Booking Your Idaho Driving Test: A Guide to County & Third-Party Appointments

You've passed your written knowledge test, completed driver's ed, and held your permit for at least six months. The final step to earning your Idaho driver's license is scheduling and passing the behind-the-wheel skills test.

The process for scheduling a skills test in Idaho is unique. Unlike many states with a single, centralized DMV system, skills testing in Idaho is handled by a combination of county examiners and certified third-party testers. This guide will walk you through your options so you can get your test booked and your license in hand.

Before You Schedule: Confirm Your Eligibility

Make sure you meet all the state's requirements before you attempt to book an appointment. For most teen drivers, this means you must:

Be at least 15 years old.
Have held your Supervised Instruction Permit for at least six consecutive months, conviction-free. [1, 2, 4]
Have completed all state-approved driver education requirements.
Have completed your 50 hours of supervised driving (including 10 at night). [2]

Option 1: Scheduling with a County Skills Examiner

Some counties in Idaho employ their own skills examiners who conduct the road tests. This is often handled through the county Sheriff's Office or a dedicated driver's license office.

How to Schedule with a County Examiner:

Identify Your County's System: First, you need to determine if your county offers skills testing directly. You can do this by visiting your local county's official website (e.g., Ada County Sheriff's Office, Canyon County DMV) or the Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) website.
Follow Their Specific Process: The scheduling process varies widely by county.
- Some counties may have an online appointment system.
- Others may require you to call a specific phone number to schedule.
- In some smaller, rural counties, you may even need to schedule in person.
Book in Advance: Regardless of the method, appointments with county examiners are often in high demand and can be booked up for weeks. Plan ahead.

Pros and Cons of Using a County Examiner:

Pro: Cost-Effective. The fee for a county-administered test is generally lower than a third-party tester.
Con: Limited Availability. This is the biggest challenge. There are fewer county examiners, and their schedules fill up very quickly.
Con: Less Flexibility. County offices operate on standard business hours, with no weekend or evening appointments.

Option 2: Scheduling with a Certified Third-Party Skills Tester (Most Common)

The most popular and convenient option in Idaho is to take your skills test with a state-approved third-party tester. These are typically private driving schools that have been certified by the ITD to administer the official state skills test.

How to Schedule with a Third-Party Tester:

Find an Approved Tester: The Idaho Transportation Department website maintains an official, up-to-date list of all certified third-party skills testers, organized by city and county.
Contact the Tester Directly: You will schedule your appointment directly with the business, either through their own website's online booking system or by calling them.

Pros and Cons of Using a Third-Party Tester:

Pro: Excellent Availability. This is the number one reason people choose this option. Third-party testers often have appointments available within days, not weeks or months.
Pro: Flexible Scheduling. Many offer appointments on weekends and in the afternoons or evenings to accommodate school and work schedules.
Pro: Use Their Vehicle. Most testers allow you to use one of their driver training vehicles for the test (usually for an additional fee). This can reduce stress, as their cars are guaranteed to meet all state safety requirements.
Pro: Familiar Environment. If you took lessons at the same driving school, testing with a familiar instructor in a familiar area can be less intimidating.
Con: Additional Cost. This is the main trade-off. You will pay the third-party tester a separate fee for their service (which can range from $40 to $75+) in addition to the licensing fees you'll still have to pay at the DMV office.

Which Option is Right for You?

If cost is your primary concern and you can plan several weeks or months in advance, check to see if your county offers testing and try to schedule there first.
If speed, convenience, and flexibility are your priorities, and you're willing to pay an extra fee to get your license much sooner, a third-party skills tester is your best bet.

After you pass your skills test with either a county or third-party examiner, you will receive a sealed envelope with your results. Do not open this envelope. You will take it to your county driver's license office to be issued your official Idaho driver's license.