Idaho DMV fees increasing following approval of HB 161

Idaho is the only state in the Union where the sheriff's are mandated to be the vendor for driver’s licenses and identification cards on behalf of the Transportation Department. The fees distributed to counties to operate the Driver’s License offices were initially intended to cover the costs of providing the service but have not been adjusted in more than 30 years. The cost of providing the service has continued to climb and subsequently, many counties are spending large amounts of property tax dollars to subsidize the Transportation Department.

House bill 161, which was passed and signed by Gov. Brad Little, goes into effect July 1, 2021 and will help cover those increasing costs by allowing counties to raise the fees for driver’s licenses and identification cards. This slight fee increase will cover the increased costs for operating expenses, wages and other costs associated with this process. Below is a breakdown of the new costs:

• Class D (3-year) license — under age 18 years — $30

• Class D (3-year) license — age 18 to 21 years — $30

• Class D (1-year) license — age 17 years or age 20 years — $20

• Four-year Class D license — age 21 years and older — $35

• Eight-year Class D license — age 21 to 63 years — $60

• Class D instruction permit or supervised instruction permit — $20

• Duplicate driver’s license or permit issued — $20

• License classification change (upgrade) — $30

• Endorsement addition — $20

• Knowledge test — $5

• Seasonal driver’s license — $44

• 4-year ID card — $15

• 8-year ID card — $25

These fees represent a $5 increase except for the cost for testing which is a $2 increase. CDL licenses and permits will remain the same price with no increases. All of the new monies collected will go back into the county budget to help offset those operating expenses.