Vehicle registration plates of Idaho

The U.S. state of Idaho first required its residents to register their motor vehicles and display license plates in 1913. Plates are currently issued by the Idaho Transportation Department through its Division of Motor Vehicles. Front and rear plates are required for most classes of vehicles, while only rear plates are required for motorcycles and trailers.

Idaho
Current series
SloganFamous Potatoes
Size12 in × 6 in
30 cm × 15 cm
MaterialAluminum
IntroducedApril 2008 (2008-04)
Availability
Issued byIdaho Transportation Department, Division of Motor Vehicles
History
First issuedMay 7, 1913 (1913-05-07)

Passenger baseplates

1913 to 1967

In 1956, the United States, Canada, and Mexico came to an agreement with the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators, the Automobile Manufacturers Association and the National Safety Council that standardized the size for license plates for vehicles (except those for motorcycles) at 6 inches (15 cm) in height by 12 inches (30 cm) in width, with standardized mounting holes.[1] The 1956 (dated 1957) issue was the first Idaho license plate that fully complied with these standards: the issues from 1952 through 1955 (dated 1953 through 1956) were all six inches in height by twelve inches in width, but had non-standard mounting holes.

Image Dates issued Design Slogan Serial format Serials issued Notes
1913 Embossed white serial on blue plate; "IDAHO 1913" at right none 1234 1 to approximately 2500
1914 Embossed white serial on red plate; "IDAHO 1914" at right none 1234 1 to approximately 3500
1915 Embossed red serial on white plate; "IDAHO 1915" at right none 1234 1 to approximately 8000
1916 Embossed black serial on yellow plate; "IDAHO 1916" at right none 12345 1 to approximately 13000
1917 Embossed yellow serial on black plate; "IDAHO 1917" at right none 12345 1 to approximately 25000
1918 Embossed white serial on brown plate; "IDAHO 1918" at right none 12345 1 to approximately 35000
1919 Embossed yellow serial on dark green plate; "IDAHO 1919" at right none 12345 1 to approximately 40000
As above, but with "IDA 1919" at right 40001 to approximately 43000
1920 Embossed white serial on dark blue plate with border line; "IDA 1920" at right none 12345 1 to approximately 55000
1921 Embossed black serial on orange plate; black lines at top and bottom borders; "IDAHO 1921" at right none 12345 1 to approximately 65000
1922 Embossed orange serial on black plate; orange lines at top and bottom borders; "IDA 1922" at right none 12-345 1 to approximately 60-000
1923 Embossed orange serial on silver plate with border line; "IDA 1923" at right none 12-345 1 to approximately 62-000
1924 Embossed black serial on yellow plate; "IDA X-24" at right none 12-345 1 to 60-000; 70-001 to approximately 72-000 Serials 60-001 through 70-000 reserved for trucks.[2]
1925 Embossed black serial on white plate with border line; "IDAHO X-25" at bottom none 12-345 1 to approximately 74-000
1926 Embossed black serial on orange plate with border line; "IDAHO X-26" at bottom none 12-345 1 to approximately 87-000
1927 Embossed orange serial on dark blue plate, "IDAHO–27" at bottom none 12-345 1 to approximately 95-000
1928 Debossed green serial within embossed tan potato graphic on green plate with border line; "1928" at bottom right "IDAHO POTATOES" at bottom, offset to left 12-345 1 to approximately 99-999
1929 Embossed golden yellow serial on black plate with border line; "IDAHO - 1929" at bottom none 123-456 1 to approximately 120-000
1930 Embossed black serial on golden yellow plate with border line; "1930 - IDAHO" at bottom none 123-456 1 to approximately 112-000
1931 Embossed white serial on black plate with border line; "IDAHO – 1931" at top none 123-456 1 to approximately 115-000
1932 Embossed black serial on orange plate with border line; vertical "IDA" at right and "1932" centered at top none A/1 1-234 Coded by county of issuance (A/1)
1933 Embossed orange serial on black plate; "19 - IDAHO - 33" at bottom none 1A-12-34 Coded by county of issuance (1A)
1934 Embossed black serial on golden yellow plate; "19 - IDAHO - 34" at bottom none 1A-12-345 Coded by county of issuance (1A)
1935 Embossed golden yellow serial on black plate; "19 - IDAHO - 35" at top none 1A-12-345 Coded by county of issuance (1A)
1936 Embossed black serial on golden yellow plate; "19 - IDAHO - 36" at bottom none 1A-12-345 Coded by county of issuance (1A)
