Minimum age for a car driving licence in Idaho (2026)
Last reviewed: 9 October 2026
In short: A driver training instruction permit is available from 14½ and a driver's licence from 15, limited to daylight hours until 16. A nonresident aged 15 or over with a valid home licence may drive under the same limits.
| Rule | What applies |
|---|---|
| Minimum age for a car licenceCar (category B) driving licence | 15 years [1] |
| Earliest age to drive a car supervisedCar (category B) driving licence | 14.5 years [2] |
| Driving before the minimum ageCar (category B) driving licence | A person under 17 must complete an approved driver training course (30 hours of classroom instruction, six hours of in-car observation and six hours of behind-the-wheel driving) and a class D supervised instruction permit. A licence can then be issued from 15, limited to daylight hours until age 16 unless a licensed driver aged 21 or over sits in the front seat. During the first six months, a licensee under 17 may carry no more than one passenger under 17 unless related. [1] |
| Visitors on a foreign licence: ageCar (category B) driving licence | A nonresident aged at least 15 who holds a valid driver's licence from the home state or country may drive in Idaho only as a class D operator, restricted to daylight hours until 16, and only if Idaho residency is not established. [3] |
| Learner's permit from ageCar (category B) driving licence | 14.5 years [2] |
| Night-time limit for new driversCar (category B) driving licence | A licensed driver under 16 may drive only during daylight hours unless accompanied by a licensed driver aged 21 or over in the front seat (no other front-seat passengers). [2] |
| Passenger limit for new driversCar (category B) driving licence | For the first six months of the licence, a licensee under 17 may carry no more than one passenger under 17, unless the passengers are related to the driver by blood, adoption or marriage. [2] |
Notes
- This is the age for a licence limited to daylight hours; full privileges follow at 16. Completing approved driver training and a supervised instruction permit is required.
Sources
- Idaho Legislature: Idaho Code 49-303 - Which persons shall not be licensed (Internet Archive snapshot of 18 May 2026) (consulted 9 October 2026) · all sources
- Idaho Transportation Department: Young Drivers (consulted 9 October 2026) · all sources
- Idaho Legislature: Idaho Code 49-302 - Persons exempt from license (Internet Archive snapshot of 11 December 2025) (consulted 9 October 2026) · all sources
Idaho and neighbouring states
| State | Minimum age for a car licence | Earliest age to drive a car supervised | Driving before the minimum age | Visitors on a foreign licence: age |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Idaho | 15 (daylight only); full privileges at 16 | 14½ (driver training permit) | Licence from 15 (daylight only); full at 16 | Valid home licence: 15+, daylight only until 16 |
| Montana | 15 (after 6 months on a learner licence) | 14.5 with a traffic education course | Hardship restricted licence from 13 | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Nevada | 16 (after 6+ months on a permit) | 15.5 (instruction permit) | 16 after 6 months on permit; curfew 10 p.m.-5 a.m. | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Oregon | 16 (provisional licence) | 15 (instruction permit) | Permit at 15; provisional licence at 16 | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Utah | 16 (licence after 6 months on permit) | 15 (learner permit) | Permit at 15; licence at 16 with GDL limits | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Washington | 16 (intermediate licence) | 15 if in driver training; otherwise 15.5 | Permit from 15; intermediate licence at 16 | Nonresident 16+ (15 with permit); foreign licence up to 1 yr |
| Wyoming | 16 (after 6 months on intermediate permit) | 15 (instruction permit) | Permit 15; intermediate permit 16; licence 17 | Valid home licence; no age stated |
More rules in Idaho
- CannabisPossession for personal use: Illegal; penalties under the Controlled Substances Act · Growing at home: No (illegal to manufacture)
- Car speed limitsBuilt-up areas: 35 mph · Outside built-up areas (single carriageway): 65 mph state hwys; 55 mph other
- E-bikes and speed pedelecsLegal class: Class 1-3, bicycle rules
- FireworksConsumers may buy and use category F2 fireworks: Yes (non-aerial only, set dates)
- Knives and pepper sprayFolding pocket knives: Blade 6 in or less is not a 'deadly weapon' · Locking or one-handed knives: No separate rule; 6 in blade limit
- Statutory minimum wageNational statutory minimum wage: Yes · Current adult minimum wage (gross): $7.25 per hour
- Using a mobile phone while drivingHolding a phone while driving banned: Banned (hands-free allowed)
- Seat belts and child seatsSeat belt compulsory in front seats: Yes, all seats · Seat belt compulsory in rear seats: Yes, all seats
- Tobacco and nicotine age limitsMinimum age to buy tobacco: 21 · Minimum age to buy e-cigarettes: 21
- Drink-driving limitsBlood alcohol limit for ordinary drivers: 0.08% · Lower limit for novice or young drivers: 0.02% (under 21)
Related pages
General information, not legal advice. Rules change: check the official source before you fly or ride.