by Jim Thompson | Last Updated: January 11, 2021

In Idaho, the Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) requires teenagers applying for their first license to complete a drivers education course to begin in the graduated drivers license program.

The decision to take a drivers ed course is a good one, especially for new drivers. The course offers benefit far beyond preparing you for your written and driver tests. The course will also equip you with the knowledge and skills necessary to make you a safer and more responsible driver.

About Drivers Ed Idaho

Teens under the age of 17 will be required by the Idaho DMV to complete a drivers education course. You can begin the graduated drivers license (GDL) program at the age of 14 ½ by obtaining your learners permit. The biggest hurdle to obtaining this permit is the passing of a written permit test. The Idaho permit test covers a great deal of information about Idaho road signs and traffic law.

To increase your chances of passing, you could prepare for the test in any of the following ways:

• By studying the Idaho driver handbook
• By taking a driver prep course
• By getting a look at actual permit test questions within Idaho permit practice test

A permit practice test is an ideal way to prepare for your written exam. It’s exactly like the actual test you will see, with none of the pressure. Then, when you can ace it at home, head to the DMV and knock it out of the park!

New Residents and Idaho Drivers Ed

If you are younger than 17 and you have completed drivers ed in another state, you will need to submit a certificate of course completion from your previous state to the Idaho Department of Motor Vehicles. If the course you took satisfies the Idaho standards, you will be able to proceed with the licensing process without taking a drivers education course.

How Drivers Ed Idaho Works

Residents of Idaho aged 14 ½ to 21 are eligible to enroll in the drivers ed classes offered both by Idaho high schools and professional driving schools. An Idaho State Department of Education approved drivers ed course will have both classroom and in-car portions. The entire program will encompass 42 hours, broken down into:

• 30 hours of classroom training
• 6 hours of behind the wheel practice
• 6 hours of in-car observation of another driver

During the classroom portion, you will receive instruction on topics including:

• Idaho traffic law and rules of the road
• Sharing the road with other motorists, big trucks, cyclists and pedestrians
• Basic vehicle maneuvers
• Emergency situations and how to avoid them

After Completing Idaho Drivers Ed, What’s Next?

At the end of your drivers education course, the following requirements must be for scheduling your licensing road tests:

• Complete 50 hours of supervised driving practice. 10 of these hours must be completed at night
• No traffic violations in the previous six months
• Must be a minimum of 15 years old
• Must have held a driving permit for a minimum of six months

For any other questions you may have concerning the Idaho licensing process, visit the Driver Education page on the Idaho State Department of Education website.