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Idaho driving lesson · Your License

Foreign licenses, territories, and motorcycles

A 3-minute lesson from the Idaho course. Read the rules and examples, follow the handbook page references, and check your understanding before you move on.

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Read time
3 minutes
Course unit
Your License
Checkpoint questions
6
Source pages
15, 17, 20

Drivers coming from U.S. territories or foreign countries follow special testing rules, and anyone riding a motorcycle needs an extra endorsement on their license. These rules depend on where your license came from and how long it has been expired.

Know the rule

Drivers from U.S. territories are treated like drivers moving from another state: surrender the territory license and pass the knowledge test. No skills test is needed.

Handbook p. 15 ↗

Know the rule

A foreign applicant for a Class D license who has never held a CDL anywhere doesn't have to surrender the foreign license or provide a driving record.

Handbook p. 17 ↗

Foreign Class D applicants

Foreign Class D applicants
FromSkills test?
GermanyNo, and no need to surrender license
Korea or TaiwanOnly if they keep (don't surrender) their license
All other countriesYes, skills test required
Handbook p. 17 ↗

Know the rule

No foreign drivers are exempt from the knowledge test.

Handbook p. 17 ↗

Know the rule

Foreign CDL drivers are those from any country other than Mexico or Canada. If you become a U.S. permanent legal resident or citizen and an Idaho resident, surrender all other licenses to get an Idaho CDL.

Handbook p. 17 ↗

Know the rule

Canadian and Mexican CDL holders surrender their license only if they move their permanent residence to the U.S. They must provide a driving record no older than 30 days and take the Class D knowledge test plus any endorsement tests.

Handbook p. 17 ↗

Motorcycle

A motor vehicle with a seat or saddle for the rider, designed to travel with not more than three wheels on the ground. Tractors and mopeds are not motorcycles.

Handbook p. 20 ↗

Know the rule

A Motorcycle (M) endorsement is required on your license to ride on public highways. Get it by passing the motorcycle knowledge and skills tests or completing an approved rider training course.

Handbook p. 20 ↗

Surrendering a license with an M endorsement

Surrendering a license with an M endorsement
License expiredYou must take
Fewer than 25 months (out-of-state)Motorcycle knowledge test
More than 25 months (Idaho or out-of-state)Motorcycle knowledge and skills tests
Handbook p. 20 ↗

Put it into practice

A driver from Taiwan moves to Idaho and wants to keep her Taiwan license. She must pass the knowledge test (every foreign driver does) and, because she isn't surrendering her license, the skills test too.

Check your understanding

Read the question, decide on an answer, then open it to check the explanation. These are Roadwise study questions based on the source handbook.

Foreign drivers from which country do not have to surrender their license or take a skills test for an Idaho Class D license?
  1. Korea
  2. Taiwan
  3. Mexico
  4. Germany

Answer: Germany

Drivers from Germany are exempt from surrender and the skills test; Korea and Taiwan drivers must test if they don't surrender.

Handbook p. 17 ↗
Foreign drivers from Korea or Taiwan who choose not to surrender their foreign license must:
  1. take the skills test
  2. take only the knowledge test
  3. provide a certified translation of their license
  4. pay a doubled licensing fee

Answer: take the skills test

Korea and Taiwan drivers who keep their foreign license must still pass the skills test.

Handbook p. 17 ↗
All foreign applicants for an Idaho driver's license are required to take:
  1. a driving record from their home country
  2. the knowledge test
  3. the skills test only
  4. only a vision screening

Answer: the knowledge test

No foreign driver is exempt from the knowledge test.

Handbook p. 17 ↗
Idaho requires an 'M' endorsement for anyone who:
  1. operates a motorcycle on public highways
  2. rides a bicycle on public roads
  3. rides a moped on public highways
  4. drives a farm tractor on public roads

Answer: operates a motorcycle on public highways

Motorcycle riders on public highways need an M endorsement; mopeds and tractors are not classified as motorcycles.

Handbook p. 20 ↗
If your out-of-state license with an M endorsement expired more than 25 months ago, you must:
  1. only complete a rider training course
  2. take the motorcycle knowledge and skills tests
  3. pay a reinstatement fee with no testing
  4. only pass a knowledge test

Answer: take the motorcycle knowledge and skills tests

Expiration of more than 25 months requires both tests, versus just a knowledge test for a shorter lapse.

Handbook p. 20 ↗
Canadian and Mexican CDL holders must surrender their license only if they change their permanent residence to the United States.
  1. True
  2. False

Answer: True

Surrender is required only upon a permanent residency change.

Handbook p. 17 ↗
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