License Reinstatement After DUI — Idaho

Idaho separates DUI license suspension into two distinct legal tracks: the administrative license suspension imposed by ITD under Idaho Code § 18-8002A, and the judicial suspension imposed by the district court as part of your criminal DUI sentence. Both suspensions run concurrently in most cases, but reinstatement requirements apply to whichever period is longer. The administrative suspension for a first-offense failed breath test (.08 or higher) is 90 days; a refusal carries a one-year administrative suspension. Judicial suspensions vary by offense count and sentencing judge discretion.

Reinstatement after either track requires a substance abuse evaluation completed by an Idaho-licensed evaluator, not a general counseling session or out-of-state assessment. The evaluator produces a written report recommending treatment if applicable. If treatment is recommended, you must complete the program and obtain a certificate of completion before ITD will process reinstatement. This is the step that catches most drivers off guard — the suspension notice does not explicitly list the evaluation requirement, and many assume paying the reinstatement fee is sufficient.

The reinstatement fee for DUI suspensions exceeds the $25 base amount shown in Idaho's general fee schedule. Idaho Code § 49-326 governs reinstatement fees and sets DUI-specific amounts above the base, though the exact current fee should be verified directly with ITD Driver Services before submitting payment. Fees paid without the required documentation do not trigger reinstatement and are not automatically refunded.

SR-22 insurance filing must be active before ITD processes reinstatement. The SR-22 is not a separate insurance policy — it is a certification filed electronically by your auto insurance carrier confirming you carry at least Idaho's minimum liability limits: $25,000 bodily injury per person, $50,000 bodily injury per accident, and $15,000 property damage. Not all carriers write SR-22 policies for drivers with recent DUI convictions. Carriers writing SR-22 coverage in Idaho after DUI include Progressive, GEICO, Dairyland, The General, Bristol West, GAINSCO, and National General. State Farm writes SR-22 but may decline post-DUI applicants depending on underwriting guidelines.

SR-22 filing fees vary by carrier, typically ranging from $15 to $50 as a one-time charge. Monthly premiums for liability coverage meeting Idaho's minimum limits vary significantly based on your driving history, age, county, and the carrier's underwriting appetite for post-DUI drivers. Carriers that specialize in non-standard auto insurance generally offer lower premiums for drivers with recent DUI convictions than standard-market carriers like Allstate or Nationwide, which may decline to write the policy at all or price it prohibitively high. Get quotes from at least three carriers writing SR-22 in Idaho before selecting one — premium differences of $40 to $80 per month are common between the lowest and highest quotes for identical coverage. Once your SR-22 is active and ITD confirms reinstatement, maintain the policy without interruption for the full three-year period to avoid re-suspension.