Required equipment, seat belts and child seats

Key points

1. Foot brakes must stop a car going 20 mph within 25 feet; the parking brake within 55 feet.

   Source: Handbook p. 38

   “Foot brakes must stop a vehicle that is traveling 20 miles per hour on dry pavement within a distance of 25 feet. The emergency or parking brake must stop the vehicle within 55 feet under similar conditions”
   Idaho Driver's Handbook, Handbook p. 38

2. High beams must show people and vehicles at least 350 feet away; low beams must light at least 100 feet ahead.

   Source: Handbook p. 38

   “High beams must allow the driver to see people and vehicles at least 350 feet away. Low beams must light the roadway at least 100 feet ahead.”
   Idaho Driver's Handbook, Handbook p. 38

3. Brake lights must be visible for at least 100 feet to the rear in normal sunlight.

   Source: Handbook p. 39

   “All motor vehicles must have functioning red or amber brake lights visible for at least 100 feet to the rear in normal sunlight.”
   Idaho Driver's Handbook, Handbook p. 39

4. Vehicles built after January 1, 1955 must have flashing turn signals visible from 100 feet.

   Source: Handbook p. 39

   “All motor vehicles built after January 1, 1955, must have flashing electric left and right turn signals on the front and rear with a switch that can be controlled by the driver and be visible from 100 feet.”
   Idaho Driver's Handbook, Handbook p. 39

5. Each tire should have at least 2/32 inch of tread, and horns must be heard at least 200 feet away.

   Source: Handbook p. 39

   “Tires: Each tire should have at least 2/32” or more of tread. Horns: All motor vehicles must have a horn that can be heard at least 200 feet away.”
   Idaho Driver's Handbook, Handbook p. 39

6. All motor vehicles must have windshield wipers, and a rear view mirror showing at least 200 feet behind.

   Source: Handbook p. 40

   “Windshield Wipers: All motor vehicles must be equipped with wipers to keep the windshield clear of rain, snow, or other moisture. Mirrors: All motor vehicles must have a rear view mirror that provides a view of the highway for at least 200 feet to the rear.”
   Idaho Driver's Handbook, Handbook p. 40

7. Children 6 or younger must ride in approved child safety seats, in cars built with belts after January 1, 1966.

   Source: Handbook p. 41

   “Idaho law requires anyone carrying children 6 years of age or younger in a non-commercial motor vehicle to properly protect children in approved child car safety seats. The law applies to cars manufactured with car safety belts after January 1, 1966.”
   Idaho Driver's Handbook, Handbook p. 41

8. All children younger than 13 should ride in the back seat.

   Source: Handbook p. 41

   “All children younger than 13 years should ride in the back seat.”
   Idaho Driver's Handbook, Handbook p. 41

9. All occupants must wear safety belts when the vehicle has factory installed belts.

   Source: Handbook p. 41

   “Idaho law requires all occupants to wear safety belts and/or shoulder straps when riding in a motor vehicle equipped with these devices by the factory.”
   Idaho Driver's Handbook, Handbook p. 41

Numbers to know

3 questions from the Idaho practice test

1. 1. What equipment must an Idaho vehicle use to keep the windshield clear of rain, snow, or other moisture?

   1. A roof-mounted warning beacon
   2. A rear fog lamp
   3. Two auxiliary spotlights
   4. Windshield wipers
   Show answer

   Windshield wipers. Idaho requires every motor vehicle to have windshield wipers for clearing rain, snow, and other moisture from the windshield. Spotlights, fog lamps, and warning beacons do not perform that required visibility function. A driver should make sure the wipers work before entering wet or snowy conditions, since a clear windshield is necessary for seeing traffic controls and hazards. This equipment rule concerns the windshield itself, not the number of lights mounted elsewhere on the vehicle.

2. 2. Which Idaho vehicles must have flashing electric turn signals?

   1. All vehicles regardless of age
   2. Only vehicles built after 1980
   3. Only commercial vehicles
   4. All motor vehicles built after January 1, 1955, visible from 100 feet front and rear
   Show answer

   All motor vehicles built after January 1, 1955, visible from 100 feet front and rear. All motor vehicles built after January 1, 1955 must have flashing electric left and right turn signals on the front and rear, visible from 100 feet, with a driver controlled switch. Brake lights must be red or amber and visible 100 feet to the rear in sunlight, vehicles built before 1956 and motorcycles need at least one red rear light, and trailers need two red rear lights visible from 500 feet.

3. 3. Which cars does Idaho's child safety seat law apply to?

   1. All cars regardless of year
   2. Only cars built after 2000
   3. Cars manufactured with safety belts after January 1, 1966
   4. Only cars with rear seats
   Show answer

   Cars manufactured with safety belts after January 1, 1966. Idaho's child passenger safety law requires children to be properly protected in approved child safety seats in non commercial vehicles, and the law applies to cars manufactured with safety belts after January 1, 1966. Proper protection means an approved seat that meets federal standards, fitted snugly to the child and installed as the maker directs, with the driver responsible for compliance.

Source: the Idaho Driver's Handbook, Vehicle Equipment & Safety. 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.