20 questions from the Idaho driver handbook. Pick an answer to see the rule behind it.
1. According to the handbook, what is the minimum recommended following distance under normal conditions?
Answer: Three seconds. The handbook states that the three-second rule is the minimum recommended procedure for following distance.
Idaho driver handbook, page 79: “The three-second following distance rule is the minimum recommended safest procedure to use.”
2. How far from a fire hydrant is parking prohibited?
Answer: Within 15 feet. The list of no-parking zones states that parking is not allowed within 15 feet of a fire hydrant.
Idaho driver handbook, page 81: “Within 15 feet of a fire hydrant”
3. What is the correct arm signal to indicate a left turn?
Answer: Arm and hand extended straight out the window. The handbook defines the specific arm position for a left turn as extending the arm straight out the window, while other positions correspond to right turns or stopping.
Idaho driver handbook, page 72: “Left: Your arm and hand extended straight out the window.”
4. If your vehicle begins to skid, what is the recommended steering action to recover control?
Answer: Steer in the direction of the skid. The handbook advises steering in the same direction that the rear wheels are sliding to regain traction and control.
Idaho driver handbook, page 116: “Immediately take your foot off the gas pedal, then steer in the direction of the skid. For example, if your rear wheels slide to the right, turn your front wheels toward the right.”
5. How should a driver react if the vehicle they are passing begins to drift toward them?
Answer: Use your horn. The handbook instructs drivers to use their horn if the vehicle being passed drifts toward them during the passing maneuver.
Idaho driver handbook, page 78: “If the vehicle you’re passing begins to drift toward you, use your horn.”
6. Who is permitted to use freeway median crossovers?
Answer: Highway maintenance or emergency vehicles. The handbook specifies that median crossovers are restricted to highway maintenance and emergency vehicles.
Idaho driver handbook, page 84: “Freeway median crossovers are for highway maintenance or emergency vehicle use only; it is illegal for any other vehicles to use them.”
7. When driving down long hills in mountainous areas, what is the recommended method for controlling speed?
Answer: Use a lower gear to control speeds. The handbook instructs drivers to use a lower gear for speed control on long hills, distinguishing this from coasting in neutral.
Idaho driver handbook, page 107: “Use a lower gear to control speeds while going down long hills.”
8. According to the handbook, what is the maximum speed limit for rural interstates where designated and weather conditions permit?
Answer: 80 miles per hour. The handbook states that the speed limit on rural interstates is up to 80 miles per hour.
Idaho driver handbook, page 83: “Where designated and as weather conditions permit, vehicles may travel at speeds up to 80 miles per hour on rural interstates, and up to 65 on urban interstate highways, unless otherwise posted.”
9. What does the 'Lane Ends/Merge Left' sign indicate regarding traffic flow?
Answer: Two lanes of traffic will soon become one lane of traffic. The sign warns that the number of lanes is reducing, requiring drivers to merge into a single lane.
Idaho driver handbook, page 50: “Two lanes of traffic will soon become one lane of traffic.”
10. What action should you take when encountering an oncoming pilot vehicle for a large load?
Answer: Reduce your speed and position your vehicle as far to the right as possible. Drivers are instructed to slow down and move right when meeting an oncoming pilot vehicle.
Idaho driver handbook, page 106: “When you encounter an oncoming pilot vehicle, reduce your speed and position your vehicle as far to the right as possible.”
11. What should you do immediately when experiencing a tire blowout to maintain control?
Answer: Hold the steering wheel tightly and keep the car headed straight. The handbook advises holding the steering wheel tightly and keeping the car straight during a blowout, rather than stomping on the brakes immediately.
Idaho driver handbook, page 120: “Hold the steering wheel tightly and keep the car headed straight down the road.”
12. According to the handbook, what is the correct procedure when approaching a flashing red light?
Answer: Come to a complete stop, yield to cross traffic or pedestrians, and then proceed when clear. The handbook states that a flashing red light requires a complete stop and yielding to cross traffic or pedestrians before proceeding.
Idaho driver handbook, page 55: “Flashing Red Light: A flashing red indication means stop. You must come to a complete stop, yield to cross traffic or pedestrians, and then proceed when clear.”
13. What is the correct procedure for placing emergency flares when your car breaks down on the highway?
Answer: Place them 200 to 300 feet behind your car. The handbook specifies that emergency flares should be placed 200 to 300 feet behind the vehicle to provide adequate warning to approaching drivers.
Idaho driver handbook, page 117: “If you have emergency flares, place them 200 to 300 feet behind your car to give others warning.”
14. How should a driver behave when encountering a double solid white lane line?
Answer: Lane changes are prohibited in areas where this marking is present. The handbook clearly states that double solid white lines indicate that lane changes are not permitted in that area.
Idaho driver handbook, page 59: “Lane changes are prohibited in areas where this type of marking is present.”
15. What is the correct procedure for stopping at a railroad crossing when required?
Answer: Stop within 50 feet but no less than 15 feet from the nearest rail. The handbook specifies a precise distance range for stopping at railroad crossings to ensure safety and visibility.
Idaho driver handbook, page 60: “When required to stop, you should do so within 50 feet but no less than 15 feet from the nearest rail of the crossing.”
16. What action should a driver take if they exit a highway by mistake?
Answer: Turn left or right onto the intersecting highway and find a safe place to turn around. The instructions specify turning onto the intersecting highway and finding a safe place to turn around, rather than crossing directly.
Idaho driver handbook, page 64: “If you exit the freeway by mistake, you cannot travel straight across the highway and get on at the other side. You need to turn left or right onto the intersecting highway and find a safe place to turn around to return to the correct entrance to the freeway.”
17. What is the primary warning provided by the 'Slippery When Wet' sign?
Answer: The road ahead may become slippery in wet weather. This sign alerts drivers to potential reduced traction conditions specifically when the weather is wet.
Idaho driver handbook, page 52: “Road ahead may become slippery in wet weather.”
18. What is the minimum passing space a driver should leave when passing a bicyclist?
Answer: Three (3) feet. The handbook states that three feet is the minimum distance required for safe passing.
Idaho driver handbook, page 101: “Three (3) feet is the minimum passing space that drivers should leave when passing a bicyclist.”
19. Why should drivers allow extra space for large vehicles to stop?
Answer: Large vehicles are unable to gain speed or stop as quickly as smaller vehicles. The handbook states that large vehicles take longer to stop and accelerate compared to smaller vehicles.
Idaho driver handbook, page 105: “Large vehicles are unable to gain speed or stop as quickly as smaller vehicles.”
20. Under Idaho's "basic rule" law, which of the following is considered a violation even if the driver is under the posted speed limit?
Answer: Driving too slow for existing conditions and impeding the safe flow of traffic. The handbook specifies that driving too slowly for conditions, thereby impeding traffic flow, violates the basic rule regardless of being under the posted limit.
Idaho driver handbook, page 68: “If you drive too slow for existing conditions and are impeding the safe flow of traffic (even if under the posted speed limit), you are violating the “basic rule” law.”