Before drivers who are younger than 17 can obtain a full, unrestricted driver's license, Idaho requires them to hold a supervised instruction permit (sometimes called a "learner's permit").
Teen drivers who are between the ages of 14 years, 6 months, and 16 are eligible to participate in the Idaho graduated driver's license program. This program is similar to other graduated license programs across the United States and helps limit high-risk driving situations for the teen driver while increasing parental involvement and supervision.
Idaho's graduated driver's license program has three steps:
Idaho also has a restricted school attendance driving permit for teens who live in small school districts and need to drive to and from school. (Idaho Code § 49-307A (2024).)
A supervised instruction permit allows teenagers to drive with adult supervision to gain experience before obtaining a full driver's license.
Teenagers who are 17 or younger can apply for a supervised instruction permit. The general requirements for obtaining a permit are:
(Idaho Code § 49-305 (2024).)
As early as 14 years, 6 months, a teen can obtain a student driver training permit to drive with an instructor only during class. An applicant must:
(Idaho Code §§ 49-303a, 305, 306, 310 (2024).)
The driver education class requirements are:
After completing the above requirements, the instructor will give the permit to the teen's parent or guardian. At that point, the permit will become a supervised instruction permit. (Beginning July 1, 2024, teenagers living in some rural areas may receive driving instruction—including 92 hours of instruction—from a licensed parent or legal guardian instead of taking a driver education class.) (Idaho Code §§ 33-1702, 49-307 (2024).)
The supervised instruction permit holder must drive for a minimum of 6 months without a traffic violation. If the permit holder is convicted of a traffic violation, the state will cancel the permit and the driver must apply for another one and begin the process again. (Idaho Code § 49-307 (2024).)
While the supervised instruction permit holder is driving a motor vehicle, a licensed driver who is 21 or older must occupy the front seat next to the permit holder. No other passengers are allowed in the front seat, and all passengers must wear safety belts or use a child safety seat. The teen driver must carry the supervised instruction permit at all times while driving. (Idaho Code § 49-307 (2024).)
A teen driver with a supervised instruction permit must accrue a minimum of 50 hours of driving time. The 50 hours must include 10 hours of nighttime driving. The permit holder will become eligible for a driver's license after completing the required hours and driving for 6 months without a traffic violation. Before receiving a license, the applicant must pass a driving skills and written knowledge test. (Idaho Code § 49-307 (2024).)
After completing all of the supervised instruction permit requirements, drivers who are younger than 17 first must obtain a driver's license with restrictions. Specifically, they won't be able to have more than one passenger younger than 17 who isn't related to the driver by blood, adoption, or marriage. This passenger restriction only applies to the first six months that the driver is licensed. Additionally, 15-year-old drivers are allowed to drive only during daylight hours—unless a licensed driver who is at least 21 is sitting in the front passenger seat. (Idaho Code § 49-307 (2024).)
After completing each step of Idaho's graduated driver's license program, a teen will have a full license with no restrictions.
A teenager who hasn't completed the graduated license program and who is 17 or older can apply for a full driver's license. To get a license, a 17-year-old must:
Applicants who are 18 or older don't have to comply with the above education requirements to obtain a driver's license. (Idaho Code §§ 49-303, 49-303a (2024).)
It's illegal to drive a vehicle on the roadways of Idaho without minimum liability insurance. The amounts listed below are the minimum coverage amounts allowed by law.
(Idaho Code § 49-117(20) (2024).)
During vehicle registration, you must sign a document certifying that your vehicle meets these minimum liability requirements. Drivers must carry proof of insurance with them in their vehicles. If you are a parent or guardian of a teen driver, you might want to contact your insurance provider about their insurance requirements.