.
- Keep the Idaho cheat sheet for a last look before test day.
Source: the Idaho Driver's Handbook (July 2026). Lessons are plain English summaries, not the law itself; where they differ, the manual and the statute govern. Every quote on these pages is checked against our saved copy of the manual. Last checked 2026-09-27.