You must have a valid Idaho driver’s license if you are a state resident who wishes to operate a motor vehicle on public roads. In general, to apply for a driver’s license in ID, you must be at least 15 years of age. However, if you are younger than 17 years of age, you will be required to enroll in a state-approved driver training program before applying for a license. This program establishes restrictions that must be followed by any drivers who have not yet reached 18 years of age.

On the other hand, the process of obtaining a new driver’s license as a motorist who is 18 years of age or older is somewhat simpler than the process required for minors. In any case, it is important to understand which steps applicants must follow when applying for a DMV license. To learn more about the different types of driving credentials in Idaho and how to obtain them depending on your age, read the sections below.

How to Apply for a Drivers License in Idaho as an Adult (18 or Older)

When applying for an Idaho drivers license as a motorist who is 18 years old or older, you will be able to obtain a regular, unrestricted credential. However, you must meet certain additional ID driver’s license eligibility requirements that are set in place. Then, you must visit a DMV office in person, because getting a driver’s license online is not an option in the state.

If you are an adult applicant seeking a standard, unrestricted DMV license, you must be at least 18 years of age. Moreover, you must be able to pass a knowledge test, a road skills exam and a vision screening, along with presenting important documentation to identify yourself. In order to get a drivers license in Idaho, you must follow certain steps. These steps include that you must:

  1. Visit a local DMV office.
  2. Present your original U.S. birth certificate and Social Security card. If born outside of the U.S., you must submit documents proving your legal status in the country.
  3. Present two documents that verify your Idaho residence address.
  4. If applicable, present visual/medical certification documents.
  5. Pass a vision screening, a written exam and a road skills test.
  6. Pay the applicable DMV license and testing fees.

Getting an Idaho Drivers License as a New Resident

If you move to Idaho, you must apply for a new driver’s license issued by the state within 90 days of becoming a resident, regardless of whether your out-of-state driving credential has expired or not. It is important to note that you will be required to surrender your out-of-state license and take a written knowledge test.

On the other hand, students attending a college or university in ID and military service members on active duty (along with their dependents) may hold a valid out-of-state driver’s license, because their stay is meant to be temporary. In other words, these motorists are exempted from the requirement of applying for an Idaho license within 90 days of moving.

How to Apply for a Drivers License in Idaho as a Teen (Younger Than 18)

If you are younger than 17 years of age, you will be required to successfully complete an approved Idaho driver license training program and comply with other additional requirements. The steps for a minor to apply for a driver’s license include obtaining an instruction permit, undergoing a driver training course and being issued a restricted license. Only after these steps are completed can a motorist obtain a standard license without any restrictions.

In general, motorists may begin the process of acquiring a DMV license as soon as they reach 14-and-a-half years of age. Overall, that is the minimum age for applicants to apply for a supervised instruction permit (SIP), which is also commonly referred to as a learner’s permit. After being issued a permit, you must comply with the restrictions attached to it, ensuring that you can eventually apply for a full DMV driver’s license after turning 18 years of age.

You are required to meet certain Idaho driver’s license eligibility requirements in order for you to qualify for a restricted license. As such, you must:

  • Be at least 15 years of age.
  • Have completed a driving training education course.
  • Have held a valid supervised instruction permit (SIP) for at least 180 days, which equals to six months.
  • Successfully pass a vision screening, a written exam and a road skills tests.
  • Have accumulated at least 50 hours of driving time, with at least 10 of those hours having taken place at night.

Drivers Ed Requirements to Get a Drivers License in Idaho

Depending on your age, you may be required to undergo a driver’s education course when you apply for a DMV license. For example, driver training is required for all motorists who are younger than 17 years of age and applying for a license in Idaho. A state-approved driver’s ed program consists of 30 hours of classroom instruction, six hours of in-car observation and six hours of behind the wheel driving with an instructor. Generally, these classes are typically offered through public schools. However, there are also other options available through private driver training schools.

In order to participate in an ID driving license training program, you must first obtain a learner’s permit. While you are enrolled in a driver education course, the permit will only be valid for operating a vehicle with your training instructor. Once you have completed the program and the instructor has given you the permit, you can begin the six-month supervised instruction period that is required by the state’s Graduated Driver’s License (GDL) program before you can apply for a restricted driver’s license.

Steps to Get a New Drivers License in Idaho as a Teen

Your first step for getting a new drivers license as a motorist who is younger than 18 years of age is to obtain a supervised instruction permit (SIP). In order to get this driving credential, you must do the following:

  1. Visit a local Idaho DMV office.
  2. Submit your original U.S. birth certificate.
  3. Submit your original Social Security card.
  4. Present two documents for proof of state residency.
  5. Present documents that verify your legal U.S. status, in the event that you were born out of the country.
  6. If applicable, present visual/medical certification documents.
  7. If younger than 17 years of age, present a driver training completion certificate.
  8. If younger than 18 years of age, bring a parent or guardian to serve as a liability signer and sign consent for you to receive an ID driving license. Moreover, present verification of school compliance (proof of enrollment and attendance or high school graduation).
  9. Pay the $15 permit fee.

If you are younger than 18 years of age and applying for a DMV license, it is crucial for you to understand all of the requirements in place for applicants within your age group. For instance, it is important to note that you can only get a restricted license after you have held an instructional permit for a period of six months. To apply for this type of license, be mindful that you have to be at least 15 years of age. Then, you must:

  1. Visit your local Idaho DMV office.
  2. Pass a vision screening, a road skills test and a knowledge test.
  3. Pay the applicable license and testing fees.

Idaho Drivers License Costs

Another piece of important driver’s license information is understanding the driver’s license costs you must pay when applying for these types of credentials and taking these license-related tests. Thus, consider the following fees:

  • Instruction permit – $15
  • Supervised instruction permit – $21.50
  • Knowledge test – $3
  • Road skills test – $24
  • New license – one years (for motorists who are 17 years of age) – $15
  • New license – three years (for drivers who are younger than 18 years of age) – $25
  • New license – three years (for motorists who are between 18 and 21 years of age) – $25
  • New license – one years (for drivers who are 20 years of age) – $15
  • New license – four years (for motorists who are 21 years of age or older) – $30
  • New license – eight years (for drivers who are between 21 and 62 years of age): $55
Last updated on Tuesday, March 3 2020.