Idaho Code
Idaho Code

Idaho Code § 49-625 (2026)

Operation of vehicles on approach of authorized emergency or police vehicles. 

✓ current as of May 2026
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Operation of vehicles on approach of authorized emergency or police vehicles. 

(1) Upon the immediate approach of an authorized emergency or police vehicle making use of an audible or visible signal, meeting the requirements of section 49-623, Idaho Code, the driver of every other vehicle shall yield the right-of-way and immediately drive to a position parallel to, and as close as possible to, the nearest edge or curb on the right side of the highway and clear of any intersection, and stop and remain in that position until the authorized emergency or police vehicle has passed, except when otherwise directed by a peace officer.

(2)  This section shall not operate to relieve the driver of an authorized emergency or police vehicle from the duty to drive with due regard for the safety of all persons using the highway.
Notes of Decisions
Cited in 15 cases (1 in the last 5 years), 1989–2021 · leading case: State v. Irvin C. Ray, 286 P.3d 1114 (Idaho 2012).
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State v. Irvin C. Ray, 286 P.3d 1114 (Idaho 2012). · cites it 28× “4 I.C. § 49-625 (2008). The current statute provides that upon the approach of an authorized emergency or police vehicle using an audible or visual signal that meets statutory requirements, the driver of every other vehicle shall immediately pull over “and stop and remain in…”
State v. Willoughby, 211 P.3d 91 (Idaho 2009). · cites it 10× “Idaho Code § 49-625 (1) provides as follows: Upon the immediate approach of an authorized emergency or police vehicle making use of an audible or visible signal, meeting the requirements of section 49-623, Idaho Code, the driver of every other vehicle shall yield the…”
State v. Maddox, 54 P.3d 464 (Idaho Ct. App. 2002). · cites it 8× “See I.C. § 49-625; Mireles, 133 Idaho at 692 , 991 P.”
State v. Roark, 103 P.3d 481 (Idaho Ct. App. 2004). · cites it 6× “Idaho Code § 49-625 requires drivers to stop when approached by a police vehicle with activated emergency lights and to remain stopped until the police vehicle has passed “except when otherwise directed by a peace officer.”
State v. Jose Perez-Jungo, 329 P.3d 391 (Idaho Ct. App. 2014). · cites it 4× “1999) (finding that use of emergency lights created a de facto detention based on I.C. § 49-625 and I.C. § 49-1404); but see State v.”
State v. Nathan David Neal, 362 P.3d 514 (Idaho 2015). · cites it 4× “When turning, “[b]oth the approach for a right turn and the right turn shall be made as close as practicable to the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway.” I.C. § 49-644(1). A driver must immediately drive “as close as possible to the nearest edge or curb of the highway” upon…”
State v. Gutierrez, 51 P.3d 461 (Idaho Ct. App. 2002). · cites it 2× “See I.C. § 49-625 (requiring that drivers stop upon the approach of a police vehicle using emergency lights and remain stopped until the police vehicle has passed or the driver has been otherwise directed by a police officer); I.”
State v. Pick, 861 P.2d 1266 (Idaho Ct. App. 1993). · cites it 4× “Idaho Code § 49-625 prescribes the operation of vehicles approached by authorized emergency or police vehicles and requires a motorist to stop and remain in a position parallel to the nearest edge or curb until the emergency or police vehicle has passed.”
State v. Mireles, 991 P.2d 878 (Idaho Ct. App. 1999). · cites it 4× “Here by contrast, Hulse's act of turning on the overhead lights, although not necessarily intended to create a detention, did constitute a technical, de facto detention commanding Mireles to remain stopped pursuant to I.C. § 49-625. A person is seized within the meaning of the…”
State v. Waldie, 893 P.2d 811 (Idaho Ct. App. 1995). · cites it 2× “The State counters that: (1) the activation of the patrol car’s overhead lights did not constitute a seizure, and thus the Fourth Amendment was not implicated, and (2) even if there was a seizure it was justified based upon a reasonable suspicion of criminal activity.”
State v. Monaghan, 783 P.2d 311 (Idaho Ct. App. 1989). · cites it 2× “§ 49-645 (repealed in 1988 and replaced by I.C. § 49-625). At the time, I.C. § 49-645 provided: (1) Upon the immediate approach of an authorized emergency vehicle making use of an audible or visible signal, meeting the requirements of section 49-606, Idaho Code, the driver of…”
State v. Elwood (Idaho Ct. App. 2021). · cites it 28× “Elwood argues that the magistrate and district courts erred in their interpretation of Idaho Code § 49-625 by finding that the officer who stopped her vehicle had reasonable suspicion that she violated the statute.”
Show all 15 citing cases →
— Idaho Code § 49-625(1) — 3 cases
State v. Irvin C. Ray, 286 P.3d 1114 (Idaho 2012). “4 I.C. § 49-625 (2008). The current statute provides that upon the approach of an authorized emergency or police vehicle using an audible or visual signal that meets statutory requirements, the driver of every other vehicle shall immediately pull over “and stop and remain in…”
State v. Irvin C. Ray (Idaho Ct. App. 2010).
State v. Conrad Walter Petersen (Idaho Ct. App. 2013).
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