License Plates & Placards in Idaho

When you register your vehicle at the county assessor's office, you will receive license plates. These license plates are your property, and if you decide to sell your vehicle, you should remove them before the transaction takes place. And while the state requires you to remove them, it also allows you to transfer those same plates to another vehicle that you buy or already own.

If none of the 20 standard plate choices do it for you, you have a fun variety of 10 alternatives and a variety of plates listed below. By downloading a PDF version of the poster of Idaho license plate graphics, you can view each of these different plates offered by the DMV.

If you are really feeling creative, peruse the personalized plates to find the backdrop that best suits you and come up with your own statement― typically an eight-character statement, that is.

All Plates Displayed on Poster

• Agriculture

• Appaloosa

• Boy Scouts of America

• Capitol Restoration

• Centennial

• Classic

• Collegiate (seven schools)

• Corvette

• Famous Potatoes

• Firefighter

• Historic Lewiston

• Lewis and Clark

• Medal of Honor

• Motorcycle Safety (STARS)

• National Guard

• Old Timer

• Peace Officer

• Purple Heart

• Sawtooth

• School Transportation

• Snowmobile

• Snowskier

• Timber

• Veteran

• White Water Rafting

• Wildlife (with a bluebird, cutthroat, or elk)

• Year of Manufacture

• Youth

Plates You Can Order at any County Assessor Office

• Agriculture

• Appaloosa

• Boy Scouts of America

• Capitol Restoration

• Centennial

• Corvette

• Famous Potatoes

• Firefighter

• Historic Lewiston

• Lewis and Clark

• Motorcycle Safety (STARS)

• Peace Officer

• Sawtooth

• Snowmobile

• Snowskier

• Standard

• Timber

• Veteran

• White Water Rafting

• Wildlife (with a bluebird, cutthroat, or elk)

• Year of Manufacture

• Youth

Special Plates: (Only Available by Mail or Fax)

• Amateur Radio

• Classic Car

• Classic Motorcycle

• Collegiate

• Disability

• Disabled Veteran

• Former Prisoner of War

• Legislative

• Medal of Honor

• National Guard

• Old Timer

• Pearl Harbor Survivor

• Personalized

• Purple Heart

• Military Reservist

• Street Rod

• Veteran

Note: There are a few different applications with varying fees. Be sure you use the correct application when ordering your plate.

Use the Special Interest License Plates Application to order the Amateur Radio and Collegiate plates.

Use the Special Plates for Special Vehicles Application to order the Classic Car, Classic Motorcycle, Medal of Honor, National Guard, Old Timer, Pearl Harbor Survivor, Purple Heart, Military Reservist, Street Rod, or Veteran plates.

Use the Disability License Plates and Placards application to order a Disability plate. Note that this plate is not available online.

Use the Military License Plates application to order the Disabled Veteran and Former Prisoner of War plates.

Antique Plates

If you have an older vehicle, it will qualify for antique plates if it fits into one of these categories:

Old-Timer Plates

These plates, featuring an embossed car with black lettering, are for vehicles manufactured before 1943 which have not received significant alteration to the vehicle's original style.

These plates are only for display with parades and exhibitions, not for everyday use.

Classic Plates

To qualify for these white plates with black lettering, a vehicle must be at least 30 years old, but manufactured after 1942.

Additionally, the vehicle can't have undergone major alterations to its original style.

These plates are only for display with parades and exhibitions, not for everyday use.

Street Rod

These red, white, and blue plates, featuring an embossed car, are either for vehicles made before 1949, or replicas that were changed to resemble a vehicle from this era.

Owners may personalize these plates.

Year of Manufacture

To display a vehicle's original, model-year plate, it must be at least 30 years old. The plate must be in good condition, and you'll need to supply a color photograph of the vehicle with your application.

Also, call (208) 334-8649 to make sure the plate's numbers aren't currently in use.

Applying for an Antique Plate

To receive one of these plates, complete an application and fax it to (208) 334-8542.

Or, mail it to:

• Idaho Transportation Department

• Vehicle Services―Special Plates

• P.O. Box 7129

• Boise, ID 83707-1129

The plates cost $25. However, the Street Rod and Year of Manufacture plates carry an additional $15 annual fee.

No matter which category you choose, you'll receive one plate, which must be attached to the rear of the vehicle.

Additional Information

Need more information? Call (208) 334-8649 for assistance. Hearing-impaired individuals should call (208) 334-4458.

Personalized License Plates: Only Available by Mail, Fax, or Online

You can choose your own message to display on the following plates. The state gives you a bit of freedom to express yourself creatively, just as long as you don't get too carried away.

Obviously, anything vulgar, obscene, in poor taste, or sexual in any language won't fly. The same goes for any words that can convey obscenity, contempt, prejudice, hostility, insult, racial degradation, profanity, or vulgarity.

