The reinstatement fee for an Idaho driver's license

Idaho charges a $75 reinstatement fee to restore a suspended or revoked license. This is a flat fee that applies whether your license was suspended for unpaid traffic fines, a DUI conviction, accumulating too many points, or another reason. You pay this fee to the Idaho Department of Transportation (ITD) when you submit your reinstatement request.

The $75 covers the administrative cost of processing your reinstatement and restoring your driving privileges. It is separate from any other costs you may owe — such as court fines, restitution, or fees tied to the reason your license was suspended in the first place. You must pay the reinstatement fee even if you have already paid those other debts.

Some suspensions require additional steps or payments beyond the reinstatement fee itself. For example, if your suspension was alcohol-related, you may need to pay for an alcohol evaluation or install an ignition interlock device. If you owe child support or have unpaid traffic fines, those debts must be resolved before ITD will process your reinstatement, but those payments go to the court or collection agency, not to ITD.

Key Takeaways

  • Idaho's reinstatement fee is $75, paid directly to the Idaho Department of Transportation.
  • The $75 fee is required for all suspensions and revocations, regardless of the reason your license was suspended.
  • Other debts — court fines, child support, restitution — must be paid separately and may be required before reinstatement is approved.
  • Some suspensions require additional costs such as alcohol evaluations or ignition interlock installation, on top of the $75 reinstatement fee.
  • You submit your reinstatement request and fee to ITD, either in person at a local office or by mail.

How to submit your reinstatement fee to ITD

You can pay the $75 reinstatement fee in person at any Idaho Department of Transportation driver's license office, or by mail. If you go in person, bring your ID and be prepared to complete a reinstatement process form. ITD staff will process your fee and process on the spot, though approval may take a few business days depending on whether any other requirements must be met first.

To pay by mail, send a check or money order for $75 along with a completed reinstatement process to your local ITD office. Include a cover letter stating your name, driver's license number, and the reason you are requesting reinstatement. Mail it to the address listed on the ITD website for your region. Processing by mail typically takes one to two weeks after ITD receives your payment.

Do not send cash by mail. ITD will not process a reinstatement request without the fee, so confirm you have paid before you expect your license to be restored. If you are unsure whether your suspension has been lifted or if other requirements remain, contact your local ITD office directly — they can tell you the status of your case and what you still need to do.

When other costs are added to reinstatement

The $75 reinstatement fee is the only amount owed to ITD, but other agencies or courts may require payment before your reinstatement is approved. If your suspension was tied to unpaid traffic fines or court costs, you must pay those to the court. If you owe child support, the child support enforcement agency must clear your case. If you have outstanding restitution from a criminal conviction, that must be paid as well.

Alcohol-related suspensions often carry additional costs. You may be required to complete an alcohol evaluation through a certified provider — this can cost $100 to $300 depending on the provider. If the evaluation recommends treatment, you may need to pay for a treatment program. Some suspensions also require an ignition interlock device, which costs money to install and maintain monthly.

Before you pay the $75 reinstatement fee, contact ITD or the court that suspended your license to confirm what other requirements or payments are needed. This prevents you from paying the reinstatement fee only to discover you cannot actually be reinstated until you resolve something else. ITD can provide a checklist of what must be done in your specific case.

Payment methods and where to send your fee

ITD accepts cash, check, debit card, and credit card at in-person driver's license offices. If you are paying by mail, send a check or money order only — do not send cash or credit card information through the mail. Make the check payable to "Idaho Department of Transportation."

Each region of Idaho has its own ITD office. You can find the address and phone number for the office nearest you on the ITD website. Some larger cities have multiple offices. If you are unsure which office to contact, call the main ITD customer service line and provide your location — they will direct you to the correct office and confirm their mailing address.

If you pay in person, ask for a receipt showing that your reinstatement fee has been received. Keep this receipt until your license is restored. If you pay by mail, keep a copy of your check or money order number and the cover letter you sent, in case you need to follow up on your process.

Timeline for reinstatement after you pay

After you submit your $75 fee, ITD typically processes reinstatement requests within 3 to 5 business days if all other requirements have been met. If you paid in person, your license may be reinstated the same day or within 24 hours. If you paid by mail, allow one to two weeks for ITD to receive and process your payment, plus another few days for your license to be reinstated.

The timeline can be longer if ITD discovers that other requirements have not been met. For example, if you still owe court fines or have an active child support case, ITD will not reinstate your license until those debts are resolved. They will notify you of what else is needed, but this can add weeks to the process.

Once your license is reinstated, you will receive a new physical license in the mail within 7 to 10 business days. You can drive legally as soon as ITD notifies you that your reinstatement has been approved — you do not have to wait for the physical card to arrive. If you need to drive before the card arrives, ask ITD for a temporary driving permit.

What happens if you cannot pay the $75 fee right away

ITD does not offer payment plans for the reinstatement fee. The full $75 must be paid before your license can be restored. If you cannot pay when ready, you will need to wait until you have the funds available. Your suspension remains in effect until the fee is paid and processed.

If your suspension is causing hardship — for example, you cannot get to work or medical appointments — contact your local ITD office to discuss your situation. While they cannot waive the fee, they may be able to expedite processing once you pay, or they can confirm exactly what you owe so you can plan to pay it as soon as possible.

Some courts allow payment plans for fines or restitution tied to your suspension. If you owe money to a court in addition to the ITD reinstatement fee, contact the court directly to ask about payment plan options. Resolving court debts first can sometimes speed up your reinstatement process.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I drive while my reinstatement is being processed?

No. Your license remains suspended until ITD officially approves your reinstatement. Driving with a suspended license is illegal and can result in additional fines and criminal charges. Once ITD notifies you that your reinstatement has been approved, you can drive legally — you do not have to wait for the physical license card to arrive in the mail.

What if I paid the $75 fee but my license still hasn't been reinstated?

Contact your local ITD office and provide your driver's license number and the date you paid. They can check whether your payment was received and processed, and whether any other requirements are holding up your reinstatement. If your payment was received but reinstatement has not been approved, ask what else needs to be done.

Do I have to pay the $75 fee again if my license is suspended a second time?

Yes. Each suspension requires a separate $75 reinstatement fee. If your license is suspended again in the future, you will owe another $75 to ITD to restore it, in addition to any other fines or requirements tied to the new suspension.

Can I pay the reinstatement fee online?

ITD does not currently offer online payment for reinstatement fees. You must pay in person at a driver's license office or by mail. Check the ITD website to confirm whether online payment has become available, as this may change.

What if I owe money to the court but not to ITD — do I still pay the $75?

Yes. The $75 reinstatement fee goes to ITD regardless of whether you owe money elsewhere. However, ITD will not process your reinstatement until court debts are resolved. Pay the court first, then pay ITD the $75 reinstatement fee.