A Commercial Driver's License (CDL) is required in Idaho to operate commercial motor vehicles over 26,000 lbs GVWR, buses carrying 16 or more passengers, or vehicles placarded for hazardous materials. Idaho CDL fees start at $40 for a 5-year license. Three CDL classes are available: Class A for tractor-trailer combinations, Class B for single large vehicles, and Class C for passenger and HazMat vehicles. First-time applicants must complete Entry Level Driver Training (ELDT) through an FMCSA-registered provider before taking the skills test. All interstate CDL holders must maintain a valid DOT Medical Certificate. Test your knowledge with the Idaho CDL knowledge test, then pass the skills test — pre-trip inspection, basic vehicle control, and road driving — to earn your license.
Any combination of vehicles with a GCWR of 26,001 lbs or more, provided the GVWR of the towed vehicle exceeds 10,000 lbs.
Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 lbs or more, or any such vehicle towing a vehicle with a GVWR not exceeding 10,000 lbs.
Any single vehicle or combination not covered by Class A or B, designed to transport 16 or more passengers including the driver, or required to be placarded for hazardous materials.
TSA security threat assessment and fingerprinting required. Required for fuel and chemical hauling on Idaho's I-84 Snake River corridor and to mining and agricultural processing operations throughout the state.
Required for bulk liquid/gas tank vehicles. Essential for liquid fertilizer haulers serving Idaho's potato and grain operations, and fuel tanker operators serving remote communities and agricultural areas.
Required for vehicles carrying 16 or more passengers. Used for resort shuttle services, ski area buses, and regional transit in the Boise area.
Requires P endorsement. Idaho requires background check for school bus operators.
Required for double and triple trailer combinations. Idaho authorizes LCV combinations on designated routes (similar to Oregon and Washington), and the T endorsement is valuable for Northwest regional operators. Class A CDL required.
Combination H and N endorsements for HazMat tank vehicles. TSA background check applies. Standard for fuel tanker operations and liquid fertilizer hauling in Idaho's agricultural sector.
Entry Level Driver Training (ELDT) is required by federal regulation (49 CFR Part 380, effective Feb 7, 2022) for first-time Class A or B CDL applicants and for adding H, P, or S endorsements. Idaho has registered CDL training providers in the Boise, Twin Falls, and Pocatello areas. Rural applicants may need to travel to larger cities for training. Find registered providers at tpr.fmcsa.dot.gov.
Find a registered ELDT provider in Idaho →Interstate CDL holders must hold a valid DOT Medical Examiner's Certificate from an FMCSA-certified medical examiner. MEC valid up to 24 months. Idaho's mountain and high-desert driving conditions include high-altitude passes (US-95, US-93 through the Sawtooth and Bitterroot ranges) that may affect drivers with cardiovascular or respiratory conditions. Submit self-certification and MEC copy to Idaho ITD.
Find an FMCSA-certified medical examiner →Apply at an Idaho DMV office (ITD Driver's License offices in Boise, Twin Falls, Pocatello, Idaho Falls, Coeur d'Alene) with proof of identity, Social Security Number, and Idaho residency. Pass the knowledge tests for your desired class and endorsements, complete ELDT through an FMCSA-registered provider, then pass the CDL skills test. The CDL fee is $40. Full details at itd.idaho.gov.
Idaho CDLs are valid for 5 years. Your DOT Medical Certificate must be renewed separately — typically every 24 months for interstate drivers. Renew at any Idaho DMV office before expiration. Idaho's 5-year validity and $40 renewal fee make it one of the more cost-effective CDL states.
Yes. Idaho allows a gross vehicle weight of 105,500 lbs on designated routes — the same extended limit used by Oregon and Washington. This higher limit accommodates Idaho's agricultural and timber industries that move heavy loads on limited highway corridors. Tridem axle groups are allowed up to 48,000 lbs on designated routes. Contact ITD for the current list of designated routes.
The Lewiston Hill on US-95 (north Idaho, descending from the Camas Prairie to the Snake River at Lewiston) is one of Idaho's most demanding truck descents — a 7% grade dropping 2,000 feet over several miles. Proper Jake brake technique and gear selection are critical. Other challenging routes include Whitebird Hill on US-95, Lolo Pass on US-12, and Galena Summit on SH-75. Winter chain requirements apply on many Idaho mountain passes.
Idaho's status as the top potato-producing state in the US, combined with major wheat, barley, hop, dairy, and sugar beet production, creates substantial CDL demand. Key opportunities include: potato semi hauling from storage warehouses to processing plants and markets (seasonal, fall-spring), grain cart and semi operations during harvest, liquid fertilizer tanker delivery, dairy feed tanker operations, and refrigerated produce transport from the Magic Valley and upper Snake River Plain.
Browse commercial trucks for sale from dealers in Idaho on TruckRadar.
Idaho CDL fees are $40 for original and renewal, with 5-year validity. Knowledge test fees are minimal (approximately $5 per test). Skills test fees vary by provider. Verify current amounts at itd.idaho.gov before scheduling.
Disclaimer
The information on this page is compiled from publicly available government sources and is provided for general informational purposes only. TruckRadar is an independent search engine — we are not affiliated with any government agency and this content does not constitute legal or compliance advice. Regulations change frequently; always verify current requirements directly with the official source before making compliance decisions.
Official source: Idaho ID Official DMVLast reviewed: April 8, 2026