Also, each plate program allows a specific number of characters (anywhere from four to six depending on the license plate you choose), so be sure to find out how many characters your license plate can fit.

• Agriculture

• Appaloosa

• Basque Heritage

• Boy Scouts of America

• Capitol Restoration

• Centennial

• Capitol Restoration

• Collegiate

• Corvette

• Disability (not available online)

• Firefighter

• Historic Lewiston

• Lewis and Clark

• Motorcycle Safety (STARS)

• Peace Officer

• Potato

• Sawtooth

• School Transportation Safety Awareness

• Snowmobile

• Snowskier

• Standard

• Street Rod (not available online)

• Timber

• Veteran (not available online)

• White Water Rafting

• Wildlife

• Youth

Contact (208) 334-8649 with questions or feel free to mail a letter requesting more information.

Note: There are a few different applications with varying fees. Be sure you use the correct application when ordering your plate.

Use the Personal License Plates Application to order the Agriculture, Appaloosa, Basque Heritage, Boy Scouts of America, Centennial, Capitol Restoration, Collegiate, Corvette, Firefighter, Historic Lewiston, Lewis and Clark, Motorcycle Safety (STARS), Peace Officer, Potato, Sawtooth, School Transportation Safety Awareness, Snowmobile, Snowskier, Standard, Street Rod (not available online), Timber, White Water Rafting, Wildlife, or Youth plate.

Use the Disability License Plates and Placards application to order a Disability plate. Note that this plate is not available online.

Use the Military License Plates Application to order the Veteran plate. Note that this plate is not available online.

Steps for Ordering Special License Plates

You can order special plates if you own a passenger car or pickup with a maximum gross vehicle weight of 26,000 pounds or less, a motor home, a motorcycle, or an all-terrain vehicle (standard personalized plates only). Here's how:

1. Download and print out the application (Microsoft Internet Explorer users should use the Acrobat Reader print menu instead of the Microsoft print menu for a clearer print out); you can only use one form per vehicle.
2. Completely and clearly print all requested information, attach any documentation required for special eligibility plates (such as a DD-214 for veterans), and do not send fees with your application, unless you are specifically directed to do so (sample plates).

3. If you'd like to pay by check or money order, wait until you receive a bill in the mail before sending out any form of payment. Foreign money orders or cashiers checks must have the words "U.S. Funds" or "Payable in U.S. Funds" printed on them. If you'd like to pay by credit card, you can send your MasterCard or Visa number along with the card's expiration date.

4. Once you have completed the application, you can either fax it to (208) 334-8542 or mail it to:
   • Idaho Transportation Department
   • Special Plates
   • P.O. Box 7129
   • Boise, ID 83707-1129

The state will credit you for unexpired registration fees if it issues you special plates before your current registration expires, unless you are applying for Classic and Old Timer plates.

Contact (208) 334-8649 with questions or feel free to mail a letter requesting more information.

Order Personalized Plates for Your Vehicle and Souvenir Sample Plates Online

The DMV allows you to order quickly online with a few simple clicks of a button. The only obstacle is choosing from more than 70 options.

The convenience of ordering a personalized plate online instantly allows you to find out if another Idaho driver has already snagged your personalized plate choice. It also enables you to order an already printed or a personalized souvenir sample plate (not to be used in place of an actual plate on your vehicle).

All you need is a credit card (Visa, MasterCard, or Discover will do), your current registration, and your valid state driver's license number.

Disability plates are not available as souvenir plates.

Hearing Impaired Applicants

Contact Special Plates at (208) 334-4458, using a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD).

Disability Plates

As a person with a disability, you are subject to all Idaho motor vehicle laws if your vehicle displays a special disability license plate or placard issued by this or any other state. At the same time, you are granted a number of special privileges such as:

1. The right to park your vehicle in any metered public parking space for free.
2. The right to park for any amount of time in parking zones or areas which otherwise limit drivers by designating a specified length of time.
3. The right to fuel your vehicle from a full-service pump for the same price charged for using a self-service pump. This goes for gas stations that sell fuel at retail from both types of pumps (retailers are only required to pump fuel; the law includes no other services).
4. The right to ask (and expect) an attendant to pump your gas at a self-service gas station if your vehicle bears a disability plate or placard (only if you are disabled and you are not accompanied by an able-bodied adult, and there is more than one attendant on duty). Look for special signs in he window of the gas station.

Unauthorized Plate or Placard Use

According to Idaho Code, Section 49-410 (9), "Any use of the plate or placard by any person other than those meeting the definition of disability under section 49-117(7)(b), Idaho Code, to obtain parking shall constitute an infraction punishable by a fine of one hundred dollars ($100)."

