20 questions from the Idaho driver handbook. Pick an answer to see the rule behind it.
1. What action should you take when you see a Slow Moving Vehicle sign?
Answer: Slow down and approach the vehicle with caution. The handbook instructs drivers to slow down and approach with caution upon seeing this sign.
Idaho driver handbook, page 47: “You should slow down and approach the vehicle with caution.”
2. How far ahead can a driver typically see when using low-beam headlights at night?
Answer: About 100 feet. The handbook states that the stopping distance visible with low beams is approximately 100 feet, whereas high beams allow for about 350 feet.
Idaho driver handbook, page 107: “This distance is about 108
350 feet when using the high beams of your headlights and about 100 feet when using the low beams.”
3. According to the handbook, what is the recommended braking technique to avoid a crash if your vehicle does not have anti-lock brakes?
Answer: Pump your brakes hard and fast. The handbook advises pumping brakes hard and fast for vehicles without anti-lock brakes to maintain control and stop faster, rather than slamming them.
Idaho driver handbook, page 118: “Instead, you should pump your brakes hard and fast. You’ll have more control and stop faster.”
4. What action should a driver take when approaching a curve on a narrow mountain road where the view is obstructed?
Answer: Sound the horn. The handbook specifies sounding the horn as the correct procedure for navigating obstructed views on narrow mountain roads.
Idaho driver handbook, page 107: “Sound the horn when approaching any curve on a narrow road where the view is obstructed.”
5. What does the V-shaped pattern on a highway barricade indicate to drivers?
Answer: The road is closed and traffic can proceed no further. The handbook specifies that the V-shaped pattern signifies the road is closed and drivers cannot proceed past the barricade.
Idaho driver handbook, page 54: “The V-shaped pattern on this barricade means that the road is closed and traffic can proceed no further.”
6. What action is recommended before getting into your vehicle to ensure the safety of nearby children?
Answer: Walk around the vehicle to check for children. The handbook instructs drivers to physically walk around the vehicle to check for children who might be hidden from the driver's seat view.
Idaho driver handbook, page 97: “Before getting into your vehicle, walk around it to be sure no children are playing near it whom you may not be able to see from the driver’s seat.”
7. When stopping behind another vehicle, what is the recommended safe driving habit regarding distance?
Answer: Leave enough distance to see the rear tires of the vehicle in front of you. The handbook states that seeing the rear tires of the vehicle ahead is the safe distance to maintain to avoid collisions and allow room to maneuver.
Idaho driver handbook, page 71: “When stopping behind another vehicle, a safe driving habit is to leave enough distance between the vehicles to see the rear tires (where they touch the ground) of the vehicle in front of you.”
8. What does a solid white line with a bicycle insignia along the side of the road indicate?
Answer: The area is designated for bicycle traffic only. This specific marking designates a lane exclusively for bicycles, distinguishing it from general traffic lanes.
Idaho driver handbook, page 59: “Located along the side of the road, this indicates the area is designated for bicycle traffic only.”
9. Under what specific conditions may a driver of a passenger vehicle, motorcycle, or pickup exceed the posted speed limit while passing another vehicle?
Answer: When the posted speed limit is 55 miles per hour or greater and the vehicle is not towing another vehicle. The handbook specifies that the speed limit exception applies only to specific vehicle types not towing others, when passing slower vehicles on roads with limits of 55 mph or higher, and excludes work zones.
Idaho driver handbook, page 77: “If you are driving a passenger vehicle, motorcycle or pickup, not towing another vehicle, you may exceed the posted speed limit by up to 15 miles per hour while passing another vehicle that is traveling below the posted speed limit on a two-lane roadway. The posted speed limit must be 55 miles per hour or greater.”
10. What is the required action for a slow-moving vehicle traveling slower than normal traffic that is delaying three or more vehicles on a two-lane highway?
Answer: Turn off the road wherever safe to let the other vehicles pass. The rule mandates that slow-moving vehicles causing delays to multiple cars must exit the roadway safely to allow traffic to pass.
