Idaho CDL Fees
- Idaho CDL license (4-year) $40.00
- Idaho CDL instruction permit $29.00
- Duplicate Idaho CDL or permit $15.00
- License upgrade $25.00
- Endorsement addition (after issuance of a Idaho CDL) $15.00
- Idaho CDL Written tests (each) $ 3.00
- Idaho CDL Skills test ($10 to Driver's License Office, $60 to Idaho CDL Skills Tester)$70.00
How to Obtain an Idaho CDL
To apply for a Idaho CDL, you must be at least 18 years old and either have a valid Idaho non-commercial license (Class D) or have passed all tests required to obtain one. You may be able to take your Class D license tests and your CDL tests at the same time. However, you must have one year of driving experience in order to obtain a CDL.
If you want to obtain an Idaho CDL, study Idaho's "Commercial Driver's License Manual"
which may be obtained from a county driver's license Office. This manual provides
you with the information necessary to pass all Idaho CDL written tests. Information
regarding the skills test requirements is also included.
To apply for your Idaho CDL, go to your county driver's license office. Take your current
driver's license, Social Security card, proof of Idaho residence and money to
pay your fees. Applicants who are not U.S. citizens or U.S. nationals will be
required to provide proof of lawful presence in the United States. You will be
asked if you are subject to and in compliance with the requirements of Part 391
of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (Qualifications of Drivers). You
will be asked to declare (self-certify) what type of driving you intend to do:
Interstate or Intrastate (within Idaho only) and whether the type of driving you
plan to do will require a DOT Medical card or not. When applying for your CDL,
your driving record will be checked, fees will be collected, and you are required
to pass the vision and knowledge tests.
After passing the written tests, you must make an appointment with an Idaho CDL Skills Tester to take the skills test. A list of Examiners is available at the County DMV and online at www.itd.Idaho.gov Some testers have vehicles that you can rent. When you go to the skills tester, you will need to take proof of identification, proof of insurance, and your receipt showing you have passed the written tests and paid the skills test receipt fee.
The Idaho CDL skills test has three parts: the vehicle inspection, the basic control skills test, and the road test. The skills test will take two to three hours to complete and must be taken in a vehicle that is representative of the license class you wish to obtain. If the vehicle used for the test is not equipped with air brakes, your CDL will show a restriction stating that you are not licensed to operate vehicles equipped with air brakes.
After you have passed all required Idaho CDL written and skills tests, you do not have the authority to operate a commercial vehicle until you obtain your Idaho CDL from the County DMV. You will be issued a temporary license from your county driver's license office and your permanent license will be sent to you by US Mail. It is very important your mailing address is current and accurate. If you move after your CDL is issued, you must notify Idaho Transportation Department of your new address.
All test results remain valid for one year. If the appropriate license is not issued within the one-year period, the tests must be re-taken. If you do not pass a test, you must wait three (3) days before retaking the test. Test fees must be paid again.
Idaho CDL tests are not required at renewal time, with the exception of the Hazardous Materials test which must be passed prior to each renewal.
Idaho CDL Instruction Permit
An Idaho CDL instruction permit allows you to practice driving a large commercial vehicle
on public roads. This permit is available by taking the appropriate written tests
for the type of vehicle you will operate. An instruction permit is valid for up
to 180 days. You must be at least 18 years old, hold a valid Idaho Class D driver's
license, have at least one year of driving experience to obtain a CDL Instruction
Permit. To use the permit, you MUST be accompanied by a driver properly licensed
to operate the vehicle you are driving, and this person MUST occupy the seat beside
the driver.
Need More Idaho CDL Information?
Contact the Driver Services section
of the Idaho Transportation Department at (208) 334-8736 or by e-mail at: driverlicense@itd.Idaho.gov
Idaho CDL Written Knowledge Tests
You will need to pass the
Idaho Knowledge Tests that are required for
the class of license, restriction, and endorsements you wish to possess. A general
knowledge test for the Class A or Class B and C license must be successfully completed
by all CDL applicants. The information needed to pass these tests is contained
in the
FREE Idaho CDL Handbook. Please read and study this
manual carefully.
- Class A - 70 Questions (50 GK + 20 Combination Vehicles) - Skills test required.
- Class B - 50 Questions - Skills test required.
- Class C - 50 Questions - Skills test required for bus, school bus and air
brakes vehicles..
- Passenger Endorsement - 20 questions - Skills test required in bus.
- School Bus Endorsement - 25 questions - Skills test required in school bus.
- Doubles/Triples Endorsement - 20 questions - No additional skills tests.
- Tank Vehicle Endorsement - 20 questions - No additional skills tests.
- Hazardous Materials Endorsement - 30 questions - No additional skills tests.
- Air Brake Restriction Removal - 25 questions - Additional skills test in vehicle with Air Brakes.
If you need help . . .
determining what Class of CDL you need based upon the type
of vehicle you will drive (A, B or C) or are not sure which CDL
Endorsements you need based upon the type of loads you will carry; use the
free CDL Selector Tool . . .
Idaho
Go to CDL Selector Tool
Not sure which ID CDL Tests you need to pass? Use this tool to determine what Class of CDL and which CDL Endorsements you require.
Classes of Idaho CDL and Required Tests
CDL Class |
Tests Required |
Possible Endorsements and Required Tests |
Class A
(Combination vehicle endorsement required) |
General Knowledge Written Exam
Combination Endorsement Written Exam
Road Exam |
|
Class B |
General Knowledge Written Exam
Road Exam |
|
Class C |
General Knowledge Written Exam
Road Exam
Note: If upgrading to a Class C from a Class D, no road test is required UNLESS the endorsement requires one. |
|
Idaho CDL Endorsements
Exam |
Time Allowed (Minutes) |
# of Questions on Exam |
# of Correct Answers Needed to Pass |
General Knowledge |
60 |
50 |
40 |
Air Brakes |
25 |
25 |
20 |
HazMat |
30 |
30 |
24 |
Tank |
20 |
20 |
16 |
Passenger |
20 |
20 |
16 |
Doubles/Triples |
20 |
20 |
16 |
Combination Vehicles |
20 |
20 |
16 |
School Bus |
20 |
20 |
16 |
In addition to the Idaho CDL (commercial driver's license) information found in our website covering the Idaho CDL and in the free Idaho CDL Handbook (which is quite boring and a bit confusing - and doesn't have a single multiple-choice question in it that is asked on the actual tests), the complete online
prep program will prepare you to easily pass your
Idaho CDL written exams to get your Idaho CDL permit. The skills test modules are invaluable to give you a head start before doing your
work, possibly saving you a lot of money. The Idaho CDL test prep program includes the following features . . .