Category: DMV

BOISE — The Idaho Division of Motor Vehicles is encouraging all eligible Treasure Valley residents to renew their driver’s licenses online at dmv.idaho.gov.

DMV offices across the region are experiencing higher-than-normal in-person traffic. Renewing online helps reduce wait times, ensures faster service for those who must visit in person, and supports hardworking DMV staff.

Who can renew online?Most Idahoans can renew online if they are a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident, their license hasn’t been expired for more than 24 months, they are between the ages of 18 and 66, and there have been no recent changes to their vision or ability to operate a vehicle safely. Additional restrictions may apply.

Existing Star Card holders may be eligible to renew their credential online. First time Star Card applications must be processed in person at a local driver’s license office.

Skip the Trip and save time. Renew today at dmv.idaho.gov.

OROFINO — The Clearwater County Motor Vehicle Office is now offering Star Card issuance on a walk-in basis. Customers can visit the office at 2200 Michigan Ave in Orofino to upgrade to a Star Card without an appointment.

Walk-in service is available:

Monday through Wednesday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Thursday, 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
The office is closed Friday through Sunday and on all holidays.

Customers must bring the required documents to receive a Star Card. If all necessary documents are not presented, the Star Card cannot be issued. A complete checklist of acceptable documents is available at itd.idaho.gov/starcard, and it is strongly recommended to review the list before arriving.

As of May 7, 2025, a Star Card or another federally approved ID is required to fly domestically or enter certain federal facilities. If you already have a Star Card and need to renew it, you can Skip the Trip and renew online at dmv.idaho.gov.

This local service offers a quick and convenient option for Clearwater County residents to upgrade their ID and stay compliant with federal travel requirements.

Boise — The Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) is alerting Idaho residents about a scam text message circulating statewide that falsely claims individuals can pay online to obtain or expedite a REAL ID (Star Card). These messages are fraudulent and are not affiliated with ITD or any official DMV services.

“Scammers are targeting Idahoans with messages that look official but are completely fake,” said Lisa McClellan, DMV Administrator. “Your REAL ID can only be obtained in person through an authorized DMV office, not by clicking a link in a text message.”

REAL IDs cannot be purchased or expedited online. You must visit a DMV office in-person to apply for a REAL ID. Most county DMV offices require appointments. A walk-in option is available at 9115 W. Chinden Blvd, Suite 103, Garden City, Idaho.

If you receive one of these messages, do not click any links, do not provide personal or payment information, report the message to your mobile carrier and delete it.

For accurate and secure information about REAL ID and DMV services in Idaho, always visit dmv.idaho.gov.

Boise — The Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) is warning residents about a scam text message circulating in the state that falsely claims recipients owe money for unpaid traffic violations.

The message typically includes a link and demands immediate payment to avoid further consequences. These messages are fraudulent. They are not from ITD or any affiliated agency.

“Scammers are becoming more sophisticated and using fear tactics to get people to click on fake links or provide personal information,” said Lisa McClellan, DMV Administrator.

ITD will not send texts related tounpaid traffic tickets or fines, will not demand immediate payment, will not provide links to unfamiliar websites, and will not use threats of legal action or license suspension.

If you receive one of these texts, do not click any links, do not provide any personal or payment information, and be sure to report the message to your mobile carrier and delete it.

The bottom line:

If you didn’t get it from dmv.idaho.gov, don’t trust it.

To verify the status of your driver’s license or check for legitimate traffic violations, visit dmv.idaho.gov.

Stay alert. Stay informed. Don’t get caught in a scam.

 

06.12.25 UPDATE – THE ADDRESS TO OBTAIN A STAR-CARD WITHOUT AN APPOINTMENT IS 9115 W. CHINDEN BLVD. #103, GARDEN CITY, ID. THE TEMPORARY SITE LOCATED AT 11331 W. CHINDEN IS NOW CLOSED.

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The Idaho Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) is making it easier for Idaho residents to upgrade to a Star Card, Idaho’s REAL ID.

Starting Thursday, April 24, a temporary Star Card service station will open at 11331 W. Chinden Blvd., Building 8, in Garden City. Walk-in service is available Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., through the building’s front entrance. No appointment is needed. This service is for Star Card upgrades only—new license issuance and standard renewals are not offered at this location.

Customers must bring the required documents to receive a Star Card. If the correct documents are not provided, the Star Card cannot be issued. A full checklist of acceptable documents is available at itd.idaho.gov/starcard, and it is critical to review this list before arriving.

Only debit or credit card payments will be accepted—no cash or checks.

The Star Card is a federally accepted form of ID. Starting May 7, 2025, travelers will need a REAL ID or another federally approved ID to fly domestically or enter certain federal facilities. Those who already have a Star Card and need to renew can do so online at dmv.idaho.gov.

This on-site service provides a convenient way for residents to meet federal requirements ahead of the upcoming deadline.

BOISE – As the May 7, 2025 REAL ID deadline approaches, the Idaho Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) encourages eligible Idahoans to Skip the Trip and renew their driver’s licenses or ID cards online. Many driver’s license offices operate on an “appointment only” basis, and customers needing a REAL ID must visit an office in-person to complete the process. Online renewals help reduce in-office wait times at locations that allow walk-ins, making it easier and more efficient for those who need a REAL ID (Star Card) to complete their transactions.

There is a $5 discount for online driver license renewal transactions. Save time and save a dime!

Online Renewal Eligibility

You may renew online if:

• You are between 21 and 69* years old. *Expiration date cannot exceed 70th birthday.
• Your most recent renewal was 4 years or less.
• You are a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
• You hold a valid Idaho Class D license or ID card, even if it is expired.
• Your license has not been expired for more than 25 months.
• You are not changing your name or adding/removing endorsements or restrictions.
• You are not upgrading to a Star Card (REAL ID).

