FAQs

I just bought a car from a private party, how can I get registration to be legal to drive it?: If you put a copy of the bill of sale/title in the back window this suffices as a temporary registration until you can get into the a vehicle licensing office to transfer the title and get registration. This rule is normally in place for a 72 hr period, but has been extended, like with all other expiring credentials, through the end of January per this ITD Extension Notice. It is recommended that you carry your paperwork and a copy of the ITD extension notice with you in case you do get stopped.

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Vehicle Licensing

1. 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.

2. How can I see if my tabs have been renewed, I sent it off in the mail?: Please utilize the registration status checker made available through ITD’s Online Services.

3. 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.

4. I’ve made an appointment for Vehicle Licensing but don’t remember what date?: 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’m trying to renew my off highway atv/utv stickers, snowmobile registration, and/or boat registration where do I go?: All off-highway stickers and snowmobile and boat registrations are given through Idaho Parks and Recreation. You may be able to renew online, click here to visit their website.

6. 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.

7. My tags are expired what can I do if I can’t get in and renew, will I get a ticket?: Law enforcement is aware of current service limitations. Idaho Transportation Department has put out an Extension Notification thru January 31, 2021, regarding expired credentials. All official ITD notifications of extensions are available by clicking here. It is recommended that you carry a copy of the extension notification during this time.

8. I don’t have the app, how can I make an appointment?: You can also use a regular PC or Mac to go to the Vehicle Licensing webpage (bottom of page) and make an appointment that way. Please make sure to write down your appointment time.

9. I just bought a car from a private party, how can I get registration to be legal to drive it?: If you put a copy of the bill of sale/title in the back window this suffices as a temporary registration until you can get into the a vehicle licensing office to transfer the title and get registration. This rule is normally in place for a 72 hr period, but has been extended, like with all other expiring credentials, through the end of January per this ITD Extension Notice. It is recommended that you carry your paperwork and a copy of the ITD extension notice with you in case you do get stopped.

10. I bought a car from a dealer and the temporary is about to expire?: Law enforcement is not ticketing folks for expired credentials through the end of January based on this ITD Extension Notification. It is recommended that you carry a copy of this extension and your paperwork with you in case you do get stopped.

11. Are there any other locations we can visit to get taken care of?: All Idaho vehicle licensing locations and their status are can be found on the ITD DMV Locations page. If deciding to go to another vehicle licensing location, please try and call ahead to make sure they are able to see you as they are also very busy with their counties customers..

12. I can’t make an appointment, how can I get help?: The appointments only go out for 45 days for both CDA and Post Falls vehicle licensing offices. The earlier you can log on and try to set an appointment the better as the next day’s available appointments open up at 12am. Appointments are made with the Qless app downloaded from Qless.com or through the county vehicle licensing website only.

13. 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.

14. What are the office hours for motor vehicle licensing?: Both motor vehicle licensing locations provide vehicle registration and titling service between 8:30am-4:30pm 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 4:30pm due to budget constraints on staff overtime past 5:00pm. Please plan accordingly so that we can effectively provide you with the service you need.

15. What 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 Vehicle Licensing Page.

16. When must I register and title my vehicle in Idaho?: You must register and title your vehicle when you become a resident of Idaho. For the purposes of vehicle registration and titling, you become a resident of Idaho when you have had your principal home within Idaho for 90 days (this does not include your workplace, vacation home, or part-time residence). However, you may declare residency at any time earlier than that and register and title your vehicle at that time. To declare residency, go to the Department of Motor Vehicles of the Kootenai County Assessor's Office, state that you are an Idaho resident, and provide your address. For more information, contact either the
Coeur d'Alene or Post Falls Vehicle Licensing Office.

17. 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.

18. Can appointments be made at either motor vehicle office?: Yes! Utilize a smart phone, computer, or digital device to download the QLESS app which will allow you to not only make an appointment for another day, but will also allow you to see how busy each location is so that you can choose which location works best for you.

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

You will need to make an appointment, or get in line through the QLESS app, so that a Lien Request Letter (only available in the motor vehicle offices) can be filled out for you to submit to your lien holder. Your lien hold must then send the original title to that motor vehicle license office location. This step can take 6-8 weeks depending on your financial institution. You must bring all of the following items for our office:

Fax # of the lienholder’s Title Department.
Your account # with the lienholder.
The old registration.
A photocopy/picture of ALL Driver’s Licenses.
Social Security card or verification.

20. Why are the wait times so long?: We make every effort to serve you in a timely manner; however, there are particular times of the year that are significantly busy due to customers choosing to renew all the registrations of their various vehicles (boats, off highway vehicles and recreational vehicles require annual renewal) at once. Renewal notices are generally sent and received by customers 6 weeks in advance of expiration. All registrations can be renewed online or through the mail which will keep you from having to wait in line for everyone ahead of you.

21. Do you do Driver's License?: No. In Idaho the Motor Vehicle and Drivers License offices are separate operations. The County Assessor's Office operates the Motor Vehicle Division, and the County Sheriff is in charge of the Drivers License Division. These offices are located next to each other for your convenience, but they cannot perform the others job. Please pay close attention to your selection when utilizing QLESS so that you make your appointment or "join the line" for the wrong office or location.

22. Where can I get more information about vehicle titling and licensing?

Contact any of the Kootenai County Assessor’s Office Department of Motor Vehicles:

Coeur d’Alene Office

451 Government Way
P. O. Box 9000
Coeur d’Alene ID 83816-9000
Phone: 208-446-1580

Post Falls Office

120 E Railroad Avenue
Post Falls. ID 83854
Phone: 208-446-1590

The Idaho Transportation Department
Division of Motor Vehicles - ITD DMV Website

3311 State Street
P. O. Box 7129
Boise ID 83707-1129
Phone: 208-334-8000