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Anyone who operates a motor vehicle on the public roads in Idaho is required to have a valid driver’s license.

When moving to Idaho you will need to apply for an Idaho driver’s license within 90 days of residing in Idaho, whether your out-of-state license has expired or not. If you have a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL), you are required to be licensed in Idaho within 30 days of residing in Idaho.

Students attending a college or university in Idaho and members of the U.S. Military on active duty and their dependents who hold a valid driver’s license from another state or country and who claim residency in that state or country, are not required to obtain an Idaho driver’s license.

Regulations and Types of Driver Licenses

One License Law

When applying for an Idaho Class D driver’s license, you must surrender any driver’s license or ID card issued to you from another state, U. S. Territory, Puerto Rico, or the District of Columbia. You do not need to surrender a driver’s license issued in a foreign country. However, once you are issued an Idaho driver’s license, you are not allowed to use or show your foreign license for the purpose of operating a motor vehicle. If you are applying for an Idaho Commercial Driver’s License (CDL), you must surrender any license(s) issued to you by any jurisdiction(s).

An Idaho driver's license cannot be issued to anyone who:

  • Is not a resident of the state of Idaho
  • Is not lawfully present in the United States
  • Is under the age of 15
  • Is under the age of 17 and has not completed the requirements of Idaho's graduated driver's license program
  • Is under the age of 18 and is not enrolled in school or has not completed school as required in Section 49-303A, Idaho Code
  • Has a suspended, revoked, or canceled status in Idaho or any other jurisdiction
  • Has been adjudged as an habitual drunkard or addicted to the use of narcotics
  • Has been adjudged as suffering from mental incompetence that would affect a person's ability to safely operate a motor vehicle and who at the time of application has not been restored to competency
  • May be afflicted with any physical or mental condition which brings about momentary or prolonged lapses of consciousness or control
  • Is required to take an examination and has not passed the examination

Idaho driver’s licenses, instruction permits, or identification cards are issued through the county sheriff’s offices. You may apply at the sheriff’s office most convenient to you.

Class D 

Allows drivers to operate non-commercial motor vehicles

Class D Instruction Permit Age 15

Allows people to practice driving a motor vehicle for 180 days when accompanied by an adult (someone who is 18 years old, or older) who holds a valid driver’s license. These permits are available if you are at least 15 years old and have successfully completed an approved or accredited driver training program and the Graduated Driver’s Licensing Program (GDL). If you have not successfully completed driver training and the GDL Program, you must pass a written knowledge test and be at least 17 years old to be issued an instruction permit.

Graduated Driver's License Program Age 17 and Under

Anyone under 17 years of age who has not been issued a driver’s license in Idaho must successfully complete an approved driver training program and comply with the requirements of the Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) Program. Under the GDL Program, you will be required to complete a minimum six-month, violation-free supervised instruction period, during which you must:
  • be accompanied by a supervising valid licensed driver at least 21 years old who is occupying the seat beside the driver (no other passengers are allowed in the front seat),
  • assure that all occupants are wearing seat belts or child restraints if required,
  • observe all laws regarding alcohol and other intoxicating substances, and 
  • accumulate at least 50 hours of supervised driving time, ten hours of which must be at night.
If you are convicted of violating any traffic laws while you are operating under the Supervised Instruction Permit (SIP), the permit will be cancelled and you must reapply for a new SIP. Your minimum six (6) months of supervised driving begins all over again with the issuance of a new permit. Once you have successfully met the requirements of the GDL, you will be required to take and pass a skills test and a written knowledge test before receiving a driver’s license. A parent or legal guardian may accompany you during the skills test after signing a liability waiver.

Restriction Age 17 and Under

Licensees under the age of 17 are required—during the first six months from the date the license was issued—to limit the number of passengers in the vehicle who are under the age of 17 to not more than one passenger, unless the passenger is related by blood, marriage, or adoption. This law became effective July 1, 2007 and applies to all drivers in the above category, whether or not the restriction is printed on the license. 
 
Violation of any driver license restriction may result in an automatic 30 day

Driver Training

An approved Idaho driver-training program consists of a required 1,800 minutes (30 hours) of classroom instruction, 360 minutes (6 hours) of incar observation in a driver-training car, and 360 minutes (6 hours) of behind the wheel driving with a driver training instructor. Driver training is required for anyone under 17 years old who is applying for an Idaho driver’s license.
 