1937 Embossed black serial on silver plate with border line; "IDAHO - 1937" at bottom none 1A-12-345 Coded by county of issuance (1A)
1938 Embossed white serial on maroon plate with border line; "IDAHO - 1938" at bottom none 1A-12-345 Coded by county of issuance (1A)
1939 Embossed yellow serial on blue plate; "IDAHO - 1939" at bottom none 1A-12-345 Coded by county of issuance (1A)
1940 Embossed green serial on gold plate; "1890 IDAHO 1940" centered at bottom "50 YEARS STATEHOOD" centered at top 1A-12-345 Coded by county of issuance (1A)
1941 Embossed black serial on yellow plate; "1941" at bottom right "SCENIC IDAHO" at bottom, offset to left 1A-12-345 Coded by county of issuance (1A)
1942–44 Embossed dark blue serial on white plate; "42" at bottom right "SCENIC IDAHO" at bottom, offset to left 1A-12-345 Coded by county of issuance (1A) Revalidated for 1943 and 1944 with windshield stickers, due to metal conservation for World War II.
1945 Embossed black serial on golden yellow plate with border line; "45" at bottom right "SCENIC IDAHO" at bottom, offset to left A-12-34
0A-12-345		 Coded by county of issuance (A or 0A) Current county-coding system introduced.
1946 Embossed white serial on black plate with border line; "46" at bottom right "SCENIC IDAHO" at bottom, offset to left A-12-34
0A-12-345		 Coded by county of issuance (A or 0A)
1947 Embossed white serial on dark blue plate with border line; embossed graphic in the center featuring a skier and mountains; "19 IDAHO 47" centered at top "Vacation Wonderland" centered at bottom A 1234
0/A 12345		 Coded by county of issuance (A or 0/A)
1948–49 Embossed black serial on silver plate; baked potato sticker in the center; "IDAHO 48" centered at top "World Famous POTATOES" centered at bottom A 1234
0/A 12345		 Coded by county of issuance (A or 0/A) Revalidated for 1949 with silver tabs.
1950 Embossed white serial on black plate with border line; "IDAHO 50" centered at top none A 1234
0/A 12345		 Coded by county of issuance (A or 0/A)
1951–52 Embossed white serial on maroon plate with border line; "IDAHO 51" centered at top none A 12345
0/A 12345		 Coded by county of issuance (A or 0/A) Revalidated for 1952 with silver tabs.
1953 Embossed white serial on black plate with border line; "IDAHO 53" centered at top "WORLD FAMOUS POTATO" at bottom A 12345
0/A 12345		 Coded by county of issuance (A or 0/A)
1954 Embossed black serial on white plate with border line; "IDAHO 54" centered at bottom none A 12345
0/A 12345		 Coded by county of issuance (A or 0/A)
1955 Embossed white serial on black plate with border line; "IDAHO 55" centered at bottom none A 12345
0/A 12345		 Coded by county of issuance (A or 0/A)
1956 Embossed black serial on white plate with border line; "IDAHO 56" centered at top "WORLD FAMOUS POTATO" at bottom A 12345
0/A 12345		 Coded by county of issuance (A or 0/A)
1957 Embossed white serial on light green plate with border line; "IDAHO 57" centered at top "FAMOUS POTATOES" centered at bottom A 12345
0/A 12345		 Coded by county of issuance (A or 0/A)
1958 Embossed dark green serial on white plate with border line; "IDAHO 58" centered at top "FAMOUS POTATOES" centered at bottom A 12345
0/A 12345		 Coded by county of issuance (A or 0/A)
1959 Embossed white serial on dark green plate with border line; "IDAHO 59" centered at top "FAMOUS POTATOES" centered at bottom A 12345
0/A 12345		 Coded by county of issuance (A or 0/A)
1960 As 1958 base, but with "IDAHO 60" at top "FAMOUS POTATOES" as on 1958 base A 12345
0/A 12345		 Coded by county of issuance (A or 0/A)
1961 As 1959 base, but with "IDAHO 61" at top "FAMOUS POTATOES" as on 1959 base A 12345
0/A 12345		 Coded by county of issuance (A or 0/A)
1962 As 1958 base, but with "IDAHO 62" at top "FAMOUS POTATOES" as on 1958 base A 12345
0/A 12345		 Coded by county of issuance (A or 0/A)
1963 As 1959 base, but with "IDAHO 63" at top "FAMOUS POTATOES" as on 1959 base A 12345
0/A 12345		 Coded by county of issuance (A or 0/A)
1964 As 1958 base, but with "IDAHO 64" at top "FAMOUS POTATOES" as on 1958 base A 12345
0/A 12345		 Coded by county of issuance (A or 0/A)
1965 As 1959 base, but with "IDAHO 65" at top "FAMOUS POTATOES" as on 1959 base A 12345
0/A 12345		 Coded by county of issuance (A or 0/A)
1966 As 1958 base, but with "IDAHO 66" at top "FAMOUS POTATOES" as on 1958 base A 12345
0/A 12345		 Coded by county of issuance (A or 0/A)
1967 As 1959 base, but with "IDAHO 67" at top "FAMOUS POTATOES" as on 1959 base A 12345
0/A 12345		 Coded by county of issuance (A or 0/A)

