Idaho learner’s permit requirements

Everything here comes from Idaho Transportation Department, Division of Motor Vehicles pages, handbooks or state law, and each fact links to its source. Where Idaho doesn’t publish something, we say so rather than guess.

Last checked September 22, 2026.

At a glance

Minimum age
14 years, 6 months
To pass the knowledge test
34 of 40 correct (85%)
Fees
$26.50 total
Supervised driving
50 hours (10 at night)

The knowledge test and your permit

Test format
40 questionsSources 123
Passing score
34 of 40 correct (85%)Sources 123
Time limit
None published
Permit and test fees
$26.50 totalTeens pay $21.50 for the Driver Training/Supervised Instruction Permit (includes a $6.50 skills-test fee collected in advance) plus $5 for the knowledge test; applicants 17+ can instead get a $20 Class D instruction permit plus the $5 test ($25).Sources 123
Minimum age for a permit
14 years, 6 monthsDriver Training / Supervised Instruction Permit at 14 1/2 for applicants under 17 enrolled in an approved driver training program; Class D Instruction Permit (knowledge test required) at 17 or older. Applicants must be 15 to take the knowledge and skills tests.Sources 145
Supervised driving
50 hours (10 at night)Sources 145
Hold your permit
6 months minimumSources 145
Test languages
12 languagesEnglish, Arabic, Chinese, Farsi, French, Korean, Russian, Serbo-Croatian, Spanish, Swahili, Vietnamese, American Sign LanguageSources 123
Take it online
No, in personSources 123
If you fail
If you fail a knowledge test you must wait three (3) days to retest and pay the knowledge test fee againSources 123
Vision standard
Minimum 20/40 vision in at least one eye, with or without corrective lensesSources 145

From permit to full license

  • Under 17: complete driver training (30 hours classroom, 6 hours observation, 6 hours behind the wheel) on a Driver Training permit at 14 1/2, then a minimum 6-month violation-free supervised instruction period with a licensed supervisor 21+ in the front seat, accumulating 50 hours (10 at night); then pass knowledge and skills tests for a license.
  • Applicants 17 or older may instead get a Class D Instruction Permit (knowledge test required, valid one year) and practice with a licensed adult 18+ beside them.
  • Licensed drivers under 16 may drive only in daylight (5:00 a.m.-10:00 p.m.) unless accompanied by a licensed driver 21+; drivers under 17 may carry no more than one passenger under 17 (non-relatives) for the first 6 months.
  • Any violation cancels the permit and restarts the 6 months.

Before you go

Rules and fees change. Confirm appointments, documents and current fees on the official Idaho Transportation Department, Division of Motor Vehicles website: itd.idaho.gov.

Sources

  1. itd.idaho.gov: driver manual
  2. itd.idaho.gov: taking the drivers test
  3. itd.idaho.gov: drivers licenses id cards
  4. itd.idaho.gov: young drivers
  5. itd.idaho.gov: 3506 gdlfactsheet
  6. legislature.idaho.gov: sect49 305
  7. legislature.idaho.gov: sect49 307

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