Where to go for your Kootenai County driver's license

The Idaho Department of Transportation (ITD) Driver Services office in Kootenai County handles all driver's licenses, renewals, and ID cards. The main office is located in Coeur d'Alene at 2391 Ironwood Parkway. This is where you'll go to take your written test, vision test, and photo for a new license or to renew an existing one.

You can also renew your license online through the ITD website if you meet certain conditions — your license must not be expired by more than five years, you must be between 21 and 65 years old, and your vision prescription hasn't changed. Online renewal costs less than in-person renewal and takes a few minutes from home.

If you need to renew in person but want to avoid the main office, some county tag agents (businesses licensed to handle vehicle registration) can process certain license renewals. Call ahead to confirm they handle driver's licenses, since not all tag agents do.

Key Takeaways

  • The ITD Driver Services office in Coeur d'Alene is the primary location for new licenses, tests, and most transactions in Kootenai County.
  • You can renew online if your license expired fewer than five years ago, you are between 21 and 65, and your vision hasn't changed.
  • Bring your Social Security number, proof of Idaho residency (utility bill, lease, or bank statement), and proof of identity (passport or birth certificate) to any in-person visit.
  • New driver's licenses cost around $30 to $40 depending on the type and length of validity; renewal costs less.
  • Written tests cover Idaho traffic laws and road signs; you can study using the free Idaho Driver's Manual available on the ITD website.

Documents you need to bring

For a new license or renewal in person, bring three things: proof of your Social Security number (your Social Security card itself, a W-2, or a tax return), proof of Idaho residency, and proof of identity. Proof of residency can be a utility bill, lease agreement, bank statement, or insurance bill with your name and current address. Proof of identity should be a U.S. passport, birth certificate, or military ID.

If you are renewing and your name has changed since your last license (through marriage, divorce, or legal change), bring a court order or certified copy of your marriage certificate. If you are a non-citizen, bring your visa or immigration document showing you are lawfully present in the United States.

Bring your current license if you have one. If you are under 18, a parent or guardian must be present, and they will need to show their own ID.

What happens during your visit

When you arrive at the ITD office, you will check in and wait for your number to be called. A staff member will review your documents, take your photo, and conduct a vision screening. If you are getting a new license (not just renewing), you will also take a written test on Idaho traffic laws and road signs.

The written test has 40 questions, and you must answer at least 32 correctly to pass. You can take it on a computer at the office. If you fail, you can retake it the same day or come back another day at no extra charge. Study materials are free — the Idaho Driver's Manual is available as a PDF on the ITD website, and many public libraries in Kootenai County have printed copies.

After you pass the vision and written tests, your license is usually printed on-site. You will receive it before you leave, though processing times can vary during busy periods.

Hours, wait times, and how to prepare

The Coeur d'Alene ITD office is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and closed on state holidays. Wait times are typically shortest on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings. Avoid Mondays and Fridays if possible, as these are the busiest days.

You do not need an appointment — the office operates on a first-come, first-served basis. However, the ITD website shows real-time wait times for the Coeur d'Alene location, so you can check before you go. If the wait is very long, you can come back another day.

Bring all your documents in one place before you arrive. Double-check that your proof of residency shows your current address and that your identity document is not expired. Having everything ready cuts your time at the office in half.

Costs and what type of license to get

A new driver's license in Idaho costs between $30 and $40 depending on how long it is valid. A license valid for four years costs less than one valid for eight years. Renewal costs between $20 and $30. If you renew online, the cost is lower than in-person renewal.

You can also get an REAL ID license, which costs a few dollars more but is required for domestic air travel and entry to federal buildings. A standard license works for driving and state ID purposes but not for air travel. Decide which you need before you arrive, though staff can explain the difference when you check in.

Payment is cash or card. The office does not accept checks.

If you fail the written test or vision screening

If you fail the written test, you can retake it when ready at no extra charge, or you can leave and study more before coming back. There is no limit on how many times you can retake it. Most people pass on the second attempt after reviewing the manual.

If you fail the vision screening, the office will give you a form to take to an eye doctor. Once your vision is corrected (with glasses or contacts) and your eye doctor signs the form, bring it back to the ITD office and you can complete your license. You do not have to retake the written test.

Renewing by mail or online

If you are renewing a license that is not yet expired and you meet the age and vision requirements, you can renew online through the ITD website in minutes. You will need your current license number and a valid payment method. Your new license will arrive by mail in about two weeks.

You cannot renew by mail in Idaho — online renewal is the only remote option. If you do not meet the online requirements (your license is expired more than five years, you are over 65, or your vision has changed), you must renew in person at the ITD office.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a license if I do not have a Social Security number?

No. Idaho law requires a Social Security number to issue a driver's license. If you are a non-citizen without a Social Security number, you may be able to get an ID card instead, but you cannot get a driver's license. Contact the ITD office directly to discuss your situation.

What if I lost my license or it was stolen?

Go to the ITD office with your proof of identity and residency. You can get a replacement license the same day. There is a small fee for a replacement, usually around $10 to $15. You do not have to retake the written or vision test.

How long does a new license take if I have to mail in documents?

You cannot mail in documents for a new license — you must appear in person at the ITD office. However, if you are renewing online, your license arrives by mail in about two weeks. If you renew in person, you receive your license before you leave the office.

Do I need an appointment, or is it first-come, first-served?

The Coeur d'Alene office is first-come, first-served — no appointment is needed. You can check real-time wait times on the ITD website before you go. Mornings on Tuesday and Wednesday are usually the shortest waits.

What if I moved to Kootenai County from another state?

You will need to get an Idaho license. Bring your out-of-state license, proof of Idaho residency, and proof of your Social Security number. You will take the written test and vision screening. Your out-of-state license is not valid in Idaho once you establish residency, so do this soon after you move.