Idaho
Vehicle Resource Center
Idaho is a fascinating state that's home to plenty of gemstones while also being a powerful agricultural state. Idaho residents spend extended time traveling by motor vehicle because most towns and cities are spaced out. That's why it's essential to understand how to be a legal and safe vehicle owner and driver in Idaho.
Ownership and Maintenance
Owning a vehicle in Idaho comes with responsibilities, legal requirements, and plenty of paperwork. Without understanding how to meet those responsibilities, owning a vehicle can seem overwhelming. This is why it's essential to have a clear guide that explains all that's required of a vehicle owner and driver. That information is what this section is dedicated to.
Emissions inspections were once required in Idaho, but starting on July 1, 2023, they are no longer a requirement. That means vehicle owners do not have to worry about meeting annual inspection requirements to be able to drive around.
Like most states, Idaho has strict insurance requirements its residents must follow if they want to own vehicles legally. The insurance is meant to cover any costs associated with an accident involving the vehicle. The insurance will help pay for any injuries sustained, as well as the property damage that occurs. Without proper insurance, the driver responsible for the accident would be legally responsible for paying for all the costs associated with the accident.
The Required Insurance Minimums
For an Idaho vehicle to be legally insured, it must meet the following minimum insurance limits:
If the insurance on a vehicle includes at least this level of coverage, it's said to be protected legally. There is still a risk that the damages incurred in an accident will surpass the insurance limits, leaving the responsible driver legally responsible for paying the difference. This is why many drivers opt for higher coverage limits. It's possible to purchase insurance with greater limits for superior protection; it just comes at a higher cost.
Learn more about the state's insurance requirements from the Idaho Department of Insurance here.
Residents Must Renew License Plates Every 10 Years
To prevent license plates from deteriorating too far, Idaho residents must replace old license plates with new ones. This process can be completed by visiting a local DMV office and turning in the old plates to exchange them for new ones. There is a minimal fee for this service.
Every one or two years residents must renew their vehicle registration and replace the sticker that goes on their license plate. This process is simple, and the state sends expiration notifications to residents, informing them that they must renew their registration.
Residents may renew their registrations at a local DMV office, online, or over the phone at (208) 577 - 3135. When renewing in person, it's important to bring a valid driver's license or another accepted form of identification, a payment method, and the license plate number of the vehicle. With this information available, it's possible to renew the vehicle's registration quickly and without trouble.
Every eight years, most standard drivers in Idaho must renew their licenses to keep them current. This process is simple but requires documentation, a possible visit to a local DMV office, and money for the fees.
To renew, drivers must bring the necessary documentation, which means proof of residency, identity, and Social Security Number. More information about these requirements can be found in the Idaho Star card guide.
With the proper documentation, license renewal is a simple process. Drivers schedule an appointment at their local DMV office, complete a vision exam and potentially a written exam, and pay the fees to renew their licenses. Drivers are encouraged to provide the necessary documents to obtain a Star Card ID that enables domestic flights and entry into government buildings. There is no additional fee to get a Star ID; drivers must only provide better documentation.
Drivers Over 62 Must Renew More Often
Any drivers over 62 years old must renew their licenses every four years. These renewals come with a vision test to ensure they are still fit to drive safely.
Registration and Tags
Idaho residents must pay to renew their registration every one or two years. The residents must pay between $45 and $69 for their vehicle for each year it's to be registered for. The fee varies based on the age of the vehicle.
License plate replacements come with a $3.75 fee.
Driver's License
An Idaho driver's license costs $35 to renew for a 4-year license and $60.00 for an 8-year license. CDLs have a $40 renewal fee, while a motorcycle permit is $20. Drivers under 18 must pay $30 to renew their license, and purchasing a duplicate license is $20.
More license pricing information can be found on the Bannock County, Idaho license page here.
Buying & Selling
There are special rules and requirements linked to buying and selling vehicles in Idaho. Having a solid understanding of those rules is essential for avoiding any problems when buying or selling a vehicle.
