In Idaho, you have 30 days to register a new vehicle and 90 days to register an out-of-state vehicle.

Sample Idaho License Plate

Who Can Apply for Idaho License Plates

Every resident in Idaho must register their vehicles with the Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV).

If you’re new to the state, you have 90 days to find a DMV and change your out-of-state plates to a new set of Idaho license plates.

If you are purchasing a new vehicle, you have 30 days to register it.

Buying from a car dealership: They will perform the registration process on your behalf.
Buying from a private seller: You’ll need temporary plates to drive legally after the sale.

You can contact the DMV for temporary plates if you are considering a car from a private sale.

How to Apply for Idaho License Plates

You will register your vehicle at the DMV and submit the appropriate paperwork and payment.

Please bring the following with you to register your vehicle:

Completed application forms
Vehicle title
Proof of insurance
Valid ID (driver’s license, passport, etc.)
Payment for fees

When you’re applying for your license plates, you’ll have the choice of standard, personalized, or specialized license plates.

Standard License Plates in Idaho

You might be familiar with the red, white, and blue background of the standard plates, with “Scenic Idaho” and “Famous Potatoes” written across them.

This is the type of license plate you will receive when registering your vehicle in Idaho.

You will be required to place this license plate on the rear of your vehicle, and the registration sticker must be visible in the bottom right corner. You may also require an additional license plate for the front, depending on the vehicle (i.e., cars, vans, and trucks).

Personalized License Plates in Idaho

Personalizing your license plates allows you to add a custom phrase or set of characters to the plate. You can use 4 to 7 characters for your custom plates, and you can use any combination of letters, numbers, and spaces—with a few exceptions:

No profanity or foul language
No plate numbers already in circulation

You must create a unique plate number in order for your application to be accepted and processed.

You can order personalized plates online, by mail, or by visiting a DMV office in person.

Customized License Plates in Idaho

There are many beautifully designed Idaho license plates representing organizations, charities, and other causes. These license plates may have eligibility criteria or require a special donation before you can receive them for your car.

The following is a brief list of custom license plates available in Idaho:

Military License Plates [must prove you were in the military, i.e., discharge papers, military ID]
- US Army License Plates
- War Veterans License Plates
Classic Car License Plates [must prove you own a special or classic car, i.e., 30+ years old]
College License Plates [must show valid ID or provide proof]
- List of Colleges and Universities in Idaho
Organizational Plates [must prove eligibility]
- Idaho Aviation Foundation License Plates
Special Interest License Plates [simply show support for a hobby or charity]
- Idaho Mountain Biking
- Support Our Troops
- Youth

You do not have to pay for these specialized plates until your application has been approved. If approved, you have to pay the fees associated with that plate as well as the additional renewal rates.

Payment for License Plates in Idaho

When you make a payment for your license plates or vehicle’s registration, you can do so at at the DMV using credit card, money order or check, cash (please do not send cash in the mail).

Overview of Fees for Idaho License Plates

When you register your vehicle, you can get the basic package, which keeps your vehicle valid for 1 year. Here is an overview of the fees for your first year with a registered Idaho vehicle:

License Plates (including renewals):
- Motorcycles: $25
- Passenger Vehicles (cars, trucks, etc.)
  - 1 to 2 years old: $69
  - 3 to 4 years old: $57
  - 5 to 6 years old: $57
  - 7 to 8 years old: $45
  - 8+ years old: $45
Replacement Fee:
- Per plate: $3.75
- Decals: $2.00

Note: You may also be responsible to pay service fees, local taxes, and other fees related to your registration and renewal.

Stolen License Plates in Idaho

In Idaho, you are not required to contact the police if you suspect that your license plates have been stolen.

If this happens to you, simply apply for replacements at the DMV office nearest you.

Surrendering License Plates in Idaho

If you no longer need your license plates, you can surrender them to a DMV office in Idaho. If you can’t go to the office in person, you can also mail them in.

Transferring License Plates in Idaho

When you register your vehicle, the license plates assigned to you become your property. If you sell, donate, or trade your vehicle, your plates can be transferred to your new vehicle.

