Idaho Public Driver Education
Traffic Control Devices and
Traffic Laws
Idaho Traffic Laws
You must stop:
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Before a stop line or crosswalk.
If there are no lines, stop before entering the intersection.
For any red light or sign, flashing or solid.
For a pedestrian crossing within a marked or unmarked crosswalk.
At a railway crossing when a train is coming or when train signals, gates, or signs indicate an
approaching train.
When entering a street from an alley, building, driveway, or private road.
At the request of any police officer.
For emergency or police vehicles sounding a siren or flashing red or blue lights.
For a school bus that is loading or unloading students or has it’s stop sign out or flashing
lights on. You must stop for a school bus on a road with less then four total lanes.
When involved in a wreck.
Speed Limits
• The Basic Rule: No matter what the posted speed, you must
judge the situation and conditions and adjust your speed
accordingly.
• The maximum speed on a freeway is 75mph,
65mph on a highway, and 35mph on city streets
(unless posted otherwise).
• It is illegal to drive so slowly that you disrupt the normal
flow of traffic.
• Observe posted speeds in school and construction zones to
protect students and workers (penalties are higher in these
areas).
To “yield” means to let another
vehicle or pedestrian go first.
You must yield:
• When there is a yield sign.
• To faster traffic. The law requires that you stay to the right when possible.
• When entering a street from an alley, driveway, or garage after stopping.
• At four way stops.
• At an unmarked or uncontrolled intersection.
• When stopped for cross traffic.
• Yield when making a left turn. Always yield to oncoming traffic.
• In school or construction zones.
• For emergency vehicles. Move to the right and stop.
No Parking Zones
On sidewalks
On the street-side of any other parked vehicle (double parking)
In intersections
Within 50 feet of railroad tracks
On bridges or overpasses
In front of a driveway
Within 15’ of a fire hydrant
Within 20’ of a crosswalk
Within 20’ of a fire station driveway
Within 30’ of a stop sign, yield sign, or traffic signal
On a freeway
Where prohibited by signs or a red, yellow, or white “no parking” curb.
In a handicapped parking space
Fact About Signaling & Turning
• You must signal when turning at an intersection or into a
driveway!
• You must signal when changing lanes.
• You must signal when entering or leaving the freeway.
• You must signal when pulling toward or away from the curb.
• You must signal 100 feet (about 5 seconds) before turning.
• In Idaho, you may turn right on a red light, after stopping.
• In Idaho, you may turn left on a red light, after stopping, and if
turning onto a one-way street.
Other Laws You Need
to Know!
• Headlights must be lighted from sunset to sunrise or when visibility is poor.
• You must dim your brights 500’ before meeting and 200’ before overtaking
another vehicle.
• It is illegal to engage in any vehicle race, exhibit of speed, or speed contest
on any public road, street, or highway.
• Windows and windshields must be kept clean and free of stickers, signs,
posters, except those required by law.
• When a load extends 4’ or more out the back, a red flag must be attached to
the load.
• It is illegal to drive recklessly or inattentively.
Traffic signs have three purposes:
1. Regulate traffic, movement or parking
2. Warn of potential dangers or road conditions
3. Provide information and guidance
Colors Have Meaning
Red
Green
Blue
Yellow
Black
White
Orange
Brown
Fluorescent Optic Yellow
Shapes Have Meaning
Octagon
Rectangle
Triangle
Pennant
Diamond
Rectangle
Pentagon
Circle
Crossbuck
Three Types of Signs
Regulatory
Warning
Guide
Where are they located?
Where must drivers stop?
Where are they located?
When must drivers yield?
SPEED LIMIT SIGNS
Speed Limits
 Urban Areas
 Parks
 Rural Interstate
 Urban Interstate
 School Zones
Railroad Crossing Warnings
RR sign or RR painted
on the pavement are
advanced warning
signs.
Crossbucks are yield signs.
The train has the right-of-way!
Flashing red lights
Bells
Gates
If you hear or see a train
Other Regulatory Signs
ORANGE is for Construction
REMEMBER
 Common Sense
 Caution
 Concentration
Types of Work Zones
Stationary
Moving
Work Areas
Work Areas
Markings Indicating Drivers are
Entering a Work Zone
Work Zones Areas
Work
Area
Buffer
Transition
Advance
Warning
E
N
D
Tips for Driving Through
Work Zones:
 Fines double in a work
zone!
 Proceed with extreme
caution
 Drive at the posted speed
 Watch out for workers
 Stay in your lane
 Report unsafe conditions
GUIDE SIGNS
US Route Marker
Intersections
 Controlled by signs and signals
 NOT Controlled by signs and
signals, multi-lanes, or pavement
 Single or two-lane road intersecting
with multiple-lane road
 Turning left
 Tee Intersections
 Railroad grade crossings
Signals
o Steady lights
o Flashing lights
o Signal/Sign combinations
NO
TURN
ON
RED
Dog House Signals
Pavement Markings
Multi-lane
Two lane rural
Left turn
only lane
ONE Way
TWO Way
Stop lines
Cross Walks
YELLOW LINES
• ALWAYS KEEP TO THE RIGHT OF A YELLOW LINE
BROKEN YELLOW LINES
• SEPARATES TRAFFIC GOING IN
OPPOSITE DIRECTIONS
• BOTH DIRECTIONS MAY CROSS
THIS LINE
• PASSING IS PERMITTED
YELLOW DOTS
• SEPARATES TRAFFIC
GOING IN OPPOSITE
DIRECTIONS
• LANE GUIDE MARKERS
• KEEP TO THE RIGHT OF
THIS LINE
SOLID YELLOW LINE
• SEPARATES TRAFFIC GOING IN
OPPOSITE DIRECTIONS
• KEEP TO THE RIGHT OF THIS LINE
• DO NOT CROSS EXCEPT WHEN
TURNING LEFT OFF OF THE
ROADWAY
DOUBLE SOLID
YELLOW LINES
• SEPARATES TRAFFIC GOING IN
OPPOSITE DIRECTIONS
• KEEP TO THE RIGHT
• BOTH DIRECTIONS OF TRAFFIC MAY
NOT CROSS
• BOTH DIRECTIONS CANNOT PASS
• LEFT TURNS FROM ROADWAY
PERMITTED
SOLID YELLOW WITH A YELLOW
BROKEN LINE
• TRAFFIC WITH THE SOLID
LINE CANNOT PASS
• TRAFFIC WITH THE
BROKEN LINE MAY PASS
WHITE LINES
SOLID WHITE
• DO NOT CROSS
• USUALLY A FOG LINE ALONG THE
RIGHT SIDE OF A ROADWAY
MARKING THE EDGE OF THE
TRAVEL PORTION OF A ROADWAY
• STAY TO THE LEFT OF THE FOG
LINE
BROKEN WHITE
• SEPARATES TRAFFIC
GOING IN THE SAME
DIRECTION
• ONE WAY STREETS
• DRIVERS MAY CROSS THIS
LINE
DOUBLE SOLID LINES
• SEPARATES TRAFFIC
GOING IN THE SAME
DIRECTION
• BOTH LANES OF TRAFFIC
CAN’T CROSS
BARRIER LINE
• TREAT THIS LINE AS IF IT
WERE A CONCRETE
BARRIER
• DO NOT CROSS
• THIS LINE IS TWICE AS WIDE
AS A NORMAL LANE LINE
Shared Turn Lanes
A poster used to promote carpooling during WWII
Car Pool
Lane
Passing Lane Markings
Open Range Law
The animals have the RIGHT OF WAY!