IdahoH 06282026 regular legislative sessionHouseWALLET

MOTOR VEHICLES – Amends existing law to revise provisions regarding the Parent-Student On-Road Driver’s Training Program.

Sponsored By: TRANSPORTATION AND DEFENSE COMMITTEE

Signed by Governor

MOTOR VEHICLES

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 2 mixed.

Lower fee for parent-student training

The enrollment fee is $15 for a Class D driver’s training student, or $10 if using the parent‑student on‑road option. Of any fee paid, $5 goes to the state highway account and $5 goes to the county current expense fund. For standard $15 students, the last $5 goes to the driver training account (public school programs) or to the Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses for the Occupational Licenses Fund (private programs). Private programs remit this $5 each year under the state’s formula based on permit and student counts.

Teen supervised driving rules and penalties

When driving with a Class D supervised instruction permit, a licensed driver age 21 or older must sit beside the learner, and only those two may sit in the front. Over at least 6 months, the learner must log 50 supervised hours, including 10 at night. The permit must be in the learner’s possession and all occupants must use seat belts or child restraints. Underage drinking and DUI laws apply to permit holders. If a permittee under 17 is convicted of traffic or intoxication offenses, or breaks permit rules, the department cancels the permit. The cancellation cannot be used to set insurance rates. To get a new permit, the teen must pay the fee and start over with 6 months violation‑free and meet the driving‑hours rules.

Parent-led driver training in rural districts

The law lets a qualifying parent teach the on‑road part of driver training if the family lives in a rural district or a district without a driver’s training course. The student must finish 30 hours of online classroom work through the Idaho Digital Learning Alliance or a state‑approved online course. The state posts approved programs online and at county license offices. The parent must give at least 6 hours of in‑car observation and 6 hours of behind‑the‑wheel, taught during the classroom course, and meet Idaho’s driver education standards. The parent must hold a valid Idaho license that allows solo driving and have no suspensions, revocations, cancellations, or disqualifications in the past 2 years. The parent must keep a driving log with date, time, place, and skills and submit it to the county driver’s license office when training ends.

Permit handoff and path to license

After the student completes the driver’s training course, the instructor sends the student log to the county office and gives the Class D instruction permit to the parent or guardian. That permit then serves as the supervised instruction permit, and the parent is responsible for compliance. If the learner turns 17 while on a supervised permit, it automatically becomes a Class D instruction permit. A teen cannot apply for a Class D license before age 15, and must also wait at least 6 months after finishing the training course.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

TRANSPORTATION AND DEFENSE COMMITTEE
Affiliation unavailable

Cosponsors

Ron Mendive
Republican • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 92 • No: 12

House vote • 3/10/2026

House Floor Vote

Yes: 29 • No: 6

House vote • 2/23/2026