What You Need to Know Before You Start
Idaho allows you to renew your driver license in person at any Idaho Department of Transportation (ITD) office, or online through the ITD website if you meet certain conditions. The in-person route works for all license types and situations. The online route is faster but only works if your license is not expired, you have no medical restrictions, and your address on file is current. Both routes cost the same: $75.50 for a five-year license or $151 for a ten-year license.
You do not need to take a new written test or vision test to renew, unless your license has been expired for more than five years or the ITD requests one. If you renew online, you will receive your new license by mail within 7 to 10 business days. If you renew in person, you can walk out with a temporary paper license the same day and receive your plastic card by mail within two weeks.
Key Takeaways
- Idaho offers online renewal for licenses that are not yet expired, have no medical conditions, and have a current address on file — the fastest option if you may have access to.
- In-person renewal at any ITD office works for all situations and takes about 15 minutes, with a temporary license issued on the spot.
- You must renew before your license expires to avoid a $25 late fee and potential suspension of driving privileges.
- Bring your current license, proof of Idaho residency (utility bill, lease, or bank statement), and payment by debit card, credit card, or check.
- If your name has changed since your last license, bring a certified copy of the document proving the change — marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order.
Online Renewal Through the ITD Website
Start at the Idaho Department of Transportation website and select the online renewal option. You will need your current driver license number, the last four digits of your Social Security number, and your date of birth. The system will verify your identity and pull up your existing record.
Online renewal is available only if all of the following are true: your license has not expired, you have no medical restrictions or conditions noted on your record, your address on file matches where you currently live, and you are not renewing a commercial driver license (CDL). If any of these do not explore to you, you must renew in person.
Payment is by debit card or credit card only — no checks or cash. Once you complete the transaction, you will receive a confirmation number. Your new license will arrive by mail within 7 to 10 business days. You can continue to drive on your current license until the new one arrives.
In-Person Renewal at an ITD Office
Visit any Idaho Department of Transportation office during business hours. Most offices are open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., though some have limited hours on certain days. You do not need an appointment, but wait times vary by location and time of day. Call ahead or check the ITD website to find the office nearest you and confirm its hours.
Bring your current driver license, proof of Idaho residency, and payment. Proof of residency must be a document dated within the past 12 months showing your name and current Idaho address — a utility bill, lease agreement, bank statement, or insurance policy all work. Payment is accepted by debit card, credit card, check, or cash.
The process takes about 15 minutes. You will answer a few questions to confirm your information, have your photo taken, and pay the fee. You will receive a temporary paper license valid for 30 days while your plastic card is printed and mailed. Your permanent license will arrive within two weeks.
Documents You Must Bring
| Document Type | What Counts | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Current License | Your Idaho driver license | Required for both online and in-person renewal. If lost or stolen, you must renew in person and bring an ID document instead. |
| Proof of Residency (in-person only) | Utility bill, lease, bank statement, insurance policy, or property tax notice | Must show your name and current Idaho address. Must be dated within the past 12 months. |
| Name Change Document (if applicable) | Marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order | Bring the certified copy. Required only if your name has changed since your last license. |
| Payment | Debit card, credit card, check, or cash | Online renewal accepts debit or credit card only. In-person accepts all four methods. |
Renewal Fees and Timeline
A five-year license costs $75.50. A ten-year license costs $151. These are the only two options available in Idaho. You choose which term you want when you renew. If you renew online, the fee is charged to your debit or credit card when ready. If you renew in person, you pay at the counter.
If you renew before your license expires, there is no penalty. If you renew after your license has expired, you will owe a $25 late fee on top of the renewal fee. Your driving privileges may also be suspended if you drive on an expired license, so renew before the expiration date on your current card.
Online renewal takes 7 to 10 business days from the time you submit your process until your new license arrives by mail. In-person renewal is when ready — you receive a temporary paper license the same day and your permanent license within two weeks. If you need your license urgently, renew in person.
What to Do If Your License Is Expired
If your license expired fewer than five years ago, you can still renew it using the same process as a normal renewal — online or in person. You will owe the $25 late fee in addition to the renewal fee. Your driving privileges are suspended while your license is expired, so do not drive until you have renewed.
If your license expired more than five years ago, you cannot renew. You must instead obtain a new license by visiting an ITD office in person, passing a written test, passing a vision test, and providing proof of identity and residency. This is treated as a new process, not a renewal, and costs $75.50 for a five-year license.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Do not wait until your license expires to renew. Once it expires, you cannot drive legally, and you will owe a late fee. Renew at least two weeks before the expiration date to may support your new license arrives in time.
Do not assume your address on file is current if you have moved recently. If you moved and did not update your address, you cannot renew online — you must go in person and bring proof of your new address. Update your address before you renew if possible.
Do not bring an expired utility bill or bank statement as proof of residency. The document must be dated within the past 12 months. If all your documents are older than that, bring a lease agreement or insurance policy instead.
Do not renew online if you have any medical restrictions or conditions on your license. The online system does not handle these cases. Go in person instead so an ITD staff member can review your record and determine whether any additional steps are needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my Idaho license if I live out of state now?
No. Idaho requires you to be a resident to hold an Idaho driver license. If you have moved out of state, you must obtain a license from your new state. You can renew online only if your address on file is still in Idaho, which means you have not yet updated it with the ITD.
What if my name changed since my last license?
Bring a certified copy of the document proving the change — a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. If you renew in person, the ITD staff will review it and update your record. If you renew online, you must first visit an ITD office in person to have your name change processed before you can renew online.
Do I need a new photo for my renewal?
Yes. A new photo is taken at every renewal, whether you renew online or in person. If you renew online, the ITD will use the photo from your current license on file. If you renew in person, a new photo is taken at the office.
What if I lost my current license?
You cannot renew online if your license is lost. You must visit an ITD office in person and bring a valid ID document instead of your current license — a passport, military ID, or state ID all work. The process is the same as a normal in-person renewal, and the fee is still $75.50 for a five-year license.
How long is my temporary paper license valid?
Your temporary paper license is valid for 30 days from the date it is issued. Your permanent plastic license should arrive by mail within two weeks, but if it does not, the temporary license covers you for the full 30 days. If your permanent license does not arrive within 30 days, contact the ITD.