Applying for a New License

Just Arrived

If you have recently moved to Idaho, welcome! As part of getting settled, be sure you apply for an Idaho driver's license within your first 90 days here, regardless of whether your out-of-state license has expired. The rules change a bit if you have a commercial driver's license or CDL. By law, you only have 30 days to apply for an Idaho CDL.

There are a few exceptions to the rule. College students and U.S. military personnel on active duty (and their dependents) who have valid driver's licenses and claim residency in another state or country, do not have to get Idaho driver's licenses.

Where Do I Apply?

Your county driver's license office is the go-to place for Idaho driver's licenses, instruction permits, and ID cards.

What Should I Bring?

Proof of Idaho Residency

If you want a state driver's license, you have to prove you live within its borders. Do so by bringing with you a document that displays your name and address, such as a lease or rental agreement, utility bill, employment record, or school enrollment record.

You cannot use your workplace, vacation home/residence, or a part-time residence, P.O. Box, mail drop, or general delivery as proof.

Proof of Age and Identity

You must present two or more approved documents as proof of age and identity. One should be a certified original birth certificate and the other must feature your photo.

You must provide at least one from the state's primary documents list (primary documents list your full, legal name and date of birth, and the examiner must be able to contact the issuing agency to verify authenticity).

Use secondary documents to help further confirm your identity. They must contain your name and enough information that directly supports at least some of the information presented on the primary document.

Foreign Documents

Having a document that is not written in English is not a major problem as long you bring along an acceptable document written in English or an acceptable translation.

Social Security Card

In order to verify your Social Security number, no other document works better than the card issued by the Social Security Administration. If you don't have a Social Security number, don't fret. All you have to do in that case is obtain a letter from the SSA that states you do not have a number.

Before you attempt to obtain this letter you must have an acceptable legal presence document such as a certified original U.S. birth certificate, original certificate of naturalization/citizenship, valid Immigration and Naturalization (INS) card/document with a photo, or a valid passport with a valid U.S. visa.

Additional Requirements for Minors

Liability Signer

You only have to drag along a parent or legal guardian if you are a minor (younger than 18). He/she will have to give consent, stating that you have permission to be licensed. Upon arrival, an examiner will verify his/her identity.

Proof of School Enrollment or School Completion

Just as with the liability signer, you only have to provide acceptable proof of this if you are younger than 18. You must show your enrollment and attendance in (or that you graduated from) a recognized high school or a program that equals such.

Completion of Driver Training

If you are younger than 17, you put great effort (and hours) into a driver-training program, and now you must prove that you completed and passed it. Bring along proof that the approved program you attended helped you fulfill the requirements of the Supervised Instruction Permit under Idaho's Graduated Driver's License Program.

Do I Have to Surrender My Old License?

The One-license Law requires you to turn over any driver's licenses or ID cards from any other state, U.S. Territory, Puerto Rico, or the District of Columbia if you want to obtain an Idaho Class D diver's license or an Idaho Commercial Driver's License* (CDL). The only ones you can hang on to are those issued on foreign soil.

Of course, when you receive a state driver's license, you can no longer use (or present) the foreign license as a valid form of identification that allows you to operate a motor vehicle.

*When applying for a CDL, you must turn over any licenses you hold from any jurisdiction.

Which Tests Should I Expect to Take?

Vision Screening

An examiner will administer a vision test to make sure that you meet the minimum requirement of 20/40 vision in at least one eye. If you must use corrective lenses (glasses or contacts) to pass, you can expect to receive a lens restriction on your driver's license. That means you have to wear those glasses or contacts when you are behind the wheel, if you want to avoid a citation and possibly temporarily losing your privileges to drive.

Written Knowledge Test

If you're a new applicant or you have allowed your driver's license to expire for more than a year, you must take a test proving you know the state traffic laws, highway signs by shape and symbol, traffic signals, pavement markings, and equipment on motor vehicles that the state requires each driver to possess.

Skills Test

If this will be your first license and any of the following statements describe you, then count on taking a skills (road) test:

• This is my very first license.

• I have completed an approved driver-training program and the supervised instruction period.

• My license has been expired for one year or more.

• I hold a license (or will surrender one) from a foreign country.

• A foreign country issued my last driver's license.

• I do not meet the minimum vision requirements.

You may be subject to a skills test if the examiner believes you suffer from mental or physical impairments that may affect your ability to drive safely.

Driving Privileges for Non-Citizens

If you're a currently licensed driver from another country, you may drive in Idaho for up to a year. College students may continue using their foreign-issued license as long as they are currently attending a university in the state.

Idaho officials recommend that non-citizens obtain an International Driving Permit from their home country. The permit basically translates a foreign-issued license to make it understandable to U.S. officials. Carry the permit with you when driving, along with your foreign license.

If you become a resident of the state, you must apply for an Idaho driver's license within 30 days of your residency to retain your driving privileges.

Final Note

While the information presented above is rather extensive, it does not cover every detail involved in obtaining an Idaho driver's license. You should download and read the Idaho Driver's Manual to make sure you meet all the requirements and have obtained all the necessary documentation to get your license.

If you are unable to download the manual, you can pick up a hard copy at your local county driver's license office. Call the Division of Motor Vehicles Driver Services Section at (208) 334-8735 if you have any questions.