Your tires begin riding on water and steering response fades. What should you do first?
Correct answer: Ease off the accelerator gradually and avoid abrupt braking or turning.
Reduce demand on the tires gently and keep a straight course while traction returns. Sudden turns or stops can cause a skid.
Source: Idaho Driver's Handbook, July 2026; printed/PDF p. 111 — Rain and Hydroplaning ↗
Water covers the road ahead and you cannot judge its depth or the pavement condition. What should you do?
Correct answer: Turn around and find a safe alternate route.
Never drive through a flooded roadway. Water can hide a missing road surface and may sweep a vehicle away.
Source: Idaho Driver's Handbook, July 2026; printed/PDF p. 112 — Flash Floods ↗
You enter a shaded stretch that may be icy. Which combination is safest?
Correct answer: Lower speed, gentler steering and braking, more space, and no cruise control.
Shaded areas, bridges and overpasses can stay icy. Use gentle inputs, allow extra stopping space and avoid cruise control on wet or icy roads.
Source: Idaho Driver's Handbook, July 2026; printed/PDF p. 113 — Winter Driving ↗
Your vehicle becomes stranded while heavy snow is falling. What does the handbook generally recommend?
Correct answer: Stay with the vehicle and summon help.
The handbook warns that leaving the car in heavy snow can lead to becoming lost and freezing. Prepare supplies and let someone know your travel plan.
Source: Idaho Driver's Handbook, July 2026; printed/PDF p. 115 — Getting Stranded During Winter Weather ↗
If you run a stranded vehicle for warmth, what must you check?
Correct answer: That the exhaust pipe is clear of snow.
Snow blocking the exhaust creates a dangerous exhaust-gas risk. Keep the pipe clear and make the vehicle visible to rescue crews.
Source: Idaho Driver's Handbook, July 2026; printed/PDF p. 114 — Getting Stranded During Winter Weather — exhaust ↗
Your car's rear wheels slide to the right. What does the handbook advise?
Correct answer: Ease off the accelerator and steer to the right to correct the skid, without slamming the brakes.
For this rear-wheel skid, steer in the direction the rear is sliding and avoid abrupt braking. Recover smoothly rather than overcorrecting.
Source: Idaho Driver's Handbook, July 2026; printed/PDF p. 116 — Skidding — Recovery ↗
During hard braking in a car with ABS, the pedal pulses and you hear pump noise. What should you do?
Correct answer: Keep continuous firm pressure and steer as needed; do not pump the pedal.
Pulsation and pump noise can be normal ABS operation. Follow the vehicle instructions and maintain continuous pressure instead of defeating the system by pumping.
Source: Idaho Driver's Handbook, July 2026; printed/PDF p. 116 — Stopping Quickly — ABS ↗
During an emergency stop without ABS, the wheels lock and the car starts skidding. What should you do?
Correct answer: Ease off the brake to restore traction, then reapply without locking the wheels.
Brake as firmly as possible without locking. If lockup occurs, release enough to stop the skid and reapply as control returns.
Source: Idaho Driver's Handbook, July 2026; printed/PDF p. 117 — Stopping Quickly Without ABS ↗
Your car develops a problem but can still be steered. What is the safest place to stop?
Correct answer: Fully off the roadway if possible, with emergency flashers and good visibility to approaching drivers.
Get out of traffic when possible and make the vehicle visible. Avoid locations where approaching drivers cannot see the stopped car in time.
Source: Idaho Driver's Handbook, July 2026; printed/PDF p. 117 — If You Have Car Trouble ↗
An oncoming car is entering your lane. With room to react, which direction should you generally use to escape?
Correct answer: Slow and move right as far as safely possible, warning the other driver.
The handbook advises slowing, warning and moving right. Moving left can put you in the other driver's recovery path.
Source: Idaho Driver's Handbook, July 2026; printed/PDF p. 119 — Oncoming Car in Your Lane ↗
A tire suddenly blows out at highway speed. What should you do first?
Correct answer: Hold the wheel firmly, keep straight and ease off the accelerator before braking gently once controlled.
Maintain direction and regain control before applying gentle braking and pulling off safely. Abrupt braking can worsen the loss of control.
Source: Idaho Driver's Handbook, July 2026; printed/PDF p. 120 — Tire Blowouts ↗
Your right wheels drop off the pavement onto a usable shoulder. What should you do?
Correct answer: Keep straight, ease off, slow gently and return only when safe without oversteering.
Stay controlled and slow before steering back. A sharp correction can send the vehicle across the road.
Source: Idaho Driver's Handbook, July 2026; printed/PDF p. 120 — Running Off the Road ↗
You are descending a long mountain grade. Which technique helps control speed?
Correct answer: Use an appropriate lower gear; do not coast in neutral.
The handbook directs using a lower gear on long descents and prohibits coasting by disengaging the engine.
Source: Idaho Driver's Handbook, July 2026; printed/PDF p. 107 — Mountain Driving ↗
You see an elk near the road edge. What should you anticipate?
Correct answer: It or other nearby animals may enter the road; slow and retain control.
Large wildlife may move suddenly and herd animals often have others nearby. Slow, look for more animals and avoid creating a worse crash through an uncontrolled swerve.
Source: Idaho Driver's Handbook, July 2026; printed/PDF p. 107 — Wildlife Areas; continued p. 108 ↗
Idaho does not require an annual vehicle safety inspection. Does that make it acceptable to drive with unsafe brakes?
Correct answer: No; the driver is responsible for correcting unsafe equipment.
The absence of annual inspection does not permit operating a mechanically unsafe vehicle. Correct equipment defects before driving.
Source: Idaho Driver's Handbook, July 2026; printed/PDF p. 38 — Vehicle Equipment and Safety ↗
A tire has only 1/32 inch of remaining tread. How does it compare with the handbook's stated minimum?
Correct answer: It is below the 2/32-inch minimum.
The handbook specifies at least 2/32 inch of tread. Worn tires reduce traction, particularly on wet roads.
Source: Idaho Driver's Handbook, July 2026; printed/PDF p. 39 — Required Equipment — Tires ↗
You have scraped a small opening in a snow-covered windshield. Is that enough to start driving?
Correct answer: No; clear snow, frost and other obstructions from the windows needed for full visibility.
Keep the windows and windshield clear before driving. A small opening does not provide the required view around the vehicle.
Source: Idaho Driver's Handbook, July 2026; printed/PDF p. 40 — Windows and Windshields ↗
A load blocks your view through the rear window. What mirrors does the handbook require?
Correct answer: An outside mirror on each side of the vehicle.
When a load or trailer obscures the normal rear-window view, both side mirrors are required to supply the rearward view.
Source: Idaho Driver's Handbook, July 2026; printed/PDF p. 40 — Required Equipment — Mirrors ↗
In an ordinary car equipped with factory seat belts, who should be restrained under the handbook rule?
Correct answer: The driver and all passengers, using appropriate belts or required child restraints.
The stated rule covers all occupants of equipped vehicles. Rear seating and a short trip do not remove the need for restraint.
Source: Idaho Driver's Handbook, July 2026; printed/PDF p. 41 — Seat Belts and Shoulder Straps ↗
You transport a 6-year-old in an ordinary modern passenger car. What does Idaho's handbook require?
Correct answer: A properly used approved child safety seat.
The handbook states that children six years old or younger must be properly protected in approved child safety seats. Choose and install the restraint according to its instructions.
Source: Idaho Driver's Handbook, July 2026; printed/PDF p. 41 — Child Restraints Are Required ↗
