Idaho DMV Exam Simulator
The real format: 40 questions · pass at 85% · Updated July 12, 2026
This is the dress rehearsal: exactly 40 questions, the real 85% passing bar (miss more than 6 and you fail) — the same rules Idaho applies on test day. That 85% bar ties Idaho with 1 other state at #2 strictest of the 50 states.
Answer each question to see the explanation. Your score is tallied against the real passing bar at the end.
1. To legally transport an unsealed alcoholic beverage in your vehicle, it must be:
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Correct answer: In the trunk, or behind the last upright seat if there is no trunk
To transport any unsealed alcoholic beverages in a vehicle, the container must be in the trunk, or behind the last upright seat if there is no trunk.
2. A Driver Training Permit (DT) may be issued to applicants of what age?
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Correct answer: Anyone 14½ and under 17 years of age
Driver Training Permits allow anyone 14½ and under 17 years of age to attend a public-school or private driver-training program. While enrolled, the DT permit is valid only to operate a vehicle with a driver-training instructor.
3. You are parking facing uphill on a road with no curb. You should turn your front wheels:
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Correct answer: Sharply toward the edge of the road
When facing uphill where there is no curb, turn the wheels sharply toward the edge of the road, so that if the car rolls it moves off the road rather than into traffic.
4. Idaho law requires safety belts or shoulder straps to be worn by:
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Correct answer: All occupants of a vehicle equipped with them
Idaho law requires all occupants to wear safety belts and/or shoulder straps when riding in a motor vehicle equipped with them by the factory.
5. At a four-way stop, who has the right-of-way?
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Correct answer: The first vehicle to arrive at the stop
At a four-way stop, the first vehicle to arrive has the right-of-way. Proceed in the order vehicles arrive.
6. You are required to turn on your headlights:
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Correct answer: Between sunset and sunrise, or when visibility is reduced below 500 feet
Turn on your headlights (not just your parking lights) when driving between sunset and sunrise, or when visibility has been reduced to below 500 feet. Twilight and dawn are among the most dangerous times of day.
7. How much following distance should you allow behind a motorcycle?
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Correct answer: More than 3 seconds
Allow more than three seconds of following distance between your vehicle and a motorcycle. This gives both of you enough time to maneuver or stop in an emergency.
8. A police officer at an intersection is directing traffic in a way that conflicts with the traffic signal. What should you do?
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Correct answer: Obey the directions of the police officer
Traffic control may be provided by law enforcement officers, highway personnel, or school crossing guards. You must obey their directions, even when they differ from signs or signals.
9. How does your speed affect your ability to stop?
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Correct answer: The faster you go, the less time you have to react and the longer it takes to stop
The speed at which you are traveling determines how much time you have to react and how long it takes you to stop. Driving too fast is a major cause of motor vehicle crashes.
10. Before returning to your lane after passing another vehicle, what should you do?
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Correct answer: Signal and wait until you can see the vehicle you passed in your rear-view mirror
Before returning to your own lane, signal and wait until you can see the vehicle you passed in your rear-view mirror — this ensures you have left enough room.
11. If your doctor prescribes a medication that may make you drowsy, you should:
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Correct answer: Let someone else drive while you are taking it
Ask your doctor whether a prescription will make you drowsy or otherwise affect your driving. If so, let someone else drive while you are taking the drug.
12. A Class D Instruction Permit lets a 17-or-older applicant practice driving only when accompanied by whom?
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Correct answer: An adult (18 or older) who holds a valid driver’s license
A Class D Instruction Permit allows an applicant 17 or older to practice safely operating a vehicle for six months when accompanied by an adult — someone 18 or older — who holds a valid driver’s license. You must pass a knowledge test to be issued the permit.
13. You must not park within how many feet of a fire hydrant?
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Correct answer: 15 feet
Parking is not allowed within 15 feet of a fire hydrant. Blocking a hydrant can delay firefighters in an emergency.
14. According to the handbook, wearing a safety belt reduces your chance of serious injury in a crash by about:
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Correct answer: 50%
Studies show that when worn, safety belts reduce your chances of serious injury in an auto crash by 50% and are 60-70% effective in preventing fatalities.
15. At a four-way stop, two vehicles arrive at exactly the same time. Who yields?
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Correct answer: The vehicle on the left yields to the vehicle on the right
If two vehicles reach a four-way stop at the same time, the vehicle on the left must yield to the vehicle on the right.
16. About how far ahead do your low-beam headlights let you see?
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Correct answer: About 100 feet
Low beams light the roadway about 100 feet ahead; high beams light about 350 feet. Always drive slowly enough to stop within the distance you can see ahead.
17. Before turning left in front of an oncoming motorcycle, you should:
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Correct answer: Look again and be sure of the motorcycle’s speed before you turn
Cars turning left in front of an oncoming motorcycle cause serious crashes because drivers fail to see the rider or misjudge the motorcycle’s speed. Look, then look again, and be sure of its speed before you turn.
18. What color and shape are most warning signs?
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Correct answer: Black on yellow and diamond-shaped
Most warning signs are black on yellow and diamond-shaped (some school warning signs are fluorescent yellow-green). They warn you of an unexpected condition ahead so you can slow down or take other action.
19. Why is driving too fast so dangerous?
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Correct answer: It is a major cause of crashes and worsens the effect of other violations, mechanical failures, and errors in judgment
Driving too fast is a major cause of motor vehicle crashes. When combined with other violations, mechanical failure, or errors in judgment, speeding often leads to disaster.
20. Passing is prohibited when you are within 100 feet of which of these?
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Correct answer: An intersection or a railroad crossing (unless traffic-control devices indicate otherwise)
Passing is prohibited within 100 feet of an intersection, a railroad crossing, or a bridge or tunnel when the view is obstructed, unless traffic-control devices indicate otherwise.