The Department of Education provides approved courses through public schools. Most Idaho school districts offer driver-training programs in cooperation with the Department of Education. The courses are open to all Idaho residents between the ages of 14 1/2 and 21, even if they are not public school students. Private driver training classes are available through commercial driver training schools.
 
If you are under 17 years old and have completed driver training in another state (while a resident of that state) but have not been licensed in that state, you will be required to provide acceptable proof of completion of an approved driver training course from that state. If you are not surrendering an out-of-state license, you will also be required to complete a supervised driving period prior to licensing.

Driver Training / Supervised Instruction Permits

Anyone under 17 years of age must have a driver training instruction permit/supervised instruction permit to attend any public school or private driver training program. The permit expires 5 days after the permit holder’s 18th birthday. The permit expiration for people 17 ½ years of age and older is 180 days. Anyone 17 years of age or older may take driver training with either the Driver Training/Supervised Instruction Permit or with the Class D Instruction Permit. The knowledge test must be passed before a Class D Instruction Permit can be issued. While you are enrolled in a driver’s training program, the Driver Training/Supervised Instruction Permit is valid only to operate a vehicle with a driver training instructor.
 
When you have successfully completed a driver’s training program and the instructor has given you the permit, you will be eligible to begin the supervised instruction period required by Idaho’s Graduated Driver’s License (GDL) program.
 
The documents required (See Below) to get a driver-training permit are the same as those required for a driver’s license and are listed below.
The certified birth certificate you provide must list your mother and father for liability signer purposes. At age 18 you may apply for a Class D instruction permit without a parental liability signer.

Tests Required

Applicants must be 15 years old or older to take the written knowledge and skills tests.

Vision Screening

Your vision will be tested and you must meet a minimum standard of 20/40 vision in at least one eye, with or without corrective lenses. If you wear glasses or contacts during the vision screening, a lens restriction will be placed on your driver’s license. If a lens restriction is placed on your driver’s license, you must always wear your glasses or contacts when operating a vehicle or you could be
cited and lose your driving privileges for a period of time.

Written Knowledge Test

If you are a new applicant or your Idaho driver’s license has been expired for one year or more, you will be tested on your knowledge of Idaho traffic laws, highway signs by shape and symbol, traffic signals, pavement markings, and equipment required on motor vehicles. All of the information needed to pass the written test for a class D license or instruction permit is included in this manual.
 
The written test consists of forty (40) questions and you are allowed to miss six questions to pass the test. No aids (written, audio, or electronic) are allowed to be used while taking the written test. The test is available in English, Arabic, Chinese, Farsi, Russian, SerboCroatian, Spanish, and Vietnamese.
 
IF YOU FAIL A WRITTEN AND/OR SKILLS TEST, YOU MUST WAIT THREE DAYS TO RETEST. YOU WILL ALSO NEED TO PAY THE TEST FEES AGAIN TO RETAKE ANYWRITTEN ORSKILLSTESTS.

Skills Test 

The skills test evaluates your ability to drive a vehicle safely, demonstrate good driving habits, and obey traffic laws in a variety of driving situations. You must pass the written test (if required) and obtain a receipt showing you have paid the county portion of the skills test fee to the county for the skills test. A skills test is required for any applicant:
  • who has never been licensed before,
  • who has completed driver’s training and the supervised instruction period,
  • whose license has been expired for one year or more,
  • whose vision does not meet minimum standards, or
  • who presents or surrenders a driver’s license issued by a foreign country, except Germany.
A skills test may also be required for any applicant:
  • having any mental or physical impairment that might affect the safe operation of a motor vehicle, or
  • when an examiner has concerns about the applicant’s ability to safely operate a motor vehicle, regardless of prior license, experience, or age.
To schedule a skills test, you need to make an appointment with a certified skills tester. A list of skills testers in your area will be provided by the driver’s license office when you make application. You must pay the skills tester portion of the fee directly to the tester.
 
