State Guide
Idaho ITD Permit Test 2026
A complete walkthrough of everything involved in getting your Idaho Supervised Instruction Permit (SIP) — from eligibility requirements to earning your full license. Idaho has one of the younger permit ages (14½) but also one of the highest passing scores (85%)in the country. This guide covers driver education, documents, the 40-question knowledge test, and Idaho's strict GDL program. Ready to start practicing? Take a free Idaho ITD practice test.
Who Can Get a Supervised Instruction Permit
In Idaho, the learner's permit is called a Supervised Instruction Permit (SIP). To apply, you must be at least 14 years and 6 months old. This is one of the younger permit ages in the country.
If you're under 18, a parent or legal guardian must accompany you to the ITD office and sign the liability forms.
School enrollment: Idaho requires proof that you are enrolled in school or have graduated. Bring a school enrollment document or diploma.
Adults 17½ and older: If you're 17½ or older, your permit is valid for 180 days instead of until your 18th birthday. Adults 18+ can skip the GDL restrictions entirely.
Driver Education Requirements
Idaho requires driver education for all applicants under 17. The course must be completed at an Idaho-approved driving school and includes:
Classroom instruction
A minimum of 30 hours of classroom instruction covering traffic laws, road signs, safe driving practices, and the effects of alcohol and drugs on driving.
In-car observation
6 hours of observation time as a passenger while another student drives.
Behind-the-wheel training
6 hours of behind-the-wheel instruction with a certified instructor.
Rural exception: Beginning July 1, 2024, teenagers in some rural areas may receive driving instruction (including 92 hours of instruction) from a licensed parent or legal guardian instead of taking a driver education class.
Adults 17+: Driver education is not required if you're 17 or older.
Fees and What You Pay For
The Idaho Supervised Instruction Permit costs $21.50 total:
Permit fee: $15.00
Administrative fee: $6.50
Total: $21.50
Retest fee: If you fail the knowledge test, you must pay a $6.50 retest fee for each additional attempt and wait 3 days.
Driver education costs: The driving school course is a separate expense and varies by school. Expect to pay $200 to $400 for the full program.
Documents You Need
When you visit an Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) office, bring:
1. Proof of identity with photo
A certified U.S. birth certificate, valid U.S. passport, or another approved document. At least one document must include your photograph.
2. Social Security card
Your original Social Security card.
3. Proof of Idaho residency
A school enrollment record, utility bill, bank statement, or other document showing your Idaho address.
4. Proof of school enrollment or graduation
School enrollment document, report card, or diploma.
5. Driver education certificate (if under 17)
Proof that you have completed your required driver education course.
6. Parent or guardian
A parent or guardian must accompany you to sign the liability forms if you're under 18.
The Knowledge Test
The Idaho knowledge test consists of 40 multiple-choice questionscovering:
Vehicle and equipment safety
Idaho traffic laws and regulations
Road signs, signals, and pavement markings
Safe driving practices
Right-of-way rules
Alcohol and drug laws
Important: Idaho has one of the highest passing thresholds in the country. You need to answer at least 34 questions correctly (85%) to pass. Study thoroughly.
The test is available in English and Spanish. All questions are based on the Idaho Driver's Manual.
Passing Score and Results
Idaho Knowledge Test
40 questions
You must answer at least 34 correctly (85%) to pass. You can miss only 6 questions.
When you finish the test, you'll receive your score immediately. With only 6 questions to spare, you need to be well-prepared.
Note: ITD warns that web-based practice tests (other than their official sample questions) may not accurately represent the actual test. Use the official Idaho Driver's Manual as your primary study resource.
If You Don't Pass
If you fail the knowledge test, you must wait 3 days before retaking it. This is longer than most states.
There is a $6.50 retest fee for each additional attempt.
There is no limit to the number of times you can retake the test. Use the Idaho Driver's Manual to review before your next attempt.
At the ITD Office
Here's what happens when you visit an Idaho Transportation Department office:
1. Submit documents
Present your identity, residency, and school enrollment documents. Your parent/guardian must be present to sign liability forms.
2. Vision screening
You'll take a quick vision test. Idaho requires at least 20/40 vision in one or both eyes (with or without corrective lenses).
3. Pay fee
Pay the $21.50 total fee ($15 permit + $6.50 administrative).
4. Knowledge test
Take the 40-question written test on a computer.
5. Receive your permit
If you pass (34+ correct), you'll receive your Supervised Instruction Permit.
After You Pass
With your Supervised Instruction Permit, you can legally drive in Idaho — but only with supervision and under specific conditions.
