How to Renew Your Vehicle Registration in Idaho

Vehicle owners are required to complete an Idaho car registration renewal every year. In general, operating a car that has an expired vehicle registration is strictly prohibited and will result in serious consequences. Therefore, make sure that you understand when your registration is set to expire so that you can get it renewed on time.

There are two different methods that you can use to complete a DMV car registration renewal: online or in person. However, the DMV registration renewal online method is only offered to residents in certain counties in ID. When you renew, regardless of the method you choose, you must provide certain documentation and follow a few required steps. To learn more about these steps so that you can be prepared for your renewal, read the sections below.

Requirements for Car Registration Renewal in Idaho

In order to be eligible for a motor vehicle registration renewal in Idaho, you must meet certain requirements. These requirements include that your registration must be approaching its expiration date, and that you must be able to pay the DMV registration renewal fees as well.

Additionally, you must be an Idaho resident. If you live in Canyon County or in the city of Kuna, you must complete the required emissions testing every other year in order to maintain your registration.

What do you need to renew your car registration in Idaho?

When you renew a car registration, you must provide certain information. In order to have a successful renewal, you must submit the following:

Idaho Vehicle Registration Renewal Notice

Vehicle owners will receive a postcard that states their Idaho DMV registration renewal status. This postcard is also referred to as an auto registration renewal notice card, and you can expect to receive it in the mail a few weeks prior to the expiration date of your credential. The notice serves as a reminder to renew your registration, and it also contains important information about the fees you must pay and the instructions you must follow.

Idaho Car Registration Renewal Notice Lost or Not Received

While most Idaho residents can expect to receive a notice in the mail that alerts them about their need to renew car registration, there is always a possibility that a notice will not be received or sent at all. As an example, recent changes to a mailing address may result in a notice being sent to the wrong location.

If you do not receive the renewal postcard notice or have lost it, you can contact your county directly to inquire about your DMV registration renewal status. However, keep in mind that even if you do not receive a notice, it is still your responsibility to be aware of when your registration expires so that you can renew it on time.

Idaho Car Registration Renewal Options

If you are curious about how to renew your vehicle registration in ID, it is important to understand that there are two options that you may choose from. In general, you may either renew online or in person, depending on the county you reside in and/or your personal preference.

How to Renew Your Car Registration Online

You may renew a car registration online if you live in an eligible county in Idaho. If this method is offered in your county of residence, you can process your vehicle registration renewal online very easily. The steps for the online renewal include:

  1. Provide your license plate information.
  2. Provide your card number (found on a renewal notice).
  3. Submit your drivers license or identification number.
  4. Confirm that all information on file is correct.
  5. Pay the applicable renewal fees.
  6. Print your receipt.

Once you have completed the above steps, it is important that you print out the receipt and store it in your glove compartment. You can expect to receive your renewed paperwork and decals within 10 days.

How to Renew Your Car Registration in Person

It is important to understand where to renew car registration if you are not eligible to renew online or simply prefer to renew in person. You can complete the renewal at any ID county assessors motor vehicle office. To do so, you must follow these steps:

  1. Provide your license plate information.
  2. Submit your renewal notice card, if received.
  3. Submit your drivers license or photo identification card.
  4. Pay for the applicable renewal fees.

Military & Out of State Vehicle Registration Renewal in Idaho

If you are located out of state because of active duty military service or other reasons, you are still required to renew a vehicle registration in due time. To do so, you can either process a DMV registration renewal online or you may contact your local Idaho DMV office to inquire about other options such as the possibility of filing a mail-in request.

Idaho Vehicle Registration Renewal Fees

There is an auto registration renewal cost that you must pay for in order to submit your request. Whether you renew in person or online, you are responsible for paying the DMV registration renewal costs for your vehicle. The basic annual registration fees for passenger vehicles are as follows:

  • Vehicles one or two model years old: $69
  • Vehicles three to six model years old: $57
  • Vehicles seven or more model years old: $45

Note: There may be other costs that will be added to the standard annual DMV vehicle registration renewal fees. These additional costs vary depending on a number of different factors, including the model year, type and weight of the vehicle, as well as the inspection requirements and the county that you live in.

Last updated on Monday, March 9 2020.

Sources

  1. How do I renew my license plates online? from Idaho.gov