Your skills test will take about 30 minutes to complete. The test consists of two parts: the pre-drive check and the driving test. It is important to make sure the vehicle you bring to the skills test has valid proof of insurance, is properly registered, is in good running condition, and is clean and safe to operate. You must also have authorization to use it if it does not belong to you.
 
Unless you have valid driving privileges, you should come to the skills test in a vehicle driven by a licensed driver. You will not have driving privileges allowing you to drive at any other time until your driver’s license is issued.

Pre-drive check

During this part of the test, you will be asked to locate and/or demonstrate the items listed below to determine your knowledge and that the equipment is in good working order:
  • Tires, they must have at least 1/32” of tread on them
  • Brakes, including the emergency brake
  • Headlights, brake lights, and turn signals in both the front and back
  • Windshield and wipers
  • Defroster
  • Gauges
  • Seat Belts
  • Horn
  • Rear view mirror(s)
  • Driver window in good working order
  • Emergency flashers
  • Passenger door; must open and close
  • Arm signals for stopping and signaling to turn

Driving test 

During this part of the skills test, you will demonstrate your ability to safely operate a motor vehicle and obey traffic laws while performing the following maneuvers:
  • Street parking and backing
  • Parking lot driving
  • Business and residential driving
  • Freeway or highway driving
  • Four right turns and four left turns
  • Eight intersections
  • Driving through a curve
  • Lane changes
You will be tested on proper traffic checks, speed, acceleration and deceleration, starting and stopping distances, lane position, and vehicle spacing. You will fail the skills test if you cannot successfully complete the pre-drive check or if you accumulate more than 15 errors. You will fail the skills test immediately for any collision or near collision, any dangerous action, a serious or persistent violation of law, or lack of cooperation. If you fail the skills test you must wait three days before retesting. You will need to get another receipt from the county and pay another skills test fee to the tester. You are not required to retest with the same tester and may retest with any tester you choose.
 
No passengers or pets are permitted in the vehicle during the test. Car phones or cellular phones must be turned off or disconnected. Loose or valuable items should not be in the vehicle during the test.
 
When you have passed your skills test, the tester will give you a sealed envelope containing your test results. Do not open the envelope—if you do, the county will not accept your test results.

Fee

Operator (Class D) 

1-year (age 17) - $15.00

3-year (under 18) - $25.00

3-year  (age 18 to 21)  - $25.00

1-year (age 20) - $15.00

4-year (age 21 and over) - $30.00

8-year  (age 21 to 62) - $55.00

Instruction Permit (IP) - $15.00

Knowledge Test  - $3.00

Skills Test ($6.50 paid at County, $17.50 to Skills Tester) - $24.00

Driver Training Instruction Permit**/SIP - $15.00

Click Here for Latest Fees

Documents Needed

Idaho considers new applicants to be individuals who either

(1) have never been licensed in Idaho or any other state or jurisdiction,

(2) are returning to daho after getting a driver’s license or ID card in another state or jurisdiction,

(3) is surrendering a license from another jurisdiction, or

(4) their Idaho driver’s license is expired for one year or more.

If you are a new applicant for a driver’s license, instruction permit, identity card, or driver training permit, you are required to provide the following to
the driver’s license examiner:

Proof of Idaho Residency

You must reside inside Idaho’s borders to be issued an Idaho driver’s license or ID card. Proof of residency can be shown with documents such as lease or rental agreements, utility bills, employment records containing your physical Idaho address, school enrollment records, etc. Your home address (where you live) cannot be your workplace, vacation residence, a part-time residence, P.O. Box, mail drop, or general delivery (that have been mailed to the applicant.) Please check with your local office to determine the acceptability of your documents.

Proof of Age and Identity

Driver’s license examiners are required by law to verify your identity and age before issuing you a driver’s license or ID card. If you have a valid, state-issued driver’s license or a state-issued ID card to surrender that meets the conditions of a primary document stated below, you do not need to provide any additional identity documents.

Note: If you do not have an acceptable driver’s license or ID card to surrender, you will be required to present a certified original birth certificate and an acceptable photo identity document (see primary and secondary document lists below).

If the documents described above cannot be obtained, the examiner will require a combination of documents from the primary and secondary document lists that provide proof of your legal name, date of birth, and identity (including a picture.)

