Summary: You must be at least 14 1/2 years old to apply, have your required documents with you and have a legal parent or guarding take you to your appointment at driver’s licensing. You can schedule your appointment using the Q-Less app. You will have your picture taken and you will have to sign the permit. Verification of Compliance (VOC) letters are required for any public schooled student, homeschooled students are exempt from this requirement. Parents are who provide proof of residency for the minor. Please read through the required documents that you must take with you.
- Certified Original Birth Certificate
- Photo ID – This can be in the form of the student’s yearbook, school ID, US Passport, etc.
- Social Security Card or Number for Verification
- Proof of Idaho Residency
- Acceptable Lawful Presence Documents (if applicable)
- Visual/Medical Certification (if applicable)
- Driver Training Completion (if applicable)
- Liability Signer (if under 18 years of age)
- Verification of Compliance Form (VOC), if under 18 years of age. This is issued by the Idaho school the student is attending (Idaho Code 49-303A). The student’s administrative office will be able to assist with providing this form.
What do I need to bring with me?
Proof of Idaho Residency — You must reside in Idaho to be issued an Idaho driver’s license or identification card. Proof of residency can be shown with documents such as lease or rental agreements, utility bills, school enrollment records, etc. Your home address (where you live) cannot be your workplace, vacation residence, a part-time residence, P.O. Box, mail drop, or general delivery (that have been mailed to the applicant.) Please check with your local driver’s license office to determine the acceptability of your documents.
Proof of Age and Identity – Driver’s license examiners are required by law to verify your identity and age before issuing you a driver’s license or ID card. If you have a state-issued driver’s license or a state-issued ID card to surrender, in combination with a primary document from the list below, you do not need to provide any additional identity documents.
Out-of-state driver’s licenses cannot be accepted as proof of identity unless combined with a primary document from the list below.
Applicants who surrender an out-of-state driving credential, expired 25 months or less, will still be exempt from passing a skills exam. These credentials may still serve as valid photo identification if the name on the credential is supported by the additional identity documentation.
Note: All new applicants will be required to present proof of US citizenship or lawful presence and an acceptable photo identity document (see primary and secondary document lists below).
If the documents described above cannot be obtained, the examiner will require a combination of documents from the primary and secondary document lists that provide proof of your legal name, date of birth, and identity (including a picture).
Primary documents verify your age and identity, and must contain your full legal name and date of birth. These documents must be verifiable as authentic (the examiner must be able to contact the issuing agency to determine authenticity). The following are examples of primary documents:
- Original naturalization/citizenship document.
- Certified original birth certificate or certified abstract.
- Valid Immigration and Naturalization card from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
- U.S. military photo identification card.
- U.S. passport or passport card
- Valid Foreign passport with a valid U.S. VISA.
- Idaho concealed weapons permit not expired for one year or more.
- Veteran’s Universal Access Card with photo.
- Native American ID card with photo.
Secondary documents will assist in confirming your identity, and must contain your name and enough information to establish proof of all or part of what is contained on the primary document. The following are examples of secondary documents:
- Idaho driver’s license or identification card not expired more than five years.
- Out-of-state driver’s license or identification card not expired more than five years.
- U.S. military discharge paper (form # DD214).
- Certified marriage certificate (meeting Idaho standards) with seal and document number showing that it was recorded.
- Certified divorce document from a court or state vital statistics office.
- Guardianship or custody documents, notarized or court certified.
- Certified court name-change document.
- Junior or senior high school (not college or university) photo activity card.
- Junior or senior high school, college, or military yearbook/annual.
- Idaho Automobile dealer/salesman photo ID card.
- Idaho Department of Corrections photo ID card.
- Idaho Department of Juvenile Corrections photo ID card.
- Either the primary or secondary document must contain a photo of you.
Note: If you do not have an acceptable driver’s license or ID card to surrender, you will be required to present a certified original birth certificate and an acceptable photo identity document (see primary and secondary document lists below).
If the documents described above cannot be obtained, the examiner will require a combination of documents from the primary and secondary document lists that provide proof of your legal name, date of birth, and identity (including a picture.)
Primary documents verify your age and identity, and must contain your full legal name and date of birth. These documents must be verifiable as authentic (the examiner must be able to contact the issuing agency to determine authenticity). The following are examples of primary documents:
- Out of state driver’s license or ID card (with a photo) not expired for five years or more.
