The Idaho Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) is excited to announce the launch of a new phone queue dedicated to registration renewals. Customers will be able to renew an existing vehicle registration over the phone in addition to online, in person, by video appointment, or in office.
“We are always looking for ways to offer more options for our customers,” explained DMV Administrator Lisa McClellan. “The dedicated phone queue is a great option for customers who can’t make it to the DMV but aren’t ready do it themselves online.”
When customers call 208-584-4343 to renew their vehicle registration, they will be placed in a phone queue, and the next available agent—either from ITD or a county office—will assist them. County transactions processed through this system will continue to include the county’s administrative fee.
Over a dozen other transactions, including driver’s license renewals, change of address, and more, are available through the DMV’s online self-service portal at www.dmv.idaho.gov.
The Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) has closed the Twin Falls commercial registration and permitting office due to staffing changes.
ITD is working to reestablish commercial registration and permitting at the Hollister Port of Entry. In the meantime, Magic Valley commercial vehicle customers can still conduct business in several ways.
E-mail – All e-mails must be sent to cvs@itd.idaho.gov. Please reference your Motor Carrier Account Number on the subject line of your message. Documents must be in PDF format and inserted into your message as an attachment.
Boise Headquarters (drop box only, no in-person services) – 11331 West Chinden, Building 8 (do not mail or express mail to this location).
Mail – Motor Carrier Services, PO Box 7129, Boise ID 83707 or Express mail – 3311 W State Street, Boise, Idaho 83703.
Appointment – To schedule an in-person or phone appointment, go to idaho.gov/poe.
Huetter Port of Entry, 2 miles west of Coeur d’Alene on I-90. Phone 208-769-1551
Lewiston Port of Entry, 1 mile east of Lewiston on US-12/US-95. Phone 208-799-4824
Declo Port of Entry, MP 218.7 on I-84. Phone 208-878-6995
Inkom Port of Entry, 8 miles south of Pocatello on I-15. Phone 208-775-3311
Marsing Port of Entry, 6 miles south of State Highway 55/US 95. Phone 208-896-4814
East Boise Port of Entry, 11 miles east of Boise on I-84. Phone 208-334-3272
Sage Junction Port of Entry, 8 miles north of Roberts on I-15. Phone 208-228-3636
County DMV Office – County offices can register non-commercial vehicles; commercial-use power units through 26,000 pounds; farm-use power units through 60,000 pounds; annual renewal trailers; and permanent trailers.
All locations can process titles for private sale new purchases. Titles for dealer sales will be handled by the dealer.
Here are some tips for your pre-clearance devices that may help you legally bypass the port.
Using your license plate for pre-clearance
Idaho weigh-in-motion stations are equipped with License Plate Readers (LPR) that read a vehicles plate number to then determine compliance based on all credentials and safety data that is linked to that plate number. This technology allows Commercial vehicles to be screened without the need of a transponder.
The information listed below will help ensure that your license plate is read correctly when going through one of the locations.
Mount the plate in accordance of Idaho statue 49-428:
Every license plate shall at all times be securely fastened to the vehicle to which it is assigned to prevent the plate from swinging, be at a height not less than twelve (12) inches from the ground, measuring from the bottom of the plate, be in a place and position to be clearly visible, and shall be maintained free from foreign materials and in a condition to be clearly legible, and all registration stickers shall be securely attached to the license plates and shall be displayed as provided in section 49-443(4), Idaho Code.
Ensure front-end safety equipment and license plate holders are not obscuring your license plate.
Bent and or distorted plates should be straightened out or replaced.
LPR camera cannot read a partially covered plate.
Using your transponder for pre-clearance
Your transponder should be placed in the top, center of your windshield where a rear-view mirror would be in a car, below any metal visors that could block the signal.
If you update your registration or any other vehicle information, you need to contact your transponder provider to keep your information up to date.
Washington administers the transponder program and database. Contact the Washington Service Center at (888) 877-8567 or visit the Washington DOT website.
If you are still having trouble gaining pre-clearance with your transponder, come into the port office to have one of our inspectors run a report to find out exactly WHY you are being pulled in.
You can file your Form 2290 Heavy Highway Vehicle Use Tax (HVUT) online!