21. Marijuana affects driving by:
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Correct answer: Slowing reaction time and impairing judgment of time and distance
Marijuana slows reaction time and impairs judgment of time and distance. Driving while under the influence of legal or illegal substances is drugged driving, and it is illegal in every state.
22. Under Idaho’s GDL program, how much supervised driving must you complete during the supervised instruction period?
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Correct answer: At least 50 hours, 10 of which must be at night, over a minimum of 6 months
The GDL program requires a minimum 6-month, violation-free supervised instruction period during which you must accumulate at least 50 hours of supervised driving, ten hours of which must be at night.
23. You must not park within how many feet of a crosswalk?
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Correct answer: 20 feet
Parking is not allowed within 20 feet of a crosswalk. Parking too close hides pedestrians from approaching drivers.
24. To ride most safely, children younger than 13 should ride:
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Correct answer: In the back seat
All children younger than 13 should ride in the back seat. Children in rear-facing car seats should never ride in front of an active passenger air bag.
25. A traffic light is dark because of a power outage. How do you proceed?
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Correct answer: Yield to other drivers the same way you would at a four-way stop
When a stop light is not functioning due to a power outage, yield to other drivers in the same manner as a four-way stop.
26. About how far ahead do your high-beam headlights let you see?
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Correct answer: About 350 feet
High beams light the road about 350 feet ahead, while low beams light about 100 feet. Because vision is reduced at night, always be able to stop within the distance you can see.
27. A motorcycle is riding far to one side of a wide lane. You should:
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Correct answer: Never move into the same lane alongside it — the motorcycle is entitled to the full lane
Motorcycles are entitled to the same full-lane width as any other vehicle. Never move into the same lane alongside a motorcycle, even if the lane is wide and the rider is far to one side.
28. What does an “Open Range” warning sign mean?
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Correct answer: You are in an area where livestock have the right-of-way and may roam freely and unfenced
An “Open Range” sign means you are traveling where livestock have the right-of-way and are allowed to roam freely and unfenced. Be ready to slow or stop for animals on the roadway.
29. When stopping behind another vehicle in traffic, how much space is a safe habit to leave?
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Correct answer: Enough to see the rear tires of the vehicle ahead where they touch the ground
When stopping behind another vehicle, leave enough distance to see its rear tires where they touch the ground. This may keep you from being pushed into it if you are rear-ended, and lets you go around a stalled vehicle without backing up.
30. On a two-lane road with a posted limit of 55 mph or more, you are passing a slower vehicle in a passenger car. What speed allowance applies?
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Correct answer: You may exceed the posted limit by up to 15 mph while passing, then return to the right lane and reduce speed
A passenger vehicle, motorcycle, or pickup not towing may exceed the posted limit by up to 15 mph while passing a vehicle traveling below the limit on a two-lane road where the posted limit is 55 mph or greater. This does not apply in work zones, and you must return to the right lane and reduce to the posted speed as soon as practicable.
31. Before driving after taking an over-the-counter cold medicine, you should:
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Correct answer: Read the label to see if driving is discouraged
Over-the-counter drugs such as pain relievers and cold remedies must provide directions for use. Read the label — if driving is discouraged, do not get behind the wheel.
32. During the GDL supervised instruction period, who must accompany the permit holder?
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Correct answer: A valid licensed driver at least 21 years old, in the front seat beside the driver, with no other passengers in the front seat
The supervising driver must be a valid licensed driver at least 21 years of age occupying the front seat beside the driver, and no other passengers are allowed in the front seat. All occupants must be belted.
33. You must not park within how many feet of railroad tracks?
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Correct answer: 50 feet
Parking is not allowed within 50 feet of railroad tracks. A parked vehicle too close to the tracks can obstruct the view of the crossing.
34. Red or blue emergency lights on your personal vehicle are:
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Correct answer: Not allowed — they are authorized for emergency vehicles only
Red or blue emergency lights are authorized for emergency vehicles only and are not allowed on your vehicle. Sirens, bells, whistles, and muffler cut-outs are also prohibited.
35. When entering a roundabout, who has the right-of-way?
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Correct answer: Vehicles already in the circle — you must yield to them
In a roundabout, all drivers must yield the right-of-way to vehicles that are already in the circle before entering.
36. In the daytime, when vision is reduced to 500 feet or less, you are required to:
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Correct answer: Turn on your headlights, using low beams
You are required to turn on your headlights in the daytime when vision is reduced to 500 feet or less, such as in fog, smoke, dust, or rain. Low beams are best at such times.
37. When following a large truck, if you cannot see the truck’s side mirrors, it means:
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Correct answer: The truck driver cannot see you
Large vehicles have big blind spots. If you are following a large vehicle and cannot see the driver’s mirrors, then the driver cannot see you. Avoid driving alongside large vehicles for long.
38. You see a “Hill” warning sign. What does it tell you to do?
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Correct answer: The road goes down a steep hill — check your brakes before descending
A “Hill” sign warns that the road ahead goes down a steep hill. You should check your brakes before going down, and use a lower gear to help control your speed.
39. When slowing down or stopping, what must you do for other drivers?
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Correct answer: Give a signal, using either your brake-operated signal lights or an arm signal
When slowing down or stopping, you must give a signal to other drivers. You may use either the brake-operated signal lights on the rear of your vehicle or an arm signal (arm extended downward).
40. When is passing on the right permitted?
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Correct answer: When the vehicle ahead on a two-lane road is signaling a left turn, or on a one-way or multi-lane street — and only if it can be done safely without leaving the roadway
You may pass on the right only when the vehicle you are overtaking on a two-lane road is signaling a left turn, or on a one-way or multi-lane street with two or more lanes going your direction — and only if you can do so safely without driving off the roadway.
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