Idaho Code § 49-443
This is the official text of Idaho Code § 49-443, part of Idaho’s Code — part of the compiled statutory law of Idaho, published by the state as "Code." Browse the sections below, each linked to its official government source.
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49-443 LICENSE PLATES TO BE FURNISHED BY DEPARTMENT — FORM AND CONTENTS.
Official statutory text
49-443. License plates to be furnished by department — Form and contents. (1) The assessor or the department shall furnish to every owner whose vehicle is registered or licensed by that office, pursuant to sections 49-402 and 49-402A, Idaho Code, one (1) license plate for vehicles registered under the provisions of section 49-406, 49-406A or 49-408, Idaho Code, or a motorcycle, trailer, truck-tractor, or semitrailer; one (1) restricted vehicle license plate for all-terrain vehicles, utility type vehicles and motorbikes licensed pursuant to this chapter; and two (2) license plates for every other motor vehicle. If a vehicle is issued one (1) plate only, that plate shall be displayed in accordance with the provisions of section 49-428, Idaho Code. For vehicles registered under the provisions of section 49-407, Idaho Code, the applicant shall provide one (1) plate to be displayed on the rear of the vehicle.
(a) Commencing January 1, 1992, the color and design of the plates shall be comparable to the color and design of the statehood centennial issue of license plates with blue numerals and letters on a multicolored red, white and blue background. Each license plate must bear on its face the inscriptions "Famous Potatoes" and "Scenic Idaho." The restricted vehicle license plate for all-terrain vehicles, utility type vehicles and motorbikes shall be a white background with black numerals and letters, with "Idaho Restricted Vehicle" and no other inscription. The restricted vehicle license plate shall be the same size required for the motorcycle license plate.
(b) Every license plate shall have displayed on it the registration number assigned to the vehicle and its owner and the name "Idaho," which may be abbreviated. The plates issued under the provisions of section 49-402(1), Idaho Code, and the required letters and numerals, including an identification of the county in which the motor vehicle to which the plates will be affixed is registered, shall be of sufficient size to be plainly readable from a distance of seventy-five (75) feet during daylight, and each license plate shall be treated with a fully reflectorized material according to specifications prescribed by the board.
(2) License plates shall be valid for as long as they are readable and legible and comply with section 49-428, Idaho Code. For specialty license plate programs discontinued pursuant to the provisions of section 49-402C, Idaho Code, a registrant with a specialty license plate currently registered under the program may use such license plate as long as the license plate is readable and legible. This provision is intended to permit the use of the specialty plate by the registrant regardless of the number of persons who purchase the specialty plate. The registrant shall be required to pay the special plate program fees provided for specialty plates pursuant to this chapter. Such fees shall be deposited into the state highway account. For purposes of section 49-434, Idaho Code, as it applies to commercial vehicles, and section 49-435, Idaho Code, the department shall provide new plates bearing the same number or, upon request from the registered owner, the next available number.
(3) If registration is not renewed within sixty (60) days of its expiration, the related plate number shall be available for use by another registrant. To obtain a specific number in the recycled license plate number file, the owner of a registered vehicle may contact the county regarding availability. The provisions of this subsection shall apply only to vehicles registered under the provisions of section 49-402(1), Idaho Code, and section 49-434(1), Idaho Code, as it applies to noncommercial vehicles.
be available for use by another registrant. To obtain a specific number in the recycled license plate number file, the owner of a registered vehicle may contact the county regarding availability. The provisions of this subsection shall apply only to vehicles registered under the provisions of section 49-402(1), Idaho Code, and section 49-434(1), Idaho Code, as it applies to noncommercial vehicles.
(4) License plates for utility trailers registered under the provisions of section 49-402A, Idaho Code, that are issued for five (5) or ten (10) years and license plates for rental utility trailers registered under the provisions of section 49-434, Idaho Code, that are issued for up to five (5) years shall use the design in effect on the date of manufacture. If a design change occurs, plates from the effective date of the design change shall be manufactured using the new design. Unexpired plates need not be reissued to conform to a design change.
(5) For license plates that are lost, stolen, mutilated, or illegible, the owner shall apply for a duplicate or substitute. License plates issued for state, county and city motor vehicles shall remain on the vehicle for which issued from year to year and need no renewal.
(6) Whenever a vehicle is completely destroyed by fire or accident and the operator submits satisfactory proof of that destruction to the department or appropriate assessor's office, or the owner wishes to transfer the remaining registration, use increment and fees shall be transferred to the replacement vehicle for a service transfer fee of five dollars ($5.00), which fee shall be retained by the registering authority. None of the original fees shall be subject to refund.
(7) The department shall furnish a printed or an electronic copy of the registration card to every owner whose vehicle is registered under sections 49-434 and 49-435, Idaho Code.
(8) The board shall have authority to require the return to the department of all license plates and registration cards upon termination of the lawful use of them by the owner.
(9) The board may promulgate such rules as are necessary to implement the provisions of this section.
