Do You Need Insurance to Register a Car in Idaho in 2025
State law in Idaho mandates that all motor vehicle owners maintain liability insurance coverage before registering or operating vehicles on public roadways. Idaho's mandatory insurance framework, established under Section 49-1229 and Chapter 12 of Title 49 of the Idaho Statutes, creates enforceable financial responsibility standards that apply to vehicle registration, renewal transactions, and continuous operation throughout each registration period.
Legal Requirement for Insurance Coverage
Idaho's mandatory insurance framework prohibits any person from registering or operating a motor vehicle on public roadways without establishing financial responsibility through approved insurance coverage. Every owner of a motor vehicle that is registered and operated in Idaho by the owner or with permission shall continuously provide insurance against loss resulting from liability imposed by law for bodily injury or death or damage to property.
The Idaho Transportation Department administers the state's mandatory insurance program through Division of Motor Vehicles offices located throughout Idaho's 44 counties.
Vehicle owners must maintain uninterrupted insurance coverage throughout the entire registration period. When registrations are identified as having no valid insurance for two consecutive months, the Idaho Transportation Department is required to notify the vehicle owner. Owners will have 30 days to provide proof of insurance or provide an exception, or the registration will be suspended.
Failure to maintain required insurance coverage in Idaho may result in the suspension of vehicle registration and a requirement to pay a reinstatement fee of $75.
Idaho Transportation Department
3311 West State Street, Boise, ID 83703
Phone: (208) 334-8000
Official Website: Idaho Transportation Department
Minimum Insurance Coverage Requirements
Idaho establishes specific minimum insurance coverage amounts that all policies must meet or exceed. All vehicles registered in Idaho are required to have minimum Bodily Injury Liability and Property Damage Liability insurance coverage.
| Coverage Type | Statutory Minimum Amount |
|---|---|
| Bodily Injury Liability per person | $25,000 |
| Bodily Injury Liability per accident | $50,000 |
| Property Damage Liability per accident | $15,000 |
Bodily Injury Liability coverage pays for injuries to other people or their deaths for which the policyholder is legally responsible. Property Damage Liability coverage pays for damage to another person's property caused by the policyholder or someone else driving the insured vehicle.
Idaho Department of Insurance
700 West State Street, Boise, ID 83720
Phone: (208) 334-4250
Official Website: Idaho Department of Insurance
Proof of Insurance Documents
Idaho law requires every motor vehicle operator subject to mandatory insurance provisions to carry evidence of insurance within the vehicle during operation. A certificate or proof of liability insurance shall be in the possession of the operator of every motor vehicle or present in every motor vehicle at all times when the vehicle is operated within Idaho. The state accepts multiple formats of insurance documentation:
- Insurance Certificate or Proof Card: Standard card or document issued by the insurance carrier containing policy number, vehicle identification number, type of coverage, effective date, and named insured information
- Electronic Format: The certificate or proof of liability insurance may be produced in either paper or electronic format. Acceptable electronic formats include the display of electronic images on a cellular phone or any other type of portable electronic device
- Insurance Policy: Insurance policy issued by an insurance carrier licensed in Idaho
- Certificate of Self-Insurance: Certificate issued by the Idaho Transportation Department for individuals or entities that qualify as self-insurers
The certificate or proof of liability insurance shall be provided for inspection to any peace officer upon request to the operator of any motor vehicle. Law enforcement officers and registration issuing officials may request proof of insurance during traffic stops, accident investigations, or registration transactions.
Exceptions to Insurance Requirements
Idaho law provides specific statutory exemptions from mandatory insurance requirements for certain vehicle categories under Idaho Statutes:
- Commercial motor vehicles: Vehicles insured under commercial motor vehicle coverage policies
- Implements of husbandry: Farm implements and equipment used primarily for agricultural purposes
- Golf carts: Vehicles designed primarily for golf course use
- Stored vehicles: Vehicles lawfully placed into storage by the owner may have insurance suspended when not in use
- Government-owned vehicles: Vehicles owned and operated by governmental entities may qualify for exemptions
- Self-insured entities: Individuals or entities holding valid self-insurance certificates
- Military personnel stationed out-of-state: Idaho residents on active military duty stationed outside Idaho who maintain their vehicles at their duty station may qualify for specific exemptions
Vehicle owners may notify the department when exempt from the requirement to possess proof of vehicle financial responsibility for reasons allowed by Idaho Code. If an exemption applies, the department shall mark the registration record as exempt, and such registration shall not be suspended.
These exemptions apply only under the specific circumstances described in Idaho statutes. Vehicles qualifying for exemptions may still require registration with an appropriate designation indicating exempt status.
Insurance Requirements for Vehicle Registration
The Idaho Transportation Department verifies insurance coverage as a mandatory element of all vehicle registration transactions. The department shall establish and maintain an online insurance verification system for motor vehicle insurance coverage to determine whether owners of motor vehicles have established financial responsibility.
- Registration applicants must provide Idaho insurance policy information during all registration transactions. The online insurance verification system provides for direct inquiry and response between the department and insurance carriers. The verification system shall be capable of sending inquiries to and receiving responses from insurers for the purpose of verifying current motor vehicle insurance coverage.
- New residents relocating to Idaho must obtain Idaho-issued insurance coverage before registering vehicles in the state. Whether out-of-state vehicle registration has expired or not, new residents must title and register vehicles within 30 days of moving to Idaho. Insurance from other states is not accepted for the title and registration of vehicles in Idaho, except for specific exemptions.
- Registration renewals require active insurance coverage verified through the Department's electronic verification system. The department shall perform a periodic match at least monthly of information from the online insurance verification system with motor vehicle registrations.
