What safe driving rules are on the Idaho permit test?

Idaho's safe driving questions come from its own statutes and the Idaho Division of Motor Vehicles handbook. QuizLane covers 4 Idaho-specific safe driving items, drawn from 4 distinct source sections, alongside 10 questions on rules that apply in every state.

How many safe driving questions are on the Idaho permit test?

Idaho Division of Motor Vehicles does not publish a per-topic breakdown. The test as a whole has 40 questions and you need 34 correct (85%) to pass, so safe driving is worth studying alongside every other topic rather than in isolation.

Are these official Idaho DMV safe driving questions?

No. These are original study questions written against Idaho law and the official handbook, each carrying the section it came from. They are not endorsed by Idaho Division of Motor Vehicles and are not copies of the real exam.

Do I need an account to practice Idaho safe driving questions?

No. Practice starts immediately as a guest. An account is optional and only saves your attempt history across devices.

Idaho drivers under 16 may drive only during daylight unless accompanied by a licensed driver at least 21. Daylight is defined as:

5:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. local time

Sunrise to sunset only with no clock definition

During the first six months of an Idaho license for a driver under 17, passengers under age 17 are limited to:

Not more than one, unless related to the driver by blood, adoption, or marriage

In Idaho, reading, writing, or sending written communication (text messaging) while driving is:

Illegal and considered an infraction (hands-free devices without use of either hand are excepted)

IDSafe driving

Idaho safe driving practice questions

4 questions below test Idaho’s own safe driving law, each with the statute or Idaho Division of Motor Vehicles handbook section it came from, plus 10 more on safe driving rules that apply in every state.

The Idaho permit knowledge test has 40 questions in total and needs 34 correct (85%) to pass.

Practice safe driving All Idaho topics

Idaho law

4 questions on Idaho’s own safe driving rules

These differ from the rules that hold nationally — they are the ones that catch out drivers who studied another state’s handbook.

1. Idaho drivers under 16 may drive only during daylight unless accompanied by a licensed driver at least 21. Daylight is defined as:
- A7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- B6 a.m. to 9 p.m.
- 5:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. local time
- DSunrise to sunset only with no clock definition
Answer: 5:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. local time. The Idaho Driver’s Manual’s under-16 restriction allows daylight-only travel unless accompanied by a licensed driver 21+ in the front seat; daylight is defined as 5:00a to 10:00p local time.
Source: Idaho Driver's Manual — Restriction When Under 16
2. During the first six months of an Idaho license for a driver under 17, passengers under age 17 are limited to:
- Not more than one, unless related to the driver by blood, adoption, or marriage
- BTwo unrelated friends
- CUnlimited if belted
- DNone
Answer: Not more than one, unless related to the driver by blood, adoption, or marriage. The Idaho Driver’s Manual states that during the first 6 months from the date the license was issued, passengers under age 17 are limited to not more than one, unless related to the driver by blood, adoption, or marriage.
Source: Idaho Driver's Manual — Restriction When Under 17
3. In Idaho, reading, writing, or sending written communication (text messaging) while driving is:
- ALegal for adults
- Illegal and considered an infraction (hands-free devices without use of either hand are excepted)
- CLegal under 25 mph
- DLegal if parked at a red light
Answer: Illegal and considered an infraction (hands-free devices without use of either hand are excepted). The Idaho Driver’s Manual states reading, writing, or sending of written communication (text messaging) while driving is illegal and considered an infraction; it does not apply to hands-free devices without the use of either hand.
Source: Idaho Driver's Manual — Cell Phones
4. Idaho law requires approved child car safety seats for children who are:
- AUnder age 8 only
- BUnder 40 pounds only
- CUnder age 4 only
- 6 years of age or younger
Answer: 6 years of age or younger. The Idaho Driver’s Manual states Idaho law requires anyone carrying children 6 years of age or younger in a non-commercial motor vehicle to properly protect them in approved child car safety seats.
Source: Idaho Driver's Manual — Child Restraints Are Required

Sources for the Idaho items above

Applies everywhere

Safe driving rules that hold in every state

A sample of the national safe driving bank. All 10 are in the practice run, combined with the Idaho items above for 14 questions in total.

1. What is the best way to set a safe following distance?
- AFollow closely so other drivers cannot merge
- BMatch the vehicle ahead bumper-to-bumper
- CStay one car length behind at every speed
- Use a time gap and add more time in poor conditions
Answer: Use a time gap and add more time in poor conditions. A time-based gap adapts to speed. Increase it for rain, darkness, heavy vehicles, motorcycles, or limited visibility.
Source: Official state driver handbook — Space management — following distance
2. To reduce glare from an oncoming vehicle's headlights at night, you should look:
- AInto your rear-view mirror
- BDirectly at the oncoming headlights
- Toward the right edge of your lane
- DDown at your dashboard
Answer: Toward the right edge of your lane. Shifting your gaze to the right edge line keeps you oriented in your lane while the bright lights pass out of your direct vision.
Source: Official state driver handbook — Night driving — glare
3. How far ahead should you normally be looking while driving?
- AOnly at the vehicle directly in front
- BAs far as your headlights reach, at all speeds
- CJust past the hood of your car
- About 12 to 15 seconds of travel ahead
Answer: About 12 to 15 seconds of travel ahead. Looking well ahead gives time to spot hazards and react smoothly instead of braking or swerving at the last moment.
Source: Official state driver handbook — Safe driving — visual search

Practice all 14 safe driving questions

Safe driving rules in other states

Safe driving law is set state by state — compare how another state handles it.

AlaskaAK · 6 questions ArizonaAZ · 2 questions ColoradoCO · 3 questions HawaiiHI · 5 questions MontanaMT · 5 questions NevadaNV · 2 questions New MexicoNM · 5 questions OregonOR · 4 questions

Confirm current Idaho rules

Statutes and handbooks change. Idaho Division of Motor Vehicles is authoritative for Idaho safe driving rules and for the permit test itself.

Visit Idaho Division of Motor Vehicles

Common questions

About Idaho safe driving rules and this practice set.