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Idaho permit test: conditions, emergencies and crashes

Mountain, wildlife and open-range driving, night, snow, fog, rain and floods, winter driving, skids, emergencies and what to do after a crash. 35 questions, 10 at a time, starting with ones you haven't seen.

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Rules to remember10 key conditions, emergencies and crashes rulesShow the rules
  1. Headlamps and tail lamps must be lit from sunset to sunrise and whenever poor visibility makes them necessary. (p. 43)
  2. Headlamps must be dimmed 500 feet before meeting and 200 feet before overtaking another vehicle. (p. 43)
  3. In the mountains, use a lower gear to control speed going down long hills, and never coast in neutral or with the clutch pressed. (p. 107)
  4. Stay two car lengths behind snowplows for every 10 mph you drive. (p. 110)
  5. For safety, do not use cruise control if the road is wet or icy. (p. 110)
  6. You must turn on your headlights in the daytime when visibility is 500 feet or less. (p. 110)
  7. Up to about 35 mph most tires grip wet roads. (p. 111)
  8. As little as 6 inches of fast water can knock you off your feet, and 2 feet can wash away a vehicle. (p. 112)
  9. On slippery roads, start slowing down at least three times sooner than you normally would before a turn or stop. (p. 113)
  10. If stranded in heavy snow, stay with your vehicle. (p. 115)

Taken from the explanations to checked practice questions; page numbers link to the official handbook.

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Sample conditions, emergencies and crashes questions

  1. 1.You back into a parked car with no one in it and can't find the owner. Damage looks to be about $2,000. What must you do?

    • AWait 1 hour, then drive away
    • BDrive away, since no one was hurt
    • CLeave a note; police aren't needed
    • DLeave a note and also notify police
    Show the answer

    ✓ D. Leave a note and also notify police

    If you hit an unattended vehicle, try to find the owner or leave a note with your name and number. Notify police if damage is over $1,500 or someone is hurt.

    Source: Idaho Driver's Handbook (July 2026), page 119

  2. 2.You think your car has started to hydroplane. What should you do?

    • ASpeed up to push through the water
    • BEase off the gas and keep going straight
    • CTurn sharply toward the shoulder
    • DBrake hard to stop right away
    Show the answer

    ✓ B. Ease off the gas and keep going straight

    If you hydroplane, keep moving straight, slowly ease off the gas and don't stop or turn quickly until the tires grip again.

    Source: Idaho Driver's Handbook (July 2026), page 111

  3. 3.At what speed may your tires lose all contact with a wet road and hydroplane?

    • A25 mph
    • B35 mph
    • C45 mph
    • D55 mph
    Show the answer

    ✓ D. 55 mph

    Up to about 35 mph most tires grip wet roads. As speed rises they grip less, and at 55 mph they may hydroplane on a film of water.

    Source: Idaho Driver's Handbook (July 2026), page 111

  4. 4.You are going down a long, steep mountain grade. How should you control your speed?

    • ATurn off the engine to save fuel
    • BShift into neutral and coast
    • CRide the brakes the whole way
    • DUse a lower gear
    Show the answer

    ✓ D. Use a lower gear

    In the mountains, use a lower gear to control speed going down long hills, and never coast in neutral or with the clutch pressed.

    Source: Idaho Driver's Handbook (July 2026), page 107