FAQs

I just bought a car from a private party, how can I get it registered?: If you put a copy of the bill of sale/title in the back window this suffices as a 72-hour temporary registration. Please come into the DMV office as soon as possible to transfer the title and get registered.

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DMV

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1. Do you do Driver's Licenses?: No. In Idaho the Motor Vehicle and Driver's License offices are completely separate offices. The County Assessor's Office operates the Motor Vehicle Division, and the County Sheriff is in charge of the Driver's License Division. These offices are located next to each other for your convenience. Please pay close attention to your selection when getting in line or making an appointment on QLESS. We can not honor an appointment made for the Driver's License Office.

2. I just bought a car from a private party, how can I get it registered?: If you put a copy of the bill of sale/title in the back window this suffices as a 72-hour temporary registration. Please come into the DMV office as soon as possible to transfer the title and get registered.

3. I’m moving here from out of state, what do I need to register my car?

You will need to bring the title, all current owner ID’s, and the vehicle with you for a VIN inspection.

If you have a loan on your vehicle and do not have the title, you must bring:

Current owner(s) ID’s
Social Security numbers
Copy of your registration
Vehicle Loan Account number
Fax number for the Titles Department of your Lien Holder.

4. I’ve made an appointment for the DMV but don’t remember when it is?: A confirmation text and email containing detailed information about your appointment will have been sent to you when you made the appointment. Please check your records for this communication.

5. I have an appointment because I just bought a car, what do I need?

In general, you will need:

The Title
Bill of Sale
The vehicle

If the vehicle has an out of state title please bring the vehicle with you so that we can do a vin inspection. Vin inspections can also be performed by a member of law enforcement.

6. My tags expired and I can’t get in right away what can I do?: Please renew your tags online using ITD’s Vehicle Registration Renewal service available by clicking here. This online service makes renewing your vehicle registration simple, safe and convenient. If you need to change your address you must submit this form and have it processed by ITD prior to renewing your vehicle registration.

7. I don’t have the QLESS app, how can I make an appointment?: Here is a link to our DMV page for making an appointment. In addition to this, we are open daily for walk-ins.

8. I sent off my tabs to be renewed by mail, how can I check their status?: Please utilize the registration status checker.

9. I’m trying to renew my off highway atv/utv stickers, snowmobile registration, and/or boat registration where do I go?: You can renew these at both the DMV locations, or you can visit Idaho Parks and Recreation and renew online.

10. Where do I go to register and title my vehicle in Idaho?

You can register vehicles in Kootenai County at either:

Coeur d’Alene Department of Motor Vehicles
451 Government Way
Coeur d’Alene, ID 83814

Post Falls Motor Vehicles Office
120 E Railroad Avenue
Post Falls, ID 83854

Generally, service hours are 8:15 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

11. What are the office hours for motor vehicle licensing?: Both motor vehicle licensing locations provide vehicle registration and titling service between 7:15am - 4:00pm Monday thru Friday, except Holidays or special occasions (ITD system events, staff training, etc...). The QLESS system will automatically not accept appointments once all daily appointment slots have been filled. Title work can be time consuming and must be initiated prior to 3:45pm.

12. Which vehicles must be registered and titled in Idaho?

Generally, any vehicle operated on public highways must be registered and titled. Also, various boats and watercraft are required to be titled. Any motorized boat used on Idaho waterways must be registered. Contact the Department of Motor Vehicles if you need to title or register.

Title

Ambulances
Any trailers over 2,000 pounds
ATVs (all terrain vehicles)
Boats/watercraft
Buses
Motor homes
Motorcycles/motorbikes
Passenger cars and pickups
Snowmobiles
Taxis
Travel trailers
Trucks (non-commercial and commercial)
Wreckers

Mobile homes and manufactured homes (usually need a pre-paid tax receipt from the Treasurer's Office)

Registrations

All of the above, plus:

Boat trailers
Commercial trailers
Off-highway stickers
Pickup mounted campers
Rental trailers
Snowmobile groomers
Temporary handicap placards
Utility trailers

For more information, visit our DMV page.

13. What should I bring when registering for my vehicle registration and title?

Bring the vehicle you want to title and register.
You will need to have the vehicle identification number (VIN) inspected. This inspection can generally be performed by a deputy of either the Department of Motor Vehicles (Assessor's Office) or by a law enforcement agency. All Idaho dealers or law enforcement agencies can do Vehicle Identification Number inspections.
Bring the vehicle's current title and registration.
If the vehicle has not been titled in your name, be sure the title has been signed over to you by the seller and that you have a bill of sale from the seller. If a lien holder holds the title, bring the lien holder's name and address. If your title has been lost, you will need to apply for a duplicate title from the state of issuance.
Bring your personal identification.
This could be a driver's license, identification card, etc.
Bring cash or a check associated with a local bank for payment of the applicable taxes and fees.
Late Filing Penalty
A $20 late filing penalty can be charged if you do not have a title in your name and you have been living in Idaho for 120 days. The late filing penalty applies to any Idaho resident who does not apply for title within 30 days of the purchase of either a titled vehicle or a titled vessel.
County Fees
For other fees Kootenai County may charge, contact the Department of Motor Vehicles.

For more information, contact the either the Coeur d'Alene or Post Falls Vehicle Licensing Office.

14. What if I am still making payments on my out of state vehicle?

If you are in this situation, you must bring all of the following items to our office: