How to get your license back after a DUI in Idaho
Getting a license back after a DUI is an agency process, not a court one: the steps below are the ones the Idaho Transportation Department (ITD), Division of Motor Vehicles – Driver Services lists, in its order, each quoted from the agency's own page. Requirements differ by offense, blood-alcohol level, refusal, and prior record; the state's wording controls.
Steps the state lists
- 1
Serve the court-determined DUI suspension
ITD states that if found guilty the driver's license is suspended for the duration determined by the court. Idaho Code § 18-8005(1)(d) sets a first-offense suspension of 30 days absolute followed by an additional 60 to 150 days.
What the source says
“If Found Guilty Your driver’s license will be suspended for the duration determined by the court.”
- 2
Pay the $285 DUI reinstatement fee to ITD
ITD lists a $285 reinstatement fee for a DUI conviction, payable online through the DMV portal, by mail, or by phone; ITD's FAQ states the license remains suspended until the fee is paid, even if the suspension is over.
What the source says
“You must pay a reinstatement fee of $285 to the Idaho Transportation Department (ITD).”
- 3
Maintain an SR-22 for three years after the suspension ends
ITD states an SR-22 insurance policy must be maintained for three years beginning at the conclusion of the suspension period; since January 1, 2025 the insurer submits SR22/26 information through the State of Idaho Insurance Verification System.
What the source says
“You are required to maintain an SR-22 insurance policy for three years, beginning at the conclusion of your suspension period.”
- 4
Request a Restricted Driving Permit from the court during the suspension (if sought)
ITD states the court may grant a Restricted Driving Permit during the DUI suspension and that the driver must formally request it from the court (ITD FAQ: apply to the clerk of the court with the court case number).
What the source says
“The court may grant a Restricted Driving Permit during your DUI suspension. You must formally request this permit from the court.”
- 5
Install an ignition interlock device if imposed
ITD states the court may impose an ignition interlock requirement as part of sentencing. Separately, ITD states an administrative license suspension (ALS) requires an interlock for one year beginning 10 days after the 90-day ALS suspension ends, unless waived by the court.
What the source says
“The court may impose the requirement of an ignition interlock device as part of your sentencing.”
- 6
Clear any outstanding fees and have the SR-22 on file
ITD's FAQ states that a driver whose DUI suspension time is over remains suspended if reinstatement fees are outstanding or ITD does not have an SR22 certificate on file. If the ALS also applies, ITD states its requirements (the $245 ALS reinstatement fee and the ALS interlock) must be fulfilled as well.
What the source says
“My DUI suspension time is over, why am I still suspended? The reinstatement fees are outstanding and/or we do not have a SR22 insurance certificate on file.”
Official reinstatement page: Idaho Transportation Department (ITD), Division of Motor Vehicles – Driver Services
Conditions that travel with reinstatement
| Reinstatement fee | $285 |
|---|---|
| SR-22 / financial-responsibility filing | Yes · 3 years — Idaho SR-22 requirements |
| Ignition interlock | Idaho interlock rule |
| Required program | Alcohol evaluation by an approved substance use disorders service provider (Idaho Code § 18-8005(11)); court-ordered treatment if recommended (§ 18-8005(15)) |
| Driving during the suspension | Restricted Driving Permit (RDP) / restricted driving privileges |
| Re-examination | Knowledge test: required in some cases · road test: required in some cases |
Required program: Alcohol evaluation by an approved substance use disorders service provider (Idaho Code § 18-8005(11)); court-ordered treatment if recommended (§ 18-8005(15))
Idaho Code § 18-8005(11) requires a person who pleads guilty to or is found guilty of DUI to undergo, at his own expense and before sentencing, an alcohol evaluation by a substance use disorders service provider approved by the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare (the court may waive it in the circumstances the section describes). Under § 18-8005(15), if the evaluation recommends treatment, the court orders completion of a treatment program. ITD's page does not list a separate education course; its FAQ refers questions about alcohol classes to the Idaho court.
“shall undergo, at his own expense (or at county expense through the procedures set forth in chapters 34 and 35, title 31, Idaho Code) and prior to the sentencing date, an alcohol evaluation by a substance use disorders service provider approved by the Idaho department of health and welfare”
Driving during the suspension: Restricted Driving Permit (RDP) / restricted driving privileges
For a DUI conviction, Idaho Code § 18-8005(1)(d) provides a 30-day absolute suspension during which no driving privileges of any kind may be granted, followed by an additional 60 to 150 days during which the defendant may request restricted driving privileges that the court may allow if driving is necessary for employment or family health needs; ITD states the request is made to the court. For an administrative license suspension (ALS), ITD issues a Restricted Driving Permit (application ITD 3227, $60 fee) for the remaining 60 days of the 90-day suspension after the first 30 days, once the $245 ALS reinstatement fee is paid; ITD states no RDP is available for a refusal suspension or a second ALS within five years.
“during which the defendant may request restricted driving privileges that the court may allow, if the defendant shows by a preponderance of the evidence that driving privileges are necessary for his employment or for family health needs”
Full page: waiting period, conditions and hearing deadline for the Restricted Driving Permit (RDP)
When the interlock can be removed
Idaho's interlock period is fixed rather than compliance-based in the sources. Idaho Code § 18-8008(5) states the ignition interlock restriction period ends one year from the date the vendor provides proof of installation; § 18-8005(1)(e) requires the device for a period ending one year after the end of the suspension period. § 18-8008(4) directs ITD to set standards by rule for certification, installation, repair and removal of devices. ITD's FAQ states the end date of the interlock requirement is found on the driver license record or the court record, and that removal is arranged with the interlock provider. No violation-free window or early-removal provision appears in § 18-8008, § 18-8005, or on ITD's page.
