Free Idaho Permit Practice Test 3 (2026)
Real questions from the official Idaho driver handbook, each with a plain-English explanation. Free, unlimited retakes, no signup.
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Get Smart Review & Mock ExamsWhat this test covers
This draw of 20 questions breaks down like this:
- Traffic Signs & Signals — 5
- Right-of-Way & Intersections — 3
- Speed Limits & Speed Management — 3
- Vehicle Equipment — 3
- Safe Driving — 2
- Signaling & Communication — 2
- Adverse Conditions — 1
- Alcohol, Drugs & the Law — 1
Heaviest on Traffic Signs & Signals (5 of 20) — that is the section to revise first if you miss several here.
3 are Idaho-specific questions, drawn from the state handbook rather than general road rules.
Each test on this site draws a different set, so Test 1, 2 and 3 never repeat a question.
Questions on this test
1. Replace tires when the tread is:
- Any brand
- Worn too low to grip the road
- New
- Clean
Show answer
Answer: Worn too low to grip the road
Worn tread loses traction — replace low tires.
2. As speed rises, stopping distance:
- Is irrelevant
- Increases sharply
- Decreases
- Stays the same
Show answer
Answer: Increases sharply
Higher speed greatly increases stopping distance.
3. Idaho's 'basic rule' law requires you to drive at a speed that is:
- 'Reasonable and prudent' for conditions at all times
- 10 over
- Always the max
- The fastest possible
Show answer
Answer: 'Reasonable and prudent' for conditions at all times
Idaho's basic rule: drive at a speed that is reasonable and prudent for conditions.
4. When merging onto an interstate from an on-ramp, you should:
- Yield to traffic on the highway, match its speed, and merge into a gap
- Stop at the end of the ramp and wait
- Merge slowly well below highway speed
- Force your way in — you have the right-of-way
Show answer
Answer: Yield to traffic on the highway, match its speed, and merge into a gap
Traffic on the highway has the right-of-way. Use the ramp to reach highway speed and merge into a gap.
5. The only real cure for drowsy driving is:
- Coffee
- Sleep — pull over and rest
- Opening a window
- Loud music
Show answer
Answer: Sleep — pull over and rest
Only rest fixes fatigue. If you're drowsy, pull over somewhere safe and sleep.
6. A shared-lane marking (a bicycle with two chevrons above it) means:
- Bicycles and cars share that lane — watch for cyclists
- No bikes
- A bike lane ends
- Bikes only
Show answer
Answer: Bicycles and cars share that lane — watch for cyclists
A 'sharrow' shows that bikes and cars share the lane; watch for and share with cyclists.
7. Dim your high beams within how many feet of an oncoming vehicle?
- 300
- 1,000
- 100
- 500
Show answer
Answer: 500
Dim within 500 feet of oncoming traffic (and 300 feet when following).
8. A regulatory sign that is a white rectangle taller than it is wide is typically a:
- Speed limit or other traffic law
- Service sign
- Warning
- Guide sign
Show answer
Answer: Speed limit or other traffic law
Vertical white rectangles are regulatory — like a speed-limit sign.
9. Using hazard lights while driving normally in traffic is:
- A turn signal
- Recommended
- Required in rain
- Not appropriate — they're for stopped/disabled vehicles
Show answer
Answer: Not appropriate — they're for stopped/disabled vehicles
Hazards are for when you're stopped or disabled, not for normal driving.
10. When two lanes must merge in heavy traffic, drivers should:
- Take turns ('zipper' merge) — alternate one by one
- Block the other lane
- Stop and wait
- Race for the gap
Show answer
Answer: Take turns ('zipper' merge) — alternate one by one
Alternate like a zipper — one car from each lane at a time keeps traffic flowing safely.
11. During heavy rain, cruise control should be:
- Set higher
- Ignored
- On, to relax
- Off, so you keep full control if you hydroplane
Show answer
Answer: Off, so you keep full control if you hydroplane
Turn off cruise control in the rain so you can react instantly if you lose traction.
12. Leaving space to the sides of your vehicle helps you:
- Save fuel
- Look bigger
- Drive faster
- Have an escape path if a hazard appears
Show answer
Answer: Have an escape path if a hazard appears
Side space gives you somewhere to go if a hazard suddenly appears.
13. In rain, fog, or heavy traffic, you should:
- Maintain the posted speed
- Reduce your speed
- Speed up to clear it
- Use high beams in fog
Show answer
Answer: Reduce your speed
Slow down when conditions reduce traction or visibility.
14. If your brake warning light comes on, you should:
- Pump the gas
- Ignore it
- Drive faster
- Have the brakes checked as soon as possible
Show answer
Answer: Have the brakes checked as soon as possible
A brake warning light means get the brakes checked right away.
15. At a four-way stop with a car directly across turning left as you go straight:
- Both stop forever
- You (going straight) generally have the right-of-way
- They go first
- Largest goes
Show answer
Answer: You (going straight) generally have the right-of-way
Through traffic generally has priority over a car turning left across your path.
16. At an intersection where the traffic signal is completely dark (power out), you should:
- Treat it as an all-way stop
- Wait for it to turn on
- Speed through
- Assume you have the right-of-way
Show answer
Answer: Treat it as an all-way stop
A dark signal = treat the intersection as a four-way stop.
17. A broken (dashed) yellow center line means:
- Bike lane ahead
- No passing at any time
- The road is one-way
- You may pass when it is safe to do so
Show answer
Answer: You may pass when it is safe to do so
A broken yellow line means passing is permitted from your side when it's safe.
18. What does this sign warn of?
- Divided highway ends / two-way traffic
- One-way street
- Merging traffic
- Passing lane
Show answer
Answer: Divided highway ends / two-way traffic
Opposing arrows warn of two-way traffic ahead (e.g., a divided highway ending). Keep right.
19. Even one or two drinks can:
- Only affect vision
- Slow reaction time and impair judgment
- Improve driving
- Have zero effect
Show answer
Answer: Slow reaction time and impair judgment
Impairment starts with the first drink — reaction and judgment suffer before you feel drunk.
20. Worn wiper blades that streak the glass should be:
- Replaced for clear visibility in rain
- Taped
- Removed
- Left alone
Show answer
Answer: Replaced for clear visibility in rain
Replace worn blades so you can see clearly in the rain.