Although you cannot file your Form 2290 with the Idaho Transportation Department, all of the information that is needed to file with the IRS can be found below.
You must know the taxable gross weight of your vehicle(s). If you do not know, you can figure your taxable gross weight by using the instructions provided by the IRS.
Your name on your Form 2290 must be the same as the name on your EIN.
You must have a complete vehicle identification number (VIN).
BOISE— Idahoans can now make a virtual appointment to renew their vehicle registration. The Idaho Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) now offers virtual appointments for motor vehicle transactions. After a six-month soft launch and testing period, the DMV is ready to roll out virtual appointments to more customers.
“We’re always looking for more ways to serve our customers. Virtual appointments are great for folks who want to Skip the Trip to the DMV, but still want to talk to a real person,” explained DMV Administrator Lisa McClellan. “Our county agents will guide them through the virtual appointment and make sure they have all the help they need.”
Employees from several county DMV offices are offering virtual appointments, but customers from anywhere in the state can book them.
Customers can book an appointment online by going to dmv.idaho.gov and clicking the Schedule Virtual Motor Vehicle Appointment link in the top left box on the webpage. When the appointment time arrives, they will be seen by an employee via videoconferencing software. Customers must have a device (cellphone, laptop, tablet, etc.) with working video and audio capabilities. See the user guide for how to schedule appointments.
Currently, virtual appointments are only available for registration renewals. The DMV is exploring ways to offer more services via virtual appointments in the future. Over a dozen other transactions, including driver’s license renewals, change of address, and more, are available through the DMV’s online self-service portal at dmv.idaho.gov.
The Idaho Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) is excited to announce that CJ Kendrick has been promoted to the position of Idaho Transportation Department Division of Motor Vehicles Deputy Administrator. Kendrick has been an invaluable member of the ITD DMV team for over eleven years, filling several critical roles within the DMV. Most recently, he served as the Vehicle Services Manager for the past two years.
Kendrick has been a champion of innovation, particularly with the “Skip the Trip” initiative for DMV customers. His dedication to serving Idahoans and providing convenient alternatives is unwavering.
“Serving Idahoans and providing Skip the Trip alternatives is my main focus. Citizens of Idaho deserve the ability to be able to choose how they interact with the department and a DMV that looks for ways to say ‘Yes’. I am humbled to be selected for this opportunity and look forward to the new challenges facing the DMV as we expand the ways we interact with our customers,” said Kendrick.
In addition to his extensive experience with the DMV, Kendrick is an Army veteran who served in Afghanistan as a flight medic. His eleven years with DMV have involved many diverse roles, from ports of entry, dealer operations, motor vehicle investigation, title unit supervision, and vehicle services management. This breadth and depth of experience have thoroughly prepared him for this new leadership position as the DMV Deputy Administrator.
“Please join me in congratulating CJ Kendrick on his well-deserved promotion,” said DMV Administrator Lisa McClellan.
Several changes are coming to the Idaho Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) on July 1 as new legislation takes effect. These changes will improve customer service and offer more options to Idahoans.
Driver’s License and ID Cards
Customers who are eligible to renew their driver’s license online will get a $5 discount for completing the transaction online.
The requirements for getting a free identification card (ID) for voting have been reduced. Legislation has removed the rule that applicants must not have had a valid driver’s license for 6 months before applying for the free ID.
Commercial Drivers and Vehicles
Commercial drivers will now be able to get a commercial driver’s license (CDL) for eight years. The previous limit for CDLs was four years. CDLs will also be checked against the National Drug and Alcohol Clearing House.
DMV will now issue two-year weighted registrations for commercial and non-commercial vehicles up to 60,000 lbs. The previous limit was one year.
License Plates
Idaho will offer a Space Force Plate to eligible customers.
All Purple Heart recipients will be able to get a Purple Heart plate for free. Previously the fee exemption only applied to disabled Purple Heart recipients.
Legislation also created a Gadsden Flag “Don’t Tread on Me” plate. Plate sales will help fund educational grants for firearms safety training. While the legislation goes into effect on July 1, per the timeline included in the law, plates will be made available by January 1, 2025.
