Idaho (ID) Teen Auto Insurance Laws, Rates & Requirements

The state of Idaho is one of the few states in the U.S. that allows teen’s ages 14 ½ to obtain an instruction permit. Fortunately, Idaho teen crash statistics show that Idaho teens in this age group, as well as 15 year olds are not involved in crashes as frequently as Idaho teens between the ages of 16-19. In 2008, Idaho teens ages 16-19 were involved in 6,034 auto crashes. Only 403 15 year-olds were involved in auto crashes in the same year. To help keep the roads safe and teens well-informed about the challenges that come with driving, the state has adopted the Graduated Driver Licensing System. The law became effective January 1, 2007. What this means is, any teen under the age of 17 that has not been issued a driver’s license before this date must go through the system before becoming eligible to apply for an Idaho driver’s license. Continue reading to learn more about what it takes to obtain a driver’s license in the state of Idaho and the responsibility that comes with it.

Idaho Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) and Driver License Requirements

Under Idaho’s Graduated Driver Licensing program, teens must complete a minimum 6-month violation-free supervised instruction period. During this time the teen will obtain a Supervised Instruction Permit (SIP), which must be carried at all times. The teen must accumulate at least 50 hours of supervised driving during this time, to include 10 hours of nighttime driving. In addition, a driver training program through an approved Idaho facility is required. The teen must complete:

•    30 hours of classroom instruction
•    6 hours of in-car observation in a driver-training car
•    6 hours of behind the wheel training with a driver training instructor

To obtain an instruction permit, you must be at least 14 ½  years of age and provide the following documentation to the Idaho Department of Motor Vehicles:

•    Photo ID
•    Certified copy of your birth certificate
•    Social security card
•    Proof of school enrollment or graduation
•    Liability signer (birth parent or guardian)
•    $30 fee

To obtain an Idaho driver’s license, you must successfully complete all requirements of Idaho’s GDL program. You cannot apply for an Idaho driver’s license if you have accumulated any traffic violations. Your waiting period may be extended in these cases. In addition to successful completion of the GDL program, you must:

•    Take the written test
•    Take the vision test
•    Be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian if you are under 18
•    Pay a $14.50 fee

Your SIP, driver’s training program certificate, and other identification such as social security card and proof of age and  identity may be required again, so have these documents on-hand, just in case.

Idaho Teen Driving Laws and Enforcement

In the state of Idaho, under the terms of the Graduated Driver Licensing program, teens under age 17:

•    Must be accompanied by a licensed driver 21 or older
•    Cannot drive with more than 1 non-family passenger under the age of 17
•    Must wear a seatbelt at all times as well as all passengers in the car

If you are under 16, you are prohibited from driving at night unless accompanied by a licensed driver 21 or older.
 
If you break any of the teen driving laws listed above, you will receive a warning letter for a first violation. For a second violation, your license will be suspended for a minimum of 30 days. For a third violation, your license will be suspended for a minimum of 60 days. If you are holding a Supervised Instruction Permit and you violate any teen driving or traffic laws, your SIP will be canceled and the courts may order other suspensions, to be determined on a case by case basis.

Idaho Cell Phone Use/Texting While Driving Laws

In the state of Idaho, it is legal to use your cell phone while driving. This does not mean that driving while texting or talking on a cell phone is safe. The Idaho driving manual mentions that this practice is “dangerous” and if it is necessary to use a handheld communication device while driving, simply pull over to the side of the road to take or make a call.

Idaho Teen DUI Laws

In the state of Idaho, it is a crime for a teen to operate a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or any other intoxicant. If you get caught with a with a blood alcohol concentration level (BAC) of 0.02% or higher, your driving privileges will be suspended for up to one year and you will have to pay a fine up to $1,000. Enhanced penalties exist for second and third offenses, to be determined by the courts. Even if you violate Idaho’s alcohol or age laws when you are not behind the wheel, your SIP or driver's license will be canceled or suspended.

Idaho Teen Auto Insurance Requirements

It doesn’t matter if your vehicle is registered in your teens name or your name,  name, if you drive on any Idaho road, you must have liability auto insurance. The minimum amounts required by law include: $25,000 for injury or death of one person, $50,000 for injury or death to two or more people, and $15,000 for property damage or 25/50/15. Minimum auto liability coverage is required whether your vehicle is registered or not. Because the risk of an auto collision is significantly higher during a teen’s first year behind the wheel, Idaho auto insurance companies recommend purchasing higher amounts of coverage than the legal limits. If you plan to add a teen driver to your policy, keep in mind that your annual rate will increase anywhere from $1,200 to $4,900 a year - or an average of $2,171 a year.

An increase in your auto insurance premium is inevitable once you add a teen to the policy, but this doesn’t mean you can’t cash in on special discounts designed just for teens. Auto insurance companies offer discounts ranging from 10-15% or more for:

•    Maintaining at least a B average
•    Successful completion of a state approved safe driver course

You can also lower your premiums on teen auto insurance if you avoid purchasing sports and luxury cars for your teen, if you opt for a higher deductible, or if you combine insurance policies into one (i.e. life, home, health, renter’s, etc.).