Graduated Driver's License rules

Key points

1. The GDL requires at least a 6 month supervised instruction period with no violations.

   Source: Handbook p. 19

   “you will be required to complete a minimum 6-month, violationfree supervised instruction period”
   Idaho Driver's Handbook, Handbook p. 19

2. The supervising driver must be licensed, at least 21, and in the front seat beside you, with no other front seat passengers.

   Source: Handbook p. 19

   “Be accompanied by a valid licensed driver at least 21 years of age who is occupying the front seat beside the driver (no other passengers are allowed in the front seat).”
   Idaho Driver's Handbook, Handbook p. 19

3. You need at least 50 hours of supervised driving, 10 of them at night.

   Source: Handbook p. 19

   “Accumulate at least 50 hours of supervised driving time, ten hours of which must be at night.”
   Idaho Driver's Handbook, Handbook p. 19

4. A traffic conviction during the supervised period cancels the permit, and the 6 months start over.

   Source: Handbook p. 19

   “the permit will be canceled and you must reapply for a new permit. Your minimum 6 months of supervised driving time starts over again with the issuance of a new permit.”
   Idaho Driver's Handbook, Handbook p. 19

5. Under 16, you may drive only in daylight unless a licensed driver at least 21 sits in the front seat beside you.

   Source: Handbook p. 16

   “RESTRICTION WHEN UNDER 16 Daylight only travel is allowed unless you have a valid licensed driver who is at least 21 years of age sitting in the front seat beside you.”
   Idaho Driver's Handbook, Handbook p. 16

6. Daylight means 5:00a to 10:00p local time.

   Source: Handbook p. 16

   “Daylight is defined as 5:00a to 10:00p local time.”
   Idaho Driver's Handbook, Handbook p. 16

7. Under 17, for the first 6 months you may carry only 1 passenger under 17 unless they are related to you.

   Source: Handbook p. 16

   “During the first 6 months from the date the license was issued, the number of passengers in the vehicle who are under the age of 17 shall be limited to not more than one passenger, unless the passenger(s) are related to the driver by blood, adoption or marriage.”
   Idaho Driver's Handbook, Handbook p. 16

8. After completing the GDL, you must pass a knowledge and skills test before getting a license.

   Source: Handbook p. 19

   “you will be required to take and pass a knowledge and skills test before being issued a driver's license.”
   Idaho Driver's Handbook, Handbook p. 19

Numbers to know

3 questions from the Idaho practice test

1. 1. How many supervised driving hours must be completed at night during Idaho's GDL period?

   1. 5 hours
   2. 10 hours
   3. 15 hours
   4. 20 hours
   Show answer

   10 hours. The GDL supervised period requires at least 50 hours of driving time, with 10 of those hours at night. The nighttime portion is included within the total, rather than added on top of 50. Five, 15, and 20 hours are not the handbook's specified nighttime figure. When recording practice, a family should track both the overall total and the night subset so that reaching 50 daytime-heavy hours does not leave the separate night requirement unfinished.

2. 2. During the first six months of an Idaho license, what passenger limit applies to drivers under 17?

   1. No more than two unrelated passengers under 17
   2. No passengers under 17 under any circumstances
   3. No more than one passenger under 17, unless related
   4. Any number of passengers if everyone wears a seat belt
   Show answer

   No more than one passenger under 17, unless related. For the first six months after the license date, a driver under 17 may carry no more than one passenger who is under 17. The exception covers passengers related by blood, adoption, or marriage, so the rule is not a blanket ban on younger passengers. Seat belt use remains important but does not remove the passenger cap. Count the age and relationship of the passengers before starting the trip, especially when more than one young friend wants a ride.

3. 3. Where must the supervising licensed adult sit during Idaho's GDL supervised period?

   1. Anywhere in the vehicle
   2. In the rear seat behind the driver
   3. In the front seat beside the driver
   4. In the passenger seat only when turning
   Show answer

   In the front seat beside the driver. The supervising adult must occupy the front seat beside the young driver. The adult must also hold a valid license and be at least 21 years old, and no other passenger may occupy the front seat during this supervised period. Sitting in the rear does not meet the stated arrangement, and supervision is not limited to turns or selected maneuvers. Before moving, confirm the adult's age, license, and seat position together.

Source: the Idaho Driver's Handbook, One Driver, One License, One Record. This lesson is a plain English summary, not the law itself; where it differs, the manual and the statute govern. Last checked 2026-09-27.