Mountains, open range and winter driving

Key points

1. In the mountains, use a lower gear going down long hills and never coast in neutral.

   Source: Handbook p. 107

   “Use a lower gear to control speeds while going down long hills. Never coast downhill by shifting into neutral or disengaging the clutch.”
   Idaho Driver's Handbook, Handbook p. 107

2. Big game animals are herd animals, so others are usually nearby; slow down and proceed with caution.

   Source: Handbook p. 107

   “When you see a large animal on or near the road, slow down and proceed with caution. These are herd animals, and others are usually nearby.”
   Idaho Driver's Handbook, Handbook p. 107

3. Livestock under controlled movement over a road have the right of way in Idaho.

   Source: Handbook p. 108

   “Horses, cattle, sheep, goats, and other livestock under controlled movement over a highway or road have the rightof-way in Idaho.”
   Idaho Driver's Handbook, Handbook p. 108

4. If you hit livestock on the open range, the owner is not liable for damage to you or your vehicle.

   Source: Handbook p. 108

   “the owner of the animal(s) is not liable for damages to you or your vehicle.”
   Idaho Driver's Handbook, Handbook p. 108

5. Stay two car lengths behind a snowplow for every 10 mph you drive.

   Source: Handbook p. 110

   “Remain two car lengths behind snowplow trucks for every 10 miles per hour you drive.”
   Idaho Driver's Handbook, Handbook p. 110

6. On winter roads, start slowing at least three times sooner than usual.

   Source: Handbook p. 113

   “Start slowing your car down at least three times sooner than you normally do when turning or stopping.”
   Idaho Driver's Handbook, Handbook p. 113

7. Studded snow tires may be used only from October 1 to April 30.

   Source: Handbook p. 42

   “Studded snow tires may be used only from October 1 to April 30.”
   Idaho Driver's Handbook, Handbook p. 42

8. If you are stranded in heavy snow, stay with your vehicle.

   Source: Handbook p. 115

   “If you get stranded, stay with your vehicle if heavy snow is falling. Most deaths occur when people leave their car, get lost, and freeze.”
   Idaho Driver's Handbook, Handbook p. 115

Numbers to know

Recognize these signs

3 questions from the Idaho practice test

1. 1. In an unfenced open range area, what does Idaho's warning sign say about livestock?

   1. Livestock have the right-of-way and may roam freely
   2. Livestock must remain behind a fence at all times
   3. Only wild animals may enter the highway
   4. Drivers automatically receive payment for any collision
   Show answer

   Livestock have the right-of-way and may roam freely. Idaho's Open Range warning identifies an area where livestock have the right-of-way and are allowed to roam without fencing. That warning changes the driver's expectation: animals may be on or near the roadway, and a driver must reduce risk rather than assume a fence will keep them away. The payment choice invents a guarantee that the sign does not provide. Slow down, scan the shoulders, and be prepared for an animal to move unpredictably.

2. 2. Which animals does Idaho's Open Range warning concern?

   1. Livestock such as horses, cattle, sheep, and goats
   2. Only deer and elk
   3. Only cattle owned by ranchers
   4. Any domestic pet near a sidewalk
   Show answer

   Livestock such as horses, cattle, sheep, and goats. The handbook's open range material concerns livestock, including horses, cattle, sheep, and goats. These animals may be present without a fence and have the right-of-way in the area described by the warning. The deer and elk choice changes livestock into wildlife, while the cattle-only choice leaves out other listed animals. When the warning appears, treat any livestock near the road as a serious roadway hazard and be ready to stop without swerving into another lane.

3. 3. During which dates may studded snow tires be used in Idaho?

   1. November 15 through March 15
   2. October 1 through April 30
   3. December 1 through February 28
   4. All year without a seasonal limit
   Show answer

   October 1 through April 30. Idaho permits studded snow tires during the seasonal window from October 1 through April 30. The dates matter because the allowance is not an all-year permission and does not use the shorter November-to-March period offered by another choice. Check the calendar before installing or leaving studs on the vehicle, especially when a trip crosses the seasonal boundary. This is an equipment-use date rule, separate from whether current weather makes winter tires useful.

Source: the Idaho Driver's Handbook, Sharing the Road. 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.