You shouldn’t drive in reverse down a main road. But is it actually illegal in Idaho?
We’ve all thought about it. You’re driving in an unfamiliar area and missed your turn or accidentally drove past a parking spot on a busy night, and you absolutely can’t miss the opportunity to take it.
What’s the easiest solution? To quickly back up your car and pull into that parking spot or take the road you meant to take?
Maybe. But is that legal under Idaho law? Here’s what to know.
Idaho laws on driving in reverse
Idaho’s laws on driving in reverse aren’t expansive, but they have clear parameters.
Section 49-604 of the Idaho Statutes states that a driver cannot back the vehicle up in the opposite direction of traffic unless the movement can be made safely without interfering with other traffic.
The statutes also outline that a vehicle isn’t allowed to reverse in any lane or the shoulder of a highway.
But otherwise, state laws don’t outline how far back a person can reverse.
“Based on strict reading, backing is not limited as long it is performed safely and does not interfere with other traffic,” Aaron Snell, spokesperson for the Idaho State Police, told the Idaho Statesman on Tuesday via email.
Can you get a ticket driving backwards?
The Idaho statutes also don’t outline the punishment for dangerously backing up, but Snell said that approximately 78 infractions had been issued in Idaho since 2020.
An infraction is considered a civil public offense, which isn’t considered a crime under Idaho law. But an infraction is still punishable under Idaho law with a fine not exceeding $300.
