Idaho’s Graduated Driver’s Licensing (GDL) Program

ITD 3506 (Rev. 4/24)
dmv.idaho.gov

Idaho Transportation Department  PO Box 7129  Boise, ID 83707-1129  208-584-4343

PURPOSEThis fact sheet provides information on Idaho’s Graduated Driver’s License program. Graduated driver licensing isdesigned to ease beginning drivers into the traffic environment under controlled conditions to help reduce thenumber of teen driver traffic convictions and collisions.
CONDITIONS
All applicants for an Idaho driver’s license who are under the age of 17 must:
1. Pass an approved driver education class consisting of:a.

Thirty (30) hours of classroom instruction,b.

Six (6) hours of behind-the-wheel instruction, andc.

Six (6) hours in-car observation.

Students taking driver education classes from a commercial school are not restricted to a minimum training period.
A list of private driving schools can be found at https://apps.dopl.idaho.gov/DOPLPublic/LPRBrowser.aspx/.
Students must be at least 14 ½ years of age and are only allowed to drive with an instructor during the class. Theinstructor retains the student’s Driver Training Permit, and will give it to the applicant or parent/legal guardian after
the course has been passed. The Driver Training Permit then becomes the Supervised Instruction Permit (SIP).
2. Complete a supervised driving period, which must include:a.

b.

No less than six calendar months of supervised driving, andFifty (50) hours of supervised driving (10 of the 50 hours must be at night).

New Idaho residents who have a driver’s license from another state are not required to undergo a supervised
driving period or provide acceptable proof of having passed a driver education course.
3. Pass the written knowledge and road skills tests.
a.

b.

c.

Applicants must be at least 15 years of age to receive an Idaho driver’s license.
Applicants must schedule an appointment with a skills tester. A current skills tester list is available at all
county driver’s license offices or on our website at dmv.idaho.gov.
Applicants who fail a test must wait at least three days before retaking a test (the test fees must be re-paid).

Before a license can be issued to the applicant, a parent or legal guardian must sign and date a statement on the GDL
Requirements Verification:
Certifying that fifty (50) hours of driving were completed (10 of which were at night), and

Granting permission to issue the license.

This prevents teens from receiving a license before they are eligible and/or without their parent’s knowledge andthconsent. The driver’s license will expire five days after the licensee’s 18 birthday.
Drivers under the age of 16 are restricted to driving during daylight hours only unless accompanied by a licensed
driver who is at least 21 years of age and sitting beside the driver. No other passengers are allowed in the front seat.
Licensees under the age of 17 are required—during the first six (6) months from the date the license was issued—tolimit number of passengers in the vehicle who are under the age of 17 to not more than one passenger, unless thepassengers are related to the driver by blood, adoption, or marriage.

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Idaho’s Graduated Driver’s Licensing (GDL) Program

ITD 3506 (Rev. 4/24)
dmv.idaho.govIdaho Transportation Department  PO Box 7129  Boise, ID 83707-1129  208-584-4343

OBTAINING A PERMITDriver Training/Supervised Instruction Permits may be issued to applicants 14 ½ years of age and older. Thesethpermits expire five (5) days after the permit holder’s 18 birthday for permit holders 14 ½ to 17 ½ years of age;
expiration is 180 days for people 17 ½ years of age and older. Applicants who are 17 years of age or older may takedriver’s training with either the Driver Training/Supervised Instruction Permit or with the Class D Instruction Permit.
Driver Training Permits are not renewable. The knowledge test must be passed before a Class D Instruction Permit
can be issued. Permits can be purchased at any county driver’s license office in Idaho. The fees are non-refundable.
Applicants must pass the required vision test and provide the following:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.

Certified Original Birth Certificates (available from the Bureau of Vital Statistics)
Acceptable photo identification
Social Security Card or Number for verification
Proof of Idaho Residency
Liability Signer (if under 18) – must be birth parent or court-ordered guardian
Verification of School Compliance (VOC) (if under 18)
Acceptable Lawful Presence Documents (if applicable)

REQUIREMENTS
During the required supervised driving period:






The supervising driver must be at least 21 years of age and possess a valid driver’s license.
The supervising driver must sit in the seat beside the permit holder.
No other passengers are allowed in the front seat.
The SIP must be in the permit holder’s possession while driving.
All occupants must wear seat belts or child safety restraints.
The permit holder must observe all laws regarding the use of alcohol and other intoxicating substances.
***Permit holders may continue to drive on an unexpired SIP past the minimum supervised period. ***CANCELLATIONS
Any violation of the SIP requirements during the supervised instruction period will result in cancellation of the permit
and requires the permit holder to reapply for and purchase a new permit. Upon reapplication, permit holders must
start and complete a new six (6) month supervised instruction period. No reinstatement fee for the cancellation isrequired prior to reapplication. Driver Training Permits/Supervised Instruction Permits can be canceled for:
1.
2.

3.

Conviction of an intoxicating substance violation or any traffic violation (speeding, running a red light, etc.).
Violation of the permit’s restrictions (driver and passengers not wearing seat belts, failing to carry the permit
while driving, not having a valid license adult in the seat beside the permit holder, etc.). The driver will also
receive a mandatory driving privilege suspension.
Any suspension ordered by the court or the Idaho Transportation Department, such as non-payment of a trafficcitation, failure to attend school, etc.

CONVICTIONS WHILE UNDER THE AGE OF 17
The consequences for traffic or intoxicating substance convictions vary depending on the number of convictions.
First conviction: written warning that driving privileges will be suspended for any additional conviction.
Second conviction: Minimum thirty (30) day driving privilege suspension.
Third or subsequent conviction: Minimum sixty (60) day driving privilege suspension.
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