Is a Michigan Non-Resident Permit Valid in Idaho?

Why

• Michigan does not issue carry permits to non-residents (michigan residents only: applicant must have resided in michigan for at least 6 months (waivable for emergency licenses and for new residents who hold a valid cpl from another state); active-duty military with michigan as home of record, or permanently stationed in michigan, count as residents).

Idaho AG: out-of-state concealed weapons licenses are recognized ('Yes'), with the condition that 'while in Idaho, you must carry the license on your person at all times when carrying a concealed weapon' (Idaho Code 18-3302(5)(g)). No residency or permit-type restriction is stated; permitless carry independently covers US-citizen visitors 18+.

Carry rules in Idaho

Crossing into Idaho swaps the rulebook. Here is what changes for a visiting carrier.

• No proactive duty-to-inform requirement appears in the AG's official concealed-weapons guidance; carriers relying on an out-of-state license must have it with them when carrying. Cross-checked: Idaho has no must-inform statute.
• Idaho sets no state magazine-capacity limit for handguns.
• Idaho allows permitless concealed carry from age 18 for people who may legally possess a handgun, including eligible visitors.
• Anyone eligible for permitless carry (US citizen or armed forces member 18+, not disqualified) may carry a loaded concealed handgun in a vehicle without a license.

Off-limits places in Idaho

Idaho bans carry in 4 kinds of places. The first on the list:

• Courthouses
• Juvenile detention facilities

See all 4 places you can't carry in Idaho →

Michigan vs Idaho: what changes at the state line

Crossing from Michigan into Idaho changes 3 rules: permitless carry (No → Yes (18+)); duty to inform police (Yes → No); out-of-state permits honored (All (resident permits only) → All states).

Going the other way, an Idaho non-resident permit in Michigan: not recognized.

Permits that do work in Idaho

These non-resident permits are honored in Idaho, ranked by how many states honor each one. They are issued to people who live outside the issuing state, subject to its eligibility rules.

• North Dakota non-resident permit · honored in 33 states
• Ohio non-resident permit · honored in 33 states
• Texas non-resident permit · honored in 32 states
• Florida non-resident permit · honored in 32 states
• South Carolina non-resident permit · honored in 32 states
• Arizona non-resident permit · honored in 31 states

Driving on from Idaho

How a Michigan non-resident permit fares in the states bordering Idaho:

• Montana — No such permit issued
• Nevada — No such permit issued
• Oregon — No such permit issued
• Utah — No such permit issued
• Washington — No such permit issued
• Wyoming — No such permit issued

Check a whole route with the Trip Checker →

Frequently asked questions

Does Idaho honor a Michigan resident permit?

Recognized — and permitless carry applies. That differs from the non-resident permit on this page, because Idaho treats the two permit types differently.

Can an Idaho non-resident permit holder carry in Michigan?

Not recognized. Reciprocity is decided by the destination state, so the answer in this direction depends on Michigan's law, not Idaho's.

Does Michigan issue non-resident carry permits?

No. Michigan issues carry permits to residents only (michigan residents only: applicant must have resided in Michigan for at least 6 months (waivable for emergency licenses and for new residents who hold a valid CPL from another state); active-duty military with Michigan as home of record, or permanently stationed in Michigan, count as residents). Non-residents who want multi-state coverage usually obtain a non-resident permit from a state that offers one, such as those listed in our non-resident permit guide.