The Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) is working to improve customer service and streamline operations by addressing the annual influx of Full Fee commercial vehicle registration renewals in December and January. With thousands of registrations expiring during these two months, the high volume of transactions creates challenges in maintaining timely processing for all customers.
To mitigate this issue, ITD has been offering customers the option to select a different registration expiration month in their Full Fee renewal packets for the past three years. This initiative is designed to evenly distribute registration renewals throughout the year, enabling the Commercial Vehicle Services team to provide faster, more efficient support.
What Full Fee Customers Need to Know
Action Required for December/January Renewals
If you submit your Full Fee renewal without selecting an expiration month other than December or January, you will receive the following email when your renewal invoice is generated:
In order to serve our customers more efficiently and reduce the extremely high volume of renewals that come in every December and January, please select a vehicle registration expiration month that is not December or January, as indicated on the flyer that was included in your renewal packet.
Please be aware that if a month of expiration other than December or January is not selected, you will be assigned an expiration month for the 2026 renewal period.
If you have a preference on a month of expiration (other than December or January), do not pay the attached invoice. Instead, reply to this message and inform ITD which month you prefer your registration renewal, and a new invoice will be provided.
The email also explains payment options for the current invoice if you choose not to change expiration months at this time.
Default Assignment for Future Renewals
Customers who do not select an alternate expiration month will automatically be assigned a non-December/January expiration month for their 2026 renewal period.
By spreading the workload across all 12 months, ITD aims to improve processing times and ensure a smoother renewal process for everyone.
For questions or assistance, please contact the ITD Commercial Vehicle Services team at cvs@itd.idaho.gov or (208) 872-3163.
The Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) is reminding all recreational vehicle (RV) owners that their RV registration renewals are due by the end of the year. To avoid any last-minute rush, ITD encourages RV owners to take advantage of online renewal options and “skip the trip” to the DMV. By renewing online, you can bypass waiting in line and handle the process from the comfort of your home. This convenient service is available 24/7 at www.dmv.idaho.gov
“Renewing your RV registration online is quick, easy, and efficient,” said Idaho Transportation Department DMV Administrator, Lisa McClellan. “We know that many RV owners are preparing for travel or simply want to avoid the busy DMV offices, so we strongly encourage everyone to take advantage of the online tools available.”
Key Benefits of Renewing Online:
Convenience: Renew from anywhere, anytime—no need to visit a DMV office.
Time-Saving: Skip the lines and complete your renewal in minutes.
Instant Processing: Your renewal will be processed immediately, and you’ll receive your registration materials by mail.
To begin your online RV renewal or to find additional information on the renewal process, visit the ITD DMV website at www.dmv.idaho.gov
ITD is committed to providing Idaho residents with accessible, efficient, and secure services to ensure a smooth and hassle-free renewal experience. For those who may need additional assistance, ITD offers helpful customer service through the website and by phone.
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.