Please note: Star Card upgrades require an in-person visit with specific documents. Make an appointment at dmv.idaho.gov under “Driver’s License/ID Cards.”

Skip the Trip and renew online at dmv.idaho.gov to help free up offices for those needing REAL IDs.

Questions? Visit dmv.idaho.gov or call (208) 584-4343.

BOISE – On May 7, the Transportation Security Administration will no longer accept state-issued identifications that are not REAL ID compliant at security checkpoints. All airline passengers 18 years and older, including TSA PreCheck® members, must present REAL ID-compliant identification, also known as the Star Card in Idaho, or another acceptable ID, such as a passport, at TSA security checkpoints.

If you arrive at an airport without a Star Card or another acceptable document, you may be delayed and undergo additional examination. This can cause passengers to miss flights.

In Idaho, many DMV offices operate by appointment only, and availability may be several weeks out. Be sure to check with your local county driver’s license office. Remember, you can visit any county driver’s license office in the state for service. Additionally, it will take up to two weeks for a physical card to be mailed to you.
Please plan accordingly. Go to the DMV Star Card, Idaho’s REAL ID website to complete the checklist or use the helpful tool so that you bring the correct forms of documents you need.

www.itd.idaho.gov/starcard/

Other Acceptable Documents are:
• State-issued Enhanced Driver’s License
• U.S. passport
• U.S. passport card
• DHS trusted traveler cards (Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI, FAST)
• U.S. Department of Defense ID, including IDs issued to dependents
• Permanent resident card
• Border crossing card
• An acceptable photo ID issued by a federally recognized Tribal Nation/Indian Tribe, including Enhanced Tribal Cards (ETCs).
• HSPD-12 PIV card
• Foreign government-issued passport
• Canadian provincial driver’s license or Indian and Northern Affairs Canada card
• Transportation worker identification credential
• U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Employment Authorization Card (I-766)
• U.S. Merchant Mariner Credential
• Veteran Health Identification Card (VHIC)

Passengers who present a state-issued identification that is not REAL ID compliant and who do not have another acceptable alternative (e.g., passport) can expect to face delays, additional screening and the possibility of not being permitted into the security checkpoint.

When Jeremy K. Wickard joined the Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) in July 2019, he brought with him a wealth of experience, including time as an IT technician at state prisons. That role taught him the importance of addressing disconnects in communication—a lesson he carried into his work at ITD. Inspired by an off-hand suggestion from a manager who said, “You should have your own tracker” to capture public feedback, Jeremy set out to make ITD services more accessible and efficient for Idahoans.

The result was the Public Issue Tracker (PIT), a powerful tool designed to log and resolve public concerns. Launched officially in December 2024, the PIT is powered by Microsoft’s Power Apps and enables ITD’s DMV contact center to capture and track issues ranging from navigating the ITD portal to understanding all DMV offered services. “I wanted to provide clearer communication and actionable feedback,” Jeremy explained. “Not everyone speaks the language of statutes and codes, so this helps us meet people where they are.”

A Collaborative Effort
Jeremy credits much of the PIT’s success to his collaboration with  Nicole Long, a colleague and DMV Program Specialist whose innovative thinking helped fill critical gaps during development. “Working with Nicole has been a blessing. Her ability to think outside the box is amazing. Without her efforts, this tool would not be what we need it to be. And she is willing to improve it as we learn of other gaps,” Jeremy said. Together, they created a system that empowers the public to resolve issues with confidence while improving efficiency for ITD’s contact center.

Improving Service, One Call at a Time
The PIT has been a game changer for ITD’s DMV contact center, which fields over 900 calls daily. With just 13 agents handling this volume, the tracker ensures faster, more accurate responses, leading to performance metrics that exceed expectations. Beyond improving day-to-day operations, Jeremy envisions the contact center evolving to include virtual communication tools like chat to better serve the public.

Looking Ahead
Despite its early success, the PIT is still evolving. Jeremy and his team are determining how best to expand its use, weighing whether it should remain within the DMV or become part of ITD’s broader innovation framework. “This is about more than resolving issues—it’s about fostering trust and creating a better experience for Idahoans,” Jeremy said.

As ITD continues to enhance its public services, Jeremy’s work with the Public Issue Tracker is a shining example of innovation and collaboration making a tangible difference for the people of Idaho.

Huge shout-out to all the members of the DMV contact center who had a hand in creating the Public Issue Tracker: Carly Mazurek, Cindy Francke, Jennifer Barraza, Karina Simental-Smith, Keenan Wallace, Lisa Helton, Lori Rowell, Melanie Metzger, Michelle Radford, Olga Nosalskaya, Scott Cates, and Theresa Thomas.

The Idaho Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) is encouraging all Idahoans to update their DMV profiles by adding a primary next of kin. This small step ensures that law enforcement or emergency services can quickly contact your loved ones in the event of an accident or emergency.

Over 124,465 Idahoans have already opted into this feature—don’t wait to join them! You can skip the trip to the DMV and make the update online in just a few steps.

Visit dmv.idaho.gov, click on “Log in to DMV online account,” and follow the instructions to add your primary next of kin. For added peace of mind, you can also include a secondary next of kin.

Currently, adding a next of kin is optional. However, starting July 1st, DMV representatives will ask customers to designate a primary and/or secondary contact or choose to opt out altogether.  “Updating this information in your DMV profile is a small but important step that can make a big difference in a time of crisis,” said Lisa McClellan, DMV Administrator. “We encourage every Idahoan to take a moment to ensure their loved ones can be contacted when it matters most.”

For more information or assistance with your DMV online account, visit dmv.idaho.gov or contact DMV customer service at 208-584-4343.

Skip the trip. Stay prepared. Update your next of kin today!