Driver’s Education
Parents in rural school districts or districts without driver’s education programs will be able to teach the on-the-road portion of driver’s ed. Parents must keep a log of drive time and skills learned. Students will complete the classroom driver’s ed course through the Idaho Digital Learning Alliance (IDLA). More information is available from the Idaho Department of Education.
Other
The definition of “resident” to get a vehicle registration, title, license, or identification card has been changed from 90 days to 30 days. This does not change the definition of resident for voting purposes.
If an owner wants to sell a vehicle that has no active registration, they can get up to two 30-day temporary registrations for the purpose of selling the vehicle.
BOISE— The Idaho Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) is experiencing intermittent outages with driver’s knowledge testing stations. Idaho is one of several states impacted by an issue with the driver’s testing stations provided by a vendor.
In a statement provided to the DMV, the vendor’s representatives said, “We are taking immediate action to make architectural changes to alleviate the interruptions in service.”
Idaho uses touch-screen computer stations to give new drivers and new residents the written portion of the Idaho driver’s test, also called the knowledge test.
On May 29, 2024, the DMV created paper tests for when the testing stations go down so customers can keep their appointments and get their credentials. It is up to each driver’s license office to implement the paper tests.
“While paper tests may be old school, they are reliable. We’ll do whatever we can to provide continuity of service for our customers,” explained DMV Administrator Lisa McClellan.
In light of the intermittent outage, the DMV is also exploring options for online testing in the future.
Idahoans who order new license plates can now track their plate through the shipping process. The Idaho Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) has added plate tracking to the DMV’s online portal.
“Customers are used to tracking their online orders, so it was natural to add that feature to our online portal,” explained DMV Administrator Lisa McClellan. “This was also a case where we could provide better service and save money.”
In addition to package tracking, the DMV’s new plate mailing system saves taxpayer dollars on postage. Previously equal amounts of postage were applied to all packages regardless of distance to save on labor. The new automated system applies the correct amount of postage based on destination and has address validation, which prevents mailing plates to incorrect or non-existent addresses. The DMV anticipates saving $100,000 a year on postage.
To track a plate, customers must sign in or create their DMV online account at www.dmv.idaho.gov. Navigate to the “Garage” and select the vehicle the plate was ordered for. There will be an option to “Track plate order” in the vehicle services menu.
After clicking that button, the customer will see the date that the order was mailed, a tracking number, and a link to track the package through the U.S. Postal Service (USPS). If the plate has not been mailed yet there will not be tracking information available.
License plates typically take 4-6 weeks to manufacture and ship.
The DMV’s website, www.dmv.idaho.gov, is a one-stop-shop for everything DMV. Over a dozen transactions can be completed online, from a change of address to registration renewals. Text and email notifications are also available. Customers searching the web should be wary of imitation and scam websites claiming to offer DMV services. The safest option is always to type www.dmv.idaho.govdirectly into your browser bar. Skip the Trip, save time, and go online to dmv.idaho.gov.
The Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) and Tyler Idaho are offering commercial fleets a Driver Record Dashboard (DRD) to help companies manage their driver risks. The DRD service allows motor carriers to build a roster of Idaho drivers to monitor changes and receive an alert if any of their drivers’ statuses change.
Benefits:
Driver roster is checked twice a month (early and mid-month) for changes.
Email notification when a driver’s status changes.
Status changes include new conviction/suspension, a class change, expired or cancelled DLR.
Nightly monitoring for medical certification issues and expiration dates.
Flags records, driver’s licenses, and CDL expiration dates are for review and download.
Companies can build a roster one driver at a time or through bulk employee uploading. After building the roster you can purchase driver records individually or in bulk. If there is an issue with a driver’s status, the tracking history is saved each month, to create a compliance record. The record will be a full view of a driver’s history and available for review for 24 months.
Auto dealers, bus companies, school districts, state agencies, and food distribution fleets have used DRD for managing multiple driver records and compliance.
What does DRD Cost?
Monthly DRD service $10.00/month
Twice a month monitoring fee per record $0.16
Automatic record pull following a status change $10.00/Driver’s license record (DLR)
Manual driver’s license record pull $10.00/DLR
Tyler Idaho subscription $95/year
For more information on participating in this program call Tyler Idaho at 208-332-0102 or visit https://www.tyleridaho.com/demo/drd/ to view a demo and sign up.
