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In the Gem State, Idaho residents are required to register their vehicles, motorcycles, and boats with the Idaho Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). This registration allows the Idaho DMV to connect vehicles with its owners. Vehicle registration in Idaho must be done in person at a local DMV office.

New Residents of Idaho

Newcomers of Idaho must register their vehicle with the Division of Motor Vehicles within 90 days of establishing Idaho residency.

Idaho residents must title their vehicle before it can be registered. Gem State residents can register and title their vehicle in the same visit.

Residents of Idaho must register in person at any county assessor motor vehicle office. Before Idaho residents apply for license plates, they must first provide proof of a valid Idaho auto insurance policy with an insurance provider who is licensed to do business in the state of Idaho.

The vehicle’s insurance coverage must meet the Idaho state coverage minimums:

  • $25,000 for the injury or death of one person.
  • $50,000 for the injury or death of two or more persons.
  • $15,000 for property damage or destruction.

Once Idaho residents have an auto insurance policy that meets the above insurance requirements, they can apply for an Idaho vehicle registration certificate, by visiting any local county assessor motor vehicle office and submit:

  • Their current out-of-state vehicle registration.
  • Valid driver’s license and Social Security number.
  • Proof of address/residency.
  • Proof of a vehicle identification number (VIN) inspection (residents may have this completed at the motor vehicle office if they choose).
  • ID residents who wish to have their VIN inspection before completing their registration need to bring a Vehicle or Hull Identification Number Inspection Certificate (Form ITD 3403) to any law enforcement personnel or Transportation Department agent.
  • The VIN inspection will cost $5.
  • Paymentfor all applicable registration fees
    • ID residents can choose to register their vehicle for 1 year or 2 years. Idaho residents who opt for 2 years will pay double the annual fee.

Registering Vehicles in Idaho

The state of Idaho requires its residents to register their vehicles and other types of transportation.

Vehicles Purchased from a Dealership

Residents of Idaho who purchase a vehicle from a dealership usually have the paperwork handled for them by the dealer. The dealership will submit the vehicle’s Idaho title and registration documents to the Idaho DMV.

Vehicles Purchased from a Private Party

Before applying for an Idaho car registration, ID residents need to title the vehicle first. Idaho residents have 30 days to title their vehicle after the purchase date. Idaho residents must title and register their vehicle in person.

To title a new vehicle in a resident’s name, they need to visit their local county assessor with:

  • A completed Application for Certificate of Title (Form ITD 3337).
  • A completed Vehicle or Hull Identification Number Inspection Certification (Form ITD 3403).
  • The inspection fee is $5 and can be processed by an authorized agent at the county assessor’s office, a Transportation Department representative, or your local law enforcement.
  • An odometer reading, for vehicles under 10 years old and under 16,000 lbs is required.
  • Proof of an active Idaho auto insurance policy
  • Valid Idaho driver’s license or ID card.
  • Payment for the title fee of $14 and 6% sales tax.

The total sales tax can vary based on whether ID residents purchased their vehicle in Idaho or out of state and when the vehicle was purchased.

Once the vehicle is titled in the resident’s name, they need to present the following at an Idaho DMV:

  • The vehicle’s title.
    • Residents that send someone to register their vehicle for them need to make sure they’ve signed the title.
  • A valid Idaho driver’s license or ID card.
  • Proof of a valid Idaho auto insurance policy
  • Payment for all applicable Idaho vehicle registration fees

Idaho residents have the choice to register their vehicle for 1 year or 2 years.

NOTE: If an ID resident was gifted the vehicle, it does not change the car’s registration requirements. Special “gift requirements” only apply when titling the vehicle.

Transferring an Idaho Vehicle Registration

To transfer your Idaho vehicle registration to another vehicle under the same name, residents can visit any county assessor motor vehicle office and present:

  • The vehicle’s title.
    • If the car the resident is transferring the plates to is brand new, bring the pink copy of the title application that the dealership submitted.
  • The license plate number.
  • Paymentfor license plate transfer fee. Idaho DMV offices accept cash or check.

