Get your first driver's license in Idaho

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A first-time Idaho driver applies in person at a county sheriff's driver's license office: under 17 through driver training and a six-month supervised instruction permit, at 17 or older with a Class D instruction permit, then passes the knowledge test and a skills test with a third-party examiner.

Your situation

How old are you?
Online or in person
No, in person · At least two visitsPermits and licenses are issued at county driver's license offices. The agency names no online application for a first license; you can study with the online handbook and Class D practice test. One visit to get the permit, then a skills test with a third-party examiner you book yourself, then a return to the county office with the sealed test envelope to pay and get the license. Some offices take appointments, some take walk-ins; it varies by office.
Cost
$20 permit + $5 knowledge test + $35 skills test + license feeClass D instruction permit $20. License (Class D): 1-year $20, 3-year $30 (age 18 to 21), 4-year $35 (21 and over), 8-year $60 (21 to 62). The handbook lists the 1-year license for age 17 or 20; the DMV web page says age 17 to 20. Skills test $35: $6.50 to the county DMV and up to $28.50 to the examiner.
You leave with
Instruction permit, then a Class D license

Your plan

  1. Gather your documents

    • Show accepted documents (bring 1)
      • U.S. passport or passport card
      • U.S. military ID card
      • Junior or senior high school photo card (Not a college or university ID)
    • Show accepted documents (bring 1)
      • Signed and dated lease, rental agreement, mortgage or deed
      • Public utility statement (Cell phone bills are not accepted)
      • Bank or financial statement
      • Idaho school enrollment records
      • Residency affidavit signed by an adult over 18

  2. Study the Driver's Handbook

    The knowledge test has 40 questions taken from the handbook; you can miss up to six. ITD also offers a Class D practice test.

    Idaho Driver's Handbook (PDF) ↗

  3. Take a free practice test

    Before the knowledge test, try our Idaho Permit Practice Test: 40 questions like the real exam, based on the official handbook, with every answer explained.

    Start the Idaho practice test

  4. Pass the knowledge test and get an instruction permit

    At 17 or older you can take the knowledge test ($5) at a county driver's license office and get a Class D instruction permit ($20), valid one year. Practice only with a licensed driver 18 or older. At 18 no liability signer is needed. Driver training is optional at 17 or older.

    Idaho Driver's Handbook (PDF) ↗

  5. Book and pass the skills test

    Third-party examiners give all Class D skills tests. Contact an examiner from the regional list; leave a voicemail if they don't answer. Bring photo ID, valid insurance and registration for the car, and the owner's permission if it isn't yours. You can't drive yourself to the test without a license. Twelve or fewer errors passes; any critical error fails.

    Taking the Driver's Test (Idaho DMV) ↗

  6. Get your license at the county office

    Return to the county DMV office with the sealed envelope from the examiner and pay the fees. Your license is issued then.

    Taking the Driver's Test (Idaho DMV) ↗

Common reasons people get turned away

  • A traffic violation during the supervised instruction period cancels the permit, and the 6-month period starts over with a new permit.
  • If you fail a knowledge or skills test you must wait three days and pay the test fees again.
  • The skills test stops if the car's equipment fails the inspection (lights, signals, horn, wipers and more) or you lack valid insurance and registration in the car.
  • Under 18, the liability signer must come to the county office or give someone a power of attorney, and you need a VOC dated within the last year.
  • Photocopies and laminated documents are not accepted.
  • Skills test eligibility dates for under-17 SIP holders are strictly enforced.

Offices for permits, tests and first licenses

DMV offices are run by the county sheriff (driver's licenses and testing, at Driver Services locations) or the county assessor (vehicle services). Some locations offer combined services, but not all of them give tests. Skills tests are given by third-party examiners you contact yourself. Agency source.

40 offices where you can apply for a permit or first licenseSee them on a map, search by county or show the ones open now

Largest cities with them: Boise (1) · Meridian (1)

13 more offices may be able to apply for a permit or first license, but neither the office's service list nor the agency says so. They show in the search below, labelled; call before you go.

Results show offices where you can apply for a permit or first license or may be able to, nearest first, each labelled.

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Sources · checked November 4, 2026

We wrote this plan ourselves from the official pages above on the date shown. Agencies change rules without notice: the official page always wins. DMV Decoded is independent and not a government agency; we don't book appointments or take payments.