“The ignition interlock restriction period shall end one (1) year from the date the ignition interlock vendor provides proof of installation of the ignition interlock system.”
Will you have to retake the test? Re-examination in Idaho
Some states hand the license back once the conditions are met; others treat a revoked or long-withdrawn license as expired and issue a new one only after the knowledge test, the road test or a vision screening is passed again. The rules below are the licensing agency's own, one per test.
| Knowledge (written) test | Required in some cases Driving privileges come back by application to the Idaho Transportation Department in Boise with the reinstatement fee and, after a DUI, three years of SR-22 proof; the handbook names no test at that step. The knowledge test is taken by a new applicant, and ITD treats a driver whose Idaho license has been expired for 25 months or more as a new applicant. What the source says“If you are a new applicant, transferring your out-of-state driver’s license, or your Idaho driver’s license has been expired for 25 months or more, you must take the knowledge test.” |
|---|---|
| Road (driving) test | Required in some cases The skills test is required of a driver presenting an Idaho or out-of-state license expired 25 months or more, of a driver whose vision does not meet the minimum standard and of a driver with a recurring skills-test requirement from a medical or visual condition; it is scheduled directly with a skills test examiner and the county and examiner fees are paid again after a failure. What the source says“Present an Idaho or out-of-state driver’s license that has been expired 25 months or more—does not apply to Commercial Driver’s Licenses (CDL).” |
| Vision screening | Required in some cases The vision screening is part of the required testing for an applicant — 20/40 in at least one eye, with or without corrective lenses — and so applies when the driver is treated as a new applicant; the reinstatement section names no vision test. What the source says“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.” |
What triggers a re-test
Expiry, not the withdrawal itself: the handbook's reinstatement section is the application to ITD in Boise, the reinstatement fee and the SR-22, and the tests arrive when the Idaho license has been expired for 25 months or more and the driver is a new applicant again.
“When your suspension or revocation period ends, you may get your driving privileges back by applying to the Idaho Transportation Department in Boise. You will be required to pay a reinstatement fee of $25.00 to $285.00, depending upon the nature of the suspension.”- Where to take it
- itd.idaho.gov — knowledge test at the county driver's license office; skills test by appointment made directly with a skills test examiner from ITD's regional examiner lists
- Official driver manual
- Idaho Driver's Handbook
- The rule
- Idaho Code § 49-328(1)
“When the period of revocation, disqualification or suspension of a driver’s license has expired, or the reason for the revocation, disqualification or suspension no longer exists, the department shall reinstate the driver’s license or driving privileges on application of the driver.”
Questions about re-testing in Idaho
- Does an Idaho DUI suspension mean retaking the tests?
- Not by itself. The Idaho Driver's Handbook states that when the suspension or revocation period ends, driving privileges come back by applying to the Idaho Transportation Department in Boise with a reinstatement fee of $25.00 to $285.00 and, for offenses such as DUI, three years of SR-22 proof. The knowledge and skills tests are required when the Idaho license has been expired for 25 months or more, because ITD then treats the driver as a new applicant.
- Who takes the skills test?
- The handbook lists a driver presenting an Idaho or out-of-state license expired 25 months or more, a driver whose vision does not meet the minimum standard, a driver with a recurring skills-test requirement from a medical or visual condition, first-time applicants and drivers on an instruction permit; the test is scheduled with a skills test examiner.
- What does Idaho Code say about reinstatement?
- Idaho Code § 49-328 provides that when the period of revocation, disqualification or suspension has expired, the department reinstates the license or driving privileges on application of the driver, with a $25 reinstatement fee and additional fees after a DUI conviction or an administrative suspension.
Reinstatement knowledge check: Idaho
Ten questions on the rules this site cites for the state — the figures the licensing agency and the statute state, with a link to where each one is stated. The order changes every time.
This is not the agency's knowledge test and does not predict it; it checks the rules cited on this site.
Questions about reinstatement in Idaho
- What does ITD list as the requirements after an Idaho DUI conviction?
- The Idaho Transportation Department's Driver Records and Suspensions page states that if found guilty the license is suspended for the duration set by the court, a $285 reinstatement fee is owed to ITD, an SR-22 must be maintained for three years beginning at the end of the suspension, the court may grant a Restricted Driving Permit, and the court may impose an ignition interlock device.
- Can a person drive during an Idaho DUI suspension?
- Under Idaho Code § 18-8005(1)(d), the first 30 days of a first-offense suspension are absolute; during the additional 60 to 150 days the defendant may request restricted driving privileges that the court may allow for employment or family health needs. ITD states the request is made to the clerk of the court. For an ALS, ITD issues a Restricted Driving Permit after the first 30 days ($60 application).
- When does an Idaho ignition interlock requirement end?
- Idaho Code § 18-8008(5) provides that the interlock restriction period ends one year from the date the vendor provides proof of installation, and § 18-8005(1)(e) sets the first-offense period to end one year after the suspension ends. ITD states the end date is shown on the driver license record or court record and that removal is handled with the interlock provider.
Sources
- ITD — Driver Records and Suspensions (DUI, ALS, Restricted Driving Permit, fees, SR-22, interlock FAQs)
- Idaho Code § 18-8005 — Penalties (suspension periods, restricted driving privileges, interlock, alcohol evaluation)
- Idaho Code § 18-8008 — Ignition interlock systems (restriction period; ITD rules for removal)
- Idaho Code § 18-8002A — Tests of driver for alcohol concentration; ALS suspension, restricted noncommercial driving privileges, interlock
- ITD — SR-22 and Reinstatement Information (PDF)