Question 1

How many questions are on Idaho's permit knowledge test, and what's the passing score?

Accepted Answer

40 questions, with at least 34 correct (85%) to pass — Idaho's permit knowledge test has 40 questions, and an applicant needs at least 34 correct (85%) to pass — one of the highest thresholds in the country.

Question 2

What is unusual about how Idaho's permit knowledge test is delivered?

Accepted Answer

It's computer-adaptive, ending early once you reach 34 correct — Idaho's permit knowledge test is computer-adaptive: it stops as soon as an applicant reaches 34 correct answers, rather than always running the full 40 questions.

Question 3

Which agency issues Idaho driver's licenses and permits?

Accepted Answer

The Idaho Transportation Department's DMV — Idaho issues driver's licenses through the Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV), part of the Idaho Transportation Department — Idaho's is a genuine "DMV," unlike several neighboring states.

Question 4

What is the minimum age for an Idaho Supervised Instruction Permit (SIP)?

Accepted Answer

14 and a half — An Idaho teen may apply for a Supervised Instruction Permit (SIP) starting at 14 and a half years old.

Question 5

What must an Idaho applicant under 18 complete before receiving an instruction permit?

Accepted Answer

Proof of school enrollment, attendance, or graduation — An Idaho applicant under 18 must provide acceptable proof of enrollment and attendance in, or graduation from, a recognized high school or equivalent program before an instruction permit can be issued.

Question 6

How many hours of classroom instruction does an approved Idaho driver training program require?

Accepted Answer

30 hours — An approved Idaho driver training program requires 30 hours of classroom instruction, along with 6 hours of in-car observation and 6 hours of behind-the-wheel driving.

Question 7

How long must an Idaho teen hold a Supervised Instruction Permit before an underage license, after completing driver's ed?

Accepted Answer

At least 6 months, or until turning 17, whichever comes first — An Idaho teen must hold the Supervised Instruction Permit for at least 6 months after completing driver's ed, or until their 17th birthday, whichever comes first.

Question 8

How many hours of supervised driving practice must an Idaho instruction permit holder log, and how many at night?

Accepted Answer

50 hours total, including at least 10 at night — Idaho requires an instruction permit holder to log 50 hours of supervised driving practice, including at least 10 hours at night.

Question 9

What is the minimum age for an Idaho underage driver's license?

Accepted Answer

15 — An Idaho applicant must be at least 15 years old for an underage driver's license.

Question 10

What passenger restriction applies to an Idaho underage license holder for the first 6 months?

Accepted Answer

No more than one passenger under 17 who isn't immediate family — For the first 6 months of holding an underage license, an Idaho driver may not carry more than one passenger younger than 17 who isn't a family member, a restriction that lasts until they turn 17.

Question 11

When can an Idaho driver younger than 16 drive unsupervised?

Accepted Answer

Only during daylight hours — An Idaho driver younger than 16 may drive unsupervised only during daylight hours.

Question 12

At what age does an Idaho driver become eligible for a regular, unrestricted driver's license?

Accepted Answer

18 — An Idaho driver becomes eligible for a regular, unrestricted driver's license at 18.

Question 13

What BAC threshold triggers Idaho's zero-tolerance law for a driver under 21?

Accepted Answer

0.02% up to just below 0.08% — Idaho's zero-tolerance law flags a BAC of 0.02% up to just below 0.08% for a driver under 21, well below the standard adult threshold.

Question 14

What is Idaho's standard BAC limit for a driver 21 or older?

Accepted Answer

0.08% — Idaho sets its standard BAC limit at 0.08% for a driver 21 or older, matching the nationwide standard.

Question 15

What BAC threshold applies to a commercial driver in Idaho?

Accepted Answer

0.04%, half the noncommercial threshold — Idaho holds a commercial driver to a 0.04% BAC threshold, half the standard 0.08% figure for a noncommercial driver.

Question 16

What is Idaho's official knowledge-test study resource called?

Accepted Answer

The Idaho Driver's Manual — Idaho's official study resource is the Idaho Driver's Manual, published by the Division of Motor Vehicles.

Question 17

Without signs or signals, who has the right-of-way at an Idaho intersection?

Accepted Answer

The vehicle approaching from the right — At an uncontrolled intersection, an Idaho driver yields to the vehicle approaching from the right.

Question 18

What does a flashing yellow traffic signal mean in Idaho?

Accepted Answer

Slow down and proceed with caution; no full stop is required — A flashing yellow signal means proceed with caution, unlike a flashing red, which requires a full stop.

Question 19

What does a double solid yellow line mean for passing in Idaho?

Accepted Answer

Passing is prohibited for traffic traveling in either direction — A double solid yellow line prohibits passing for vehicles traveling in either direction.

Question 20

What following distance should an Idaho driver keep in good conditions?

Accepted Answer

At least a 3-second gap — A 3-second following gap in good conditions gives an Idaho driver enough time to react if the vehicle ahead brakes suddenly.

Question 21

What must Idaho drivers do when approaching a stopped school bus with flashing red lights on an undivided road?

Accepted Answer

Stop in both directions until the lights stop flashing — Idaho requires traffic in both directions on an undivided road to stop for a school bus with flashing red lights, and to remain stopped until the lights stop flashing.

Question 22

What should an Idaho driver do at a railroad crossing with no gates or lights?

Accepted Answer

Slow down, look both ways, and listen before crossing — Even without gates or warning lights, a driver should slow down, look both directions, and listen for an approaching train before crossing.

Question 23

What does Idaho's basic speed law require regardless of the posted limit?

Accepted Answer

A safe speed for current conditions, even if that's below the posted limit — Idaho's basic speed law requires a safe speed for current conditions, which can mean driving below the posted limit even when it's technically legal to go faster.

Question 24

What is generally true about headlight use in Idaho?

Accepted Answer

Required a half hour after sunset to a half hour before sunrise — Idaho generally requires headlights starting a half hour after sunset through a half hour before sunrise, along with any time visibility is poor.

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