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updateUpdated 2026-10-12

Idaho License Plate Lookup

Run a free Idaho license plate lookup above. Decode any ID plate for make, model, year, trim, open recalls, and crash safety ratings — sourced directly from NHTSA. No account, no credit card.

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IDAHO1A 12345

1.7M

Registered Vehicles

Idaho (FHWA)

Since 1913

Idaho Transportation Department

1A 12345

Idaho (ID) License Plate Lookup: Quick Facts

Agency	Idaho Transportation Department — Division of Motor Vehicles
Issuance year	1913
Current format	1A 12345 — Seven characters on the current 'Scenic Idaho' design with mountains: county prefix (1=Ada, 2=Adams, etc.) + 1 letter + 5 digits. Idaho is a two-plate state.
Plates required	Two (front and rear)
Replacement fee	$4.96
Registration validity	1 year
Registered vehicles	1.7M (approx.)
DMV contact	1-208-334-8000 · itd.idaho.gov/itddmv/

How do I look up an Idaho license plate?

A idaho license plate lookup (or ID license plate lookup) takes under 10 seconds. No account, no credit card, no upsells for the standard vehicle report.

1
Enter the Idaho license plate number in the search field above. Spaces and dashes are optional.
2
Confirm ID is selected in the state dropdown — plate numbers can repeat across states, so the state is required for accurate matching.
3
Press Search Plate. You'll see make, model, year, trim, engine, open recalls, and NHTSA crash safety ratings in seconds.

Run a ID plate lookuparrow_forward

What does an Idaho license plate lookup reveal?

Idaho License Plate Lookup (free) returns vehicle-level data only. Personal driver and owner information is protected under the federal DPPA and is not accessible through this site or any other free lookup.

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DPPA notice — vehicle data only

This Idaho license plate lookup returns vehicle information only — make, model, year, recalls, and safety ratings from NHTSA's public database. We do not return the registered owner's name, address, phone number, email, driving record, or any other personal information about the driver. Personal driver and owner information is protected under the federal Driver's Privacy Protection Act of 1994 (18 U.S.C. § 2721) and is not lawfully accessible through any free public lookup.

Free — available here

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check_circleEngine size, cylinders, fuel type
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check_circleOpen NHTSA safety recalls
check_circleNHTSA crash test ratings
check_circleEPA fuel economy (MPG)
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boltState of registration history
boltTheft / total-loss records

Registered owner name, address, contact details, and driving records are protected under the federal Driver's Privacy Protection Act (18 U.S.C. § 2721) and are not returned by this site or any other free public lookup. This tool provides vehicle-level data only — make, model, year, recalls, safety ratings, and EPA fuel economy — sourced from NHTSA and EPA public databases.

What does an Idaho license plate format look like?

Seven characters on the current 'Scenic Idaho' design with mountains: county prefix (1=Ada, 2=Adams, etc.) + 1 letter + 5 digits. Idaho is a two-plate state. The Idaho license plate number lookup tool above accepts spaces, dashes, and historical Idaho plate formats.

IDAHO1A 12345

Idaho license plate number lookup: format history

Era	Format	Example
1913–1944	Sequential numeric / county-prefixed	12-3456
1945–1981	County-coded numeric (1=Ada, 2=Adams alphabetical)	1A 1234
1982–1991	County prefix + 5 characters ('Famous Potatoes')	1A 12345
1992–2007	County prefix + 5 characters (mountain/'Scenic Idaho')	1A 12345
2008–2016	County prefix + 1 letter + 5 digits (Centennial / Scenic refreshed)	1A 12345
2017–present	County prefix + 1 letter + 5 digits ('Scenic Idaho' updated)	1A 12345

Idaho license plate laws you should know

Below are the four laws that most often trip up Idaho drivers. Rules are enforced at the stop, the inspection station, and at registration renewal.

Two plates required

Idaho requires two plates — front and rear — on every passenger vehicle under Idaho Code § 49-428. Failure to display either plate can result in fines.

Front plate rule

No exemption exists for vehicles lacking a front mounting bracket. Owners must install a bracket or face a citation under § 49-428.

Registration stickers & display

Idaho issues a registration sticker affixed to the upper-right corner of the rear plate showing the month and year of expiration. Registration is renewed annually.

Inspection / smog check

Idaho requires emissions testing only in Ada County (Boise metro area) for gasoline vehicles 5–25 model years old. The Ada County Air Quality Board administers the program. There is no statewide safety inspection requirement.

