In Idaho, you must pass three official tests for a driver’s license (and meet some other requirements): a visual screening, a knowledge test on driving theory, and a skills (road) test. If you are under 17, you must obtain an instruction permit to practice driving under supervision before the skills test. The vision and knowledge (permit) tests are also required for an instruction permit. If you’re under 18, you must also (1) provide proof of attendance at or graduation from high school or the equivalent and (2) have a parent or guardian sign your application (thus providing parental consent). In addition, if you’re under 17, you must also complete an approved driver’s education course. If you’re 18 or older, neither an instruction permit nor a driver’s education course are required. However, they are still recommended if you lack driving experience.
The official knowledge test covers traffic signs and signals, Idaho traffic laws, and safe driving practices. All questions on the knowledge test are based on information in the official Idaho DMV driver’s 2025 handbook (Idaho DMV Handbook (ID Driver's Manual) 2025). The English and Spanish versions of the manual can be easily downloaded from this webpage in PDF format.
To prepare to pass the official knowledge test, you should start by studying this manual. However, this step alone may not be all you need. (In 2020 – 2023, 34.9% – more than one-third – of applicants failed the DMV knowledge test on their first attempt.) You should do more. Please follow our entire test preparation program, including our graduated series of practice tests accompanied by our AI assistant. It can give you hints and explanations and answer your questions about driving to help you learn.
We have also created an audiobook of the English version of the official driver’s handbook. It’s formatted as a downloadable series of nine MP3 files, one for each chapter of the handbook: the introduction, licensing, vehicle equipment and safety, and so on. The longest chapter is Chapter 7: Sharing the Road, whose running time is 44 minutes and 52 seconds. The total running time of this audiobook is approximately 3 hours, 8 minutes, and 25 seconds, so you can go through it once in a couple of days. You can listen to a chapter while performing other activities or following along with the text of the PDF version.
In addition to the official handbook, we also offer our own permit test study guide to help you prepare for the day of the Idaho knowledge test. It covers what documents to take to the DMV, what fees you may have to pay, frequently missed knowledge test questions, and other last-minute tips.