Plate Surrender in Idaho

Moving out of Idaho? Selling your car? One thing you don’t have to worry about is surrendering your license plates to Idaho’s Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV).

Moving to Idaho

After establishing residency in Idaho, you have 90 days to register your car at any one of the state’s 44 County Assessor offices. Af You may, after registering, be required to surrender your plates to your previous state’s DMV. This will depend on your former state’s policies.

When registering, you can choose between a standard plate or any one of the Idaho’s specialized license plates.

Learn more about Idaho, your new home, in our relocation guide.

Moving from ID

Idaho license plates are the property of the owner. This means you DO NOT have to surrender your Idaho license plates to the DMV after moving to another state. Keep the plates as souvenirs or dispose of them as you wish.

For more help with your move, visit our Moving Out of Idaho page.

Selling a Used Car in Idaho

After settling on a buyer, be sure to remove the car’s license plates before signing over the title. License plates in Idaho remain with the owner; no surrendering involved. You can, if you so choose, transfer the removed license plates to another vehicle owned by you.

Don’t forget to file a Release of Liability Statement with the state. You have five days to file after the vehicle’s sale date.

Learn more about selling your car by visiting our Title Transfers page.

Buying a Used Car in ID

The seller surrenders the car keys and title, but not the license plates. To obtain plates, you’ll need to register the vehicle at any County Assessor office.

Need more help on what to expect when buying a car? Visit our Vehicle Title Transfers page.

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