DMV Driver Handbook in Idaho
In Idaho, the Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) offers a series of driving manuals to help you get your driver's license, including the ID driver's manual, commercial driving manual, and motorcycle operator's manual. Also available online is the Idaho Vehicle Code.
DMV handbooks are designed as road rules and regulations guides for new drivers and new Idaho residents. The driving manuals can help you learn the skills and laws you need to be a safe driver and help you prepare for your driving tests.
Continue reading this page to find links to the various drivers manuals and DMV handbooks available in Idaho.
Idaho Driver's Handbook
The Idaho Driver's Manual (REV 2022) provides the information you need to learn basic driving skills and pass the Idaho driver license exams. The DMV handbook is also available in Spanish as the Manual de Choferes (REV 2024).
Topics in the drivers handbook include:
- Traffic laws.
- Driving while impaired by alcohol or drugs.
- Signs, signals, and markings.
- Basic driving skills.
- Driving in dangerous weather.
- Driving on the freeway.
You'll also find information in the DMV manual about:
- Driver's licensing process.
- Vehicle registration requirements.
- Suspended driver's licenses.
To prepare for your written driver's license test, you can read and study the Idaho driving manual.
Although studying the Idaho driver's manual is an excellent way to prepare for your written test, we also recommend preparing with an online practice test to ensure that you've learned all of the information in the driver's handbook. You can refresh your questions and retest yourself as many times as you need!
If you're getting a commercial driver's license (CDL) or motorcycle license, read below for specific ID DMV handbooks for those licenses and vehicles.
Motorcycle Operator Manual
Before applying for a motorcycle license in Idaho, you'll need the Idaho Motorcycle Operator's Manual (REV 2021).
In the ID DMV handbook for motorcycle operation, you'll find information about safely operating a motorcycle, such as:
- How to prepare for riding a motorcycle.
- How to navigate intersections.
- How to deal with mechanical problems.
- How to handle dangerous surfaces.
- Basic vehicle control techniques.
- How to share the road with other vehicles and bicyclists.
The DMV handbook also covers important steps in the Idaho motorcycle licensing process, including:
- How to apply for an ID motorcycle license.
- What to expect when taking your knowledge and skills tests.
Read below to learn more about using the driver's handbook to prepare for your licensing tests.
Studying the Motorcycle Drivers Handbook
You should read and review the motorcycle driving manual to prepare for your written test.
To get more help in studying the ID DMV handbook contents, you can take an Idaho motorcycle practice test online. Practice tests also help you determine whether you need to study the driver's handbook more before taking the Idaho DMV written test, and which areas need more preparation.
NOTE: If you're getting your first Idaho driver's license, you should also read and review the general driver's manual for information about road signs, driving rules, and other traffic regulations.
Commercial Driver's Manual in Idaho
Before you can obtain your commercial driver's license (CDL) in Idaho, you'll need to pass the CDL written and skills exams. You will need to read the ID Commercial Driver's License Manual (REV 2024) to learn the information and skills required for commercial drivers.
The commercial driving manual is also offered in Spanish: Manual para Licencia de Conductor Comercial (REV 2024).
What's in the Idaho Commercial Driver's Manual?
Within the Idaho DMV manual for CDLs, you'll learn about about commercial driving topics including:
- How to drive a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) safely.
- Pre-trip inspections.
- Backing safely.
- Shifting gears.
- Transporting hazardous materials.
- Transporting passengers and cargo.
You'll also find information about the commercial licensing process in the driver's handbook, including:
- CDL instruction permits.
- How to apply for a commercial driver license (CDL).
- Idaho CDL skills test.
Studying with the DMV Manual
The driver's handbook for commercial licenses contains all of the information covered by the written test you must pass to get your CDL.
The Idaho DMV handbook for CDLs contains series of sample questions so you know what to expect when it comes time to take your Idaho DMV written exam.
You can also take a CDL practice test online to test your knowledge of the information in the commercial drivers manual.
NOTE: If you're new to Idaho, you may also want to study the ID driving manual for more information about the state's traffic rules and regulations.
Idaho Vehicle Code
You can browse through the ID Motor Vehicle Code to learn more about the driving and vehicle laws covered in the ID drivers handbook and other DMV manuals, as well as traffic school, dealer licensing, and related topics.
Using the ID Vehicle Code
The Idaho Vehicle Code offers more detail about driving rules and regulations than ID DMV handbooks and driving manuals. The code contains the actual laws that drivers must obey and is written in more formal legal language than Idaho driver's manuals.
Reading the Idaho traffic code may be helpful if you've received a traffic ticket and need more detail than the DMV manual provides to help you fight the charge. To learn more about responding to a citation, visit our Traffic Tickets page.