Supervised practice and driver education in Idaho

By the end of this topic you can

• You can describe what an approved Idaho driver training course contains.
• You can plan 50 supervised hours, including 10 at night.
• You can state who may supervise you and where they must sit.
• You can explain the rules that apply during the supervised period.

What you need to know and understand

• An approved course has 30 hours of classroom instruction, 6 hours observing in the training car and 6 hours behind the wheel.
• Public school courses are open to Idaho residents aged 14 1/2 to 21 and run at least 30 days. Private driving schools also offer approved courses.
• Under 17, you need at least 6 months and 50 supervised hours, 10 of them at night.
• The supervisor must be a licensed driver aged 21 or older in the front passenger seat, with no one else in the front.
• Everyone in the car must wear a seat belt or proper child restraint.
• On a Class D Instruction Permit (17 and over), the supervising adult must be at least 18 and licensed.

Inside an Idaho driver training course

You must buy a Driver Training Permit before your first class. The Idaho Department of Education approves public school courses in most districts, and private schools run approved courses too. The 6 hours behind the wheel are with a certified instructor, and the 6 observation hours are spent riding along while other students drive.

In some areas, families may use ITD's Parent-Student On-Road Driver's Training program, where a parent delivers the on-road part. Eligibility is limited, so check the current rules with ITD and the Department of Education. A deeper guide on parent-led training is available elsewhere on this site.

Rules during the supervised period

• Supervisor: licensed, aged 21 or older, in the front passenger seat
• No other passengers in the front seat
• Seat belts or child restraints for all occupants
• Obey every alcohol and drug law
• No traffic convictions, or the permit is canceled and the 6 months restart

Building your 50 hours wisely

1. Start in empty parking lots, practicing steering, braking and the five-step routine for moving off.
2. Move to quiet residential streets, then busier roads with signals and turn lanes.
3. Add roundabouts, rural two-lane roads and, when ready, freeway merging.
4. Spread your 10 night hours across the period rather than leaving them to the end.
5. Practice in rain and, if possible, winter conditions with an experienced supervisor.

Common mistakes

• Practicing only familiar routes. The skills test includes intersections, a roundabout, freeway driving and parking.
• Carrying a friend in the front seat during the supervised period. Only the supervisor may sit there.
• Not keeping a written record of hours and night driving.
• Treating a minor ticket as unimportant. A conviction cancels the permit and resets the 6 months.

Test yourself: Supervised practice and driver education in Idaho

Answer each question, then read the explanation. Questions come in a random order each time.

Go deeper

• Idaho GDL Rules and the Supervised Instruction Permit
• Idaho Permit Practice Test
• Idaho Permit Test