Idaho Permit Practice Hours: 50 Hours Under 17, How to Log Correctly

How many hours do I need to practice driving with a permit in Idaho?

Drivers under 17 must complete 50 hours of supervised driving, including 10 hours at night, over a mandatory 6-month period. Drivers 17 and older have no state-mandated practice hours, though 30-40 hours are recommended.

Required Practice Time with Permit by Age

The supervised driving hours needed depend on your age and permit type.

• Under 17 (Supervised Instruction Permit): 50 total hours of behind-the-wheel practice. At least 10 hours must be at night (after sunset).
• 17 and Older (Class D Instruction Permit): No mandatory minimum driving hours. You can schedule your skills test as soon as you feel ready.

What Counts Toward Your Practice Hours

Not all driving time qualifies for the 50-hour requirement.

• Counts: Driving with a licensed adult supervisor (21+). Behind-the-wheel hours from an approved driver education course.
• Does Not Count: Driving without a supervisor. Observation hours from a driver's ed course. Time spent practicing on private property.

A Boise teen completed 6 hours of behind-the-wheel training with their driving school. They can add those 6 hours to their 50-hour total, but the 6 observation hours from the same course do not count.

Do I need to log my driving hours in Idaho?

Yes, if you are under 17. You must submit a signed GDL Requirements Verification Form to the DMV. Drivers 17 and older are exempt from logging.

How to Track and Verify Your Hours

You must track your daily drives and submit an official form.

• Daily Tracking: Use a notebook, spreadsheet, or a GPS-based app like RoadReady to record date, time, duration, and conditions.
• Official Submission: Complete ITD Form 3902 (Supervised Driving Log for Under Age 17). A parent or guardian must sign each page of the log.
• Verification: The DMV collects and files this form. While they may not audit every log, examiners can request proof if timelines seem unrealistic.

A family in Coeur d'Alene used the RoadReady app for 4 months but forgot to log a 2-hour weekend trip. They estimated the date and duration based on text messages and family photos, then manually added the entry to their app's history before generating the summary for the DMV form.

Common Logging Issues and Solutions

Mistakes with your driving log can cause delays at the DMV.

• Forgot to Log Hours: Log hours contemporaneously. Late or back-filled entries risk rejection by DMV examiners. Reconstruct a realistic timeline before signing the official form.
• Do They Check the Log? The DMV does not typically review a daily diary. They rely on the signed affidavit. However, if you apply for your license only 3 months after getting your permit, an examiner at the Ada County office is likely to question the 50-hour claim and may ask for your detailed records.
• Inconsistent Signatures: The parent/guardian who signs the form must be present at the DMV or have their signature notarized. A mismatch between the form signature and the ID of the accompanying adult is a common reason for rejection in Idaho Falls.

A Nampa teen arrived for their license appointment with a form signed by their mother. Their father accompanied them to the DMV. The Canyon County examiner rejected the form because the signing parent was not present, requiring a notarized signature and a rescheduled appointment.

Practical Tips for the Licensing Process

• Schedule your skills test for a Tuesday or Wednesday morning to avoid the long waits common at the Meridian licensing office on weekends and Monday afternoons.
• Bring two forms of payment (cash and card) to the DMV. The $28.50 skills test fee in Twin Falls is often paid directly to the tester in cash, while the county fee requires a check or money order.
• Complete the GDL Verification Form in black ink and double-check all dates to prevent form errors that cause immediate rejection at the Boise DMV on Broadway, forcing a reschedule.

Download the Idaho Driver's Handbook PDF to study all permit rules and test topics.

For practice tests and county office details, visit itd.idaho.gov/dmv/young-drivers/.