Key points
If you hit an unattended vehicle and cannot find the owner, leave a note with your name and phone number.
Source: Handbook p. 119
“If the owner cannot be located, leave a note telling about the crash with your name and phone number.”
Idaho Driver's Handbook, Handbook p. 119If you are in a crash, stop as near the scene as possible without blocking traffic.
Source: Handbook p. 121
“Stop as near to the scene as possible without blocking traffic.”
Idaho Driver's Handbook, Handbook p. 121On an interstate or major divided highway, a crash with no death or injury must be moved to a shoulder, median or emergency lane.
Source: Handbook p. 121
“Idaho’s “Quick Clearance” law requires anyone involved in the crash (on an interstate or major divided highway), that does not cause a death or injury, to safely move the vehicle to a shoulder, median, or emergency lane.”
Idaho Driver's Handbook, Handbook p. 121Do not move an injured person unless you have medical training or there is immediate danger, such as fire.
Source: Handbook p. 121
“don't try to move an injured person from a wrecked vehicle unless you have the necessary medical training or there is an immediate danger, such as fire.”
Idaho Driver's Handbook, Handbook p. 121Report to police any crash with an injury or more than $1,500 in property damage.
Source: Handbook p. 121
“You must report to police any motor vehicle crash in which someone is injured or property damage is more than $1,500.”
Idaho Driver's Handbook, Handbook p. 121After a court judgment, the department may suspend an uninsured driver's privileges until you have been paid, or for up to 6 years.
Source: Handbook p. 119
“After a court judgment has been entered, the department may suspend the driving privileges of the uninsured driver until you have been paid, or for up to six years.”
Idaho Driver's Handbook, Handbook p. 119If you arrive first at a serious crash, stop, call 911 and help if you can.
Source: Handbook p. 120
“If you're the first one to arrive, you should stop and call 911 and assist if you are able.”
Idaho Driver's Handbook, Handbook p. 120
Numbers to know
| Number | What it means | Manual |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500 | damage that must be reported to police | Handbook p. 121 |
| 6 years | maximum suspension for an uninsured driver who has not paid | Handbook p. 119 |
| 911 | call if you are first at a serious crash | Handbook p. 120 |
3 questions from the Idaho practice test
1. When must a driver report a motor vehicle crash to police under the Idaho handbook rule?
- Only when every vehicle involved cannot be driven
- When someone is injured or property damage exceeds $1,500
- Only when the crash occurs on an interstate
- Whenever a driver receives a traffic citation at the scene
Show answer
When someone is injured or property damage exceeds $1,500. Idaho requires a police report when a motor vehicle crash causes an injury or more than $1,500 in property damage. The rule is not limited to interstate crashes, and a vehicle does not have to be disabled before reporting becomes mandatory. A citation is also not the trigger. In addition to calling for police and medical help as soon as possible, involved drivers must exchange identifying, license, witness, and insurance information. Remember the threshold and the injury condition when deciding what to do after impact.
2. When may you move an injured person from a wrecked vehicle after a crash?
- Move the person before checking for injuries
- Leave the person in place unless you have medical training or an immediate danger such as fire exists
- Move the person whenever traffic behind you is impatient
- Move the person if the wreck blocks a driveway
Show answer
Leave the person in place unless you have medical training or an immediate danger such as fire exists. The handbook tells drivers at a crash scene to give any help they can, but not to move an injured person from a wrecked vehicle unless they have the necessary medical training or there is an immediate danger, such as fire. Traffic impatience and a blocked driveway do not create that exception, and checking for injuries does not by itself permit moving the person. Call for police and medical help as soon as possible. Idaho's Good Samaritan law protects you from civil liability if you act in good faith.
3. If a tire blows out, which response is recommended before you regain control?
- Brake hard and turn toward the shoulder immediately
- Keep accelerating briefly so the damaged tire regains rotation
- Steer abruptly toward the nearest lane while braking hard
- Hold the wheel tightly, keep straight, and ease off the gas
Show answer
Hold the wheel tightly, keep straight, and ease off the gas. The handbook says the natural response to a blowout is to hit the brakes hard, but instead you should hold the steering wheel tightly and keep the car headed straight down the road. Ease your foot off the gas pedal, and do not apply the brakes until you have complete control. Braking hard and turning toward the shoulder ignores that order, and continuing to accelerate does nothing for the damaged tire. Once the car is under control, brake gently and pull off the road at the nearest safe location.
Practice this topic
Lock it in with emergencies questions from the free Idaho practice test. Every answer comes with a plain English explanation.
Source: the Idaho Driver's Handbook, Be Prepared. This lesson is a plain English summary, not the law itself; where it differs, the manual and the statute govern. Last checked 2026-09-27.