Obtain and Provide the Original Title
Sellers must have the original title of the vehicle without any liens to sell the vehicle. If the title is lost, the seller can go through a quick process to obtain a duplicate title by filing form ITD 3367 (Duplicate Idaho Title Application). This comes with a $14 fee and an additional $7 fee if both the VIN and title number are not known for the vehicle. The title must be presented to the buyer when the vehicle is sold, and both buyer and seller must fill out the back of the title to complete the transaction.
Remove the License Plates
Begin by detaching the license plates from the vehicle before allowing a buyer to take it away. The plates must not be left on the vehicle; instead, they can be transferred to another vehicle in the seller's name or returned to the DMV.
Cancel the Insurance
Sellers should cancel their insurance policy on the vehicle as soon as it's sold. Do not maintain insurance on the vehicle because this is a waste of money.
File a Release of Liability
Sellers should fill out Form ITD 3858 (Notice of Release of Liability) to inform the government that the vehicle has been sold. The form is simple but comes with a $3.50 filing fee to be paid when it's submitted. This removes the liability for tickets and other fines that may be incurred after the date of the sale.
Research the Vehicle
There is some risk when purchasing anything, and that risk is greater when buying a vehicle. Anyone who is considering buying a vehicle must understand the purchase process well, have all the proper documentation, and research the vehicle carefully. To research a vehicle effectively, it's wise to obtain a VIN report or License Plate report from GoodCar. These reports cover Ownership History, car accident history, title brands, features, specifications, and options, as well as odometer readings, open recalls, and more. All this data is available at a reasonable price, and it's compiled into a neat report for quick viewing and fast decision-making.
Obtain the Original Title
No vehicle purchase can be finalized if the vehicle's title is not present. Buyers must verify they have the proper title and that the seller fills out the required information on the back. This filled title is required to register and title the vehicle properly.
Get a Bill of Sale
Idaho requires vehicle sales to be made official using a Bill of Sale. Any document can serve as a Bill of Sale if it has the correct information on it, but it's easiest to use the state's official form. Bring a copy of the form to the purchase and have the seller fill out the necessary details to get the proper information for the transaction.
The Bill of Sale Should Have the Following Information:
Obtain Adequate Insurance
Before registering the new vehicle, the buyer must obtain liability insurance. Work with an Idaho insurance company to get the necessary insurance coverage, and bring proof of the insurance policy to the DMV when registering the vehicle.
Pay the Taxes
There are taxes on the purchased vehicle of between 6.0% and 6.5%. Drivers must pay these costs when registering their vehicles in Idaho. It's essential to prepare to pay the taxes and to have proof of the vehicle's purchase price when going to register it.
Register and Title the Vehicle
Visit a DMV office with the documents mentioned above, as well as legally approved identification such as a Driver's License, and pay to register and title the vehicle. Put the temporary registration in the vehicle and wait for the final registration to arrive via mail.
Get more information about buying and selling vehicles in Idaho from the Idaho State Tax Commission here.
Buying a vehicle comes with a variety of fees in Idaho. Buyers must be prepared to pay to title and register the vehicle, which also means covering the sales tax of the vehicle.
Sales Tax
Idaho vehicle sales come with tax requirements between 6% and 6.5%. Residents must pay these fees when registering the purchased vehicle.
Title Fee
Buyers should plan to spend approximately $21 titling the vehicle after purchasing it.
Registration Fee
Buyers pay the standard registration fee for the original vehicle registration. This is between $45 and $69 based on the age of the vehicle, as covered in the fees section of Ownership and Maintenance above.
Laws and Regulations
Idaho is home to strict driving laws that every vehicle operator within the state must understand and follow. Some laws are more important than others, such as seat belt regulations and DUI requirements, but the most commonly mistaken laws are outlined below.
Idaho seat belt and safety laws are a bit vague, but there are some specific rules every driver must know.
Car Seat Regulations
While the law does not list strict age and weight breakdowns for car seat and booster seat usage, it's important to fasten children in proper safety restraints.
