Speed Limits & Following Distance — Idaho
Idaho motorcycle permit practice test: 295 free practice questions (Based on the official driver handbook). The official format is not yet verified; check the official site before your test. Speed Limits & Following Distance: 17 questions.
Posted speed limits, school and construction zones, stopping and following distance.
This topic page is still being reviewed against the official handbook. Until review is finished it is hidden from search engines.
| Topic / Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Topic | Speed Limits & Following Distance |
| License test | Idaho Motorcycle permit test |
| Topic questions | 17 (6% of 295 total) |
| Review status | This topic page is still being reviewed against the official handbook. Until review is finished it is hidden from search engines. |
Official handbook
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Questions (17)
1. The normal recommended following distance should be extended if:
- The pavement is slippery. ✓
- The sun is shining.
- You believe stopping will be routine.
Answer: A. The pavement is slippery.
You should extend your normal following distance when the pavement is slippery. The manual sets a two-second gap as the minimum space cushion for stopping or swerving, then says a larger cushion is needed whenever your motorcycle will take longer than normal to stop. It names slippery pavement as one of the cases where you should open up a three-second or more following distance. Poor traction on wet or gravelly surfaces is why stopping takes longer, so the normal gap is not enough there.
2. Usually a good way to handle tailgaters is to:
- Get off the roadway.
- Change lanes and let them pass. ✓
- Ride faster.
Answer: B. Change lanes and let them pass.
Change lanes and let the tailgater pass. The manual's tailgater item gives the answer as changing lanes and letting the tailgater pass. The rider section also says to let them pass; if you cannot, it says to slow down and open extra space ahead, and it mentions turning off the roadway as a fallback. That makes changing lanes and letting them pass the usual response, rather than trying to outrun the vehicle behind you.
3. If a motorcycle is towing a trailer, the motorcyclist's following distance should:
- Increase. ✓
- Decrease.
- Be the same as it normally would be.
Answer: A. Increase.
4. When attempting to pass another vehicle, you should:
- Ride within the posted speed limits. ✓
- Exceed the posted speed limit to complete the pass, but not by more than 10 mph.
- Pass more than one vehicle at a time.
Answer: A. Ride within the posted speed limits.
When you pass another vehicle, you must finish the pass within the posted speed limit. The passing section of the manual walks you through the move: set up in the left portion of the lane at a safe following distance, signal, check mirrors and turn your head for the blind spot, then move into the left lane and accelerate. It closes by saying passes must be completed within posted speed limits and only where permitted. So speed is one of the limits on a pass, not something you get to trade away to finish it faster.
5. When passing a vehicle, you:
- May exceed the speed limit by 10 mph.
- Must not exceed the speed limit. ✓
- Are required to ride faster than the speed limit.
Answer: B. Must not exceed the speed limit.
6. A good way to handle a tailgater is to:
- Speed up.
- Allow them to get in front of you. ✓
- Make gestures at them.
Answer: B. Allow them to get in front of you.
Allow the tailgater to get in front of you. The manual says speeding up to lose a close follower can just leave you with someone tailgating at a higher speed. Its better approach is to get the tailgater in front of you; the same section says to let them pass, and if you cannot, slow down and leave extra space ahead so both of you have room to stop. That is why allowing them to get in front is the recommended choice.
7. Under normal conditions, a motorcyclist should maintain a following distance of at least:
- Two seconds. ✓
- Three seconds.
- Four seconds.
Answer: A. Two seconds.
Under normal conditions, maintain a following distance of at least two seconds. The manual says following too closely is a common factor in motorcycle crashes and that motorcycles normally need a minimum of two seconds behind the vehicle ahead. To check it, pick a marker such as a pavement marking or lamppost. When the rear of the vehicle ahead passes it, count “one-thousand-one, one-thousand-two.” If you reach the marker before you finish counting, you are too close. The manual says this gap gives you minimum room to stop or swerve and a better view of hazards.
8. When being followed by a tailgater, you should:
- Change lanes and let them pass or slow down to allow for more space ahead of your motorcycle. ✓
- Ignore them.
- Increase your speed.
Answer: A. Change lanes and let them pass or slow down to allow for more space ahead of your motorcycle.
Change lanes and let the tailgater pass; if you cannot, slow down and leave more space ahead of your motorcycle. The manual says a good way to handle a tailgater is to change lanes and let them pass. If that is not possible, slow down and open extra space ahead so both you and the tailgater have room to stop. That extra space also encourages the tailgater to pass, and if they do not, it gives both of you more time and room to react to an emergency ahead.
9. A good way to handle a tailgater is to:
- Encourage the tailgater to pass by slowing down or changing lanes. ✓
- Speed up to put distance between you and the tailgater.
- Ignore the tailgater.
Answer: A. Encourage the tailgater to pass by slowing down or changing lanes.
Let the tailgater get past you by changing lanes when it is safe or by slowing down so they can pass. The manual says your goal with a tailgater is to let them get past you. If you cannot move over, slow down and leave more room in front of you. That extra space gives both you and the tailgater more room to stop, and it also nudges them to pass. If they still do not pass, you have at least gained time and space to react if something develops ahead. Speeding up or ignoring the situation does not follow this approach.
10. To avoid confusing other drivers, you should:
- Increase your following distance.
- Turn off your turn signal after you complete a turn or lane change. ✓
- Use your horn only in emergency situations.
Answer: B. Turn off your turn signal after you complete a turn or lane change.
Turn off your turn signal after you complete a turn or lane change. The handbook says a turn signal tells others what you plan to do, and switching it on before a turn reduces confusion around you. It then warns that after you turn, you must make sure the signal is off. If it stays blinking, a driver may think you intend to turn again and pull into your path. The passing section also says to cancel the signal after returning to your lane. That is why completing a turn or lane change and then turning off the signal is the answer.
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Last checked: 2026-10-17 · Verified from official source
Updated: · Based on the official driver handbook