Idaho driver license guide

Minimum age to start (driver training permit)

14½. A driver training permit lets you start an approved driver training course. Teens under 17 must follow the GDL program.Source: bannockcounty.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026

Minimum age for a license

15.Source: bannockcounty.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026

Driver training / supervised permit fee

$21.50. That includes the $6.50 skills-test fee collected in advance. Bannock County's page lists $26.50.Source: canyoncounty.id.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026

Class D instruction permit (17+)

$20.00.Source: bannockcounty.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026

Knowledge test fee

$5. Retests cost the same.Source: canyoncounty.id.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026

Skills (road) test fee

$6.50 paid at the county office, plus up to $28.50 paid to the skills tester ($35 total).Source: canyoncounty.id.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026

Liability signer (under 18)

A birth parent named on the birth certificate, or a legal guardian, must come with you and sign consent. They take legal responsibility for your driving.Source: bannockcounty.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026

School enrollment (under 18)

You need a Verification of Compliance (VOC) letter from your school, a diploma or an equivalency certificate.Source: bannockcounty.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026

Instruction permit validity (17+)

One year, with an adult 18+ who holds a valid license. It can be renewed once without retesting if your test was within the past 12 months.Source: bannockcounty.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026

Driver training permit validity

Expires at 18 for ages 14½-17½. For ages 17½ and older, it expires 180 days after issue.Source: bannockcounty.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026

Supervised period (under 17)

At least 6 months, violation-free, after driver training.Source: bannockcounty.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026

Supervised instruction permit rules

A licensed driver 21 or older must sit in the front seat beside you, with no other front-seat passengers. Everyone belted.Source: bannockcounty.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026

Supervisor on a 17+ instruction permit

An adult 18 or older with a valid driver's license.Source: bannockcounty.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026

Supervised practice driving

At least 50 hours, 10 of them at night. A parent signs the GDL Requirements Verification.Source: bannockcounty.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026

Driver training (under 17)

Required: 30 hours of classroom, 6 hours observing in the car, and 6 hours behind the wheel with an approved instructor.Source: bannockcounty.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026

Knowledge test questions

40 questions taken from the Driver's Handbook.Source: bannockcounty.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026

Passing score

Miss no more than 6, so at least 34 of 40 correct (85%).Source: bannockcounty.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026

If you fail the knowledge test

Wait 3 days and pay the test fee again.Source: bannockcounty.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026

Knowledge test languages

English, Arabic, Chinese, Farsi, French, Korean, Russian, Serbo-Croatian, Spanish, Swahili, Vietnamese and American Sign Language.Source: bannockcounty.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026

Vision screening

20/40 or better in at least one eye, with or without lenses. Required at every renewal too.Source: bannockcounty.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026

Documents for new applicants

Proof of U.S. citizenship (a birth certificate if obtainable) or lawful presence, an acceptable photo ID, your Social Security number, and proof of Idaho residency. Under 18: school VOC and a liability signer.Source: bannockcounty.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026

Originals only

Photocopies of citizenship or lawful-presence documents are refused. Canyon County accepts only printed paper documents, not phone screens.Source: bannockcounty.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026

Proof of residency

Documents showing your name and Idaho physical address, dated within 12 months. A Star Card needs two, from different sources.Source: bannockcounty.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026

Appointments

Depends on the county. Bannock County is appointment-only (no walk-ins). Canyon County strongly recommends one, because walk-in waits can top 4 hours.Source: canyoncounty.id.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026

Getting the license (under 17)

After driver training and the supervised period, pass the knowledge and skills tests. A parent certifies the 50 hours and grants permission.Source: bannockcounty.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026

Licensed drivers under 16

Daylight only (5 a.m. to 10 p.m.), unless a licensed driver 21+ sits in the front seat beside you.Source: bannockcounty.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026

Licensed drivers under 17

For the first 6 months, no more than one passenger under 17, unless they are related to you.Source: bannockcounty.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026

Skills test passing score

12 or fewer errors. Tests are given only in daylight and acceptable weather.Source: bannockcounty.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026

If you fail the skills test

Wait 3 days and pay both the county and tester fees again.Source: bannockcounty.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026

Booking the skills test

Make the appointment directly with an approved skills tester from the county's list.Source: bannockcounty.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026

Under-18 license expiry

A license issued at 15-17 expires five days after your 18th birthday.Source: bannockcounty.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026

License length

4 or 8 years. Drivers aged 21-62 may choose 8 years. Licenses issued under 21 run to just after the 18th or 21st birthday.Source: bannockcounty.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026

When you can renew

In person, up to 25 months before expiration (age 21+).Source: bannockcounty.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026

Renewal fee

$35 for 4 years, $60 for 8 years (ages 21-62), $30 for the 3-year license (ages 18-21), $20 for 1 year (age 20).Source: bannockcounty.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026

Online renewal

Available to eligible drivers, with a $5 discount on the renewal fee.Source: bannockcounty.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026

Out of state at renewal

You can get an extension of up to 12 months for $10, and a second one if needed.Source: bannockcounty.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026

Expired 25 months or more

You must take the knowledge and skills tests again.Source: bannockcounty.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026

Star Card (REAL ID)

The Star Card is Idaho's REAL ID. It is optional, but since May 7, 2025 you need it (or a passport) to fly or enter federal buildings.Source: bannockcounty.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026

Star Card fee

Same fees as a non-Star license. The handbook's fee table covers both.Source: bannockcounty.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026

Star Card documents

Proof of identity, photo and lawful presence, any name-change documents, Social Security number, and two proofs of Idaho residency with your physical address.Source: bannockcounty.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026

Deadline for new residents

30 days after you start living in Idaho, per the July 2025 Handbook. Bannock County's page still says 90 days. Students and active-duty military keeping another state's residency are exempt.Source: bannockcounty.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026

Tests for new residents

You must pass the Class D knowledge test. The skills test is waived if your old license expired 25 months ago or less. Vision screening applies.Source: bannockcounty.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026

Skills test waiver

Surrendering an out-of-state license expired 25 months or less exempts you from the skills test.Source: bannockcounty.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026

Surrender your old license

You must surrender any license or ID card from another state, U.S. territory or DC.Source: bannockcounty.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026

New residents under 17

Teens who already hold another state's license skip the supervised driving period and driver-ed proof.Source: bannockcounty.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026

Duplicate license fee

$20.00.Source: bannockcounty.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026

Driver's Handbook

The ITD Idaho Driver's Handbook (July 2025) is the source of all knowledge-test questions. A Spanish version exists.Source: bannockcounty.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026

These links open official government websites. USA DMV is an independent study site and is not affiliated with any of them.