How Much Does It Cost To Register a Car in Idaho in 2025
Idaho operates a decentralized vehicle registration system through 44 county assessor motor vehicle offices, with standardized state fees and varying county administrative charges. Registration costs are primarily based on vehicle age, type, and weight, with additional fees for specialty services and local programs.
Base Registration Fees by Vehicle Type
Idaho's registration fees are established by state law and adjusted annually, with most fees varying based on vehicle age and classification.
Passenger Vehicles
Idaho calculates passenger vehicle registration fees based on vehicle age, with fees decreasing as vehicles get older.
| Vehicle Age | Annual Registration Fee |
|---|---|
| 1-2 years old | $69 |
| 3-6 years old | $57 |
| 7+ years old | $45 |
These fees apply to passenger cars, pickup trucks, neighborhood electric vehicles, and other motor vehicles with a maximum gross weight of 8,000 pounds or less.
Alternative Fuel Vehicle Surcharges
Idaho imposes additional annual fees on electric and hybrid vehicles to compensate for reduced fuel tax revenue.
| Vehicle Type | Additional Annual Fee |
|---|---|
| Electric vehicles | $140 |
| Plug-in hybrid vehicles | $75 |
| Neighborhood electric vehicles | No additional fee |
Motorcycles and Specialized Vehicles
| Vehicle Type | Annual Registration Fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Motorcycle | $25 | Includes $6 Motorcycle Safety Program Fee |
| School bus | $24 | Commercial operation |
Non-Commercial and Farm Trucks
| Gross Weight Range | 12-Month Fee |
|---|---|
| 8,001-16,000 lbs | $73.00 |
| 16,001-26,000 lbs | $86.08 |
| 26,001-30,000 lbs | $116.68 |
| 30,001-40,000 lbs | $155.08 |
| 40,001-50,000 lbs | $213.28 |
| 50,001-60,000 lbs | $336.88 |
Commercial Trucks and Interstate Buses
| Gross Weight Range | 12-Month Fee |
|---|---|
| 8,001-16,000 lbs | $73.00 |
| 16,001-26,000 lbs | $168.40 |
| 26,001-30,000 lbs | $248.80 |
| 30,001-40,000 lbs | $316.60 |
| 40,001-50,000 lbs | $385.00 |
| 50,001-60,000 lbs | $540.40 |
Recreational Vehicles and Trailers
Motor Homes and RVs
Motor homes have dual registration requirements with fees calculated using both standard vehicle age-based rates and recreational vehicle market value assessments.
Motor Home Registration:
- Standard registration fee based on vehicle age (same as passenger vehicles)
- Additional RV fee: $8.50 for first $1,000 of RV market value, plus $5.00 for each additional $1,000
- RV value determined as 25%-60% of full vehicle value
Other Recreational Vehicles
| Vehicle Type | Registration Structure | Base Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Camp trailers, tent trailers, fifth wheels | Standard + RV fees | $4.00 + RV market value fees |
| Slide-in truck campers | RV fees only (no plate issued) | RV market value fees only |
| Park model RVs | Registration or personal property tax | Variable |
Utility Trailers
| Registration Option | Fee |
|---|---|
| Annual registration | $5.00 |
| Ten-year registration | $30.00 |
Local and County Fees
Idaho counties charge varying administrative fees for registration and title services, creating significant cost differences across the state.
County Registration Administrative Fees
Registration administrative fees vary substantially by county:
Highest County Fees:
- Kootenai County: $14.00
- Canyon County: $12.00
- Minidoka County: $12.00
Lowest County Fees:
- Lewis County: $3.00
- Camas County: $3.50
- Caribou County: $3.50
Major Population Centers:
- Ada County: $9.50
- Bannock County: $7.00
- Bonneville County: $8.00
Title Fees by County
All counties charge the statutory title fee of $14.00, but administrative fees vary:
Total Title Fee Ranges:
- Lowest: $14.00 (Bannock, Boise, Camas, Caribou, Clark, Power counties)
- Highest: $32.75 (Blaine County)
- Most Common: $20.00-$21.00 (majority of counties)
Sample County Title Fees:
- Ada County: $21.00 ($14.00 + $7.00 admin)
- Canyon County: $21.00 ($14.00 + $7.00 admin)
- Kootenai County: $22.00 ($14.00 + $8.00 admin)
- Blaine County: $32.75 ($14.00 + $18.75 admin)
Regional Requirements and Inspection Fees
Emissions Testing Status
Idaho eliminated its statewide emissions testing requirement effective July 1, 2023. Previously required counties included Ada, Canyon, and the City of Kuna, but emissions testing programs have ended and all vehicles previously cancelled for non-compliance have been reinstated.
VIN Inspections
Required for out-of-state vehicle transfers and conducted by county assessor offices, typically at no additional charge beyond standard processing fees.
Specialty License Plates
Idaho offers various specialty and personalized license plate options with additional fees beyond standard registration costs.
Personalized License Plates
| Component | Fee |
|---|---|
| Initial issuance | $25.00 |
| Annual renewal | $15.00 |
Available for passenger vehicles (not exceeding 26,000 pounds), motor homes, and motorcycles.
Most Specialty License Plates
| Component | Fee |
|---|---|
| Initial issuance | $35.00 |
| Annual renewal | $25.00 |
Available for special program and special interest plates on vehicles not exceeding 26,000 pounds gross vehicle weight, motor homes, and motorcycles.
Wildlife License Plates
Some specialty plates have different fee structures:
| Component | Fee |
|---|---|
| New personalized wildlife plate | $60.00 |
| Wildlife plate renewal | $40.00 |
Additional Mandatory Fees
Standard Additional Fees
All registrations include mandatory fees for specific programs:
| Fee Type | Amount | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency Medical Services (EMS) | $1.25 | EMS program funding |
| Idaho State Police (ISP) | $3.00 | ISP program funding |
| New plates (when required) | $3.75 per plate | Plate manufacturing |
Local Option Fees
Some counties impose additional fees:
Ada County Highway District Fee:
- Additional $24-$40 for certain vehicles registered in Ada County
- Funds local highway district operations
Off-Highway Vehicle Registration
| Vehicle Type | Annual Fee | Agency |
|---|---|---|
| Snowmobiles | $31.00 | Idaho Parks and Recreation |
| Off-highway vehicles | $12.00 | Idaho Parks and Recreation (includes $1.50 vendor fee) |
Vehicle registration services are provided through 44 county assessor motor vehicle offices statewide. Online services including registration renewal are available through Idaho DMV Online.
Fee estimation tools are available through the Idaho Registration Estimator and specialty plate information through the Interactive Plate Programs Guide.
