Idaho Point System and Teen Driver Penalties: Suspensions Explained
How does the Idaho point system work, and what happens when a teen gets a ticket?
Idaho adds 1 to 4 points to your record for each moving violation conviction. Twelve or more points in 12 months bring a 30-day suspension. A driver cited under 17 gets a written warning for a first conviction, a 30-day suspension for a second and 60 days for a third or later one. A Supervised Instruction Permit holder under 17 loses the permit after any traffic conviction.
Where the Idaho point and teen penalty facts come from
The points, the suspension steps and the course rules come from the Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) rule IDAPA 39.02.71. The teen, reckless driving and school penalties come from Idaho Code 49-326, with Idaho Code 49-303A, 49-307, 49-1401, 49-1401A and 49-1422. The fees, the warning letter and the course steps come from the Idaho Driver's Handbook (July 2026), the ITD Driver Records and Suspensions page, the ITD guide to driver records and the ITD graduated driver's license fact sheet. This guide is current as of 2026. Confirm the rules with the Idaho Transportation Department DMV (itd.idaho.gov/dmv) or your county driver's license office before you drive.
Idaho points for common violations
| Violation | Points |
|---|---|
| Speeding 16 mph or more over the limit, or speeding in a work zone | 4 |
| Passing a stopped school bus | 4 |
| Other speeding | 3 |
| Stop sign violation | 3 |
| Inattentive driving | 3 |
| Following too closely | 3 |
| Hands-free phone law: first offense, later offenses | 0, then 3 |
How Idaho counts points on your record
If one citation leads to more than one conviction, only the conviction with the most points counts. A violation that the rule list does not name gets 3 points, unless Idaho Code requires a loss of driving privileges for it or exempts it from points.
Under the hands-free phone law, a first offense adds no points and each later offense adds 3. Our guide to Idaho's hands-free law gives the fines.
When Idaho suspends a license for points
| Points | Time window | Suspension |
|---|---|---|
| 12 or more | 12 months | 30 days |
| 18 or more | 24 months | 90 days |
| 24 or more | 36 months | 6 months |
What happens after ITD suspends a license for points
ITD must notify you in writing, and you can ask for a hearing. The Idaho Driver's Handbook says ITD may also send a warning letter at 8 to 11 points in 12 months.
A defensive driving class cannot cancel a point suspension that ITD already ordered. When the suspension ends, you pay a reinstatement fee to drive again. The license stays suspended until you pay, even when the suspension time is over.
How to take 3 points off your Idaho record
- 1Pay the citation first
ITD approves the 3-point reduction only when the citation is paid before you finish the Defensive Driving Course (DDC).
- 2Pick an approved DDC
Choose a course from the ITD list of approved defensive driving courses. The provider sets the tuition, about $18 to $60, and the tuition may not include the certificate.
- 3Finish the course
ITD takes 3 points off your point count total. The conviction stays on your record.
- 4Wait 3 years before the next reduction
Points come off only once every 3 years, counted from the day you finish a DDC or a traffic safety course.
Traffic Safety Education Course offered at the traffic stop
Some Idaho cities have a Traffic Safety Education Course (TSC). The officer must offer it at the time of the citation, and you must accept it then. When you finish it, the points come off the conviction for that citation, and the 3-year limit above applies. The Idaho Driver's Handbook says to finish the TSC within 45 days of the citation.
Penalties for a driver cited under 17
| Moving violation conviction | What ITD does |
|---|---|
| First | Written warning from ITD |
| Second | 30-day license suspension |
| Third or later | 60-day license suspension |
What a conviction means for a teen with a permit or license
School attendance can also suspend a minor's license
A driver under 18 needs proof of school compliance, or a waiver, to get a license or permit. If a minor drops out and has no waiver, ITD may suspend the license. The school must first send written notice to the minor and a parent, who have 15 calendar days from receipt to ask for a hearing. The school must give a waiver when a personal or family hardship needs the license for work or medical care.
After reinstatement, a second non-compliance means suspension until age 18 or until the teen complies. ITD issues no restricted permit for this suspension.
Reckless driving, inattentive driving and school bus penalties
- Reckless driving: ITD suspends the license for 30 days on conviction, 90 days for a second conviction within 2 years and 1 year for a third within 3 years. Driving more than 20 mph over the limit in an active school zone with children present and visible, or an active construction zone with workers present and visible, also counts as reckless driving. Try our free question on what counts as reckless driving.
- Inattentive driving: a misdemeanor with up to 90 days in jail, a fine of up to $300, or both, plus 3 points.
- Passing a stopped school bus: a $300 fine for a first offense, plus 4 points. Check the rule with our free question on a stopped school bus.
Key takeaways
- Idaho gives 1 to 4 points per moving violation conviction. Twelve or more points in 12 months bring a 30-day suspension, 18 in 24 months bring 90 days, and 24 in 36 months bring 6 months.
- A driver cited under 17 gets a warning, then 30 days, then 60 days, with no restricted driving privileges.
- Any traffic conviction cancels the Supervised Instruction Permit of a teen under 17, and the six-month period starts again.
- A Defensive Driving Course takes 3 points off once every 3 years. Pay the citation first.
- Next step: practice on the free Idaho Class D practice test.
Idaho points and teen penalties: common questions
Do tickets from another state count on my Idaho license?
Yes. When a licensed Idaho driver is convicted of a traffic offense in another state, the conviction is sent to Idaho and goes on the Idaho driving record. ITD also posts convictions from Canadian courts. The Idaho point system covers moving violations inside and outside Idaho, so these convictions can add points to your record.
Can my teen drive to school during a teen penalty suspension?
No. Idaho law allows no restricted driving privileges during a suspension for a driver cited under 17, and the Idaho Driver's Handbook says these suspensions allow no driving of any kind. That includes trips to school or work. Plan other rides until the 30 or 60 days end and ITD reinstates the license.
How much does it cost to get a suspended license back in Idaho?
Idaho reinstatement fees run from $25 to $285, depending on the suspension. Ask ITD which fee applies to your suspension. After a reckless driving suspension, you must also show proof of insurance from your insurer (an SR-22 certificate) for 3 years. A permit cancellation needs no reinstatement fee, but you pay for a new permit.
How can I check how many points I have in Idaho?
Order your driver license record from ITD. It lists your convictions, the points on each one and any actions against your license. The standard record covers the most recent 3 years, and a full record is available on request. A record costs $7, and online and card orders add a service fee. You can order it online or at some county driver's license offices.
Can I take a defensive driving course before I get a ticket?
You can, but you cannot save the point credit for later. Idaho rules do not let a driver with no points keep the 3-point reduction for a future ticket. ITD says an approved course can also bring an insurance discount. For a point reduction, take the course after the points are on your record and after you pay the citation.
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