Registration FAQs

Which vehicles must be registered in Idaho?

The complete list of which vehicles must be titled and registered includes passenger cars, trucks (such as utility, commercial, and motor homes), motorcycles, recreational trailers, utility and boat trailers weighing 2,000 pounds or more (unladen weight), construction or wrecking cranes (registered as commercial vehicles), drilling rigs (registered as commercial vehicles), all-terrain and off-road vehicles also registered for highway use if operated on highways (registered through the Idaho Division of Parks and Recreation), and snowmobiles (also registered through the Idaho Division of Parks and Recreation).

You must register utility trailers under 2,000 pounds, but you can skip the titling process.

Those that do not need to be registered include construction equipment other than cranes, wheel-mounted equipment (including air compressors, wood chippers, tar buckets, tow dollies, portable toilet trailers, combines, discs, and hay balers), bicycles, golf carts, self-propelled wheelchairs, invalid tricycles, and wheelchair conveyance units.

There are a few vehicles that may or may not require registration, depending on the circumstances for which you use them. Contact your county auto licensing office to be certain, if you own one or more of the following: mobile homes and manufactured homes, office trailers, concession stands, street sweepers, ATVs and off-road vehicles used exclusively for agricultural purposes, boats, or mopeds.

Do I have to be an Idaho resident to register my vehicle?

You must be either an Idaho resident or business. You also must title the vehicle before or while you register it. You can take care of both these tasks at your county assessor's motor vehicle office.

I just moved to Idaho. Am I required to register my vehicle immediately?

You have 90 days to register and title your vehicle. You'll also need to surrender your out-of-state license and obtain an Idaho driver's license. Also see our new residents page for more information.

How much will registering my vehicle cost?

That depends on the type of vehicle and the county in which you live. Below you'll find a list of approximate fees. Call (208) 334-8663 or (208) 334-8649 to verify exact fees at the time you wish to title and register your vehicle.

• Passenger cars and motor homes: $35 to $60 (vehicle age and your county of residence will cause this figure to vary)

• Motorcycles and ATVs: $15.25 (Ada county residents must pay $19.25)

• Boats (up to seven feet): $7 (add $2 per foot for additional length)

• Recreational vehicle trailers: $9

Ada County residents registering their vehicles must pay an additional $10 to $20 for the Ada County Highway District Fee.

Motor home and RV trailers must don recreational vehicle stickers ($8.50 for the first $1,000 of market value, $5 for each additional $1,000). The state prorates these stickers on a quarterly basis the first time you register your RV or motor home.

I have an aircraft that I plan to fly in state. Do I need to register it?

Registering an aircraft is a bit different from registering a motor vehicle. This is handled by the Idaho Transportation Department's Division of Aeronautics. Call (800) 426-4587 or (208) 334-8775 for more information.

What's the minimum amount of insurance I must have to register my vehicle?

The law requires each and every driver, rider, anyone who will operate a motorized vehicle (registered or not) on Idaho roadways to carry liability insurance with the minimum coverage of:

• $25,000 for injury or death of one person

• $50,000 for injury or death of two or more people

• $15,000 for property damage

I am a full-time student in Idaho, but I claim residency in another state. Am I required to register my vehicle here?

You are an exception. You don't have to, but if you wish to do so, you must first declare residency before the 90-day mark.

When I register my vehicle, does it have to pass an emissions test?

Unless you are a resident of Northern Ada County, you are in the clear (although, it's a good idea to have your vehicle tested even if you are not required by law). The number of locations within the county makes it easy on you. For more questions concerning this matter, contact the office of the Ada County Air Quality Board at (208) 377-9191 or check out its Web site at: www.emissiontest.org

Can I get a special registration for my nonoperational vehicle?

No. Idaho does not offer a special type of registration for vehicles that are nonoperable or placed in storage for an indefinite period of time. You'll need to cancel the registration outright to avoid the fees, and then keep the vehicle entirely off public roadways.