In addition, part of Section 49-410 (10) states "Law enforcement officials and/or their designes as authorized by a city or county shall enforce the provisions of this section and are empowered, using reasonable discretion, to check personal identification to determine if the user of the plate or placard is authorized to use accessible parking privileges. Any fines collected shall be retained by the city or county whose law enforcement official issued the citation."

The Application Process

The steps to get a disability plate or placard are rather painless. Be sure you are familiar with the use provisions and the details of the eligibility section listed above, completely and clearly fill out the application. Then get your physician to complete and sign the eligibility section, and mail or fax your application to the Idaho Transportation Department.

Fraudulent Application for a Plate or Placard

According to Idaho Code, Section 49-456, it is unlawful to "use a false or fictitious name or address in any application for the registration of any vehicle or for any renewal or duplicate, or knowingly to make a false statement or conceal a material fact or otherwise commit a fraud in any application."

Personalized Disability License Plates

The rules get a bit more strict when it comes to obtaining a personalized disability plate. For starters, you must pay an additional $25 in initiation fees and an extra $15 to renew. There is no grace period on renewals, and they must be taken care of prior to expiration. You must also give reason for the personalized plate choice.

Application Forms

• Souvenir Sample Plates

• Special Vehicle Plates

• Military Plates

• Special Interest Plates

• Personalized Plates

• Disability Plates and Placards

Special Plate Fees*

*Note: These fees are in addition to the cost of your vehicle registration.

Scenic:
Customized plates: $25 for the first year, and then $15 to renew each year thereafter.
Souvenir plates: $12

State Symbol and History Plates:
Appaloosa, Basque Culture, Capitol Restoration, Famous Potato, Historical Lewiston, Lewis and Clark, Sawtooth:
Customized plates: $60 for the first year, and then $40 to renew each year thereafter.
Souvenir plates: $30

Centennial:
Customized plates: $50 for the first year, and then $30 to renew each year thereafter.
Souvenir plates: $12

Celebrate Plates:
Boy Scouts, Snowmobile, Snowskier, and Youth:
Customized plates: $60 for the first year, and then $40 to renew each year thereafter.
Souvenir plates: $30

Natural Resources and Wildlife:
Agriculture, Bluebird, Cutthroat, Elk, Timber, White Water:
Customized plates: $60 for the first year, and then $40 to renew each year thereafter.
Souvenir plates: $30

Automobiles:
Classic and Old Timer:
Souvenir plates: $12. No customized plates available.

Corvette:
Customized plates: $60 for the first year, and then $40 to renew each year thereafter.
Souvenir plates: $30

Street Rod:
Customized plates: $50 for the first year, and then $30 to renew each year thereafter.
Souvenir plates: $12

Support Public Safety:
Amateur Radio:
Souvenir plates: $12. No customized plates available.

Firefighter, Motorcycle Safety, Peace Officer Memorial, School Transportation Safety Awareness:
Customized plates: $60 for the first year, and then $40 to renew each year thereafter.
Souvenir plates: $30

Collegiate:
Boise State University, College of Southern Idaho, Eastern Idaho Technical College, Idaho State University, Lewis-Clark State College, North Idaho College, University of Idaho:
Customized plates: $60 for the first year, and then $40 to renew each year thereafter.
Souvenir plates: $30

Military Reservist:
Air Force Reserve, Army Reserve, Coast Guard Reserve, Marines Reserve, Navy Reserve:
Souvenir plates: $12. No customized plates available.

Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marines, Navy:
Air Force Veteran, Air Force Veteran Korea, Air Force Veteran Persian Gulf, Air Force Veteran Vietnam, Air Force Veteran World War I, Air Force Veteran World War II, Army Veteran, Army Veteran Korea, Army Veteran Persian Gulf, Army Veteran Vietnam, Army Veteran World War I, Army Veteran World War II, Coast Guard Veteran, Coast Guard Veteran Korea, Coast Guard Veteran Persian Gulf, Coast Guard Veteran Vietnam, Coast Guard Veteran World War I, Coast Guard Veteran World War II, Marines Veteran, Marines Veteran Korea, Marines Veteran Vietnam, Marines Veteran World War I, Marines Veteran World War II, Navy Veteran, Navy Veteran Korea, Navy Veteran Persian Gulf, Navy Veteran Vietnam, Navy Veteran World War I, Navy Veteran World War II:
Customized plates: $50 for the first year, and then $30 to renew each year thereafter.
Souvenir plates: $12

Other Military Plates:
Medal of Honor, National Guard, POW Korea, POW Persian Gulf, POW USS Pueblo, POW Vietnam, POW World War I, POW World War II, Pearl Harbor Survivor, Purple Heart:
Souvenir plates: $12. No customized plates available.

Surrendering License Plates?

The state does not require Idaho residents to return their license plates after relocating to another state. Learn more on our ID License Plate Surrender page.

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