State rules
Driver training rules in Idaho
What Idaho requires of driving schools, CDL training and school bus drivers, with every fact linked to its official source.
✓ Checked against official sources · 2026-10-18
Driver training rules in Idaho for teen and adult driver's education, CDL schools, carriers that train their own drivers and school bus drivers, each with a link to the official source. Federal ELDT rules (49 CFR Part 380) apply in every state on top of these.
| Driver education (teens) | Yes, under 17: approved driver training of 30 hours classroom, 6 hours in-car observation, 6 hours behind the wheel. A qualifying parent or guardian may teach the in-car hours instead of an instructor, with the classroom hours taken online through a state-approved course (Idaho Code 33-1702, 49-307(6)).source 1 · source 2 · source 3 · source 4 |
|---|---|
| Supervised practice (teens) | 50 hours supervised, 10 after dark, over at least 6 months after driver training; license no sooner than age 15.source 2 |
| New adult drivers | No course required at 17+; ITD requires driver training only for applicants under 17.source 5 |
| Who licenses driving schools | Private schools/instructors: Idaho Driving Businesses Licensure Board (Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses). Public school programs: State Dept. of Education.source 6 · source 7 |
| CDL training: state rules beyond federal ELDT | No state hours; ITD requires federal ELDT from an FMCSA Training Provider Registry provider (since Feb 7, 2022).source 8 |
| CDL schools: state license | Yes, general: CDL schools register yearly as proprietary schools (Idaho Code 33-2403). The driving-business license excludes CDL training.source 9 · source 10 · source 6 |
| CDL schools: state hours or curriculum | No state hours; ITD requires federal ELDT from a TPR-listed provider.source 8 |
| CDL schools: instructor rules | No state CDL instructor license; the driving-instructor license is for automobile training at driving businesses, which exclude CDL. Federal 380.713 applies.source 6 |
| Carriers training their own drivers: license | Exempt if no tuition: employer courses for its own employees are exempt from proprietary-school registration.source 9 |
| Carriers: hours or curriculum | No state hours for anyone; federal ELDT only.source 8 |
| Carriers: instructor rules | No state CDL instructor license for anyone; federal 380.713 applies to carrier trainers.source 6 |
| New school bus drivers | Approved training program + SDE knowledge tests, plus 10 hours practical training in a bus (6+ behind the wheel), an evacuation practical and a driver evaluation (SISBO approved Aug 24, 2022; IDAPA 08.02.02).source 11 · source 12 |
| School bus refresher | 10 hours refresher each fiscal year: 3+ hours pre-service before fall plus 3+ in-service sessions (SISBO approved Aug 24, 2022; IDAPA 08.02.02).source 11 · source 12 |
Driving manuals and handbooks
Official publications from Idaho, checked 2026-10-19. Read them here or download them; the state's own copy is always linked.
Teen and parent guides
Drive Log Template: Parent-Student On-Road Driver Training
Teen and parent guides
Idaho Code 49-307 Parent-Student On-Road Driver Training FAQ
Teen and parent guides
Idaho's Graduated Driver's Licensing (GDL) Program (fact sheet)
Teen and parent guides
Parent-Student On-Road Supervised Driving Step-by-Step Guide
Commercial (CDL)Idaho Commercial Driver's License Manual
Open on the state siteCopyright AAMVA, so it opens on the state's site.
School bus
Standards for Idaho School Buses and Operations (SISBO)
Motorcycle and mopedIdaho Motorcycle Rider's Handbook
Open on the state siteOpens on the state's site.
Driving schools and instructors
Idaho Public Driver Education 2025 Program Manual
Driving schools and instructors
Idaho Public Driver Education Curriculum Guide
Driving jobs in Idaho
15,920heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers employed (May 2025)
$58,770median yearly pay (May 2025)
2,200projected openings each year, 2024 to 2034
12.6%projected job growth, 2024 to 2034
U.S. Bureau of Labor StatisticsOccupational Employment and Wage Statistics, Idaho, May 2025Projections CentralLong-Term Occupational Projections (2024-2034)
Rules change. Always confirm with the state agency before you rely on a rule. Something out of date? Email terry@eldt.courses.
Federal rules in every state
CDL entry-level driver training must come from a provider listed on FMCSA's Training Provider Registry, for a first Class A or B CDL, an upgrade to Class A or B, or a first P, S or H endorsement (49 CFR 380.609). See ELDT record keeping under 49 CFR 380.
Sources
- https://legislature.idaho.gov/statutesrules/idstat/Title33/T33CH17/SECT33-1702/
- https://legislature.idaho.gov/statutesrules/idstat/Title49/T49CH3/SECT49-307/
- https://legislature.idaho.gov/wp-content/uploads/sessioninfo/2026/legislation/H0628.pdf
- https://itd.idaho.gov/dmv/young-drivers/
- https://itd.idaho.gov/?p=4475
- https://legislature.idaho.gov/statutesrules/idstat/Title54/T54CH54/SECT54-5402/
- https://legislature.idaho.gov/statutesrules/idstat/Title54/T54CH54/SECT54-5403/
- https://itd.idaho.gov/guide/ten-steps-to-getting-an-idaho-cdl/
- https://legislature.idaho.gov/statutesrules/idstat/Title33/T33CH24/SECT33-2403/
- https://legislature.idaho.gov/statutesrules/idstat/Title33/T33CH24/SECT33-2401/
- https://boardofed.idaho.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/120-20SISBO20Manual.pdf
- https://adminrules.idaho.gov/rules/current/08/080202.pdf