Idaho CDL Requirements

The Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) Division of Motor Vehicles issues CDLs in three classes following federal standards. Class A covers combination vehicles over 26,001 lbs towing over 10,000 lbs. Class B covers single vehicles over 26,001 lbs. Class C covers hazmat or passenger vehicles. Applicants must be 18 for intrastate or 21 for interstate. Idaho requires a valid Idaho driver license, Social Security card, proof of Idaho residency, and US citizenship or legal presence. ELDT requirements apply. Idaho has approximately 20 FMCSA-registered ELDT providers, concentrated in Boise, Twin Falls, Idaho Falls, and Pocatello. The agricultural economy creates strong demand for CDL drivers, particularly during harvest seasons.

The Idaho CDL costs $40 for a 4-year license or $80 for an 8-year license. The CLP costs $29 and is valid for 180 days. Knowledge tests are $3 per attempt at county assessor offices statewide. Skills tests are $72 through ITD-authorized third-party testers (the primary testing method in Idaho) or at limited ITD locations. Idaho's skills testing relies heavily on third-party examiners due to the state's rural geography and spread-out population. Knowledge tests are available in English and Spanish. The state allows three skills test attempts before additional training is required. CDL transactions are handled at county assessor driver license offices throughout the state.

Idaho CDL training options include College of Southern Idaho (Twin Falls) and North Idaho College (Coeur d'Alene) at $2,000-$4,000. Private schools like SAGE Truck Driving School (Boise) charge $4,000-$7,000. The Idaho Department of Labor offers WIOA training assistance for eligible applicants. Endorsements follow federal standards: H, T, N, P, S, X. The most in-demand endorsements in Idaho are T (Double/Triple, for I-84 corridor LTL operations), N (Tank, for fuel and milk tanker operations), and H (Hazmat, for the Idaho National Laboratory corridor near Idaho Falls). Agricultural hauling demand peaks during potato harvest (September-November) when CDL drivers command premium wages. Veterans at Mountain Home Air Force Base can access transition CDL programs.