A Bannock County driver’s license is issued through the county’s Driver’s License Division at 5800 S. 5th Avenue in Pocatello. The office is open Monday through Thursday from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and is closed on Fridays. A standard four-year Class D license costs $35, and an eight-year license for adults between 21 and 62 costs $60. If you already hold an Idaho license, you can often skip the office entirely and renew online for a $5 discount.
Where To Go
The Driver’s License Division is a separate office from the county’s main DMV, which handles vehicle registration and titles but does not issue licenses. Plan around the Friday closure, which catches a lot of people off guard.
- Address: 5800 S. 5th Avenue, Pocatello, ID 83204
- Hours: Monday through Thursday, 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
- Closed: Fridays and all federal holidays
- Testing cutoff: 4:00 p.m.
Payment is accepted by cash, check, or credit card. Card transactions may carry a small processing surcharge.
Documents You Need To Bring
Idaho requires documentation in four categories. Miss one and you lose the trip, so gather everything before you leave the house. All documents must be originals or printed electronic copies; photocopies, faxes, and laminated documents are not accepted.
- Proof of identity and age: one photo document showing your full legal name and date of birth. A U.S. passport, certified birth certificate, valid out-of-state driver’s license, U.S. military ID, Permanent Resident Card, or Idaho concealed weapons permit works.
- Proof of U.S. citizenship or lawful presence: a U.S. birth certificate for citizens; for non-citizens, a Permanent Resident Card, unexpired Employment Authorization Document, an I-94 (excluding visa categories like B1, B2, or K1), or an I-797 letter from DHS. The state verifies lawful presence through USCIS, so bring originals.
- Social Security number: you need to provide your SSN for electronic verification. The physical card is not required, but you must know the number. If you’ve never held an Idaho license and don’t know it, contact the Social Security Administration first.
- Proof of Idaho residency: two documents from different sources showing your name and physical Idaho address. A lease or mortgage, utility statements, bank statements, or a W-2 all qualify. Cell phone bills do not count, and P.O. Boxes are not accepted.
If your current legal name differs from your birth certificate because of marriage, divorce, or a court order, bring certified documentation for every link in the chain.
Fees
Idaho sets license fees statewide, so Bannock County charges the same as anywhere else:
- Four-year license (age 21 and over): $35
- Eight-year license (age 21 to 62): $60
The eight-year option works out to $7.50 a year versus $8.75 for the four-year card. Renewing online knocks $5 off either price.
Tests for New Drivers
First-time applicants and anyone transferring from an expired out-of-state license have to pass a written knowledge test. It’s 40 multiple-choice questions on Idaho traffic laws, road signs, and safe driving, and you need 34 correct (85%) to pass. The ITD website has free sample tests, and the Idaho Driver’s Manual is the direct study material.
A vision screening happens at the counter. You need at least 20/40 acuity in one eye to pass without restrictions. Acuity between 20/50 and 20/70 may still qualify but can trigger annual vision exams and periodic road tests. Bring your corrective lenses if you wear them. If you’ve had recent eye surgery, a physician’s statement can get a lens restriction removed.
If you’ve never held a license, or your out-of-state license has lapsed too long for Idaho to accept a straight transfer, you’ll also take an on-road skills test. Idaho uses certified third-party testers rather than county employees. You pay a $6.50 state skills test fee at the driver’s license office, then schedule separately with an approved tester, who can charge up to $28.50 for the drive itself. You supply the vehicle, and it must be registered, insured, and in safe working condition. Testing in Bannock County ends at 4:00 p.m.
Star Card: Idaho’s REAL ID
Since May 7, 2025, federal law requires a REAL ID-compliant credential to board a domestic commercial flight or enter a federal building, including military bases. Idaho’s version is the Star Card, marked by a gold star in the upper corner. A standard license without the star still works for driving and most everyday identification, but it won’t get you through TSA.
The Star Card uses the same documents listed above, with particular attention to the two residency proofs from different sources. If you’re already applying for a new license, bringing full documentation lets you get the Star version at no extra cost. If you already have a license without the star and want to upgrade, you can do it at any driver’s license office.
Renewing Online
If you already hold an Idaho license, you may be able to renew without visiting the office. Idaho runs online renewal through dmvonline.itd.idaho.gov, and you can renew up to 25 months before your expiration date. U.S. citizens and permanent residents between 21 and 69 are generally eligible, but the system makes the final call once you log in.
Online renewals come with a $5 discount: $30 for the four-year and $55 for the eight-year. If the system flags you as ineligible, you’ll need to visit any Idaho driver’s license office in person.
What Happens After You Apply
Once your paperwork and photo are processed, you walk out with a temporary paper permit valid for 60 days. It’s printed on security paper with a black-and-white photo and is legally valid for driving during the wait.
Your permanent plastic card is produced at a central state facility and mailed to you, usually within about three weeks. Confirm the mailing address on file before you leave the counter. If the card hasn’t arrived within the 60-day window, call the Bannock County office for a status update. A replacement means paying additional fees, so getting the address right the first time is worth the extra minute.
Changing Your Address
Idaho law gives you 30 days after moving to report a new address to the Idaho Transportation Department. The rule applies whether you move across Pocatello or across the state, and the same 30-day window applies if you’ve just moved to Idaho from another state.
Failing to update is an infraction on its own. It also creates a practical problem: any official notice about your license goes to the address on file, and that mailing counts as legal notice whether you receive it or not. You can update online through the ITD portal or in person at any driver’s license office.
Adding a Motorcycle Endorsement
Riders need to add a motorcycle endorsement to an existing driver’s license before legally operating on the road. The process involves a written knowledge test and an on-road skills test.
- Endorsement fee: $15, waived if added within six months of getting a motorcycle instruction permit
- Knowledge test fee: $5
- Skills test fee: $25
Anyone under 21 must complete a Motorcycle Safety Foundation course. Riders 21 and older who completed an MSF course within the last two years can use it to waive the skills test. Knowledge and skills test results stay valid for up to one year.
Penalties for Driving Without a Valid License
Idaho penalizes driving without a valid Class D license on a tiered schedule that steps up with repeat offenses in a five-year window.
- First offense: infraction, $150 fine, no jail.
- Second offense within five years: infraction, $300 fine.
- Third or subsequent offense within five years: misdemeanor, fine up to $1,000, up to six months in county jail, or both.
Driving a commercial vehicle (Class A, B, or C) without the proper license is a misdemeanor from the first offense.