History:
[49-443, added 1992, ch. 186, sec. 3, p. 579; am. 1996, ch. 396, sec. 2, p. 1327; am. 1997, ch. 129, sec. 10, p. 391; am. 1998, ch. 392, sec. 15, p. 1221; am. 2001, ch. 73, sec. 12, p. 165; am. 2007, ch. 23, sec. 2, p. 45; am. 2008, ch. 409, sec. 6, p. 1132; am. 2013, ch. 96, sec. 1, p. 233; am. 2014, ch. 38, sec. 8, p. 76; am. 2016, ch. 121, sec. 1, p. 353; am. 2020, ch. 86, sec. 1, p. 230; am. 2020, ch. 125, sec. 7, p. 392; am. 2021, ch. 321, sec. 36, p. 979; am. 2026, ch. 9, sec. 9, p. 76; am. 2026, ch. 29, sec. 1, p. 125.]
(a) Commencing January 1, 1992, the color and design of the plates shall be comparable to the color and design of the statehood centennial issue of license plates with blue numerals and letters on a multicolored red, white and blue background. Each license plate must bear on its face the inscriptions "Famous Potatoes" and "Scenic Idaho." The restricted vehicle license plate for all-terrain vehicles, utility type vehicles and motorbikes shall be a white background with black numerals and letters, with "Idaho Restricted Vehicle" and no other inscription. The restricted vehicle license plate shall be the same size required for the motorcycle license plate.
(b) Every license plate shall have displayed on it the registration number assigned to the vehicle and its owner and the name "Idaho," which may be abbreviated. The plates issued under the provisions of section 49-402(1), Idaho Code, and the required letters and numerals, including an identification of the county in which the motor vehicle to which the plates will be affixed is registered, shall be of sufficient size to be plainly readable from a distance of seventy-five (75) feet during daylight, and each license plate shall be treated with a fully reflectorized material according to specifications prescribed by the board.
(2) License plates shall be valid for as long as they are readable and legible and comply with section 49-428, Idaho Code. For specialty license plate programs discontinued pursuant to the provisions of section 49-402C, Idaho Code, a registrant with a specialty license plate currently registered under the program may use such license plate as long as the license plate is readable and legible. This provision is intended to permit the use of the specialty plate by the registrant regardless of the number of persons who purchase the specialty plate. The registrant shall be required to pay the special plate program fees provided for specialty plates pursuant to this chapter. Such fees shall be deposited into the state highway account. For purposes of section 49-434, Idaho Code, as it applies to commercial vehicles, and section 49-435, Idaho Code, the department shall provide new plates bearing the same number or, upon request from the registered owner, the next available number.
(3) If registration is not renewed within sixty (60) days of its expiration, the related plate number shall be available for use by another registrant. To obtain a specific number in the recycled license plate number file, the owner of a registered vehicle may contact the county regarding availability. The provisions of this subsection shall apply only to vehicles registered under the provisions of section 49-402(1), Idaho Code, and section 49-434(1), Idaho Code, as it applies to noncommercial vehicles.
be available for use by another registrant. To obtain a specific number in the recycled license plate number file, the owner of a registered vehicle may contact the county regarding availability. The provisions of this subsection shall apply only to vehicles registered under the provisions of section 49-402(1), Idaho Code, and section 49-434(1), Idaho Code, as it applies to noncommercial vehicles.
(4) License plates for utility trailers registered under the provisions of section 49-402A, Idaho Code, that are issued for five (5) or ten (10) years and license plates for rental utility trailers registered under the provisions of section 49-434, Idaho Code, that are issued for up to five (5) years shall use the design in effect on the date of manufacture. If a design change occurs, plates from the effective date of the design change shall be manufactured using the new design. Unexpired plates need not be reissued to conform to a design change.
(5) For license plates that are lost, stolen, mutilated, or illegible, the owner shall apply for a duplicate or substitute. License plates issued for state, county and city motor vehicles shall remain on the vehicle for which issued from year to year and need no renewal.
(6) Whenever a vehicle is completely destroyed by fire or accident and the operator submits satisfactory proof of that destruction to the department or appropriate assessor's office, or the owner wishes to transfer the remaining registration, use increment and fees shall be transferred to the replacement vehicle for a service transfer fee of five dollars ($5.00), which fee shall be retained by the registering authority. None of the original fees shall be subject to refund.
(7) The department shall furnish a printed or an electronic copy of the registration card to every owner whose vehicle is registered under sections 49-434 and 49-435, Idaho Code.
(8) The board shall have authority to require the return to the department of all license plates and registration cards upon termination of the lawful use of them by the owner.
(9) The board may promulgate such rules as are necessary to implement the provisions of this section.
History:
[49-443, added 1992, ch. 186, sec. 3, p. 579; am. 1996, ch. 396, sec. 2, p. 1327; am. 1997, ch. 129, sec. 10, p. 391; am. 1998, ch. 392, sec. 15, p. 1221; am. 2001, ch. 73, sec. 12, p. 165; am. 2007, ch. 23, sec. 2, p. 45; am. 2008, ch. 409, sec. 6, p. 1132; am. 2013, ch. 96, sec. 1, p. 233; am. 2014, ch. 38, sec. 8, p. 76; am. 2016, ch. 121, sec. 1, p. 353; am. 2020, ch. 86, sec. 1, p. 230; am. 2020, ch. 125, sec. 7, p. 392; am. 2021, ch. 321, sec. 36, p. 979; am. 2026, ch. 9, sec. 9, p. 76; am. 2026, ch. 29, sec. 1, p. 125.]
Status: in_force · Read it on the official government site
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