Idaho Permit Test FAQ

The Class D knowledge test has 40 questions drawn from the Idaho Driver's Handbook. You can get up to six wrong, so 34 right answers pass. It is offered in English, Arabic, Chinese, Farsi, French, Korean, Russian, Serbo-Croatian, Spanish, Swahili, Vietnamese and American Sign Language. (Idaho Driver's Handbook, p. 32)

Wait three days before testing again, and pay the knowledge test fee a second time. A failed skills test works the same way: three days, and both fees (county and examiner) are paid again. (Idaho Driver's Handbook, p. 32–33)

No phones, smart watches, earbuds or other electronics, no handbooks or notes, and no talking with others. Children and bags are up to the county office, and a translator is allowed only for a language the test isn't offered in or after three failed tries in an offered language. (Idaho Transportation Department: Taking the Driver's Test)

You pass with 12 errors or fewer. Any critical driving error, such as disobeying a sign, speeding, hitting an object or making the same mistake five times, ends the test as a fail. Skills tests are given only in daylight and decent weather, by third-party examiners you contact yourself. (Idaho Driver's Handbook, p. 33–37)

Fourteen and a half. A Driver Training Instruction Permit lets anyone from 14½ up to 17 attend a public school or private driver training program, driving only with the instructor while enrolled. (Idaho Driver's Handbook, p. 15)

After driver training, teens under 17 drive for at least six months with no violations, logging 50 hours or more (10 at night) with a licensed driver 21 or older beside them and nobody else in the front seat. A traffic conviction cancels the permit and the six months start again. (Idaho Driver's Handbook, p. 19)

Drivers under 16 may drive only between 5 a.m. and 10 p.m. unless a licensed driver at least 21 is in the front seat. Under 17, for the first six months, only one passenger under 17 may ride unless the passengers are related to you. (Idaho Driver's Handbook, p. 16)

Yes. From 17 a Class D Instruction Permit lets you practice for one year with a licensed driver 18 or older. You pass the knowledge test first; driver training isn't required at that age. (Idaho Driver's Handbook, p. 16)

Within 30 days of living in Idaho, even if your old license hasn't expired. College students and active-duty military (and their families) who keep residency in another state and hold its valid license don't need to switch. (Idaho Driver's Handbook, p. 4)

At least 25,000 dollars for injury or death of one person, 50,000 dollars for two or more people, and 15,000 dollars for damage to others' property in one accident, with an insurer admitted in Idaho. Idaho checks coverage electronically. (Idaho Transportation Department: New to Idaho)

Each moving violation adds one to four points. 8–11 points in 12 months bring a warning letter, 12–17 in 12 months a 30-day suspension, 18–23 in 24 months 90 days, and 24 or more in 36 months six months. (Idaho Driver's Handbook, p. 123)

A civil penalty and, if the court upholds the officer, a one-year suspension with no driving at all for a first refusal. A second refusal within 10 years means two years. (Idaho Driver's Handbook, p. 126–127)