Idaho Department of Education

To become a licensed Public Driver Education Instructor, candidates must:

• Complete the New Instructor Training Course – This is offered online three times a year through Northwest Nazarene University (NNU). For more information see the course registration page. The course has a mentorship component for classroom and in-car instruction to ensure the new instructors are ready to teach.
• Pass a behind-the-wheel skills test. Skills test must be submitted to the Idaho Department of Education sealed in an envelope. These are conducted by Idaho Transportation Department’s Skills Test Examiners. For more information on skills tests, visit Idaho Transportation's DMV webpage.
• Pass and submit a physical using the Medical Examination Form.
• Instructors must have a satisfactory driving record.
• A background check is on file with the district/charter. For more information on background checks, check out the Background Investigation Check webpage.

Driver Education Certifications are renewed annually and valid from July 1 - June 30.

• Medical examination must be renewed upon expiration (Medical Examination Form).
• Complete eight hours of professional development training each year. The Idaho Department of Education hosts annual Professional Development conferences to help instructors meet this requirement.
• Instructors must have a satisfactory driving record.
• Background check is on file with the district/charter.

Driver Education Certifications are renewed annually and valid from July 1 - June 30.

To recertify as an Idaho Driver Education Instructor:

• Complete either a) the Idaho New Instructor Training Course Final Exam (receive 80% or higher) or b) 15 hours of driver education professional development.
• Submit an updated physical using the Medical Examination Form.
• Background check is on file for the district/charter.
• Instructors must have a satisfactory driving record.
• District of employment must add the instructor by completing the Request to Add Instructor form.

Submit an updated physical through the Instructor Profile. For guides, check out the step-by-step guide to update an Instructor Profile or how to create an Instructor Profile.

The Idaho Department of Education has developed a resource guiding districts/charters on this process:

• Driver Education Reimbursement Guidance document

Districts can receive up to $375 per student by districts offering a driver education class as an overload course. Students will be able to access their Advanced Opportunities funding ($225 per student). See guidance:

• Using Advanced Opportunities Program for Public Driver Education Program.

Stipulations regarding use of Advanced Opportunities funding include: course must be offered by an accredited public school, driver education is an overload course, and taught by a certified driver education instructor through the Idaho Department of Education.

IDEAC’s mission and other information can be found in their Charter and Information. IDEAC is compromised of the following individuals:

• Idaho Department of Education (Ben Puga)
• Department of Motor Vehicles - Permit and License Division (Steven Swickard)
• Office of Highway Safety (Tabitha Smith)
• OSBE (TBD)
• Idaho State Police (Captain Chris Weadick)
• County Sheriffs or City Police Department (Cpl. Kyle Wills)
• Division of EMS – DHW (TBD)
• Department of Occupational and Professional Licenses (Kent Absec)
• Public DE instructors (3 members)
• 1 member will represent Northern Idaho (Dorie Nelsen)
• 1 member will represent Central Idaho (Mark Schaal)
• 1 member will represent Eastern Idaho (Todd Coburn)
• Parent teacher association representative (Stephen Rudy)