Signs, signals and markings in Idaho

By the end of this topic you can

• You can identify sign types by color and shape.
• You can respond correctly to each traffic signal, including flashing arrows.
• You can read yellow and white lane lines and know when passing is allowed.
• You can respond to a pedestrian hybrid beacon and road barricades.

What you need to know and understand

• Regulatory signs are usually black and white or red and white.
• Most warning signs are black on yellow and diamond-shaped. School signs may be fluorescent yellow-green.
• Work zone warning signs are orange and black.
• Guide signs: green for directions and distances, blue for motorist services, brown for recreation and points of interest.
• A pennant-shaped sign on the left side of the road marks the start of a no-passing zone.
• An open range sign means livestock may roam unfenced and have the right-of-way.

Reading the signal heads

• Flashing red: stop fully, yield, then go when clear, as at a stop sign.
• Steady yellow: stop if you safely can; if already in the intersection, clear it.
• Flashing yellow: slow down and proceed with caution.
• Flashing yellow arrow: you may turn after yielding to oncoming traffic and pedestrians.
• Steady red arrow: no turn in that direction until a green or yellow allows it.
• Doghouse signal: usually a protected left turn; the yellow arrow means the protected phase is ending.

The pedestrian hybrid beacon

1. The signal is dark until a pedestrian pushes the button.
2. A flashing yellow light warns you to slow down.
3. A steady yellow means prepare to stop.
4. Two steady red lights mean stop at the stop line and stay stopped.
5. Alternating flashing reds mean stop, then go once the crosswalk is clear.
6. When the signal goes dark again, normal driving resumes.

Lines on the road and barricades

Yellow lines separate traffic going in opposite directions. A dashed yellow line allows passing from either side when safe. With a solid and a dashed line together, only the driver on the dashed side may cross to pass. Double solid yellow lines mean no passing, though you may cross them to turn left into or out of a driveway. A shared center turn lane, marked with solid and dashed yellow lines on each side, is only for left turns and permitted U-turns, never for travel.

White lines separate lanes going the same way. Dashed white lines may be crossed when safe; avoid crossing a single solid white line, and never cross double solid white lines. A solid white line with a bicycle symbol marks a bike lane. Barricades are red and white (permanent) or orange and white (temporary). Stripes angled down to the left mean pass on the left, angled down to the right mean pass on the right, and a V pattern means the road is closed.

Common mistakes

• Treating a flashing yellow arrow like a green arrow. You must still yield to oncoming traffic.
• Driving along a center turn lane to reach a turn far ahead.
• Going around a road closed barricade because the road looks clear.
• Driving away from a beacon on flashing red without first stopping.

Test yourself: Signs, signals and markings in Idaho

Answer each question, then read the explanation. Questions come in a random order each time.

Go deeper

• Idaho GDL Rules and the Supervised Instruction Permit
• Idaho Permit Test
• Idaho Parent-Led Driver Training