Apply for a License (Under 18) in Idaho

Applying for a New Teen Driver's License in Idaho

The Idaho Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) requires teen drivers to follow the steps of a graduated driver's license (GDL) program.

The GDL steps include completing driver's education, getting your learner's permit, and following certain driving restrictions.

These steps will help you become a safe and skilled driver, and reduce your chances of being involved in an accident.

REAL IDs in Idaho

The Idaho DMV now issues both federally-compliant REAL ID driver’s licenses—called Star Cards—as well as non-compliant licenses. A REAL ID license allows you to use your license as approved identification for activities such as boarding an airplane or entry into federal and military buildings.

Most licenses issued will be verified REAL IDs, but if you don't qualify, you'll receive a non-compliant license—details are outlined below.

New to Idaho?

Once you move to Idaho, you'll have 90 days to transfer your out-of-state driver's license. Please check the current information on the ID state site for proof of residency, identity and other documents required to apply and or transfer a valid license.

If you are younger than 17 years old AND you do not have a driver's license, you must:

  • Show proof of Driver's Ed completion OR take Driver's Ed in Idaho.
  • Complete the supervised driving requirement.

If you are younger than 17 years old AND you have a driver's license from another state, you will not need to complete driver's education or have a supervised driving period.

The fee for a new Idaho driver's license varies based on your age:

  • 17 years old: $20 (valid for 1 year).
  • Under 18 years old: $30 (valid for 3 years).

Read below for more information about applying for a teen driver's license and learner's permit in Idaho, including eligibility requirements and restrictions.

Idaho Graduated Licensing Program

The graduated driver's license (GDL) program in Idaho applies to you if you are younger than 17 years old.

The program has several licensing stages:

  • Supervised instruction permit (SIP)/learner's permit.
  • Driver's education.
  • Underage driver's license.
  • Full driver's license.

Idaho's GDL program is designed to help you acquire the knowledge and skills you need to be a safe driver.

Age Requirements

Each stage of the Idaho GDL program has minimum age requirements:

  • Supervised instruction permit (SIP): 14 1/2 years old.
  • Driver's Ed: 14 1/2 years old.
  • Underage driver's license: 15 years old.
  • Regular driver's license: 18 years old.

Idaho Learner's Permit

The first step of the GDL process is to apply for your supervised instruction permit (SIP). You must be at least 14 1/2 years old.

NOTE: You must get your SIP BEFORE you take Driver's Ed.

To get your SIP, you must take all of the following to your local driver's license office:

  • Proof of your:
    • Idaho residency (2 documents).
    • Legal presence in the U.S.
    • Age and identity, such as your:
  • A secondary proof of your identity with information that supports your primary document, such as a high school photo ID.
  • Your Social Security card.
  • Proof of your school enrollment. (Contact your school or the DMV for more information.)
  • Payment for the $15 permit fee and $6.50 administrative fee.

Your parent or legal guardian must be with you to sign a consent form.

The Idaho DMV offers a complete guide to REAL ID-compliant documents. If you're unable to provide the proofs specified, you'll receive a non-compliant license instead. You can also choose to apply for a non-compliant license—just remember, you'll need alternative identification in order to board an airplane and enter federal or military buildings.

Idaho Learner's Permit Behind-the-Wheel Practice

Before moving on to your underage driver's license, you must:

  • Complete Driver's Ed.
  • Log at least 50 hours of supervised driving practice, including 10 hours at night.

After you complete your driver's education class, you must hold your learner's permit for 6 months or until you turn 17 years old (whichever comes first).

Idaho Learner's Permit Driving Restrictions

Until you complete driver's education, your learner's permit can ONLY be used to drive while accompanied by your driver's education instructor.

After you complete driver's education, you can drive ONLY if:

  • You're accompanied by a licensed driver who is at least 21 years old and is seated next to you.
  • All passengers are wearing seat belts or in child restraints.
  • You have your SIP with you.

NOTE: Your supervised instruction permit (SIP) will be cancelled if you violate any traffic laws or GDL restrictions. You will have to reapply for a SIP and begin the 6 months of supervised driving again.

Don't Drive Distracted

As you get behind the wheel, remember to refrain from all distractions that will keep you from paying attention to the road. You can learn all about the dangers of driving distracted by visiting our section on Distracted Driving.

Underage Driver's License

You can apply for your underage Idaho driver's license once you:

  • Are 15 years old.
  • Have completed 50 hours of  behind-the-wheel supervised driving practice, including 10 hours at night.
  • Have held your SIP for at least 6 months from the date you completed Driver's Ed.
    • You must not have received any traffic convictions or violated any of the learner's permit driving restrictions (see “Idaho Learner's Permit" above).

Your underage driver's license will be valid until 5 days after you turn 18 years old.

Apply for an Underage Driver's License

To apply for your Idaho driver's license, visit a driver's license office with ALL of the following:

  • Your instruction permit.
  • All required proofs of identity that you previously submitted.
  • Your Social Security card.
  • Proof of your school enrollment.
  • Proof of your Driver's Ed completion.
  • Payment for:
    • $20 driver's license fee.
      AND
    • $28.50 testing fee and the $6.50 administration fee.

Your parent or legal guardian must accompany you to sign a consent form. They must also bring a valid form of identification.

You'll need to take and pass:

  • A DMV written test.
  • A driving test.
Prepare To Pass The Written Test

To help you prepare for the written exam, the DMV provides a basic practice test. If you want to take your preparation to the next level, we suggest using a comprehensive online practice test from our certified partner.

Underage Provisional License Restrictions

While you have your Idaho underage driver's license, you must follow certain driving restrictions.

If you are under 17 years old, you can have only 1 passenger who is also under 17 years old, unless that passenger is a member of your family. This restriction lasts for 6 months from the date you get your driver's license.

If you are younger than 16 years old, you have additional restrictions you must follow:

  • You can drive alone ONLY during the day.
    • At night, you can drive when accompanied by a licensed driver who is at least 21 years old and is sitting in the front passenger seat.
  • You can have no passengers in the front seat other than the supervising driver.

You must keep your underage driver's license, which has a different design, until your 18th birthday.

NOTE: Underage drivers face suspensions in addition to the penalties all drivers face for moving violations. See our page on the DMV point system in Idaho for more information.

To track your steps towards your first driver's license in Idaho, you can use our new license checklist.

Regular Driver's License

When you turn 18 years old, you can renew your driver's license and receive a regular Idaho driver's license. See our Renewing Your Idaho License page for more information.

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