Idaho Driver License

If you want to drive legally and obtain your Idaho driver’s license, then you should complete some necessary steps of licensure. First of all, you must apply for the license based on your age group and abilities.

Steps to obtain an instruction permit in Idaho

If you are underage (under 17 years old) and want to drive in Idaho, you must obtain an instruction permit. The latter will give you permission to drive legally and practice supervised driving.

Requirements for a permit

• To begin with, you must be at least 14½ years old
• Secondly, you should enroll in an approved driving course and get driver education
• You should also complete 6 hours of behind the wheel training
• To file the application, you must visit a DMV office
• Bring your parents or a guardian to give their consent (they are to determine if the person in question is capable of handling the responsibility of operating a motor vehicle)
• You should also present required documentation, including verification of secondary education (for example, high school diploma, GED diploma)
• Check your eyesight, pass the vision test and get at least 20/40
• Pass the knowledge (written test)
• Pay the required fees

Required paperwork

• Appropriate documents of identification, which bear your full name and date of birth
• Social Security number (Social Security Card)
• Documents indicating lawful presence in the US
• US citizenship
• Idaho residential address
• Certified birth certificate

Steps to get Idaho underage driver’s license

If you are under 18 years old and hold your instruction permit, then you are eligible to apply for an underage driver’s license in Idaho.

Requirements

• Holding the instruction permit (at least six months)
• Not having any moving traffic violations
• Having completed proper driver education courses
• Completing 6 hours of behind-the-wheel instruction, as well as 6 hours in-car observation
• Having practiced supervised driving for 50 hours, including 10 hours of nighttime driving
• Taking and passing a skills test
• Visiting a DMV office and applying for the license in person
• Bringing required documentation
• Paying the required fees

Required documentation

• Current and valid forms of identification (including full legal name)
• Date of birth
• Social Security number
• US citizenship
• Documents of lawful presence in the US
• Residential address in Idaho

Driving restrictions

• Not carrying more than one passenger (under17 years old)
• Drive unsupervised only during daylight hours (if you are not 16 years old yet)
• Being supervised during nighttime driving

Once you are 17 years old, the restrictions will not work. Furthermore, when you turn 18 years old and become an adult, the license will automatically turn into full adult driver’s license as long as you renew it.

Steps to get an Idaho adult driver’s license

Requirements

• First and foremost, you should have your instruction permit (you can apply without it first if you are older than 17)
• Secondly, you should pass a vision test
• Thirdly, you should take and pass a written test on rules and regulations concerning driving
• Then, you should also take and pass a road skills test to demonstrate your driving abilities and skills
• Afterwards, you should have your photo taken, submit the required documentation, as well as pay the required fees

Learn how to renew your Idaho driver’s license

In the state of Idaho, you must renew the license before it expires. Thus, you should choose one of the most suitable ways of license renewal listed below.

In person renewal

In Idaho, you can renew the driver’s license at any DMV facility. You will especially need to renew the license in person if you are less than 21 years old and older than 69. Another key point for in person renewal is having an expired license for more than 25 months.

To renew it, you will need to visit a local DMV office, complete the application form and present your current or expired license. You will also need to present your identity, date of birth, Social Security Number and residential address in Idaho.

The last step is to take a vision test and pay the required fees.

Note that you will need to take both a written knowledge test and a road test in case your license has expired for more than 25 months.

Online renewal

If you want to renew the license online, you must:

• Renew it for four years
• Have completed most recent renewal for four years (or less)
• Be between 21 and 69 years old
• Have a current driver’s license or an expired one (less than 25 months)
• Be a US citizen (or permanent resident)
• Not have changed your name

By mail renewal

You can only renew the license by mail if you are between the ages of 21 and 70, and if you do not have an expired license (for 25 months). To renew, you must complete the application form requesting a license, include the required fees and send the application by the provided mailing address.

Idaho driver’s license classifications

Class D

The license, in short, allows the licensee to operate a regular car with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) not exceeding 26,000 pounds. It also allows operating military, recreational, farm vehicles, firefighting and emergency equipment.

Class A (Commercial)

To clarify, the license allows the licensee to operate many types of commercial vehicles with a GVWR of 26,001 pounds.

Class B (Commercial)

To clarify, the license gives permission to operate a single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 pounds.

Class C (Commercial)

To clarify, this license is for carrying 16 or more people, as well as for transporting hazardous materials.

M Endorsement

To clarify, this endorsement is for operating a motorcycle on public roadways.

Idaho driver’s license fees

License fees

• Instruction Permit Fee: $15.00
• One-year License Fee: $15.00
• Three-year License Fee: $25.00
• Four-year License Fee: $30.00
• Eight-year License Fee: $55.00

Test fees

• Knowledge Test Fee: $3.00
• Road Skills Test Fee: $6.50 (county fee) and $17.50 (tester fee)

Renewal fees

• Three-year License Renewal Fee: $25.00
• Four-year License Renewal Fee: $30.00
• Eight-year License Renewal Fee: $55.00
• Sheriff’s Administrative Fee: $1.00

Note that you can pay these fixed fees by American Express, Discover Card, MasterCard, or Visa cards. You may also pay by cash, check or money order, based on your preferences.

What is a Star Card?

A Star Card is a version of the REAL ID credentials in the state of Idaho. It is to show that the license in is compliance with national security standards.

Contact Information

Transportation Department
3311 W. State Street, Boise
ID 83707-1129
Phone: (208) 334-8000