A new Idaho law that goes into effect this summer ends the legal requirements for vehicle registration tags on motor vehicles.
However, you still need to update your tags — or risk getting a ticket.
Here’s what drivers to know:
DO I STILL NEED A VEHICLE REGISTRATION STICKER?
House Bill 533 eliminates the color-coded vehicle registration stickers Idaho drivers attach to their license plates, saving the Idaho Transportation Department an estimated $300,000 in production costs.
Idaho Gov. Brad Little signed HB 533 into law in early March.
Starting July 1, Idaho drivers will no longer be required to replace their sticker tags when renewing vehicle registrations.
The change comes as law enforcement agencies are relying more on automated technology.
Automated license plate readers “automatically capture images or videos” of a passing vehicle, then detect the license plate number and access all recorded information related to that vehicle, according to the Library of Congress.
That includes the vehicle’s registration, make, model and color as well as whether it’s on a so-called “hot list” identifying vehicles of interest to law enforcement, the Library of Congress said on its website.
HOW CAN I TELL IF MY VEHICLE REGISTRATION IS EXPIRING?
Vehicle registration provides proof that your car, pickup truck, SUV or motorcycle is “allowed to drive on Idaho roads,” according to the Idaho Department of Transportation .
That’s still the case even if you’re no longer to sport a sticker on your license plate.
“Nothing is changing for customers when it comes to renewing registration,” Britt Rosenthal, public information officer for the Idaho Division of Motor Vehicles, told the Idaho Statesman in an email. “The only update is that Idaho will stop mailing out physical registration stickers after July 1, 2026.”
The Idaho DMV notifies drivers by mail, text or email when their registration is about to expire, according to Rosenthal.
“Residents can also log into their portal at anytime to check vehicle renewal status,” Rosenthal said.
“You should renew your vehicle registration before it expires,” the DMV said. “If you renew your registration early, your new expiration date will not change. You cannot renew a registration that is suspended or revoked or is conditional for title.”
HOW MUCH CAN I BE FINED FOR EXPIRED TAGS?
If your vehicle is unregistered — or that registration has expired — an Idaho police officer can pull you over and give you a warning or a ticket, the Statesman reported previously.
The fines for unregistered vehicles and expired tags haven’t changed.
Having expired tags in Idaho is a traffic infraction punishable a $101 fine, according to the Idaho Supreme Court.
If you’re caught driving with fake registration or borrowing or stealing tags, you could pay a $115 fine, the Statesman previously reported. The true owner of the registration is at risk of being fined the same amount.
If you provide false information when you’re registering your vehicle, you could face a $156.50 fine. That includes giving a name that is not legally recognized by the state of Idaho.
HOW DO I REGISTER A VEHICLE IN IDAHO FOR THE FIRST TIME?
To register a vehicle for the first time, you must visit an Idaho Division of Motor Vehicles office in person.
In Boise, you can visit the state Division of Motor Vehicles office at 8655 West Franklin Road for new vehicle registration or registration renewal.
The DMV has office locations across the state that can assist with registration requests.
To register and title a vehicle in Idaho, you’ll need to provide the following:
- Your full legal name
- An Idaho driver's license number, Idaho-issued ID card, Social Security number or employer identification number
- A verifiable physical address
- A verifiable mailing address
HOW DO I RENEW MY VEHICLE REGISTRATION IN IDAHO?
The Idaho Division of Motor Vehicles offers multiple options for drivers seeking to renew their registration, including an online portal that can be used with or without creating a personal account
You can also visit the DMV’s virtual Ada County office.
In addition, you can renew your vehicle registration by calling 208-584-4343, mailing a check money order to the DMV office that sent your renewal notice or visiting a DMV office in person.
Save time by scheduling an appointment in advance.
HOW MUCH DOES CAR REGISTRATION COST IN IDAHO?
Registration costs depend on the vehicle type, weight, age and inspection requirements, as well as the county where you live, according to the DMV.
Registration and renewal costs for noncommercial vehicles — those weighing 8,000 pounds or less — can range from $24 to $140 for a standard Idaho license plate.
Personalized and specialty license plates require an additional annual fee.
It can cost $73 to $337 to register a commercial vehicle weighing more than 8,000 pounds, with costs affected by weight.
You can use the Idaho DMV’s online calendar to calculate your registration fees.
©2026 The Idaho Statesman, Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
