What is the Driving Age in Idaho?
Idaho operates a Graduated Driver’s Licensing program in which teens can begin learning to drive at 14 1/2 years old, and can acquire a full license at 16.
Written by Nathan Porceng
Reviewed by Kathleen Flear
In
Idaho
, teens can start learning how to drive at 14 1/2. At 15, they can apply for a restricted driver’s license
and can drive without restrictions as young as 16.Ready to hit the open road? Well, hold your horses! Getting your
driver’s license
is a thrilling, once-in-a-lifetime experience, but before you do, you need to do a bit of homework. Every state has its own requirements for obtaining learner’s permits and driver’s licenses, and Idaho is no exception. Before driving unsupervised, you must complete all requisite applications, instructional periods, and examinations. Don’t worry,
Jerry
is here for your coverage and driver's license needs! Read on for Jerry’s guide to obtaining an Idaho Driver Training Permit and working your way to a full, unrestricted driver’s license.Compare insurance quotes from 50+ insurance companies with Jerry in under 45 seconds
Compare insurance quotes from 50+ insurance companies with Jerry in under 45 seconds
4.7/5 rating on the App Store | Trusted by 5+ million customers and 7 million cars4.7/5 app rating | Trusted by 5M+ driversWhat is the driving age in Idaho?
Idaho operates a
Graduated Driver’s Licensing
program in which teens can begin learning to drive at 14 1/2 years old and can acquire a full license at 16.What is the Graduated Driver’s Licensing program in Idaho?
The
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
(CDC) ranks car accidents as the second leading cause of death for young people. Like many other states, Idaho established a Graduated Driver’s Licensing (GDL) program to ease teen drivers out onto the open road.The GDL program sets stages in which teens are allowed to gain driving experience while incrementally gaining more freedom. Every state’s program is a little bit different, but most include these three stages:
- Learner’s permit stage: supervised driving
- Restricted license stage: limited unsupervised driving
- Unrestricted stage: unrestricted standard driver’s license
How to get your Driver Training Permit in Idaho
Idaho drivers can apply for a Driver Training/Supervised Instruction Permit as soon as they turn 14 1/2 years old.
To obtain a learner’s permit, you must pass a vision test and supply the following documents to the Idaho Transportation Department:
- Certified original birth certificate
- Photo identification
- Social Security Number with Social Security card for verification
- Proof of Idaho residency
- A liability form signed by your parent or legal guardian
- Verification of School Compliance (if under 18)
- Proof of legal presence (if applicable)
To obtain a Class D Instruction Permit, you must also pass a written knowledge test. Permits may be purchased at any
county driver’s license office
in Idaho.Driver Training Permit restrictions
During your supervised driving period, several restrictions apply. Failure to comply may cost you your permit and land you in a heap of trouble.
You must be supervised by a licensed driver age 21 or older, and the supervising driver must sit in the passenger seat next to you. No other passengers are allowed in the front seat. Also, all passengers must wear seat belts or child safety restraints.
You must also have your training permit in your possession at all times when driving. Last but not least, you must observe all laws regarding the use of alcohol or intoxicating substances.
How to get your restricted driver’s license in Idaho
Ready to drive on your own? You can obtain a restricted Idaho driver’s license
as young as 15 years old
as long as you complete all the required steps.First, you need to complete a state-approved driver's education class. That class must include at least 30 hours of classroom instruction, 6 hours of behind-the-wheel instruction, and 6 hours of in-car instruction. You may take this class through either a public or a commercial school.
Next, you need to complete a supervised driving period. That period must be at least six calendar months in length and include at least 50 hours of supervised driving, and at least 10 of those 50 hours must be at night.
Finally, you must pass a written knowledge exam and a road skills test. After passing both, completing all required forms, and paying all required fees, you will be issued an Idaho driver’s license.
Key Takeaway To obtain an Idaho driver’s license, you must complete a driver’s education course, a supervised driving period, and pass written and practical exams.
Restricted driver’s license limitations
Even after obtaining your Idaho driver’s license, some restrictions may still apply.
Drivers under the age of 16 are only allowed to drive during daylight hours unless they are accompanied by a licensed driver who is at least 21 years old and seated beside the driver. No other passengers are permitted to ride in the front seat.
Drivers under the age of 17 are not allowed to have more than one passenger in their vehicle under the age of 17 for the first six months they hold their licenses. Exceptions are allowed for passengers related to the driver by blood, adoption, or marriage.
How to save on car insurance in Idaho
Congrats on acquiring your driver’s license! Not to rain on your parade, but you need to be aware that teen drivers are usually charged much more for
car insurance
. This is because teens lack driver's histories and tend to get in more accidents. That’s why, parents, adding your teen to your car insurance
is important. Lucky for you, Jerry
, the App Store’s #1 insurance app, makes finding the right policy easier than ever before.Jerry aims to make the car insurance shopping process as easy as possible. Download the Jerry app, answer some easy questions, and pick your policy. It’s that easy! Jerry will never force you to fill out a pile of needless forms, or wait hours on the phone to speak with a disinterested and unhelpful representative.
Hit the open road with a mind at ease and savings in your pocket! Jerry drivers save an average of over $800 a year on their car insurance policies!
“I felt like I was paying too much for my insurance policy, so I downloadedJerry. I literally only typed in 3 pieces of info and Jerry found my current insurance. In a few minutes, they pulled up 2 Progressive policies that showed $900 in savings over 6 months!” —Maeve J.
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FAQs
How old do you need to be to drive in Idaho?
In Idaho, you may begin learning how to drive at the age of 14 ½. To do so, you need to apply for a Driver Training/Supervised Instruction Permit. During your supervised training period, you must have a licensed driver seated in the passenger seat next to you. No other passengers are allowed in the front seat. All occupants must wear seat belts or child safety restraints. You can apply for a restricted driver's license at 15, and a full driver’s license at 16.
Can you drive by yourself at 15 in Idaho?
Yes. If you have completed your supervised training period and passed both a written knowledge test and a road skills test, you may acquire an Idaho driver’s license and drive by yourself at the age of 15. However, drivers under the age of 16 may only drive during daylight hours, unless accompanied by a licensed driver over the age of 21 seated in the passenger seat next to them. Drivers under the age of 17, for the first six months after obtaining their license, may not have more than one passenger under the age of 17 unless related to the driver by blood, adoption, or marriage.
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