1968 to present
Image Dates issued Design Slogan Serial format Serials issued Notes
1968–70 Embossed green serial on white plate with border line; "IDAHO 68" centered at top "FAMOUS POTATOES" centered at bottom A 12345
0/A 12345
0/A A1234		 Coded by county of issuance (A or 0/A)
1971–73 As above, but with simply "IDAHO" centered at top
1974 Embossed green serial on white plate with border line; "IDAHO 74" centered at top "FAMOUS POTATOES" centered at bottom A 12345
A A1234
0/A 12345
0/A A1234
0/A AB123		 Coded by county of issuance (A or 0/A)
1975–82 As above, but with simply "IDAHO" centered at top
1982–85 Embossed green serial on white plate; "IDAHO" screened in green centered at top, with the 'A' resembling a mountain peak "Famous Potatoes" screened in green centered at bottom Serials in each county continued from where the 1974–82 plates left off.
1985–87 Embossed green serial on white plate; screened green lines above and below serial; screened green Sawtooth Mountains graphic on top line at the right; "IDAHO" screened in green to left of graphic, with the 'A' resembling a mountain peak "Famous Potatoes" screened in green centered below serial, just above bottom line Serials in each county continued from where the 1982–85 plates left off.
1987–89 A 12345
0/A 12345
1/A A1234
2/C 123456		 Coded by county of issuance (A or 0/A) Top line cut off at the left, allowing for taller county-code characters. This plate replaced all 1974–87 plates; serials in each county thus restarted from 1.
1989 – September 1991 Narrow dies introduced, allowing for six-digit serials in Canyon County. (Ada County had already gone over to one-letter, four-digit serials after reaching 99999.)
September 1991 – June
1997		 Embossed dark blue serial on mountain scene with red and white gradient sky, pale blue mountains and dark blue forest; tall dark blue tree screened at far right; "IDAHO" screened in white centered at top "Scenic" screened in white to left of state name, giving "Scenic Idaho"; "FAMOUS POTATOES" screened in white centered at bottom A 123456
0/A 123456		 Coded by county of issuance (A or 0/A) Modification of the optional Centennial base introduced in 1987 (see Optional plates below). Awarded "Plate of the Year" for best new license plate of 1991 by the Automobile License Plate Collectors Association, the second time Idaho was so honored.
June 1997 – April
2008		 As above, but with tall dark blue tree removed and red section of sky reduced in height A 123456
0A 12345
0A A1234
0A AB123
0A 1A234
0A 1234A
0A 123AB
10B 1234
10B A123		 Coded by county of issuance (A or 0A) Full-size county codes introduced in addition to design modifications, all for better visibility. Serials in each county continued from where the 1991–97 plates left off, but were now restricted to seven characters (including the county-code characters).
April 2008[3] – present As above, but with screened black serial and full white border around plate Serials in each county continued from where the 1997–2008 plates left off.

