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Vehicle title & registration

Title, plates and insurance for your out-of-state car

By J&H Digital Services LLCChecked Oct 23, 20269 sources

In short

Title and register your car within 30 days of moving. Drive it to an Ada County or Canyon County assessor's motor vehicle (DMV) office with your out-of-state title, ID and proof of Idaho insurance. Staff check the VIN on the spot, you pay title and registration fees, and your Idaho plates arrive by mail in about 6 weeks. Emissions testing is no longer required anywhere in the Treasure Valley.

Deadline
30 days after you move
Where
County assessor's motor vehicle office (not the sheriff's license office)
Typical cost
$21 title + $5 VIN check + $45 to $69 state registration + county fees
Emissions test
Not required since July 1, 2023
Plates
Mailed in about 6 weeks
01

How do I title and register my car in Idaho?

  1. 1

    Switch your insurance to Idaho

    Call your insurer, give your new address and make sure the policy is with a carrier licensed in Idaho. Idaho checks coverage electronically, and a lapse can get your registration suspended. Minimum liability is 25/50/15: $25,000 per person injured, $50,000 per accident for injuries, and $15,000 for property damage.

    ITD: Vehicle insurance ↗
  2. 2

    Sort out your title

    If you own the car outright, bring the out-of-state title. If you have a loan or lease, the lender holds the title. In Ada County, download the lien letter from the county site and send it to your lender so it releases the title to the office you choose. You get a mailed notice when it arrives.

    Ada County Motor Vehicle ↗
  3. 3

    Book a visit or walk in

    Both counties take walk-ins and appointments. Ada County has five vehicle offices; Canyon County has one in Caldwell.

    Time 5 minutes
    Ada County booking ↗
  4. 4

    Drive the car in for the VIN inspection

    A DMV employee checks the vehicle identification number in the parking lot. You do not need a separate inspection station.

    Time A few minutesCost $5 in Ada County
  5. 5

    Apply for the Idaho title

    Idaho requires a title before it will register the car. The title is mailed to you, or to your lender if you have a loan. Ada County offers rush title processing for an extra $33.

    Cost $21 in Ada and Canyon ($14 state fee plus $7 county fee)
  6. 6

    Register and order plates

    Pay the registration fee and order plates. Plates are made to order and mailed by USPS, about 6 weeks. Track the order in DMV Online. Since July 1, 2026, Idaho no longer issues registration stickers, and plates no longer need replacing every 10 years.

    Time Plates in about 6 weeksCost See fee table
    DMV Online ↗
02

What do I bring to register my car?

  • The vehicle itself, for the VIN check
  • Your out-of-state title, or the lender's name, address and your account number if the car is financed
  • Your current out-of-state registration
  • Photo ID for each person on the title. An out-of-state license is fine; without an Idaho license you give your Social Security number
  • A bill of sale if you bought the car recently and the price is not on the title
  • Proof of sales tax paid if you bought the car less than 3 months before moving
  • Payment: ITD lists cash, check or credit card
03

How much does it cost to register a car in Idaho?

ItemCost
Title (Ada or Canyon)$21
VIN inspection (Ada County)$5
State registration, car 1 to 2 years old$69 per year
State registration, car 3 to 6 years old$57 per year
State registration, car 7+ years old$45 per year
County registration admin fee (Ada or Canyon)$9.50
ACHD road fee (Ada County only), 1 to 2 years / 3 to 7 years / over 7 years$40 / $36 / $24
Electric vehicle surcharge+$140 per year
Plug-in hybrid surcharge+$75 per year
Personalized plates$25 first year, $15 renewal
Late title penalty (over 30 days)$20
Sales or use tax6% unless paid elsewhere or you owned the car 3+ months before moving

Fees depend on vehicle age, type, weight and county. Light trucks over 8,000 lbs are charged by weight, starting at $73. ITD has an online fee estimator. Ada County voters decide on Nov. 3, 2026 whether to extend the ACHD fee at the same rates through 2046. Source: ITD: Vehicle registrations

04

Where are the motor vehicle offices?

05

What else do people ask about vehicle registration?

Do I need my Idaho driver's license first?

No. You can title and register with your out-of-state ID and your .

Can I drive on my old plates while I wait?

Ask at the counter what temporary permit or paperwork you will get to drive legally until the Idaho plates arrive. Keep your registration papers in the car.

Will I pay sales tax again?

Usually not. Idaho charges 6% use tax only if you did not pay sales tax elsewhere and bought the car less than 3 months before moving.

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Sources (9) · Checked Oct 23, 2026

Fees, rules and providers change. Confirm with the official source before you go.

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