Idaho Permit Test Cheat Sheet (2026)
The Idaho rules and numbers to know for the DMV knowledge test, on one page. Every line was checked against the official Idaho driver's handbook. It is a study sheet: you cannot use notes during the real test.
The Idaho test at a glance
- Questions on the test
- 40
- To pass
- 34 of 40 correct (85%)
- Time limit
- We found no published time limit for the Idaho knowledge test.
- Minimum permit age
- 14½ years old
- Hold the permit for
- 6 months on the Supervised Instruction Permit
- Alcohol limit under 21
- 0.02% BAC
Idaho rules and numbers
From the official Idaho handbook (July 2026); PDF page numbers in brackets.
Rules of the road
- Idaho permit: drive only with a licensed driver 21+ in the seat beside you. [p.19]
- Idaho permit: 50 hours of supervised driving, 10 at night, over 6+ months. [p.19]
- Idaho: daylight-only driving until 16 unless a licensed adult 21+ sits in front. [p.16]
- Idaho residential, business or urban district: 35 mph unless posted. [p.68]
- Idaho state highways: 65 mph max unless a higher limit (up to 70) is posted. [p.68]
- Idaho: up to 15 mph over the limit to pass on two-lane roads posted 55+ (not work zones). [p.77]
- Railroad stop: no closer than 15 feet, no farther than 50 feet from the nearest rail. [p.60]
- Idaho: no parking within 50 feet of railroad tracks. [p.81]
- Idaho: no parking within 30 feet of a stop sign, yield sign or traffic signal. [p.81]
- Idaho: no parking within 20 feet of a fire station driveway. [p.81]
- Idaho parallel parking: within 18 inches of the curb, facing the way traffic moves. [p.80]
- Idaho: no passing within 100 feet of an intersection or railroad crossing. [p.76]
- Idaho: no U-turn where approaching traffic cannot see you within 500 feet. [p.73]
- Idaho: signal 5 seconds ahead on freeways/highways, 100 feet ahead in town. [p.72]
- Idaho Move Over: always slow below the limit, and change lanes too if 2+ lanes. [p.95]
- Idaho: on a 4+ lane highway (2 each way), oncoming traffic need not stop for a bus. [p.70]
- Idaho: a dark or broken traffic signal = four-way stop. [p.56]
- Idaho: yield to funeral processions, even on a green light; never join or cut in. [p.78]
- Idaho: a slow vehicle delaying 3+ vehicles must pull off where safe to let them by. [p.79]
- Idaho open range: the livestock owner is not liable if you hit their animal. [p.108]
- Idaho stop: bicyclists may yield at stop signs instead of stopping fully. [p.98]
- Idaho: report a crash to police if anyone is hurt or damage is over $1,500. [p.121]
- Idaho under 17: max 1 non-family passenger under 17 for the first 6 months. [p.16]
Safe driving & emergencies
- Idaho: phones must be used hands-free while driving, even at a red light. [source]
- Idaho: dim high beams 500 ft before meeting and 200 ft before overtaking a vehicle. [p.43]
- Idaho: headlights on in daytime when you can see 500 feet or less. [p.110]
- Idaho: keep at least 3 seconds behind; more at high speed or in bad weather. [p.79]
- Snowplows: stay 2 car lengths back for every 10 mph of speed. [p.110]
- Idaho studded snow tires: October 1 to April 30 (ITD may adjust). [p.114]
- Load 4+ feet past the rear: red flag 18 in. square by day, red light at night. [p.43]
- Stalled car: put flares 200-300 feet behind it. [p.117]
- Wheels off the pavement: steer straight, slow down, then ease back on when safe. [p.120]
Rules learners miss most
The rules behind the most-missed questions on our practice tests. Some details, such as parking distances, can differ by state - your handbook has the final word.
- At 60 mph a car travels about 88 feet per second.
- Measure following distance in seconds, counted from a fixed roadside object.
- Most states: no parking within 20 feet of a crosswalk at an intersection.
- A yellow curb signals a stopping or parking limit - check signs and local rules.
- Uncontrolled T-intersection: the terminating road yields to the through road.
- Uphill with a curb: turn wheels away from the curb; downhill: toward it.
- Most states: no parking within 15 feet of a fire hydrant (a few use 10 feet).
- KEEP RIGHT: pass to the right of the island, median or obstruction.
- Point of no return: past it you cannot stop safely on yellow, so proceed.
- Zipper merge: use both lanes up to the merge point, then alternate.
- In heavy rain use low beams, slow down and increase following distance.
- Parallel park close to and parallel with the curb, within your state's limit.
- Yellow pennant on the left side of the road: a no-passing zone begins.
- Car with skid marks: the road is slippery when wet.
- Diamond-shaped signs are warning signs.
- 4-way stop tie: the driver on the left yields to the driver on the right.
- ABS keeps wheels from locking in hard braking so you can still steer.
- A round yellow sign warns of a railroad crossing ahead.
- Merging onto a highway: yield to traffic already on the highway.
- An upward-pointing pentagon marks a school zone or school crossing.
- Steady yellow: the light is about to turn red - stop if you can do so safely.
- Basic speed law: never drive faster than is safe for conditions, even under the limit.
- Use high beams on open roads; dim them for oncoming or followed vehicles.
- Arrows pointing up and down warn of two-way traffic ahead.
- Orange diamond signs warn of construction and work zones.
- Adult (21+) BAC limit is 0.08% in most states.
- Implied consent: by driving you agree to chemical tests if arrested for DUI.
Now test yourself
Reading rules is a start; answering questions is what makes them stick.