Idaho DMV · Quick Reference 2026

Idaho DMV Test Cheat Sheet

Every key number, rule, and fact from the Idaho Driver's Handbook (July 2024) — on one page. Bookmark it or print it.

🏎️ Speed Limits

Rural interstate75 mph (80 where posted)

Urban interstate65 mph

State highway65 mph (70 where posted)

Other locations (default)55–70 mph unless posted

Residential / business / urban district35 mph unless posted

School zoneAs posted (enhanced penalties)

Heavy trucks (5+ axles, 26,000+ lb)−10 mph below posted on non-urban interstates; max 65 urban

Work zone — penaltyEnhanced, fixed penalty

💡 Idaho's 15-mph passing-speed exception: you may exceed the posted limit by up to 15 mph while passing on a 2-lane road, BUT only when the posted limit is 55+ and NOT in a work zone (p.76). Idaho's basic rule requires a "reasonable and prudent" speed at all times — even below the posted limit when conditions demand it.

🅿️ Parking Distances

From fire hydrant15 feet MEMORIZE

From crosswalk at intersection20 feet

From fire station driveway20 feet

From stop sign / yield / signal30 feet

From railroad crossing50 feet

From curb (parallel parking)Within 18 inches

Bridge / overpass / double-parkingAlways prohibited

🍺 Alcohol & DUI Laws

BAC limit — drivers 21+0.08 or more

BAC limit — under 210.02 or more Strict

BAC limit — commercial vehicle0.04 or more

Enhanced-penalty BAC threshold0.20 or more

Refuse evidentiary test (1st)$250 + 1-year absolute suspension

Refuse test (2nd in 10 yrs)2-year absolute suspension

1st DUI — jailUp to 6 months

1st DUI — fineUp to $1,000

1st DUI — suspension90–180 days

1st DUI — no driving periodFirst 30 days

⚠️ Idaho's implied consent law: simply by driving (or being in physical control of a vehicle) on Idaho roads, you have ALREADY consented to a BAC or drug test if law enforcement reasonably suspects DUI. Refusal does not protect you — it triggers the 1-year absolute suspension on top of any criminal DUI charge (p.126).

⚖️ DUI Penalties (Adults)

Offense	Fine	Jail	Suspension
1st DUI (BAC 0.08+)	Up to $1,000	Up to 6 months	90–180 days (no driving 1st 30)
BAC 0.20+ (any conviction)	Enhanced	Enhanced	Enhanced suspension/penalties
Refuse test — 1st refusal	$250 civil penalty	—	1-year absolute suspension
Refuse test — 2nd in 10 yrs	$250 civil penalty	—	2-year absolute suspension

📏 Key Distances & Rules

Turn signal — business/residential100 feet before

Turn signal — freeway/highway5 seconds before

Following distance (good)3-second rule

Following — bad weatherSeveral × the 3-second rule

Following a motorcycleMore than 3 seconds

Following a snowplow2 car lengths per 10 mph

Look ahead10–15 seconds

No passing near intersectionWithin 100 feet

No passing near RR crossingWithin 100 feet

Complete pass before oncomingWithin 200 feet

Dim high beams — oncomingWithin 500 feet

Dim high beams — followingWithin 200 feet

High beams must illuminate350 feet ahead

Low beams must illuminate100 feet ahead

Headlights — daytime visibilityOn if visibility ≤ 500 ft

Horn audible from200 feet

Pass bicyclist clearanceAt least 3 feet

RR crossing stop range15 to 50 feet from rail

Tire tread minimum2/32 inch

💡 Idaho's basic rule: drive at a speed that is reasonable and prudent — even below the posted limit. And driving too slowly so as to impede traffic is also illegal (p.68-69).

🔷 Sign Shapes

Shape	Meaning	Example
Octagon (8 sides)	STOP	Stop sign
Inverted triangle	YIELD	Yield sign
Diamond	WARNING	Curves, merges, hills
Pentagon (5 sides)	SCHOOL	School zone/crossing
Circle	RAILROAD	Advance RR warning
Pennant	NO PASSING	No passing zone (left side)
Vertical rectangle	REGULATORY	Speed limits, rules
Horizontal rectangle	GUIDE	Directions, distances
Crossbuck (X)	RR CROSSING	At the crossing itself

🎨 Sign Colors

Color	Meaning
🔴 Red	Stop, yield, do not enter, prohibition
⬜ White	Regulatory — rules and laws
🟡 Yellow	Warning — hazards ahead
🟢 Green	Guide — directions, distances
🔵 Blue	Services — gas, food, hospital
🟠 Orange	Construction / work zone
🟤 Brown	Parks, recreation, historic
💛 Yellow-Green	Pedestrian, school, bicycle

↗️ Right-of-Way Rules

→At a 4-way stop: first to arrive goes first. If tied, driver on the RIGHT goes first.
→At an uncontrolled intersection: yield to the vehicle on the RIGHT.
→Turning left: always yield to oncoming straight-through traffic.
→Entering from alley, driveway, or private road: stop and yield to ALL traffic.
→At a T-intersection (no signs): the vehicle on the terminating road yields.
→Pedestrians in a crosswalk: ALWAYS yield — marked or unmarked.
→Emergency vehicles with lights/sirens: pull to the RIGHT and stop.
→Roundabouts: yield to vehicles already in the circle. Idaho open-range areas: yield to livestock under controlled movement (p.62, 108).

