Idaho man admits to offering $500 bribe to CDL skills test examiner in exchange for passing score

An Idaho man admitted to offering a bribe to a commercial driver’s license (CDL) skills test examiner in exchange for a passing score.

Ryan Basnaw, 29, of Meridian, Idaho, pleaded guilty to federal program bribery, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Idaho said on March 30, 2026.

Officials said that on July 2, 2025, Basnaw offered a CDL skills tester $500 for a passing score on his test though he had not taken the test.

“Basnaw did so corruptly and with the intent to influence and reward the CDL skills tester, so that Basnaw could have three restrictions removed from his CDL without taking the required CDL skills test,” the U.S Attorney’s Office said.

The Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) uses third-party CDL skills testers. The agency received more than $10,000 in federal funding from the U.S. Department of Transportation under a CDL Program Implementation Grant.

Basnaw is scheduled for sentencing on June 16, 2026, and could face up to 10 years in prison, a minimum of three years of supervised release, and up to a $250,000 fine.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Department of Transportation—Office of Inspector General.