What Idaho custom plates cost and how long they take
Idaho custom license plates cost $25 per year on top of your regular registration fee. The plate itself is a one-time purchase, but you pay the annual $25 surcharge every time you renew your registration. The Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) processes custom plate orders through their online system or by mail, and the turnaround is typically four to six weeks from the time ITD approves your design.
You can order through the ITD website at itd.idaho.gov, where you'll design your plate, check availability, and pay the fee. If you prefer to order by mail, you can read the process form from the same website and send it to the address listed on the form along with a check or money order. Either way, ITD will mail the finished plate to your address once it's ready.
Key Takeaways
- Custom plates in Idaho cost $25 per year in addition to your standard registration renewal fee.
- You can order online through itd.idaho.gov or by mail using the process form available on that site.
- Your chosen design must be available and comply with ITD rules — no more than seven characters, no offensive language, and no designs that mimic official government plates.
- Processing takes four to six weeks, so order early if you need the plate by a specific date.
- You can change your custom plate design at your next registration renewal without penalty.
Character limits and what designs ITD will reject
Idaho custom plates allow up to seven characters — letters, numbers, or a combination. You cannot use spaces, punctuation, or special symbols. ITD rejects designs that are offensive, obscene, or that could be mistaken for official government or law enforcement plates. They also reject designs that spell out profanity or slurs, even if you use numbers to replace letters.
The system checks availability in real time when you order online. If your first choice is taken, you'll see that when ready and can try another combination. Common short words and initials go quickly, so if you have a specific design in mind, check availability before you commit to the order. ITD does not hold plates while you decide — once you submit payment, the design is yours.
How to check if your design is available before ordering
The ITD website has a search tool where you can type in your desired plate design and see whether it's already in use. Go to itd.idaho.gov, navigate to the vehicle registration section, and look for the custom plate availability checker. Type in your design exactly as you want it to appear — capitalization and spacing matter for how it will look, though the system treats uppercase and lowercase as the same for availability purposes.
If the design is available, you can proceed directly to ordering. If it's taken, the system will tell you so, and you can try variations. Keep in mind that availability can change if someone else orders while you're browsing, though this is rare. Once you complete payment, your design is locked in and cannot be ordered by anyone else.
Renewing or changing your custom plate
When your registration comes due, you can renew your custom plate for another year by paying the $25 surcharge along with your standard registration renewal fee. You do not need to reorder the plate itself — ITD will send you a renewal notice, and you straightforward indicate that you want to keep your custom design. The process is the same whether you renew online or by mail.
If you want to change your design at renewal time, you can do that without any extra fee beyond the standard $25 annual surcharge. straightforward order a new design when you renew your registration. ITD will retire your old design and issue the new one. You cannot change your plate mid-year without renewing your registration early, which would cost you a full registration fee.
What happens if your custom plate is damaged or lost
If your custom plate is damaged, stolen, or lost, contact ITD to report it and request a replacement. You'll need to provide your vehicle identification number (VIN) and registration information. ITD charges a replacement fee, which varies depending on whether the plate was damaged through normal wear or lost. Check the current replacement fee on the ITD website or call your local ITD office.
Once you report the loss or damage, ITD will issue a replacement plate with the same design. This is not the same as renewing your registration — it's a separate transaction. If your registration is also coming due soon, you may want to wait and handle both at the same time to avoid paying two separate fees.
Custom plates and vehicle title transfers
If you sell your vehicle, your custom plate stays with you — it does not transfer to the new owner. When you sell, remove the plate and keep it. You can use it on a different vehicle you own, or you can retire it. The new owner of your vehicle will need to register it with a standard plate or order their own custom design.
To move your custom plate to a different vehicle you own, contact ITD with both vehicle identification numbers and your registration information. There is no additional fee to transfer the plate between your own vehicles — you straightforward update the registration record. The plate itself does not need to be reissued unless it's damaged.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use numbers and letters together on my custom plate?
Yes. You can use any combination of up to seven letters and numbers. For example, "ABC1234" or "1FAST2GO" are both valid. The system will show you exactly how your design will appear on the plate as you type it in.
What if someone else orders the plate I want while I'm deciding?
Once you submit payment, your design is reserved. If you're still browsing and haven't paid, another person can order it. The availability checker shows you the current status, but the only way to may provide a design is to complete the purchase. If your first choice is taken, you'll need to choose a different combination.
Do I have to renew my custom plate every year?
Yes. The $25 surcharge is annual and due each time you renew your vehicle registration. If you don't pay the surcharge at renewal, ITD will issue you a standard plate instead. You can switch back to a custom plate at any future renewal by paying the surcharge again.
Can I order a custom plate for a vehicle I'm about to buy?
No. You must have an active registration in your name first. Order your custom plate after you've registered the vehicle. Once the plate arrives, you can install it and use it for the remainder of that registration year.
What if my custom plate gets a crack or fades?
Contact ITD to report the damage and request a replacement. You'll pay a replacement fee, which is less than the cost of a new custom plate order. ITD will send you a new plate with the same design. Keep your old plate until the replacement arrives so you have a valid plate on your vehicle.