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Idaho

A driver's license is a privilege, not a right. You need to earn it by reading the Idaho driver's manual and taking practice tests. The Idaho permit practice test and the Idaho driver's license renewal practice test are just a few examples.

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Idaho DMV Frequently Asked Questions

Table of Contents

  • After You Have Passed the Driving Exam (or Road Test)
  • Applying for Your Idaho License
  • Preparing For Your ID Driving Exam (Or Road Test)
  • Preparing For Your ID Permit Test
  • Renewing Your ID License
  • Taking Your ID Driving Exam (Or Road Test)
  • Taking Your ID Permit Test
  • What If I Failed My Road Test?
  • What If I'm Moving to Idaho or Just Visiting?
If I'm under 18, are there any limits to my driver's license?

Yes. Idaho uses a graduated driver's license (GDL) program, which gives you certain driving privileges over a period of time.

If you're 17 years old, you can ONLY drive with one passenger under 17 years old, unless they are an immediate family member. This restriction lasts the first 6 months you hold your license.

If you're 16 or younger, the following restrictions also apply:

  • You can only drive along during the day.
    • Night driving MUST be accompanied by a licensed driver who is at least 21 years old.
  • No passengers, other than the supervising driver, are allowed in the front seat.

What happens after I pass my ID road test?

What happens after you pass your ID road test depends on your age.

  • If you're under 18: You'll be granted your Idaho underage provisional license.
    • This is valid until 5 days after you turn 18.
  • If you're 18 or older: You're granted your full Idaho driver's license.

Once I have my permit, who can I drive with?

If you're under 16 years old, and driving on your supervised instruction permit, you will ONLY be allowed to drive with a certified driving instructor.

If you're 16 years old, and driving on your Idaho instruction permit, you can ONLY drive with someone who has their license and is at least 21 years old.

If you're 17 years old, you will only be able to have ONE passenger under 17 years old, unless they are a blood relative. This restriction applies to the first 6 months of driving.

Can I choose where I have my photo taken for my driver's license?

No. Your photo will be taken at whichever ID DMV office you go to when you're issued your permit.

Once I get my ID permit, what do I need to do before I can drive with my parents?

Once you get your Idaho instruction permit, you will be able to drive with anyone who is at least 21 years old and fully licensed.

What are the auto insurance requirements for ID drivers?

Idaho requires all motorists are required to carry:

  • Liability insurance that covers at least:
    • $25,000 per person for bodily injury.
    • $50,000 per accident.
  • Property damage liability coverage for at least $15,000.
  • Uninsured motorist coverage for at least:
    • $25,000 per person.
    • $50,000 per accident.

How To Get A Idaho Driver’s License

Driving is a fun way to exercise freedom, but every freedom comes with responsibility.

To earn the right to drive in Idaho, you’ll have to go through several steps along the way, to prove you can handle the task.

That process looks a little different, depending on your age and which type of vehicle you’re hoping to drive. But below is a primer on the many different ways you can get a driver’s license in Idaho.

Idaho Graduated Driver’s License Program (Age 14 ½-17)

The Idaho Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) follows a Graduated Driver’s License (GDL) program for minors.

This program issues a full driver’s license slowly over the course of several years, with more freedoms—and responsibilities—coming with each step.

Supervised Instruction Permit

The process starts with the Supervised Instruction Permit (SIP), which you can apply for once you’re at least 14 ½ years old. This credential allows you to legally drive in a driving school.

To get started, schedule an appointment with your nearest participating Idaho DMV office, and bring:

  • Proof of your:
    • Identity and age.
    • Lawful status in the U.S.
    • Idaho address.
    • Social Security number.
    • School enrollment.
  • A parent or legal guardian.
    • They must sign a consent form on your behalf.
  • The proper permit and administrative fees.

At this point, you’ll be issued your SIP. You will only be able to practice on this permit when driving with a certified driving instructor.

Instruction Permit

To upgrade your SIP—and gain a little more freedom—you’ll have to apply for your Idaho instruction permit.

To qualify, you’ll need to:

Schedule an appointment to take the test at the DMV, and bring:

  • Proof of the course completion.
  • The proper identifying documents.
  • Your supervised instruction permit.
  • The instruction permit and knowledge test fees.

Once the test is passed, the documents logged, and the fees are paid, the agency will upgrade you to an instruction permit.

While driving on this permit, you must be accompanied by at least one other licensed driver, age 21 or older.

Underage Driver’s License

BEFORE returning to the DMV to apply for your underage license, you’ll have to:

  • Practice on your SIP for at least 6 months.
  • Log at least 50 hours of behind-the-wheel practice.
    • At least 10 hours must be at night.
  • Successfully pass the driving skills exam.

Idaho driving skills exams are conducted by third-party contractors. Contact one of these establishments in order to take your test.

Once you’ve passed, you can return to the DMV once again, with:

  • Your driving skills exam results. (They should be given to you in a sealed envelope.)
  • The proper identifying documents.
  • Your driver’s permit.
  • The appropriate fee.

You’ll then be issued your underage driver’s license.

If you’re 17 years old or younger, for the first six months you will only be allowed one other passenger under 17, unless they are a direct blood relative.

Full Idaho Driver’s License

You can easily upgrade your license once you turn 18.

Upgrades can be made online, or at the DMV’s office. If you go in person, remember to bring:

With your full license, the remaining restrictions on when you can drive and who you can drive with are released. Enjoy your freedom!

