Auto License

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Location!

The Assessor acts as a vendor for the Idaho Transportation Department and Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation. The Benewah County Auto License office provides a convenient local DMV office to serve Idaho residents with their title and registration transactions.

The office serves walk-in customers on a first come first serve basis. Customers leave with registration, tags and receipt in hand. Phone renewals are completed immediately and mailed out the same day.  

The Benewah County Auto License Office reviews and processes title transfers; issues and renews registrations; orders both standard and specialty license plates for qualifying vehicles, vessels and trailers. Additional services include: disability placards issuance, conducting VIN inspections, issuance of Idaho State Park Passports and stickers for ATV's, UTV's, motorbikes, snowmobiles, boats and invasive species stickers.

 Our friendly staff is here to assist you with your vehicle title and registration transactions.

Picture Identification Required
Idaho law requires identification for purposes of titling and registering vehicles. Prior to conducting any business please be prepared to provide your picture identification the next time you plan on conducting business at the DMV.

New residents will need to provide their out-of-state driver's license, social security number for each name appearing on the title and verification of their Idaho physical and mailing address prior to conducting any title or registration transactions.
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In the case of a business or trust, the complete business or trust name and EIN (Employer Identification Number - also known as a federal tax identification number) will be required.‍‍

Usage of Cell Phones and Electronic Devices
Cell phones and electronic devices can be noisy, distracting and interfere in the processing of your transactions.

To expedite your visit and better assist you, please silence your cell phone or electronic devices or step out of the office while using them.
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Titling Procedures 
If an Idaho resident purchases a vehicle from an Idaho dealer, that dealer will collect sales tax and prepare an application for title for the purchaser and file it with the Idaho Transportation Department or a County DMV Office within 30 days of delivery.

If the vehicle was purchased from an out-of-state dealer or if a financial institution is recording a lien they may file the application for title. Otherwise the buyer must file for title within 30 days of the purchase date to avoid a $20.00 late-filing penalty.

You will need to bring the following: 
       * Title (private party sales)  –OR-            
          Application for Certificate of Idaho Title (purchased from a dealership) –OR-              
           Manufacturer’s Certificate of Origin (purchased from a dealership)               
        * Bill of Sale, Invoice or Purchase Order – must include vehicle description, sale
          price, date sold, buyer’s name and seller’s signature.  A bill of sale is not required              
          if the seller has entered the sales price and date sold on the title, in a space
         dedicated for this information.         
       * Odometer Reading – required for any motorized vehicle less than 20 years old              
          and written in the designated area on the bill of sale or title.             
        * Power of Attorney - if applying for a title through the mail or if an individual has              
          authorized someone else to sign on their behalf.             
        * Vehicle Identification Number(VIN) Inspection – required for any vehicle that has              
          an out of state title, was purchased from an out of state private party or out of state            
          dealership.               
        * Empty / Scale Weight – Empty or scale weight for all trailers (except travel trailers). 

Idaho residents who are temporarily in another state (i.e., students or military personnel) may request titles and registrations through the mail with proper documentation.  

‍Duplicate / Lost Titles 
‍Only the titled owner or lienholder of record, or their agent or legal representative may apply for a duplicate/lost Idaho title.  If a lienholder is shown on the title record, the duplicate title will be issued with the same lien and will be mailed to the lienholder.  A lien may be removed if the application is submitted with an original Release of Interest Statement.  
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If the duplicate/lost title application is signed by power of attorney, the signature of the grantor on the power of attorney document must be notarized.  The original Power of Attorney must accompany the duplicate/lost title application.  
 
‍New Idaho Resident 
An Idaho resident is anyone whose domicile (principle home) has been in Idaho for 90 continuous days, although residency may be declared at any time earlier, and vehicles maybe titled and registered at that time.
   
You will need to bring the following:             
        * Your current title and registration*             
        * The vehicle to be titled or have a VIN Inspection completed             
        * Out of State Driver’s License or picture identification            
        * Social security number for each name listed on the title             
        * Verification of Idaho physical and mailing address 

*If your title is being held by a lienholder, your lienholder’s name, address and their EIN, if applicable, is required. If your title has been lost you will need to apply for a duplicate title from the state of issuance.

If the vehicle has not been titled in your name, be sure the title has been properly signed by the seller with the date sold and selling price listed in the appropriate designated area on the title or a bill of sale. 

Titling Fees:           
        * Title Fee - $19.00             
        * Sales Tax – the current Idaho State Tax Commission rate on the purchase price              
          including documentation fees, buyer fees or any other add on fees.  Proof of sales              
          tax payment, if paid to the state of purchase, to match Idaho State Tax rate.             
        * Vin Inspection (if required) -$5.00             
        * Registration fees may apply, if the vehicle, vessel or trailer is being registered

Vehicle or Hull Identification (VIN or HIN) Inspections 
‍As a general rule the purpose of the Idaho VIN Inspection is to verify the accuracy of the unique vehicle identification number of a particular vehicle.  This inspection ensures your Idaho Title will be issued with the correct VIN for the vehicle you own.
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VIN/HIN Inspections can be completed by any DMV agent, law enforcement officer, military police or any Idaho licensed dealer. 

