Idaho Driving & Vehicles Laws (2026)
A comprehensive legal reference for driving & vehicles in the state of Idaho. This guide covers current statutes, penalties, and restrictions for 8 different categories.
Driving Barefoot
LEGALIdaho law does not prohibit driving barefoot. There are no statutes in the Idaho Code that regulate footwear while operating a motor vehicle.
State Law
None
Practical Considerations
None
Penalties
N/A
Lane Splitting (Motorcycles)
ILLEGALIdaho law does not allow lane splitting. Idaho Code §49-720 prohibits motorcycles from riding between lanes of traffic except when overtaking another vehicle in the same lane.
Lane Splitting Rules
No specific rules related to lane splitting possession.
Lane Filtering Rules
No specific rules related to lane splitting sale or purchase.
Penalties
Violations are treated as moving violations with fines and possible points on the driver's license.
License Requirements
None
License Plate Covers
RESTRICTEDLicense plate covers are restricted in Idaho. Beginning July 1, 2026, Idaho will no longer require annual registration stickers on license plates.
Usage Rules
Clear covers may be legal; tinted/smoked covers illegal
Purchase & Sale
Legal to sell clear covers
Penalties
Traffic citation and fines for obscured plates.
Age Restriction
N/A
Radar Detectors
LEGALRadar Detectors are legal in Idaho. Idaho Code does not prohibit radar detectors in passenger vehicles, though commercial vehicles have restrictions.
Passenger Vehicle Use
Legal for private passenger vehicles; prohibited in commercial vehicles over 10,000 pounds.
Commercial Vehicle Rules
No restrictions on sale or purchase.
Penalties
N/A for private vehicles; fines may apply for commercial vehicle violations.
Age Restriction
None
Radar Jammers
ILLEGALRadar jammers are federally illegal in all states including Idaho under FCC regulations. There have been no recent legislative changes in Idaho regarding laser jammers.
State Law
Radar jammers: federally illegal. Laser jammers: legal
Federal Law
Laser jammers may be sold; radar jammers illegal
Penalties
Federal penalties for radar jammers. Laser jammers are unregulated.
Age Restriction
N/A
Right Turn on Red
LEGALRight turn on red is legal in Idaho after coming to a complete stop and yielding to pedestrians and cross traffic, unless a sign prohibits it at a specific intersection. No significant changes to the right-turn-on-red law for vehicles have been reported in 2023-2024.
General Rule
Legal after complete stop
Exceptions & Restrictions
N/A
Penalties
Traffic violation if sign prohibits it at specific intersection.
Driver Requirements
N/A
Studded Snow Tires
LEGALStudded Snow Tires are legal in Idaho. The law was amended in 2015 to allow for retractable studs, a significant change reflecting new technology.
Usage Rules
Legal during winter season only
Seasonal Restrictions
Legal
Penalties
Fines for use outside the permitted season.
Age Restriction
N/A
Window Tinting
RESTRICTEDIdaho law requires front side windows to allow at least 35% of light in, while rear side and back windows may have any darkness. Windshield tinting is only allowed above the AS-1 line. These rules are found in Idaho Code § 49-936.
Tint Limits (VLT %)
Vehicles must comply with tint limits when operated; possession of illegal tint film is not specifically prohibited.
Medical Exemptions
Sale of non-compliant tint films is not explicitly regulated but tint installers must follow state law.
Penalties
Violations can result in fines and orders to remove illegal tint.
Age Restriction
None