- Idaho driver’s license or ID card not expired for five years or more.
- Original naturalization/citizenship document.
- Certified original birth certificate or certified abstract.
- Valid Immigration and Naturalization card from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
- U.S. military photo identification card.
- U.S. passport or passport card
- Valid Foreign passport with a valid U.S. VISA.
- Idaho concealed weapons permit not expired for one year or more.
- Veteran’s Universal Access Card with photo.
- Native American ID card with photo.
Secondary documents will assist in confirming your identity, and must contain your name and enough information to establish proof of all or part of what is contained on the primary document. The following are examples of secondary documents:
- Out-of-state issued driver’s license or ID card (with photo) expired for five years or more.
- U.S. military discharge paper (form # DD214).
- Certified marriage certificate (meeting Idaho standards) with seal and document number showing that it was recorded.
- Certified divorce document from a court or state vital statistics office.
- Guardianship or custody documents, notarized or court certified.
- Certified court name-change document.
- Junior or senior high school (not college or university) photo activity card.
- Junior or senior high school, college, or military yearbook/annual.
- Idaho Automobile dealer/salesman photo ID card.
- Idaho Department of Corrections photo ID card.
- Idaho Department of Juvenile Corrections photo ID card.
Either the primary or secondary document must contain a photo of you.
NOTE: ALL DOCUMENTS SUBMITTED MUST BE ACCEPTABLE TO THE EXAMINER OR THE IDAHO TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT.
Lawful Presence — Individuals who are not lawfully present in the United States are not eligible for an Idaho driver’s license or identification card. Proof of lawful presence may be required if you have not previously provided proof of U.S. citizenship. Acceptable lawful presence documents include:
- Certified original U.S. Birth Certificate
- Certification of Birth Abroad
- Original Certificate of Naturalization/Citizenship
- Permanent Resident card or Resident Alien card
- Employment Authorization card
- Valid Foreign passport with valid U.S. VISA and I-94 (Arrival/Departure record)
Social Security Card—Bring your social security number or the original card issued by the Social Security Administration. Your social security number will be verified. It will not be printed on your Idaho driver’s license or ID card.
If you do not have a Social Security Number, you may still apply for a driver’s license or ID card if you provide a letter from the Social Security Administration stating that you do not have a Social Security Number. You will be required to provide proof of lawful presence in the United States.
Physical Certification—If your ability to operate a motor vehicle is affected by any physical or mental condition which brings about momentary or prolonged lapses of consciousness or control (examples: epilepsy or seizures, crippling arthritis, paralysis, Parkinson’s, heart trouble, insulin-dependent diabetes, Alzheimer’s, strokes, multiple sclerosis) you will be denied a license/permit until you provide a written certification from a physician that you can safely operate a motor vehicle.
Liability Signer—If you are under 18 years old, you need to have a birth parent (listed on birth certificate) or legal guardian with you to sign consent for you to be licensed. The identity of the liability signer will be verified.
School Enrollment or Completion—If you are under 18 years old, you will need to provide acceptable proof of enrollment and attendance in or graduation from a recognized high school or equivalent program.
Driver Training Completion—If you are under 17 years old, you must provide proof that you have completed an approved driver training program and met the requirements of the Supervised Instruction Permit under Idaho’s Graduated Driver’s License Program.
One License Law – When applying for an Idaho Class D driver’s license, you must surrender any driver’s license or ID card issued to you from another state, U. S. Territory, Puerto Rico, or the District of Columbia. You do not need to surrender a driver’s license issued in a foreign country. However, once you are issued an Idaho driver’s license, you are not allowed to use or show your foreign license for the purpose of operating a motor vehicle. If you are applying for an Idaho Commercial Driver’s License (CDL), you must surrender any license(s) issued to you by any jurisdiction(s).
What tests will I need to take?
Vision Screening – Your vision will be tested and you must meet a minimum standard of 20/40 vision in at least one eye, with or without corrective lenses. If you wear glasses or contacts during the screening, a lens restriction will be placed on your driver’s license. If the lens restriction is placed on your driver’s license, you must always wear your glasses or contacts when operating a vehicle or you could be cited and lose your driving privileges for a period of time.