Permit validity:
Ages 14½ to 17½: Valid until 5 days after your 18th birthday
Ages 17½ and older: Valid for 180 days
Critical requirement: You must hold your SIP for 6 months without any traffic violations before you can get your license. If you get a traffic violation, your permit is cancelled and you must start over.
Supervised Instruction Permit Rules
While driving with an Idaho SIP:
Supervision required: You must have a licensed driver at least 21 years old seated beside you at all times. No other passengers are allowed in the front seat.
No violations: Any traffic violation will cancel your permit. You'll have to reapply and start the 6-month period over.
No cell phone use while driving.
Idaho's GDL Program
Idaho's Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) program applies to all drivers under 17. It has three stages:
1. Supervised Instruction Permit (14½+)
Learn to drive with a supervising adult (21+). Must hold for 6 months violation-free. Complete driver education if under 17.
2. Underage Driver's License (15+)
Drive independently with restrictions (daylight only under 16, passenger limits). Complete 50 hours of supervised driving including 10 at night.
3. Regular License (18+)
Full driving privileges with no GDL restrictions.
Getting Your Underage License (15+)
After holding your SIP for 6 months violation-free, you can apply for an underage driver's license at age 15 or older.
Requirements:
Be at least 15 years old
Hold SIP for 6 months without any traffic violations
Complete driver education (if under 17)
Complete 50 hours of supervised driving (10 at night)
Pass the behind-the-wheel driving skills test
Parent/guardian must sign GDL Requirements Verification
GDL Restrictions (Under 17)
Daylight restriction (under 16)
Drivers under 16 can only drive during daylight hours unless accompanied by a licensed driver at least 21 years old seated beside them.
Passenger restriction (first 6 months)
For the first 6 months after getting your license, you cannot have more than 1 passenger under 17 who is not a family member (related by blood, adoption, or marriage). This restriction can be lifted if a supervising driver (21+) is in the vehicle.
Cell phone ban
No cell phone use while driving.
Consequences for violations:
1st conviction: Written warning
2nd conviction: Minimum 30-day suspension
3rd+ conviction: Minimum 60-day suspension
Getting Your Full License (18+)
All GDL restrictions end when you turn 18. At that point, you can get a regular driver's license with full privileges.
Adults 18+ who never held a license: If you're 18 or older and applying for your first license, you can skip the GDL process entirely. You'll still need to pass the knowledge test and driving skills test, but you won't have the daylight or passenger restrictions.
The Driver's Manual
The Idaho Driver's Handbook is the official study guide for the knowledge test. It's available online as a PDF on the ITD website.
The manual covers Idaho traffic laws, road signs and signals, right-of-way rules, safe driving practices, and special situations. All test questions are based on this material.
Study tip: Given the 85% passing threshold, you need to know this material very well. Read the entire manual at least twice and pay special attention to road signs, right-of-way rules, and Idaho-specific laws.
Practice Tests
Taking practice tests is essential for the Idaho test. With a strict 85% passing score and only 6 questions to spare, you need to be extremely well-prepared.
DMV Question Bank: For thorough preparation, take Idaho ITD practice tests on DMV Question Bank. Practice until you're consistently scoring above 95% to ensure a comfortable margin.
Study strategy: Read the manual thoroughly, take practice tests, identify weak areas, review those sections, and test again until you're confident you can score well above 85%.
Supervised Driving Requirements
Before taking the driving skills test for your underage license, you must complete:
50 hours of supervised driving practice
At least 10 hours must be at night
Your supervising driver must be at least 21 years old and possess a valid driver's license.
A parent or guardian must sign and date the GDL Requirements Verificationcertifying that the 50 hours were completed before you can be issued a license.
Quick Reference
| Minimum permit age | 14 years and 6 months |
| Permit fee | $21.50 total ($15 + $6.50) |
| Retest fee | $6.50 |
| Wait after failure | 3 days |
| Permit validity | Until 18 (or 180 days if 17.5+) |
| Knowledge test questions | 40 |
| Passing score | 34 correct (85%) |
| Test languages | English, Spanish |
| Max attempts | Unlimited |
| Min. holding period | 6 months (violation-free) |
| Supervised driving hours | 50 total |
| Night driving hours | 10 hours minimum |
| Supervising driver age | 21+ |
| Driver's ed required | Yes, if under 17 |
| Driver's ed classroom | 30 hours |
| Driver's ed BTW | 6 hours |
| Driver's ed observation | 6 hours |
| Minimum license age | 15 years old |
| Daylight restriction | Until age 16 |
| Passenger restriction | 1 non-family under 17 (first 6 mo) |
| Cell phone use | Prohibited |
| GDL ends | At age 18 |
| SIP violation consequence | Permit cancelled, start over |