Renewing Your Idaho Driver's License

Idaho is one of a small group of states that lets eligible adults choose between a 4-year and 8-year driver's license at renewal time. The choice has real implications: the 8-year card costs more upfront but eliminates a renewal cycle, while the 4-year card costs less per renewal and forces a more frequent vision screening. Renewal itself can usually be done online, but every other cycle still requires a counter visit at an ITD driver service office.

When to renew

Idaho mails a renewal reminder to the address on file roughly 30 to 45 days before the current card expires. Drivers can renew up to 12 months before expiration without losing time on the new credential. Driving on an expired license is a misdemeanor under Idaho Code, and a card expired more than 25 months has to be re-applied for as a new license rather than renewed.

Renewal cycle: 4 or 8 years

The cycle choice depends on age:

• Drivers 21 to 62: may pick 4 years or 8 years.
• Drivers under 21: 4 years only, regardless of preference, to align with the GDL track.
• Drivers 63 and older: 4 years only, to support more frequent vision screening.

The 8-year option is roughly twice the 4-year fee, so the cost-per-year is similar, but the 8-year card eliminates an in-person visit and the time it takes. Most adults who qualify pick 8 years for that reason.

Online renewal

Eligible drivers can renew online through the ITD Driver Services portal. To use the online option, the driver typically must have:

• An Idaho address that has not changed since the last renewal.
• A current vision screening on file (within the last 4 years for adults under 70).
• No suspension, restriction, or hold on the driving record.
• A previous in-person renewal within the last cycle.

Idaho generally requires an in-person visit every other cycle so the office can capture a fresh photo, signature, and vision screening. If the last renewal was online, the next must be in person.

In-person renewal

For an in-person renewal at an ITD driver service office, bring the current license, a payment method for the renewal fee, and any documents needed if you're upgrading to a Star Card (REAL ID). The Star Card upgrade requires the same identity, SSN, and residency proof outlined on the first-license page. The vision screening is administered at the counter; if the driver fails, ITD may issue a temporary credential pending an eye-care provider's report.

Renewal by mail

Idaho offers a limited mail-in renewal option for drivers who are temporarily out of state — typically active-duty military, college students, or seasonal workers. The applicant requests a mail-in packet from ITD, completes the form, has a recent vision report attached, and returns the materials with payment. Mail-in renewal is not available for Star Card upgrades or any cycle that triggers an in-person rule.

Drivers 70 and older

Drivers 70 and older still receive the standard 4-year card but must complete a vision screening at every renewal, with no online option after age 70. ITD may also flag drivers for re-examination based on referrals from law enforcement, healthcare providers, or family members concerned about a medical condition that affects driving. The re-examination process is administrative and can result in restrictions (such as daylight-only or local-area-only), an updated medical report requirement, or a full skills test.

After renewal

The new card is mailed from ITD's central production facility in 2-4 weeks; the office issues a temporary paper credential at the counter. Once the card arrives, update the photo on the auto-policy file with your insurance carrier if your name changed, and confirm that any vehicle registration in your name is current.