Idaho Vehicle Registration Fees

Idaho vehicle registration fees for passenger vehicles must be paid every year if the vehicle is 8,000 lbs. or less. Gem State registration fees are also determined by the vehicle’s age and your county of residence.

  • Passenger vehicles:
    • 1 to 2 years old: $69.
    • 3 to 6 years old: $57.
    • 7 years old and over: $45.
  • Motorcycles: $25.
    • Ada County Highway District fee: Additional $8.
    • Electric vehicles: Additional $140.
      • Please note that this does NOT include neighborhood electric vehicles.
      • Plug-in hybrid vehicles: Additional $75.
      • Recreational vehicle trailers: Start at $4.
      • Title fee: $21.

For vehicles being registered for 2 years, Idaho residents need to double their annual fee.

County assessor motor vehicle offices accept cash or checks.

Idaho Vehicle Inspections

ID residents may or may not be required to have a VIN inspection performed on their vehicle.

VIN Inspections

All out-of-state vehicles being registered in Idaho for the first time must have a vehicle inspection performed. Idaho residents can have this vehicle identification number inspection completed during registration, or they can have it completed beforehand by your local law enforcement or an Idaho Transportation Department agent.

Resident of the Gem State need to have the Transportation Department (TD) agent fill out the Vehicle or Hull Identification Number Inspection Form (Form ITD 3403) to submit during registration. The fee for a VIN inspection is $5.

Emissions Inspections

Vehicle emission tests are conducted on a limited basis in Idaho. These tests check vehicles for improper exhaust emissions, which could compromise the state’s air quality.

Only residents of the following areas are required to have emission testing:

  • Most of Ada County.
  • Canyon County.
  • The city of Kuna.

Emissions testing is required every 2 years. Each county or city that requires emissions testing in the state of Idaho will notify its residents when a test is due via mail. Though Idaho residents do not need to provide proof of passing a smog check when registering their vehicle, the DOT will revoke their car registration if they’re caught ignoring a testing mandate.

Motorcycle Registration in Idaho

Before ID residents can enjoy the open roads with their new set of wheels, they’ll first need to register their motorcycle with the Idaho Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV).

New Residents to Idaho

Upon establishing residency in the State of Idaho, residents have 90 days to register their motorcycle with the Idaho Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV). Before ID residents can register a motorcycle in Idaho, they’ll need to:

Obtain an ID title.

  • Gem State residents can typically register their vehicle in the same transaction, immediately after titling.
  • Maintain an active motorcycle insurance policy that is acceptable in the state of Idaho.

Once Idaho residents have a title and proof of insurance, they may register their motorcycle in person at their county DMV office.  During the visit, the county assessor will conduct a VIN inspection on the motorcycle; if the resident chooses, they can also visit a county sheriff prior to their registration appointment.

At the DMV office, provide Idaho residents need to provide:

  • Title and out-of-state registration.
  • Proof of:
    • Identity (provide a valid driver’s license of photo ID)
    • A valid Idaho motorcycle insurance
    • Completed:
    • Application for Certificate of Title (Form ITD 3337), if residents are titling their motorcycle at the same time.
    • Vehicle Identification Number Inspection Certificate (Form ITD 3403).
    • Payment for all applicable registration, titling, and inspection fees.

Register Your Idaho Motorcycle

Registering a motorcycle in Idaho is simple, but the process varies based on how residents acquired their new bike; either:

  • From a dealer

Or

  • Through a private sale.

Dealership Purchases

Residents who’ve purchased a new motorcycle from an Idaho dealership, the dealer should handle the titling and registration process.

Motorcycle registration fees will likely be included in the overall purchase price.

In some cases, temporary registration may be issued until all paperwork is submitted. If this is the case, Idaho residents should receive their registration paperwork in the mail.

