Eligibility for Idaho License Plates
Only Idaho residents and businesses can title and register vehicles in the state. New residents must register and title their vehicles within 90 days of establishing residency. Registration records are protected by the Driver Privacy Protection Act, 18 U.S.C. §§ 2721-2725.
- Residency: An Idaho driver’s license or state-issued ID, social security number (or EIN for businesses), and a verified physical address are required when applying. The Idaho Transportation Department enforces the 90-day requirement.
- Vehicle: Any motor vehicle operated on public roads must be titled in Idaho before license plates are issued, according to Idaho Code § 49-402. Vehicles must meet Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards. Vehicles with rebuilt titles require a special title before registration.
- Applicant: The owner or lessee in whose name the title is issued applies at the county assessor’s vehicle office. Out-of-state vehicles that have never been titled in Idaho require a VIN inspection by law enforcement, DMV staff, or a licensed Idaho dealer.
- Plate Categories: Disabled veteran plates have no registration fee under Idaho Code § 49-403. Purple Heart plates are available under § 49-403C. Veteran plates, university plates, and organizational specialty plates have their own program fees described in the cost section below.
How to Get a License Plate in Idaho?
County assessor vehicle offices handle all first-time registrations and titling. Idaho does not require safety inspections and emissions testing.
- Bring the existing title with proper signatures (or manufacturer’s certificate of origin for new vehicles), proof of Idaho insurance, and odometer disclosure for vehicles newer than the 2010 model year, weighing up to 16,000 pounds.
- Out-of-state vehicles require a completed VIN Inspection Certificate (Form ITD 3403) before the county office processes the title.
- Pay the state registration fee, county administrative fee, $14.00 for the title, 6% sales/use tax, and $1.25 EMS fee at the counter. The office issues two plates and a registration card.
- Two plates must be displayed, one in front and one in the rear, according to Idaho Code § 49-428. As of July 1, 2026, registration stickers are no longer issued, and plates are permanent.
Registration renews annually on a staggered monthly schedule. Two-year registration is available for passenger vehicles under Idaho Code § 49-402B. Renewals can be done online, by mail, by phone at 208-584-4343, or at the county office.
How Much Does a License Plate Cost in Idaho?
The state registration fee depends on age, but the county administrative layer and any additional electric vehicle fee increase the overall cost. The Idaho Transportation Department’s fee schedule governs the state portion.
- Passenger vehicles: $69.00 (1-2 years), $57.00 (3-6 years), $45.00 (7 or more years). Motorcycles cost 25.00($19.00 registration plus $6.00 Motorcycle Safety Program fee).
- County registration administrative fees range from $3.00 (Lewis County) to $14.00 (Kootenai County). Each transaction also includes a $1.25 EMS fee.
- Electric vehicles add $140.00 annually; plug-in hybrids add $75.00 annually to the base registration.
- Personalized plates cost $25.00 at initial issuance and $15.00 annually for renewal. Most specialty plates cost $35.00 initially and $25.00 annually. Disabled veteran plates are exempt from fees under § 49-403.
- The state title fee is $14.00, plus a county title administrative fee ranging from $0 to $18.75. Filing more than 30 days after transfer incurs a $20.00 late title penalty.
Can I Get a License Plate Online in Idaho?
Online renewal is fully available. First-time registrations from private sales must be processed in person, though dealer purchases can be submitted online.
The DMV Online Portal at dmvonline.itd.idaho.gov accepts renewals up to one year before or after the expiration date. Payment is made by credit or debit card. Dealer title additions can also be submitted through the portal.
For in-person transactions, each of Idaho’s 44 counties operates a vehicle office through the county assessor.
Mail-in renewals are accepted by sending the bottom portion of your renewal notice with a personal check or money order to the address listed on the notice.
If Idaho can process your renewal online, it is the fastest route; the county assessor’s office is where first-time plates, title transfers, and VIN inspections are conducted.