Idaho driver handbook, page 79: “Any vehicle traveling slower than the normal speed of traffic delaying three or more other vehicles in a rural area or on a two-lane highway must turn off the road wherever safe to let the other vehicles pass.”
11. According to the handbook, how long must you signal before making a lane change or exiting a freeway?
Answer: At least five seconds. The handbook states that a signal must be given for at least five seconds prior to changing lanes or exiting.
Idaho driver handbook, page 85: “Always signal for at least five seconds before making a lane change or exiting a freeway.”
12. When preparing for a right turn while a bicyclist is ahead of you, what is the recommended practice to avoid a 'right hook' crash?
Answer: Slow down and remain behind the bicyclist until they pass the turn point. To prevent right-hook crashes, drivers should slow down and wait behind the bicyclist rather than trying to pass them before the turn.
Idaho driver handbook, page 99: “Avoid right-hook crashes by slowing and remaining behind the bicyclist until they ride past the point where you will turn.”
13. If you are threatened with a head-on crash by an oncoming car and have time to react, which direction should you steer?
Answer: Steer to the right as far as possible. The instructions state to pull to the right as far as possible and warn against going left to avoid being hit broadside if the other driver recovers.
Idaho driver handbook, page 119: “Pull to the right as far as possible. Don’t go left. The other driver may recover and hit you broadside.”
14. When approaching a steady red circular traffic indication, what action is required before proceeding?
Answer: Stop behind the stop line or before entering the crosswalk. Drivers must stop behind the stop line or before the crosswalk when facing a steady red circular indication.
Idaho driver handbook, page 69: “STOP for any steady red circular traffic indication and remain stopped behind the stop line. If there is no stop line, stop before entering the crosswalk.”
15. Why should a driver never honk when close to a bicyclist?
Answer: It may startle the bicyclist and cause an unexpected reaction. The handbook explains that honking can startle cyclists, leading to unpredictable movements that compromise safety.
Idaho driver handbook, page 101: “Never honk when close to a bicyclist; it may startle the bicyclist and cause an unexpected reaction.”
16. What is the minimum distance from which brake lights must be visible to the rear in normal sunlight?
Answer: 100 feet. Brake lights are required to be visible from a distance of at least 100 feet behind the vehicle under normal sunlight conditions.
Idaho driver handbook, page 39: “All motor vehicles must have functioning red or amber brake lights visible for at least 100 feet to the rear in normal sunlight.”
17. What is the required minimum tread depth for each tire on a vehicle?
Answer: 2/32 inch. The handbook specifies that tires must have a minimum tread depth of 2/32 of an inch.
Idaho driver handbook, page 39: “Each tire should have at least 2/32” or more of tread.”
18. What is the maximum speed limit in any residential, business, or urban district in Idaho unless otherwise posted?
Answer: 35 miles per hour. The handbook states that the default maximum speed for residential, business, and urban districts is 35 miles per hour.
Idaho driver handbook, page 68: “Maximum speed in any residential, business, or urban district is 35 miles per hour unless otherwise posted.”
19. What is the liability status of the animal owner if a driver strikes livestock on an open range?
Answer: The owner is not liable for damages to the vehicle. The handbook clarifies that owners of livestock on open range are not liable for vehicle damages, placing responsibility on the driver to be alert.
Idaho driver handbook, page 108: “If you strike and injure or kill livestock or domestic animals that are on the open range or under controlled movement, the owner of the animal(s) is not liable for damages to you or your vehicle.”
20. Under what condition are you NOT required to stop for a school bus with flashing red lights?
Answer: When traveling in the opposite direction on highways with four or more lanes if two lanes are going in each direction. The handbook provides a specific exception for multi-lane highways with divided traffic flows, whereas other scenarios generally require stopping.
Idaho driver handbook, page 70: “You do not have to stop if you are traveling in the opposite direction on highways with four or more lanes if two lanes are going in each direction.”