If you own a classic car with an antique license plate, you may be required to transfer this license plate along with the car to the new owner.

How to look up Idaho license plates

Here you can search for any license plate in Idaho or other states across America. You can use this search tool to find available license plates to personalize yours.

FindByPlate also lets you look up reports for different vehicles. Try it—all you need is the license plate number and the state it comes from to obtain results.

Here is a step-by-step guide on how to look up Idaho License Plates and report bad drivers:

Open a web browser
Go to FindByPlate.com
Enter the plate number, and select state
View the report
View images submitted by the community
View videos submitted by the community
Add comments
Add pictures of the vehicle
Add videos related to the vehicle

Car Ownership in Idaho

According to a survey conducted by Forbes, Idaho tied with Wyoming for the highest car ownership rate in the US. Approximately 96.2% of households in both states reported having at least one vehicle.
Idaho ranks 3 in states with the most vehicles per household, after Wyoming and Utah. About one-third (32.1%) of households in Idaho have three or more vehicles.
Twin Falls, Idaho, is among the top 5 metro areas for highest vehicle ownership in the US with 96.74% of households having at least one vehicle in 2021.
Idaho Falls, Idaho, has the highest percentage (35.99%) of households with three or more vehicles.
Idaho ranks 33 in the US for electric vehicle ownership. Only 0.19% of all registered vehicles in Idaho are electric vehicles. California has the most electric vehicles in the US, while North Dakota and Mississippi have the fewest.
Idaho ranks 33 (tied) on the list of most expensive states to own a car in the US.
The average cost of a check engine light-related car repair in Idaho is $389. The average cost of full coverage car insurance in Idaho is $1,021per year.

Frequently Asked Questions

What do Idaho license plates say?

Idaho license plates carry the slogan Famous Potatoes.

Does Idaho have 2 license plates?

Yes, Idaho requires 2 license plates on the rear and front of the vehicle. There are some exceptions – motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles, utility type vehicle, motorbikes, or semi-trailers and license plates assigned to motor vehicles operated by manufacturers, dealers, and repossession agents are not required to have a front license plate only require a license plate attached to the rear.

How to calculate an estimate of Idaho vehicle registration fees?

You can use the DMV’s Registration Estimator to calculate estimated fees. The fees depend on the type of vehicle, whether it is new or transferred, the weight of the vehicle, and whether you want to register for one or two years. Other factors that affect registration fee are the year of manufacture and electric or plug-in hybrid vehicles. Fees are as follows:

Standard Scenic Idaho with County Designator (if applicable): $91.15

EMS and ISP fees: 4.25
Base registration fees: $74.75
Basic plate fee: $12.15

To this you should add (if applicable):

Transfer fee
Personalized plate fee
Specialty/Military Plate Program fee

Personalized Scenic Idaho (approval required): $25 initial, $15 renewal
Specialty Program Plate: $35 initial, $25 renewal
Personalized Specialty Plate: $60 initial, $40 renewal
Military Veteran: $25 initial, $15 renewal
Personalized Military Veteran: $50 initial, $30 renewal
Add-on Idaho Parks Passport: $10

You can see options for specialty plates on ITD Form 3425.

Can you register your vehicle online in Idaho?

The DMV in Idaho allows you to register online if you have purchased your vehicle from a licensed car dealership in Idaho. Other online services for which you can skip a trip to the DMV in Idaho include renewal of an existing registration, application for personalized plates for a current registration, submission of a release of liability, and ordering of sample or souvenir plates.

How much are sample plates in Idaho?

Sample plates in Idaho are $21 each for centennial, classic, scenic Idaho, motorcycle, street rod, radio amateur, and military plates (Gold Star Family, Pearl Harbor Survivor, and many others). Other designs of sample plates in Idaho are $30 each, for example, collegiate, agriculture, famous potatoes, firefighter, Support Our Troops, Youth, Lewis and Clark, and Pet Friendly. You can get them from the DMV by filling a Sample Plate Application form.

Note: Sample Idaho license plates are not for vehicle use. There is a penalty for fictitious display of these sample plates.

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