PRIOR to the inspection, you will need to locate the VIN on the vehicle, vessel or trailer and provide the title or last registration to the inspecting agent.  
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A VIN/HIN inspection is required if you:            
        * Have purchased a vehicle that has an out of state title            
        * Purchased a vehicle from an out of state dealer or a private party sale            
        * Are a new resident with an out of state title 

Vin/HIN Inspections are conducted on a first come, first serve basis and are subject to personnel availability and time constraints.

Address Changes 
‍Idaho residents and new residents are required to provide verification of their Idaho physical and mailing address. Verification of your address may include but is not limited to documents such as: utility bill, rental agreement, mortgage papers, etc. 

‍Registration for Vehicles, Vessels and Trailers  
‍Vehicles must be titled in Idaho before they can be registered.   

The total cost to register a vehicle varies depending on:            
        * Vehicle age            
        * Requirement for new plates            
        * Postage and mailing costs            
        * Type, use or weight of the vehicle            
        * Your county of residence (county administrative fees vary county by county) 

You may obtain additional information regarding registration and fees by contacting the local DMV Office where the vehicle will be registered.  For qualifying vehicles, the Idaho State Park Passport can be added to a currently registered motorized vehicle.

Personalized License Plates  
Personalized plates, in any language, may not carry a sexual term that is vulgar, obscene, or in poor taste, not consist of a term or reference a term that is considered to be one of obscenity, contempt, prejudice, hostility, insult, racial degradation, ethnic degradation, profanity, of vulgarity.            

Fees in addition to registration fees:   $25.00 – Initial issuance                                                                      
                                                            $15.00– Annual renewal      

Personalized plates that expire will become immediately available for reissue to another applicant.  There is no grace period. 

‍Most Specialty License Plates
‍Fees in addition to registration fees:   $35.00 - Initial issuance                                                            
                                                            $25.00 – Annual renewal

Old Timer License Plates*
For vehicles that were manufactured prior to January 1, 1943 and are in original or authentically-restored condition without major modifications from factory specifications.

Classic Vehicle or Classic Motorcycle*
For vehicles over 30 years old that do not qualify for Old Timer plates. Vehicle must be in original or authentically-restored condition without major modifications from factory specifications.

               Old Timer and Classic plates do not act as a registration (Idaho Code 49-401A). Any motor vehicle which qualifies as
               an "Idaho Old Timer" or an "Idaho Classic" shall only be used for exhibits, parades, tours, club activities and such
               occasional use as is necessary for operation and maintenance of the vehicle, and shall not be used for business or
               commercial purposes or as customary and usual transportation. Registration is required for anyone who intends to
               operate these vehicles upon any highway in this state.
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Veteran License Plates
Veteran license plates are available to active duty or honorably discharged applicants.  A copy of DD 214 from any branch of the armed forces or ITD approved acceptable documents is required.   

Fees in addition to registration fees:   $25.00 Initial issuance                                                                                                                                 
                                                           $15.00 Annual renewal

Disabled Veteran license plates are available to applicants with a 100% service-connected permanent disability. Applicants must present a letter from the VA listing a 100% rating or a letter stating they are being compensated for a 100% service-connected disability. For qualifying applicants there are no fees for the first set of plates. Thereafter, all applicable fees would apply for qualifying applicants for any additional sets of Disabled Veteran plates.  

A Purple Heart recipient who qualifies for a disabled veteran license plate or disabled veteran license plate shall not be charged a plate fee or registration fees.  The privilege is extended to no more than one (1) vehicle owned by the veteran at a time. All applicable fees would apply for qualifying applicants applying for a second set of Purple Heart plates. 

‍Drive Insured The Drive Insured Law (IDC 49-1234) was passed during the 2019 legislative session and went into effect in January 2020.  Under this law, all registered vehicles are required to have insurance coverage reported to the DMV.  While insurance companies are required by law to provide this information, some fail to do so and it may result in the vehicle being flagged as not having insurance.  The registration for flagged vehicles cannot be renewed until the insurance information is received by DMV.   

Please note, auto license offices are not involved with the Drive Insured Program, and affected vehicle owners cannot report their insurance to their county office.  Please use the Idaho DMV’s online self reporting tool at: driveinsured.itd.idaho.gov or call 208-334-8075.
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Idaho State Parks and Recreation
Benewah County Auto License is a vendor for the Idaho Department of Parks & Recreation and provides customers with a receipt and sticker at the moment of purchase that allows customers to enjoy Idaho's great outdoors. For additional questions please contact our office or go to: parksandrecreation.idaho.gov
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Stickers available for purchase are:
        * Boats
        * ATV's
        * Motorbikes
        * UTV's
        * Snowmobiles
        * Invasive Species Stickers
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Accepted forms of Payment
       * Cash
       * Checks or Money Orders - there is a $20.00 returned check fee
       * Credit/Debit cards - there is a processing fee
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