Key points
Each moving violation brings one to four points.
Source: Handbook p. 123
“you receive one to four points for each moving traffic violation on your record.”
Idaho Driver's Handbook, Handbook p. 123The point bands are 8 to 11 and 12 to 17 points in any 12 months, then 18 to 23 in any 24 months, then 24 or more in any 36 months.
Source: Handbook p. 123
“8 to 11 in any 12 months 12 to 17 in any 12 months 18 to 23 in any 24 months 24 or more in any 36 months”
Idaho Driver's Handbook, Handbook p. 123Penalties rise with the bands: a warning letter, then a 30 day, 90 day, and 6 month suspension.
Source: Handbook p. 123
“PENALTY Warning letter 30-day suspension 90-day suspension 6-month suspension”
Idaho Driver's Handbook, Handbook p. 123An approved defensive driving course can remove up to 3 points.
Source: Handbook p. 123
“A maximum of three (3) points may be removed from your driving record upon completion of an ITD-approved DDC.”
Idaho Driver's Handbook, Handbook p. 123A Traffic Safety Education Course offered by law enforcement at the time of a citation can remove up to 4 points.
Source: Handbook p. 123
“four (4) points may be removed from your driving record upon completion of a TSC. For points to be removed, the course must be offered by law enforcement and accepted by the driver at the time of citation.”
Idaho Driver's Handbook, Handbook p. 123The TSC must be completed within 45 days of the citation.
Source: Handbook p. 124
“must be completed within 45 days of the citation.”
Idaho Driver's Handbook, Handbook p. 124All drivers under 17 are subject to GDL penalties, starting with a warning letter for a first moving violation.
Source: Handbook p. 125
“All drivers under 17 years of age are subject to the following penalties: A warning letter upon the first conviction for a moving traffic violation”
Idaho Driver's Handbook, Handbook p. 125Under the GDL penalties, a second moving violation brings a 30 day suspension and a third brings 60 days.
Source: Handbook p. 125
“A 30-day suspension of driving privileges for a second conviction for a moving traffic violation. A 60-day suspension of driving privileges for a third or subsequent conviction”
Idaho Driver's Handbook, Handbook p. 125Reinstatement fees run from $25.00 to $285.00.
Source: Handbook p. 127
“You will be required to pay a reinstatement fee of $25.00 to $285.00, depending upon the nature of the suspension.”
Idaho Driver's Handbook, Handbook p. 127
Numbers to know
| Number | What it means | Manual |
|---|---|---|
| 8 to 11 in 12 months | points that bring a warning letter | Handbook p. 123 |
| 12 to 17 in 12 months | points that bring a suspension | Handbook p. 123 |
| 18 to 23 in 24 months, 24 in 36 months | higher point bands | Handbook p. 123 |
| 30 days, 90 days, 6 months | suspensions for the higher point bands | Handbook p. 123 |
| 3 points | maximum removed by a defensive driving course | Handbook p. 123 |
| 4 points | maximum removed by a Traffic Safety Education Course | Handbook p. 123 |
| 45 days | deadline to finish the TSC | Handbook p. 124 |
| 30 and 60 days | GDL suspensions for a second and third conviction | Handbook p. 125 |
| 17 | age under which the GDL penalties apply | Handbook p. 125 |
| $25.00 to $285.00 | reinstatement fee range | Handbook p. 127 |
3 questions from the Idaho practice test
1. How soon must an Idaho driver complete a point reduction course accepted at the time of citation?
- Within one year
- Within 10 days
- There is no deadline
- Within 45 days of the citation
Show answer
Within 45 days of the citation. For points to be removed, the course must be offered by law enforcement and accepted by the driver at the time of citation, and it must be completed within 45 days of the citation. The points removed match the points on that citation. Idaho assigns one to four points per moving violation, and approved courses are listed on the DMV website.
2. What reinstatement fee does Idaho charge after a suspension?
- $25 to $285 depending on the nature of the suspension, with multiple suspensions carrying multiple fees
- A flat $10
- $1,000
- No fee
Show answer
$25 to $285 depending on the nature of the suspension, with multiple suspensions carrying multiple fees. To get driving privileges back you apply to the Idaho Transportation Department and pay a reinstatement fee of $25 to $285 depending on the nature of the suspension, and multiple suspensions may carry multiple fees. After serious offenses such as reckless driving or DUI you must also file proof of financial responsibility, an SR-22, for three years. A violation of the no insurance laws brings a one year proof requirement for a first offense.
3. Under Idaho's point system, what action may the department take when a driver collects 8 to 11 points in any 12 months?
- A warning letter
- A 30 day suspension
- A 90 day suspension
- No action until 24 points
Show answer
A warning letter. Idaho's point table starts with a warning letter for 8 to 11 points in any 12 months. A 30 day suspension begins at 12 to 17 points in 12 months, and a 90 day suspension applies at 18 to 23 points in 24 months. The department does not wait until 24 points; 24 or more in 36 months is the top tier, which carries a 6 month suspension. Each moving violation adds one to four points.
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Source: the Idaho Driver's Handbook, What Affects Your Driving Privilege and 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.