Driving Tests

Idaho Driving Skills Test: Errors Allowed, What's on It, Retest Rules

informational·how to guide·Published August 14, 2026

How many errors can you make on the Idaho driving skills test?

You can make 12 or fewer errors on the Idaho skills test, and you must not commit a critical driving error. Five errors of the same skill count as a critical driving error. The test takes about 30 minutes with a third-party skills test examiner. If you fail, wait three days, book again and pay the $35 skills test fee again.

Where the Idaho skills test facts come from

The scoring, critical driving errors, vehicle checks and retest steps come from the Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) page on taking the driver's test. Booking, documents, passengers, vehicle rules and fees come from the July 2026 Idaho Driver's Handbook. The three-day retest rule and the examiner's right to refuse a test come from Idaho Code 49-313. The ITD driver's licenses and ID cards page gives the same fee, and the ITD Parent-Student On-Road Driver's Training checklist says where to find examiner lists. 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.

Who must take the Idaho skills test?

You take the skills test if you:

- have never been licensed before,
- finished an approved driver's training course and the Supervised Instruction Permit (SIP) while under 17,
- are 17 or older, drove on an instruction permit and want a license,
- hold a foreign license from a country with no reciprocity agreement with the United States, or
- have an Idaho or out-of-state license that expired 25 months or more ago.

If you are under 17 and on an SIP, your skills test eligibility date is strictly enforced. Do not take the test before that date.

How to book the Idaho skills test

1
Pick an examiner
Idaho uses third party contractors, called skills test examiners, to give all Class D skills tests. You choose the examiner. Lists of examiners by region are on the ITD test page and at each county driver's license office.
2
Call between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m.
If the examiner does not answer, leave a voicemail with your name and phone number. Examiners do not return calls unless you leave that voicemail.
3
Plan for daylight and fair weather
Skills tests may only be scheduled during daylight hours and during acceptable weather.
4
Ask about the knowledge test order
The Idaho Driver's Handbook says it helps to pass the knowledge test first, but you may take the tests in either order. The ITD test page says to pass it first, except for drivers under 17 on an SIP. Confirm the order with your county driver's license office. Our guide to the Idaho knowledge test shows what that test covers.

What happens on the Idaho skills test?

The test starts with a vehicle inspection, and you must show all three arm signals. You show that the driver door, seatbelt, brake lights, turn signals, headlights, windshield wipers, hazard lights, driver window, horn, emergency brake and defroster work. If a required item fails, the examiner may stop the test, so check each item before you go.

Then you drive a set route. It can include commercial and residential streets, curves, intersections (controlled, uncontrolled, railroad and roundabout), an interstate, lane changes, a parking lot, turns (right, left and U-turn) and stall and curb parking. To review roundabouts, try our free question on how to enter a roundabout.

Which skills does the examiner score?

Acceleration and deceleration.
Attentive driving and traffic checks.
Complete stops and unnecessary stops.
Curb, gap or stop line, and spacing.
Lane position and steering control.
Right-of-way and signals.
Speed.

What counts as a critical driving error on the Idaho skills test?

A critical driving error is a driving skill that you perform, or fail to perform, that may result in an incident, injury or death. One such error anywhere on the route is an automatic fail, and the test ends at once. They include:

- dangerous action,
- disobeying police, safety personnel, or an emergency or safety vehicle,
- disobeying a traffic sign or signal,
- driving onto a curb or sidewalk,
- examiner intervention, or disobeying the examiner,
- a lane violation or passenger interference,
- speed (more than 10 mph, or unsafe),
- street parking more than 18 inches from the curb, or
- striking an object.

What to bring to the Idaho skills test

Proof of identity with photo, such as a state-issued photo ID, driver's license or instruction permit.
Permission to use the vehicle, if you do not own it. The examiner needs it in writing or in person. Permission over the phone is not accepted.
Proof of insurance in the vehicle. Paper or digital is fine if it is not expired. An SR22 is not valid proof of insurance.
Valid registration, not a photocopy, signed by the registrant.

Vehicle and passenger rules for test day

Your tires are worn or studded

Tires must have at least 2/32 inch of tread. Studded tires are not allowed May 1 to September 30.

You plan to use a rental car

Rental cars are not allowed if you are not a licensed driver or if you are under 25.

The examiner finds the vehicle unsafe

Another skills test will be scheduled once you bring a safe, roadworthy vehicle or repair the car.

You do not have a valid driver's license

You may not drive yourself to the skills test. Ask a licensed driver to take you.

You want a passenger to come with you

Passengers are not allowed, with limited exceptions: a translator, a parent or legal guardian, a missionary companion or law enforcement. The passenger must be 18 or older, have valid identification and sign the liability waiver. Only one parent or legal guardian may ride with a minor (17 or younger).

The examiner sees a safety risk

The examiner may refuse to give the test if there are reasonable grounds to believe that your safety, the public's or the examiner's would be at risk.

What happens after you pass or fail the Idaho skills test?

If you pass, the examiner gives you your result in a sealed envelope. Take it unopened to the county driver's license office and pay the license fees. You have no driving privileges until the passing result is recorded on your driving record and a license is issued.

If you fail, Idaho law says you may not retake the test within three calendar days. Then book with the same or a different examiner and pay the $35 skills test fee again: $6.50 to the county office and up to $28.50 to the examiner. Teens can see the full path to a license in our guide to Idaho graduated driver's license rules.

Key takeaways

You pass the Idaho skills test with 12 or fewer errors and no critical driving error. Five errors of the same skill count as a critical driving error.
Call a skills test examiner between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. and leave a voicemail if no one answers. Tests happen only in daylight and acceptable weather.
Bring photo ID, proof of insurance, the registration and a safe vehicle. Turn off your phone. Without a valid license, do not drive yourself to the test.
After a fail, wait three days and pay the $35 fee again. After a pass, take the sealed envelope to the county office.
Next step: practice on the free Idaho Class D practice test.

Idaho skills test: common questions

Can I use my phone or bring a service dog on the Idaho skills test?

You cannot use your phone. Cell phones and other electronic devices must be turned off during the Idaho skills test, so put your phone away before the test starts. A service dog may go with you on the test if you need one.

Can I take a restricted skills test in Idaho?

Yes. A restricted skills test is for drivers who cannot drive outside specific restrictions, or who only want to drive to and from certain places. Tell the examiner if you need one, and discuss all options before the test. If you do not want a restricted license, you must drive the full route with no changes.

Do I need my skills test receipt for the Idaho skills test?

Only in one case. The examiner uses the receipt to check your identity when you have no state-issued ID, license or permit. You must still show photo identification. For teens, the Driver Training Instruction Permit fee and the Parent Lead permit fee already include $6.50 for the skills test receipt.

What if my Idaho skills test envelope is opened?

Do not open it. If the envelope was opened or tampered with, your results are held until ITD checks and approves them. After you pass, take the sealed envelope directly to the county driver's license office and pay the license fees there.

Can I use a car with dealer plates for the Idaho skills test?

Only if you are a dealer or a full-time salesperson, and you must prove it with a state-issued dealer's ID card. Other drivers must bring a vehicle that has valid registration, not a photocopy, and proof of insurance in the car.