The first time you apply in Idaho, the county office must verify who you are, how old you are, where you live, and that you're lawfully present. Bring original or certified documents. Photocopies and faxes are refused.
Idaho treats you as a new applicant if you:
- Have never been licensed in Idaho or any jurisdiction
- Are returning to Idaho after getting a license or ID card in another jurisdiction
- Are surrendering a license from another jurisdiction
- Have an Idaho license expired 25 months or more
New applicants must provide:
- Proof of age and identity
- Social Security card or number verification
- Proof of Idaho residency and proof of U.S. citizenship
- Lawful presence documents and visual/medical certification (if applicable)
- Driver training completion (if under 17)
- Liability signer and Verification of School Compliance (if under 18)
Know the rule
Surrendering a state-issued photo license or ID card together with a U.S. birth certificate showing your full legal name and date of birth proves age and identity.
Handbook p. 21 ↗Know the rule
Licenses and ID cards from other states aren't acceptable identity unless accompanied by a U.S. birth certificate or equivalent. Driver privilege cards are never acceptable.
Handbook p. 22 ↗Know the rule
Minors under 18 don't need a photo ID: a parent or guardian can show their own photo ID with the child's certified birth certificate (and guardianship papers if needed).
Handbook p. 22 ↗Table 1 - acceptable photo identity documents (examples):
- Idaho or out-of-state license or ID card expired less than 5 years
- Valid DHS photo card/document; U.S. Military, Retired Military, or Dependent's card
- Valid U.S. Passport or Passport card; original citizenship/naturalization document
- Foreign passport
- Idaho Concealed Weapons Permit not expired more than 1 year
- Veteran's Universal Access Card or Native American ID card with photo; TWIC card
- Junior/senior high school photo card (not college); school, college, or military yearbook
- Idaho Department of Corrections or Juvenile Corrections photo ID card
Know the rule
If your birth certificate name doesn't match your current name (e.g., maiden vs. married), add a secondary document such as a certified marriage certificate. Secondary documents alone are never enough.
Handbook p. 22 ↗Table 2 - acceptable secondary documents:
- Certified court name change document
- Certified marriage certificate with seal and recorded document number
- Certified divorce document from a court or state vital records
- Notarized or court-certified guardianship or custody documents
- U.S. Military discharge paper (form DD214)
Know the rule
Foreign nationals prove legal name and date of birth only with a foreign passport, and establish identity with a valid foreign passport plus lawful presence documents.
Handbook p. 23 ↗Know the rule
Your Social Security number is verified with the Social Security Administration and is not printed on your license or ID card.
Handbook p. 24 ↗Know the rule
You must live inside Idaho. Prove your physical address with documents such as a lease, utility bill, employment or school records, dated within 1 year.
Handbook p. 24 ↗Acceptable lawful presence documents:
- Certified original U.S. birth certificate
- Valid U.S. Passport or Passport Card; Certificate of Birth Abroad
- Original Certificate of Naturalization/Citizenship
- Permanent Resident Card or Resident-Alien Card; Employment Authorization Card
- Valid foreign passport with I-94 (Arrival/Departure Record)
Know the rule
If you aren't a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, your license expires at the end of your lawful stay or in four years, whichever is less. If DHS papers show no end date, it expires one year from issue.
Handbook p. 25 ↗Know the rule
A visual or medical condition that could affect driving may require a physician's statement. After vision-improving eye surgery, a physician's note can remove the lens restriction.
Handbook p. 25 ↗Put it into practice
You got married and your birth certificate shows your maiden name. Bring your valid U.S. passport (Table 1), your birth certificate, and your certified marriage certificate (Table 2) to link the two names, plus a utility bill from the last year.