Can You Drive

Maddy Davis, News Writer

Driving. Something every teenager wants to do at some point in their life but how do you get to the point where you can legally drive? The process is extensive and can start as early as 14 ½. 

To get your driver’s permit and then eventually your driver’s license, every child under eighteen must go through a Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) program. 

The first step is fairly simple, apply for your driver’s permit at your local DMV. To get your permit, however, you must bring a variety of things. 

You need to bring proof of your age and identity. A secondary document that proves your identity. This document must say the same thing as the first one. For example, your birth certificate and school ID card would suffice. 

You also need proof of your Idaho residency, like school enrollment papers or a bill with your current address. Proof of legal presence in the United States is also required. 

Your social security card and a parent must come along, too. The last thing you need to bring is a $15 permit fee and a $6.50 administrative fee for a total of $21.50. 

If you bring every one of the things listed above, then congratulations! You have received your permit. 

Once you have received your permit, you have six months to complete everything that needs to be done before you can get your driver’s license. 

Now, you need to move to the next step. This step is enrolling in a state approved Driver’s Education course. 

Your driver’s ed course includes lessons for the written part to the test and behind the wheel instruction. The behind the wheel instruction is around a total of six hours. 

After taking the driver’s education course, you must log 50 hours of supervised driving, ten of which must be completed at night. 

Supervised driving means that your licensed parent or guardian over 21, must sit in the passenger seat of your car while you drive. 

Six months later, once you are fifteen years old, you go back to the DMV and take your driving test. 

The driving test is a written exam and a behind the wheel skill test. The written exam is a 40 question test while the behind the wheel skill test has you driving around with an instructor. 

Taking the driving test costs $24 and depending on your age, you will have to pay $15 – $25 for the license itself.

Make sure you dress nice because if you pass, then you’ll get your picture taken and printed on your license. 

If every single thing in this article is done, then congratulations! You have received your driver’s license.

It may seem like a lot of work to get your license, but it is well worth the work to be able to drive yourself around. 

If you are under 16, however, you cannot drive in the dark without your parent or guardian in the passenger seat. 

If you are debating whether or not to get your driver’s license, do it. You will not regret it.