Starting July 1, Idaho drivers will be allowed to exceed the speed limit by up to 15 mph when passing a slower vehicle on a two-lane highway, thanks to House Bill 205. The goal is to make passing safer and more efficient in situations where drivers are stuck behind slow-moving vehicles with limited opportunities to pass.
However, there’s a catch: the new law doesn’t apply to all drivers. RVers are specifically excluded from taking advantage of this new rule.
Under Idaho’s previous law, drivers were not permitted to exceed the posted speed limit at any time, even while passing.
- You could make the fast-pass only on roadways that are divided into two lanes, with only one lane of traffic in each direction
- The speed limit must be at least 55 mph
- And outside of an incorporated city
The new law, according to its author, Senator Doug Okuniewicz, “will allow you, in that situation, to accelerate up to 15 mph above the speed limit when there is a special passing lane to overtake a car that is in front of you. Then you have to come right back down to the speed limit after you’re done.”
But here’s the hang-up for RVers. Any vehicle towing a trailer would NOT be allowed to speed to pass slowpokes. That means even highway speed driving rigs pulling a travel trailer or fifth wheel won’t be able to speed to pass slowpokes. What about motorhomes? Since the law specifically rules out speeding to pass when towing, if you have a toad car or trailer behind your rig, you’re definitely “out.”
Motorhomes and passing—could strike out if passing above speed limit
But what about motorhomes that are simply driving solo? Here’s what some might call a gray area. First the disclaimer: We’re not attorneys, nor do we play them on TV. It would seem that motorhome drivers might not be able to speed to pass slowpokes. The devil is in the details. The law states:
“Subject to all other applicable motor vehicles laws, a driver of a passenger car, motorcycle or pickup truck, not towing any other vehicle, may exceed the posted speed limit by up to fifteen (15) miles per hour while passing…”
Motorhomes are not specifically written into the speeding allowance. You might argue, is a Class B motorhome a motorhome, or a passenger car? Since vans are not specified, do van drivers get nailed if they speed to pass slowpokes?
This could be something that will end up in the courts for interpretation. Meanwhile, if you’re a motorhomer traveling in Idaho, use discretion.
Motorhomers look out! Fine print changes your maximum speed in Idaho
Finally, near the bottom of the law, there’s a little sneaker about speed limits. Listen up motorhome drivers! If your rig exceeds 26,000 pounds GVW and has five or more axles (towing), then these speed limits will apply in Idaho. On non-urban interstates: Your maximum speed is 10 mph less than smaller vehicles. For example, in a posted 75 mph zone, your limit is 65.
But listen up. On urban interstates, if your rig is 26,000 pounds—and even if you are NOT towing, your maximum speed allowed is 65 mph.
Speed to pass slowpokes? What’s your speed limit if driving a motorhome? You’ll probably need to put this on a Post-it note on the windshield.
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RVT1208b
I’ve followed this rule of thumb in every state that I go through. 10 to15 mph faster than the vehicle being passed and then slow back down to the posted speed limit. In 55 years of driving I have never heard of anyone being pulled over after a passing lane (at 10 to 15 mph over) if they slowed back down to the speed limit. Maybe some have, but I’ve never heard that complaint.
As long as you don’t do it with a cop behind you, or while having radar aimed at you, you’re good. What could go wrong?
Thank you, Russ and Tina! Good to know. Essentially is immaterial for us when traveling. That is, Randall Brink convinced me that traveling at a speed of 62-63 mph improves safety and fuel economy relative to traveling 65-68 mph. Thus, we are all but certain to be the passed slowpoke, whether in Idaho or elsewhere. Have a great day and safe travels!
Yep…same with us.
Saves a lot of frustration of constantly trying to overtake other vehicles. I’d rather just drive along @ 62 and let others pass me.
In Idaho you are also required to pull over in the first slow vehicle pullout if you have three or more vehicles behind you. I live here and did not know about this new law.
Traffic around the Boise area is nothing more than a rat race to death every time one unfortunately has to go to Boise for any reason. ^%? Bee..ess…the maniacs change a flat tire at 65. RV folks would do well to avoid Idaho at any cost.
Some of this sounds pretty complicated. That said, the intention for passing on a 2 Lane road is a good thing. In Florida we have a law that effectively allows people to speed. It’s a tougher version of the “can’t just drive in the left lane” law, (multi-lane roads). See if you read that law, and extrapolate it’s usage, they seem to want to make it easier for the speed demons who want to drive 20, 30 or more MPH above the speed limit.