Get more specific information from the CDC covering Idaho seat belt and car seat regulations.
Drivers in Idaho must be careful to avoid breaking any of the DUI (driving under the influence) laws. This means avoiding driving after consuming alcohol or other drugs. The law carefully defines when a person is beyond the legal limit of alcohol consumption to be driving a vehicle.
How Much Alcohol is Too Much?
While it's impossible to say how much a single drink of alcohol will raise the BAC (blood alcohol content) of an individual, since it depends on body weight and other factors, an estimate is between 3 and 5 drinks for most individuals to be beyond the legal limit to drive.
The Law Based on BAC
Anyone caught driving with an illegal BAC will be charged with a DUI. These charges come with costly fines worth thousands of dollars, as well as long-term license suspensions and jail time of up to a year for first-time offenders. The penalties become increasingly strict for repeat offenders and can lead to long-term jail time and permanent license suspension for some.
For more information about DUI laws and penalties, see the Idaho government's informational page.
Idaho residents who purchase new, or nearly new, vehicles are protected by the state's Lemon law. This special law guards consumers against defective motor vehicles sold and abandoned by manufacturers. Under the law, buyers are entitled to have major defects that cause safety issues or that significantly damage the resale value of the vehicle resolved by the manufacturer.
Lemon laws protect consumer vehicles under 12,000 pounds that were purchased within the last two years and that have fewer than 24,000 miles.
When is a Vehicle a Lemon
Under the Idaho Lemon law, a vehicle is titled a lemon when the manufacturer attempts and fails to repair a single serious defect four or more times. The vehicle is also a lemon if the manufacturer is unable to repair a defect that could lead to serious harm or death a single time. Any vehicle that is in for manufacturer repairs for a total of 30 or more business days is also a lemon.
When a vehicle is deemed a lemon, the manufacturer must refund the price of the vehicle or replace it with another of equal value.
Learn more about the specifics of Idaho state lemon laws by visiting this government page.
Useful Things to Know
Idaho has many rules and regulations for its drivers. By learning the rules and restrictions, drivers can avoid the most common problems. Take the time to learn the information above, and use the links below for supplemental information to answer all those additional questions.
Find Idaho DMV Locations
Many vehicle services must be completed in one of the Idaho DMV locations throughout the state. That's why it's essential to know how to locate these offices. Use the Idaho DMV directory to find DMV office locations based on county. Idaho DMV Directory
Access Idaho Online Vehicle Services
Residents can get access to most license and registration services via the Idaho DMV's online portal. Idaho DMV Online Service Portal
Read the Idaho Driver's Handbook Online
Learn about the state's driving laws and get all the information that's required to pass the state's written driver's license test using the Idaho Driver's Handbook. The handbook is useful not only for new drivers applying for a license but also for long-time drivers who want to brush up on their legal knowledge. Idaho Driver's Handbook Online
Finding EV Charging Stations
Electric vehicles are sold and used throughout Idaho, and residents who own EVs must know where to find charging stations to avoid running out of power while traveling. Use this search tool to quickly locate Idaho charging stations nearby. Idaho EV Charging Station Search
Idaho Car Crash Trends
The number of licensed drivers is slowly increasing in Idaho, and with it, the number of car accidents as well. There were a total of 27,661 automotive accidents in 2022, up from 27,549 in 2021, and that number seems to be increasing with time. Of the 27,661 accidents in 2022, 194 were fatal, taking the lives of 215 individuals overall. While life-threatening accidents are rare, they are possible, and it's beneficial to know what types of accidents occur in the state and how to stay safe. Get the complete picture with Idaho car crash statistics from GoodCar.
Idaho Resources
Get the Latest Idaho Vehicle Information with GoodCar
Idaho vehicle owners owe it to themselves to have the most up-to-date information about state laws, maintenance requirements, recalls, and more. Refer to this useful resource for residents looking for help and GoodCar's VIN and license plate lookup tools for help getting additional information about specific vehicles.
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