IdahoH 05332026 regular legislative sessionHouseWALLET

TRANSPORTATION – Amends and adds to existing law to provide for the elimination of vehicle registration stickers.

Sponsored By: TRANSPORTATION AND DEFENSE COMMITTEE

Signed by Governor

TRANSPORTATION

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

11 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 4 costs, 4 mixed.

Optional state parks passport at registration

Beginning July 1, 2026, you can add a state parks passport to your vehicle registration: $10 for one year or $20 for two years. This is optional. The money goes to the park and recreation fund and is not treated as a vehicle registration fee.

Online break for motor carriers

Beginning July 1, 2026, Idaho‑based motor carriers pay no fee for a temporary clearance letter when they obtain and print it online. If not printed online, the fee is $18 per letter.

Driver suspension data shared with police

Beginning July 1, 2026, the department shares driver license suspension and revocation records with law enforcement through the public safety system. This helps officers access suspension data more quickly.

Show current-year sticker on plates

Beginning July 1, 2026, you must display the current‑year registration sticker on each license plate. This does not apply to trailers, semitrailers, or commercial vehicles over 26,000 lbs. The plate plus the registration sticker card count as your plate for that year.

New car and motorcycle registration fees

Beginning July 1, 2026, annual car and light‑truck registration fees are based on age: $69 for 1–2 years, $57 for 3–6 years, and $45 for 7+ years (up to 8,000 lbs and meeting federal safety rules). Motorcycles pay $19 each year. Idaho uses a 12‑month staggered system for renewals and expiration.

Specialty plate program fees set

Beginning July 1, 2026, most special plates cost $25 to start and $15 each year. Plates under a named section cost $70 to start and $50 each year. Some plates cost $25 to start and have no annual fee. New programs starting on or after January 1, 2013, cost $35 to start and $25 each year. These fees fund plate program administration in the state highway account unless law says otherwise.

Flat $24 fee for school buses

Beginning July 1, 2026, nonprofit or nonpublic schools, or contractors running school buses, pay $24 each year per bus. These registrations follow the staggered renewal system.

DMV service fees and online savings

Beginning July 1, 2026, the DMV charges set fees for services, including $14 for certified copies or titles, $26 for expedited titles, $7 per registration copy (plus up to $4 contractor fee), $5 VIN checks, $2 replacement stickers, $5 replacement receipts, $18 temporary clearance letters, $21 sample plates, and $3.50 to file a release of liability. If you file the release of liability online, the $3.50 fee is waived. A $4 administrative fee applies when the department completes your registration under listed rules.

Long-term trailer plates and fees

Beginning July 1, 2026, you can register a utility trailer for 1 year ($5), 5 years ($20), or 10 years ($30). If you sell the trailer, the card and plate stay with the seller until they expire. You can also choose a permanent trailer plate for a one‑time $99 fee. Permanent plates have no stickers and can be canceled if you do not answer an ownership check within 30 days.

Dealer and rental fleet plate fees

Beginning July 1, 2026, dealers pay $12 per validation sticker and are limited to two plates for up to 20 prior‑year sales, plus one plate for each additional 10 sales. The department may audit sales on renewal. Dealer loaner plates cost the same as a new‑vehicle registration fee. Rental fleets (over 25 vehicles, 16,000 lbs or less) can use rental stickers that stay valid for the vehicle’s life in the fleet; an extra $2 is charged per vehicle at first registration and annual registration must still be renewed.

How DMV and VIN fees are split

Beginning July 1, 2026, when some DMV fees are collected locally, the county keeps $3 or $4 and the rest goes to the state highway account. VIN inspection fees go to the city, county, authorized agent, State Police, or state highway account, based on who did the inspection. Motor‑carrier safety fees go to the state highway account, and the Transportation Department and State Police decide how much moves to the law enforcement fund.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

TRANSPORTATION AND DEFENSE COMMITTEE
Affiliation unavailable

Cosponsors

Treg A. Bernt
Republican • Senate
Jon O. Weber
Republican • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 98 • No: 6

House vote • 2/24/2026

House Floor Vote

Yes: 31 • No: 4

House vote • 2/9/2026