🚌 School Bus Rules

→Stop and remain stopped while red lights flash and/or stop arm is extended on ANY two-lane road (both directions). Wait until lights are off, arm is in, and ALL children are clear of the roadway and the bus (p.70).
→Exception: you do NOT have to stop if traveling in the OPPOSITE direction on a 4+ lane highway with two lanes going each direction. Same-direction traffic must always stop (p.70).
→Passing a stopped school bus is always prohibited (p.76). School-zone violations carry increased Idaho penalties (p.50, 69).

🎓 Teen / GDL Laws

Driver Training (DT) Permit age14½ to under 17

GDL supervised period (min)6 months violation-free

Supervised practice hours50 hrs (10 at night)

Driver Training classroom30 hours

Behind-the-wheel training6 hours with instructor

Class D Instruction Permit (IP)Age 17+, hold 6 months

Class D license — minimum age15

Under-16 driving hours5:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m. only

Outside daylight (under 16)Only with licensed 21+ in front seat

Under-17 first 6 months passengersMax 1 non-family under 17

GDL: 1st / 2nd / 3rd violationWarning / 30-day susp / 60-day susp

DT/SIP permit fee$21.50

🛡️ Child Restraint & Safety Belts

Children 6 and youngerApproved child safety seat (Idaho law)

Rear-facing seatsNever in front of an active passenger air bag

Children younger than 13 (NHTSA)Should ride in rear seat

All occupants (with belts equipped)Must wear safety belts and/or shoulder straps

Studded snow tiresAllowed Oct 1 – Apr 30 only

Belt safetyReduces serious-injury risk ~50%; 60–70% effective in preventing fatalities

🏦 Insurance & Financial Responsibility

Required at skills testValid (not expired) paper or digital proof of insurance in vehicle

SR22NOT valid as proof of insurance for skills test

Crash report to policeRequired if anyone injured or property damage > $1,500

Hit unattended vehicleLeave note with name + phone; notify police if damage > $1,500 or someone injured

📋 License Fees & Administration

Class D (1-year, age 17 or 20)$20.00

Class D (3-year, under 18 / 18–21)$30.00

Class D (4-year, age 21+)$35.00

Class D (8-year, age 21–62)$60.00

Knowledge test fee$5.00

Skills test (max combined)$35.00

Class D Instruction Permit (IP)$20.00

DT/SIP permit (incl. skills receipt)$21.50

Duplicate Driver License$20.00

Online renewal discount$5 off (license only, not ID card)

New resident — apply within30 days

Address change — notify ITD within30 days

Organ donor registryyesidaho.org · DONOR designation on license · optional $2 contribution

🚗 Other Must-Know Rules

→Texting / written communication while driving: illegal in Idaho — an infraction (p.92).
→Hands-free use without using either hand is exempt; inattentive driving is a separate citation (p.92, 43).
→Headlights required: sunset to sunrise AND whenever visibility drops to 500 feet or less (p.43, 110).
→Hill parking: downhill with curb = turn wheels SHARPLY TOWARD curb. Uphill with curb = turn wheels SHARPLY AWAY from curb. Either direction with NO curb = wheels sharply toward edge of road (p.81).
→U-turns: illegal where you cannot be seen by approaching traffic within 500 feet — and never on a curve, near a hilltop crest, or in a no-passing zone (p.73).
→Skidding: take foot off the gas, steer in the direction of the skid (rear wheels right → steer right). Do not brake hard (p.116).
→Idaho's 15-mph passing-speed exception: while passing on a 2-lane road you may exceed the limit by up to 15 mph — only if posted limit ≥ 55 mph and NOT in a work zone (p.76).
→Idaho's Quick Clearance law: in a non-injury crash on an interstate or major divided highway, move your vehicle to the shoulder, median, or emergency lane (p.121).

Choose Your Practice Test

Free, no signup · Questions verified against the official state driver manual

Take Real Test

Start a fresh practice exam with new questions.

Start →

Take Sign Test

Practice identifying road signs and their meanings.

Start →

Take Number Test

Drill speed limits, distances, BAC limits and fines.

Start →