Primary documents

Verify your age and identity, and must contain your full legal name and date of birth. These documents must be verifiable as authentic (the examiner must be able to contact the issuing agency to determine authenticity). The following are examples of primary documents:

  1. Out of state driver’s license or ID card (with a photo) not expired for five years or more.
  2. Idaho driver’s license or ID card not expired for five years or more.
  3. Original naturalization/citizenship document.
  4. Certified original birth certificate or certified abstract.
  5. Valid Immigration and Naturalization card from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
  6. U.S. military photo identification card.
  7. U.S. passport or passport card
  8. Valid Foreign passport with a valid U.S. VISA.
  9. Idaho concealed weapons permit not expired for one year or more.
  10. Veteran’s Universal Access Card with photo.
  11. Native American ID card with photo.

Secondary documents 

Will assist in confirming your identity, and must contain your name and enough information to establish proof of all or part of what is contained on the primary document. The following are examples of secondary documents:

  1. Out-of-state issued driver’s license or ID card (with photo) expired for five years or more.
  2. U.S. military discharge paper (form # DD214).
  3. Certified marriage certificate (meeting Idaho standards) with seal and document number showing that it was recorded.
  4. Certified divorce document from a court or state vital statistics office.
  5. Guardianship or custody documents, notarized or court certified.
  6. Certified court name-change document.
  7. Junior or senior high school (not college or university) photo activity card.
  8. Junior or senior high school, college, or military yearbook/annual.
  9. Idaho Automobile dealer/salesman photo ID card.
  10. Idaho Department of Corrections photo ID card.
  11. Idaho Department of Juvenile Corrections photo ID card.

NOTE: Either the primary or secondary document must contain a photo of you. ALL DOCUMENTS SUBMITTED MUST BE ACCEPTABLE TO THE EXAMINER OR THE IDAHO TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT.

Lawful Presence

Applicants who are not U.S. citizens or U.S. nationals will be required to provide proof of lawful presence in the United States. 

Individuals who are not lawfully present in the United States are not eligible for an Idaho driver's license or identification card. Proof of lawful presence may be required if you have not previously provided proof of U.S. citizenship. Acceptable lawful presence documents include:

  • Certified original U.S. Birth Certificate

  • Certification of Birth Abroad

  • Original Certificate of Naturalization/Citizenship

  • Permanent Resident card or Resident Alien card

  • Employment Authorization card

  • Valid Foreign passport with valid U.S. VISA and I-94 (Arrival/Departure record)

If you are not a citizen or permanent legal resident of the United States the expiration date on your driver’s license will be the same date as your end of lawful stay in the United States as indicated on your documents issued by the Department of Homeland Security or four years, whichever is less. If your Department of Homeland Security documents do not show an expiration date, the expiration date on the driver’s license will be one year from the date of issuance of the driver’s license.

Social Security Card

Bring your social security number or the original card issued by the Social Security Administration. Your social security number will be verified. It will not be printed on your Idaho driver’s license or ID card.


If you do not have a Social Security Number, you may still apply for a driver’s license or ID card if you provide a letter from the Social Security Administration stating that you do not have a Social Security Number. You will be required to provide proof of lawful presence in the United States.

Physical Certification

If your ability to operate a motor vehicle is affected by any physical or mental condition which brings about momentary or prolonged lapses of consciousness or control (examples: epilepsy or seizures, crippling arthritis, paralysis, Parkinson’s, heart trouble, insulin-dependent diabetes, Alzheimer’s, strokes, multiple sclerosis) you will be denied a license/permit until you provide a written certification from a physician that you can safely operate a motor vehicle.

Liability Signer—If you are under 18 years old, you need to have a birth parent (listed on birth certificate) or legal guardian with you to sign consent for you to be licensed. The identity of the liability signer will be verified.

School Enrollment or Completion—If you are under 18 years old, you will need to provide acceptable proof of enrollment and attendance in or graduation from a recognized high school or equivalent program.

Driver Training Completion—If you are under 17 years old, you must provide proof that you have completed an approved driver training program and met the requirements of the Supervised Instruction Permit under Idaho’s Graduated Driver’s License Program.
 

 

For the Latest Information. Click Below

http://itd.idaho.gov/dmv/driverservices/driver_license_facts.htm