How to Apply for a Learners Permit in Idaho
An Idaho learners permit must be acquired before you can get a valid drivers license if you are a teenager. This is because Idaho participates in the Graduated Driver’s License Program, which requires specific steps to be completed by teenagers in order to build up experience before getting a full license. In most cases, a learners permit must be obtained before a driver training program can be attended.
There are two different drivers permits in Idaho, and the eligibility requirements to obtain either one varies. You must be at least 14 and a half or 15 years of age, and you may need to pass certain testing requirements as well. Once you obtain your permit, you are allowed to operate a motor vehicle as long as you follow the rules that are set in place for that particular permit.
These rules may include only driving with a driving instructor or an adult with a valid driver license, and it is very important that you are completely aware of what the regulations are before driving. To learn more about the DMV learners permits and how to get them, continue reading.
NOTE: Taking our learners permit practice test makes you 5x more likely to pass the Idaho knowledge test on your first try.
Idaho Learners Permit Eligibility Guidelines
There are certain drivers permit requirements that you must abide by before you can get a permit. Also, as mentioned above, there are two different types of learning licenses that you can get in Idaho. The type of license that you qualify for varies depending on your eligibility:
- The driver training instruction permit/supervised instruction permit (SIP): May be obtained by anyone between the ages of 14 and a half and 17 years of age in order to attend a driver training program.
- Class D instruction permit: May be obtained by anyone 15 years of age or older who has completed a driver training program and the Graduated Driver’s Licensing Program, OR by anyone 17 years of age or older who has passed a knowledge test.
Additionally, you must be able to provide parental consent if you are under the age of 18, proof of legal residency in the U.S. and other forms of important documentation.
How to Apply for a Learners Permit in Idaho
If you are a teenager, getting a learners permit is an important first step before you are eligible to get a drivers license. Knowing where to get a learners permit is an important piece of information that should be considered, as well. In Idaho, you must visit your local Idaho DMV office in order to begin the permit application process. Many people wonder how to get an Idaho driver permit online, but it is crucial to know that an online option is not available.
The process of how to apply for a learners permit does vary slightly depending on whether you are needing to obtain a supervised instruction permit (SIP) or a Class D instruction permit. To get a supervised instruction permit, you must do the following:
- Visit your local Idaho DMV office.
- Present proof of age and identity, like an original birth certificate or S. passport.
- Present your original Social Security card.
- Present two documents for proof of Idaho residence address.
- If you were born outside of the U.S., present acceptable lawful presence documents.
- If applicable, present visual/medical certification documents.
- If you are younger than 18 years of age, bring a parent or guardian to be a liability signer and sign consent for
- you to be licensed.
- If you are younger than 18 years of age, present verification of school compliance (proof of enrollment and
- Present proof of school attendance or high school graduation.
- Pay the applicable permit fees.
If you want a Class D permit and you are younger than 17, you must follow all of the above-mentioned steps and also present a driver training completion certificate. If you are 17 years of age or older, you must follow all of the steps and pass a knowledge test instead of providing a driver training completion certificate.
The Idaho Drivers Permit Test
You must pass the drivers permit test before a Class D instruction permit can be awarded to you. This DMV permit test is only a requirement for the Class D permit, not the supervised instruction permit (SIP).
The learners permit test will test your knowledge of Idaho traffic laws, highway signs, traffic signals, pavement markings and equipment required on motor vehicles. There are 40 questions on the test, and you are allowed to get no more than six answers wrong in order to pass the test. All of the information needed to pass the written test and get your permit is included in the Idaho Drivers Manual.
If you are wondering what to bring to the permit test, the answer is that you must bring with you the documentation needed when applying for the permit, as mentioned in the section above. This is because you will be taking the test at the same time that you apply for the permit. You will not need to bring any test-specific materials because it is typically an online drivers permit test that will be available to you at the DMV center on one of their computers.
You may take a DMV practice permit test in order to study for the exam in addition to reading through the drivers manual.
Idaho Driving Permit Rules and Restrictions
There are learners permit rules and restrictions that you must be aware of before you apply for a permit. These driving permit rules must be followed or else you may be subject to consequences such as having your permit revoked. However, because there are two types of permits available in Idaho, it is crucial that you understand the rules for the permit that you are eligible for.
If you have a driver training instruction permit/supervised instruction permit (SIP), while you are enrolled in a driver training program you may only operate a vehicle with the driver training instructor. This permit may not be used to drive a motor vehicle with anyone other than the qualified driver training instructor until you have successfully completed the class.
Once you have completed the driver’s training program and the instructor has given you your permit, you will be eligible to begin the supervised instruction period with an adult 21 years of age or older who holds a valid drivers license.
When wondering when can you drive with a permit, the rules are different if you have a Class D instruction permit. The Class D permit allows you to practice driving a motor vehicle as long as you are accompanied by an adult aged 18 years old or older who holds a valid drivers license.
You must also understand how long an Idaho learner’s permit lasts. The supervised instruction permit is valid until five days after you turn 18 years of age, or if you obtained the permit when you were 17 and a half years of age or older, it is valid for 180 days. The Class D permit is valid for 180 days regardless of your age when applying.
Note: There are no specific permit driving hours that you must abide by for either permit in Idaho.
Idaho Learner Permit Fees
There is a fee in the state of Idaho that you must pay before you can obtain your permit. The fees are as follows:
- Instruction permit: $15
- Supervised instruction permit: $21.50 (includes $6.50 admin fee)
- Knowledge test: $3
Sources
- Idaho Young Driver Information from SDE.Idaho.gov
- Idaho Driver's Manual from SDE.Idaho.gov