Types of Idaho license plates

Idaho issues dozens of plate designs. These are the main categories you'll encounter on the road or see at the DMV counter.

Standard Idaho / Scenic Idaho

Default plate with the iconic Idaho mountain design issued in the county-prefix format. Two plates required.

Personalized / Vanity

Up to 7 characters on the standard or specialty backgrounds. $25 above standard registration through Idaho DMV.

Disabled / Disabled Veteran

ISA wheelchair symbol; qualifies for accessible parking statewide. DV plates carry waived fees for qualifying veterans.

Military specialty

Purple Heart, Bronze Star, Silver Star, POW, Pearl Harbor Survivor, Gold Star Family, and branch-specific plates.

Special interest

Boise State Broncos, U of Idaho Vandals, Idaho State Bengals, Sawtooth, Wildlife, Bluebird, and dozens of cause plates.

Old Timer / Year of Manufacture

Old Timer plates for vehicles 30+ years old; YOM plates allow restored era-correct plates on classic vehicles.

How much does a Idaho license plate cost?

Typical Idaho DMV fees for plates, registration, and related services. Always confirm current amounts on the official DMV site before paying.

Annual registration (passenger, varies by age)	$45–$69 (1–2 years old) decreasing to $35 (8+ years)
Replacement plate (per pair)	$4.96
Personalized plate	$25 above standard registration
Specialty plate	$25–$70 (varies by plate)
Title fee	$14
Initial plate fee	$11.75

Source: Idaho Transportation Department — Division of Motor Vehicles — https://itd.idaho.gov/itddmv/

What if my Idaho plate is lost, stolen, or damaged?

Follow these steps to replace a Idaho license plate. Do not keep driving with a missing plate — it is a citable offense in most states.

1
File a police report immediately if the plates were stolen.
2
Visit your local County Assessor's Motor Vehicle office (registration is handled at the county level in Idaho).
3
Complete the Application for Duplicate Plate (Form ITD 3367) with vehicle information.
4
Pay the $4.96 replacement fee.
5
Surrender any remaining plate from the pair before substitute plates are issued.

Idaho DMV contact & privacy

Official agency

Idaho Transportation Department — Division of Motor Vehicles

call1-208-334-8000

languageitd.idaho.gov/itddmv/

DPPA privacy notice

Personal information tied to a Idaho license plate — driver name, address, date of birth, phone number, email, and driving record — is protected by the federal Driver's Privacy Protection Act (18 U.S.C. § 2721) and is not returned by this site. This page and the lookup tool provide vehicle-level data only: make, model, year, trim, recalls, and safety ratings from NHTSA's public database.

Frequently asked questions

Common questions about Idaho license plate lookups, DMV rules, and plate replacement.

How do I run an Idaho license plate lookup?expand_more

Enter any Idaho plate in the search field above and press Check Plate. You'll get the vehicle's make, model, year, trim, open NHTSA recalls, and crash ratings — free, no signup required.

Does Idaho require a front license plate?expand_more

Yes. Idaho Code § 49-428 requires passenger vehicles to display two plates — one on the front and one on the rear. There is no exemption for vehicles sold without a front bracket.

How much does a replacement Idaho plate cost?expand_more

The replacement fee is $4.96 for a new plate pair. Replacements are processed at your local County Assessor's Motor Vehicle office using Form ITD 3367.

What is the current Idaho license plate format?expand_more

The standard Idaho passenger plate uses a 7-character format with a county prefix: 1 = Ada (Boise), 2 = Adams, alphabetical from there, followed by one letter and five digits (e.g., 1A 12345) on the 'Scenic Idaho' mountain design.

Are Idaho license plate records public?expand_more

No. Owner information tied to an Idaho plate is protected under the federal Driver's Privacy Protection Act (DPPA) and Idaho Code § 49-202. Free lookups return only vehicle-level data.

Does Idaho require emissions testing?expand_more

Idaho requires emissions testing only in Ada County (Boise metro) for gasoline vehicles 5–25 model years old. There is no statewide safety inspection requirement.

How do I get a personalized Idaho plate?expand_more

Personalized plates are ordered through your County Assessor or at itd.idaho.gov/itddmv for $25 above standard registration fees. Up to 7 characters are allowed.

What is the leading number on Idaho plates?expand_more

Idaho plates carry a county code prefix that identifies the county of registration. 1 = Ada (Boise), 2 = Adams, 3 = Bannock, and so on alphabetically through 44 counties. The system has been in use since the 1940s and remains in place today.

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