Idaho Driver’s License (Age 18 and Older)

If you’re 18 or older and applying for a first-time license in Idaho, the process is a bit more streamlined.

You can skip past the first two phases of Idaho’s Graduated Driver’s License program and immediately apply for your permit. Schedule an appointment with a participating DMV office and:

  • Bring proof of you:
    • Identity and age.
    • Idaho residency.
    • Legal status in the United States.
    • Social Security number.
  • Successfully pass:
    • A vision test.
    • The written knowledge test.
  • Pay the permit and knowledge test fees.

At this point, you’ll be given a permit to practice on and take your driving skills test. There is no required waiting period before you take your skills exam, but it might be helpful to practice first.

In Idaho, driving skills tests are administered through third-party contractors. Schedule your appointment directly with the agency, and remember, you’ll need:

  • A working, registered vehicle.
  • Proof of auto insurance.

After successfully completing your driving skills test, you can return to the DMV and bring:

  • Your driving exam results. (They should be given to you in a sealed envelope.)
  • The proper identifying documents.
  • Your Idaho driver’s permit.
  • The Idaho license fee.

The state will then issue your driver’s license. Congratulations!

Transferring an Out-of-State License to Idaho

If you just moved to Idaho, you have 90 days to transfer your out-of-state license. Luckily, the process is pretty easy.

Simply visit a participating Idaho DMV office and bring:

  • Your current, valid out-of-state license.
  • Proof of your:
    • Identity and age.
    • Idaho residency.
    • Social Security number.
    • Lawful status in the U.S.
  • The Idaho driver’s license fee.

The state will then collect your old license and issue you a new one. Idaho driver’s licenses are valid for either 4 or 8 years, depending on the fee you choose to pay.

Idaho DMV Motorcycle Permit & License Info

Idaho Motorcycle License

There are several ways to earn your motorcycle license in Idaho. You can either:

If you’re under 21 years old, you are required to take a certified training course. And you can only apply for a motorcycle endorsement if you have a current, valid Idaho driver’s license.

Certified Motorcycle Rider Training Course

If you enroll in a motorcycle training course and successfully pass, your written and road tests will be waived.

To earn your motorcycle endorsement, you’ll simply have to go to your nearest participating Idaho DMV office and bring:

  • Your certificate of completion.
  • Your current, valid Idaho driver’s license.
  • The appropriate identifying documents.
  • The motorcycle endorsement fee.

The state will then issue your motorcycle endorsement, and you’ll be free to ride!

Through the DMV

If you choose to get your license through the DMV, the process is a bit more extended.

You’ll first have to pass your motorcycle written test. Schedule an appointment with the nearest participating DMV office and bring:

  • Your valid, current Idaho driver’s license.
  • The appropriate identifying documents.
  • The motorcycle knowledge test fee.

If you fail the test, you’ll have to wait 3 days before you can take it again.

After you pass, you’ll be eligible to schedule a motorcycle skills test. In Idaho, these tests are conducted through third-party examiners.

Once again, if you fail, you’ll have to wait a minimum of 3 days before retesting.

Passing will make you eligible to apply for your Idaho motorcycle endorsement. Visit the DMV one more time and bring:

  • Proof of passing your skills exam. (This should be given to you in a sealed envelope.)
  • Your Idaho driver’s license.
  • Any necessary identifying documents.
  • The motorcycle skills test fee.

At this point, the state will issue your motorcycle endorsement. Congratulations!

 

Idaho CDL Requirements

Idaho Commercial Driver’s License

Applying for a commercial driver’s license (CDL) is more of an involved process. You start by applying for your commercial learner’s permit (CLP).

Commercial Learner’s Permit

To apply in Idaho, you’ll need to:

  • Be at least 18 years old.
  • Already have your Idaho driver’s license.

At that point, the first step is to visit your local county driver’s license office and:

  • Bring proof of your:
    • Identity and age.
    • Social Security number.
    • Idaho residency.
    • Lawful status in the United States.
  • Bring your current, valid Idaho driver’s license.
  • Self-certify whether you want to be an intra- or interstate driver.
  • Pay the appropriate fees.
  • Pass the CDL knowledge exam.

Before you’re issued your CLP, you MAY also have to:

Once all the paperwork and checks have gone through, the test is passed, and the fee is paid, you’ll be issued your commercial driver’s permit.

Commercial Driver’s License

To upgrade from your CLP to your CDL, you’ll need to pass the driving skills exam.

You must practice on your commercial learner’s permit for at least 14 days before you can take a skills exam.

Schedule the test through an approved Idaho examiner, and bring with you:

  • Your CLP.
  • The appropriate identifying documents.
  • Your DOT medical exam clearance, if needed.

The driving skills test consists of three parts:

  • Vehicle inspection.
  • Basic control skills.
  • The road test.

Once you pass all three sections, you’ll be issued paperwork by the examiner. Take this, along with your identifying documents, CLP and the appropriate fees, to the DMV in order to receive your commercial driver’s license.

Idaho DMV Handbooks

Idaho CDL Handbook

Idaho CDL Handbook

Idaho CDL Handbook
Idaho Driver's License Handbook

Idaho Driver's License Handbook

Idaho Driver's License Handbook
Idaho Motorcycle Handbook

Idaho Motorcycle Handbook

Idaho Motorcycle Handbook