Janet Wolf
Drivers License

License and ID card Fees   Types of Licenses and Testing Information  Helpful Links

The Driver’s License section works in unity with the Idaho Department of Transportation to issue driver’s licenses.

To Obtain an Idaho Driver’s License
Documents required for 17 year old applicants and under for Driver’s Training Permits and Licenses:
Documentation requirements are set by the Idaho Transportation Department and are subject to change to meet Idaho Code requirements.

• State issued certified copy of birth certificate, can be obtained from the State Bureau of Vital Statistics in the birth state If foreign born The state requires documents showing legal presence i.e. Permanent resident card, employment authorization card, passport with visa , as well as a school transcript with the student demographics (page listing parents names).

• Social security card (or number is sufficient).  If a social security number has never been issued, then we require a letter of “non-issuance” from the Social Security Administration.

• Verification of Compliance ( a letter from the school the student is attending proving that the student is in an educational program- this can be public or chartered school, or a GED program).

• Parent or legal guardian present to sign the liability section of the permit or license.  The name of the parent must be listed on the birth certificate.  If the person present is not listed on the birth certificate, then legal documentation is required, like guardian papers, adoption paper, etc., that proves the adult has the right to sign the liability paper.

• Photo I.D.  acceptable photos are student activity card, yearbook photo, state ID cards, passport photo ( issued by Department of Homeland Security), photo transcript –provided by the school with the seal and or embossment).

• If under 17, student must enroll and complete a driver’s education program.

• Foreign documents are not accepted, alternatives are listed above.

Driver’s Training
An approved Idaho Driver’s training program consists of a required 1800 minutes (30 hours) of classroom instruction, 360 minutes (6 hours) of in-car observation in a driver’s training car, and 360 minutes (6 hours) of behind the wheel driving with a driver training instructor.   Driver’s 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 commercial and 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 ½ and 21, even it they are not public school students.

If you are under 17 years old and have completed driver training in another state (whether you have been issued a license in that state or not), you will be required to provide acceptable proof of driver training completion that meets or exceeds Idaho’s standards.  If the program you completed out of state does not meet Idaho standards, you will be required to take an Idaho approved driver training course.  If you are not surrendering an out-of-state license, you will also be required to complete a supervised driving period prior to licensing.

Graduated Driver’s License Program
Effective January 1, 2001, anyone under 17 years of age who has not been issued a driver’s license in Idaho must successfully complete an approved driver’s 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 6 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 of which must be night driving.

Documentation required for Driver's License and Identification Card for those 18 years and older
Documentation requirements are set by the Idaho Transportation Department and are subject to change to meet Idaho Code requirements

• Proof or Idaho residency:  rental agreements, utility bills, bank/credit card statements, and auto insurance

• Any driver’s license or identification card issued by any state in the U.S. (If you are switching your license from another state, be prepared to take the knowledge exam.)

• Social security card (or number is sufficient).  If a social security number has never been issued then we require a letter of “non issuance” from the Social Security Administration and proof of legal presence.
OR
• State issued certified copy of birth certificate.  If foreign born we require documents showing legal status: i.e. Permanent resident card, employment authorization card, passport with Visa.  Starting July 7, 2008, all identification cards and driver’s licenses will expire at the expiration of legal presence.

• Social security card (or number will is sufficient).  If a social security number has never been issued then we require a letter of “non-issuance” from the Social Security Administration and proof of legal presence.

• Photo I.D.  acceptable photos are student activity, yearbook photos, state I.D. passport ID (issued by the Department of Homeland Security), photo transcript (provided by the school with the seal and or embossment.

• Proof of Idaho residency:  rental agreements, utility bills, bank/credit card statements, and auto insurance.

* Note! If a license is suspended anywhere, it must be cleared before one can be issued in Idaho

License Renewals
You may renew your Idaho Driver’s License or Idaho Identification Card for 4 or 8 years if you are between the ages of 21 and 62.  This renewal may be done 364 days ahead of the expiration date listed on you current Idaho Driver’s License/ Identification Card.   If you are over 62 the 4 year renewal is the only option available. 
For those ages 18-21, your driver’s license or identification card expires five days after you turn 21.  Those age 15-17 your license/identification card expires five days after you turn 18.

Duplicate Licenses
If your Idaho driver’s license or identification card is lost, damaged, or destroyed you may obtain a duplicate.  You will need to bring an acceptable photo document; this could be your passport, school yearbook, student activity card, or military I.D. card. 

Idaho Driver’s License / Identification Card Fees
All fees are non-refundable

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More Information
For more information about various driver’s license related issues, please go to Idaho Transportation Department web site at http://www.idaho.gov/ and click on the DMV link.

Class A Combined gross vehicle weight rating of 26,000 lbs or greater, as well as towing 10,000 or more.

• Required tests: General knowledge, combination, and air brakes (not all Class A vehicles require this, however, to prevent a restriction for non-air brakes vehicles only, a skills test must be completed in a vehicle with air brakes).
  • Skills test in a vehicle that meets the requirements stated above. If the skills test vehicle has air brakes, you must pass the air brake exam.
• Available endorsements: Tankers, Double/Triples, **Hazardous Materials
  Knowledge test required on endorsements

Class B Combined gross vehicle weight of 26,000 lbs or greater and Not towing more than 10,000 lbs.

• Required tests: General Knowledge and air brakes. (not all Class B require this, however, to prevent a restriction for non-air brake vehicles only, a skill test must be completed in a vehicle with air brakes.
  • Skills test in a vehicle that meets the requirements stated above. If the skills test vehicle has air brakes, you must pass the air brake exam.
• Available endorsements: Passengers, School bus, Tankers, ** Hazardous Materials Knowledge test required on endorsements

Class C: Combined gross vehicle weight of less than 26,000 lbs. As well as any vehicle that carries 16 or more people, including the driver, and/or any vehicle that requires hazardous material placards.

• Required tests: General Knowledge, and an endorsement test of any of the following Passenger, **Hazardous Materials
  • Skills test in a vehicle that meets the requirements stated above
• Available endorsements: School bus, Tankers

Class D: Any vehicle with a combined gross vehicle weight of less than 26,000 lbs, except for motorcycles

• Required test: Class D knowledge test
  • Skills test in a vehicle that meets the requirements stated above
• Available endorsement: Motorcycle
  • To obtain a motorcycle endorsement both a knowledge test and a skills test is required. The skills test can be completed by one of the certified skills testers and/or by completing the State recognized motorcycle safety program STARS.
  ** Hazardous Materials endorsement requires completion of a TSA background check as well as the written knowledge test.

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