Private Motorcycle Sales

ID residents who purchased a motorcycle from a private seller in Idaho, have 30 days to title and register their motorcycle with their local county assessor. The DMV agent, or the local sheriff, will need to perform a VIN inspection prior to registration—this can also be done during the same visit.

Gem State residents will need:

  • The motorcycle’s signed and completed title.
    • An odometer disclosure must be included on the title if the motorcycle is less than 10 years old.
    • A completed:
    • Bill of Sale (Form ITD 3738), if the seller doesn’t include the sale price on the title.
    • Vehicle Identification Number Inspection Certification (Form ITD 3403).
    • Proof of:
      • Identity (valid driver’s license, photo ID)
      • A valid Idaho Motorcycle insurance policy
      • Payment for all applicable titling, registration, and inspection fees.

Motorcycle Registration Fees

Here is a breakdown of the fees Idaho residents may be required to pay as part of their Idaho motorcycle registration:

  • Motorcycle registration: $25.
  • Ada County highway district fee: Additional $8.
  • Title: $14.
  • VIN inspection: $5.
  • Sales tax: 6% of purchase price.
  • Title fee: $14.

ID residents need to keep in mind they may also have to pay additional fees depending on their county of residence. These additional fees include:

  • Administrative fees.
  • Highway District fees.
  • County taxes.

Idaho Boat Registration

ID residents who plan to operate a boat in Idaho, are required to register it with the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation (IDPR).

Boats That Require Registration in Idaho

The Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation requires all vessels with any type of motor(including electric trolling motors) to be registered.

Boats exempt from Idaho registration include:

  • Manually propelled vessels (such as canoes and kayaks).
  • Float tubes.
  • Sailboards.
  • Vessels documented with the U.S. Coast Guard.
  • Vessels currently registered in another state but being used on Idaho’s waterways for 60 consecutive days or less.

Idaho residents who are unsure about whether they need to register their vessel, can call IDPR’s registration department at (888) 922-6743.

Boat Registration in Idaho

Idaho residents are required to register their boat with the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation within 15 days of the purchase date. Gem State residents can also register their boat by visiting their county assessor’s officeor an authorized boat registration vendor and submit:

  • Completing a boat registration application (only available in person).
  • Providing:
    • The boat’s title.
    • A unique identifier, such as the resident’s:
      •  Idaho driver’s license.
      • Tax identification number.
      •  Social Security number.
      • Verifying the hull identification number (HIN).
      • Pay the required necessary boat registration fees

Idaho Boat Registration Fees

Below are the fees associated with registering a boat with the State of Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation:

  • Original registration/renewalfee depends on the length of the boat:
    • 12 ft and under: $20.
    • Over 12 ft feet: $20 plus $2 per every 1 foot.
    • Registration fee for non-profit agencies: $2.
    • Invasive species sticker fee: $10.
    • Replacement Certificate of Number fee: processing fee.
    • Administrative fees: Varies—call the county assessor or authorized vendor handling boat registration for details.

 ID Boat Registration Renewals & Replacements

All boat registrations in Idaho are good for 1 calendar year and expire on December 31. Gem State residents can renew their registration with the IDPR by submitting the proper information and renewal fees:

  • Using the IDPR’s online renewal system
  • By mail to the address listed on the renewal application form (sent to residents by the IDPR).
  • In-person to an:
    • Authorized boat registration vendor
    • Idaho county assessor

Replace Lost Registration

Idaho residents who lose or damage their boat’s Certificate of Number can obtain a duplicate by going to their local county assessor’s office orauthorized boat registration vendor and:

  • Completing an application for a duplicate Certificate of Number (available in person).
  • Paying the processing fees plus all applicable administrative fees.

Idaho Boater Qualifications

Although there aren’t statewide requirements for Idaho that require boaters to obtain a license or be of a certain age before operating a vessel, certain Idaho counties have their rules regarding qualifications to operate a boat. Additionally, boating safety courses aren’t initially mandated, but if Idaho residents become repeat offenders of boating laws, they’ll be required to pass a boater safety course.

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