License Reinstatement After DUI — Idaho

The Administrative Track: ITD Requirements

The ITD administrative suspension runs parallel to your court case. For a first-offense DUI with a failed breath test (.08 or higher), the administrative suspension period is 90 days absolute. For a breath test refusal, the period jumps to one year. The administrative track does not care about your court outcome — even if criminal charges are reduced or dismissed, the ITD suspension stands unless successfully challenged within 30 days of arrest through an administrative hearing.

Reinstatement on the administrative track requires three items presented together at an ITD Driver Services office: proof of completed SR-22 filing from an Idaho-licensed carrier, payment of the reinstatement fee (amounts vary by offense — the $25 base fee cited in ITD materials applies to standard suspensions but DUI cases carry higher fees that must be verified directly with ITD), and verification that any court-ordered conditions have been satisfied. You cannot mail these in stages. All three documents must be presented simultaneously or the application is incomplete.

The ITD does not automatically notify you when the suspension period ends. The burden is on you to gather the required documents and appear in person. Processing happens same-day if all documents are in order. If any piece is missing, you leave without reinstatement and must return with the complete packet.

Ignition Interlock Compliance Comes First

Idaho Code § 18-8008 requires ignition interlock device installation for most DUI convictions. First-offense cases carry a minimum one-year IID requirement. The device must remain installed for the entire court-ordered period, and you must provide ITD with proof of installation before reinstatement is granted. Your IID vendor submits monthly compliance reports to the court, but ITD requires a separate installation certificate at the time of reinstatement application.

If you violated IID conditions during the required period — failed rolling retests, missed calibration appointments, or attempted to bypass the device — the court may extend the IID requirement or deny early removal. These violations appear in the vendor's compliance report and block reinstatement until resolved. Obtain a current compliance letter from your IID vendor showing the device is installed, calibrated, and free of recent violations before scheduling your ITD reinstatement appointment.

The IID requirement runs concurrent with your restricted license period if you were granted one, or it begins upon full reinstatement if you served the suspension without restricted driving privileges. Either way, the device must be present and compliant at the moment you apply for reinstatement — you cannot promise to install it later.

Reinstatement Happens in One Appointment

Once you have gathered all three documents — court compliance verification, ignition interlock compliance certificate, and SR-22 proof of filing — schedule an in-person appointment at any Idaho ITD Driver Services office. Bring all three documents, two forms of identification, and payment for the reinstatement fee (ITD accepts cash, check, or card). The clerk will verify the documents against ITD's electronic records, process payment, and remove the suspension flag same-day if everything is in order. You walk out with a temporary driving permit valid until your permanent license arrives by mail within 10–14 business days.

If any document is missing or the court's electronic compliance record has not updated to reflect your completed sentencing conditions, the clerk will deny the application and you will need to return. This is why verifying court compliance electronically before your appointment is critical — showing up with your own records is not sufficient if the court has not transmitted completion status to ITD's system.