County coding

The current county-coding system on standard-issue Idaho license plates has been in use since 1945. The naming convention is the order of the county in an alphabetical list followed by the first letter of the county name. For example, 2T indicates the second county beginning with T in an alphabetical list, or Twin Falls County. If only one county begins with a particular letter, the letter alone serves as the county code. Specialty and vanity license plates do not use county codes; some non-passenger types are county-coded, while others are not.

County1934–441945–present
Ada1A1A
Adams2A2A
Bannock3A1B
Bear Lake4A2B
Benewah5A3B
Bingham6A4B
Blaine7A5B
Boise8A6B
Bonner9A7B
Bonneville1P8B
Boundary2P9B
Butte3P10B
Camas4P1C
Canyon5P2C
Caribou6P3C
Cassia7P4C
Clark8P5C
Clearwater9P6C
Custer1H7C
Elmore2HE
Franklin3H1F
Fremont4H2F
Gem5H1G
Gooding6H2G
Idaho7HI
Jefferson8H1J
Jerome9H2J
Kootenai1KK
Latah2K1L
Lemhi3K2L
Lewis4K3L
Lincoln5K4L
Madison6K1M
Minidoka7K2M
Nez Perce8KN
Oneida9K1O
Owyhee1R2O
Payette2R1P
Power3R2P
Shoshone4RS
Teton5R1T
Twin Falls6R2T
Valley7RV
Washington8RW

Non-passenger types
Image Type Serial format Serials issued Notes
Apportioned Tractor P/R/P AB 1234 P/R/P AA 1 to present
Apportioned Trailer P/R/P CB 1234 P/R/P CA 1 to present
Apportioned Truck P/R/P BB 1234 P/R/P BA 1 to present
Classic 1234 Serials became screened by 9991.
Commercial KB 1234 KA 1 to present Serials became screened around KL 5000.
Dealer D/L/R 1234-56
Motorcycle MBC 123 MAA 1 to present Serials became screened between MPC 309 and MPH 714.
Old Timer 12
Street Rod 123A
Truck A 12345T
A A1234T
0A 1234T
0A A123T		 Coded by county of issuance (A or 0A)
Utility Trailer 123 UBC 1 UAA to 999 UZZ Motorcycle-sized plate.
ZBC 123 ZAA 1 to present

Government types
Image Type Serial format Serials issued Notes
Ada County Sheriff AC123 AC1 to present At least some plates issued on "Celebrate Idaho Youth: America's Promise" base.
Department of Building Safety DBS 123 DBS 1 to present
Department of Labor J 12 J 1 to present
Fire Department F 1 F 1 to present
Gem County Sheriff GCS 123 GCS 1 to present
Idaho State Police ISP 123 ISP 1 to present

Optional plates
Image Type First issued Design Serial format Serials issued Notes
Idaho Centennial 1987 Embossed dark blue serial on mountain scene with red and white gradient sky, pale blue mountains and dark blue forest; two tall dark blue trees screened at far left; "IDAHO" and "CENTENNIAL" screened in white centered at top and bottom respectively; "1890" at top left and "1990" at top right 12345C 1C to 99999C Awarded "Plate of the Year" for best new license plate of 1987 by the Automobile License Plate Collectors Association, the first time Idaho was so honored. Adopted as standard passenger base from 1991 onwards (see above).

Since the introduction of this design, the plate has been colloquially referred to by Idahoans as the "nuclear winter" plate. It remains so to this day (with the most recent 2008 design retaining the characteristic features).

C12345 C1 to approximately C78000
1992 123 ABC 100 AAA to present
Agriculture As current passenger base, but with farm scene graphic screened at left featuring a red farmhouse, a silver silo and white clouds, and "AGRICULTURE" centered at bottom 1234A 1A to present
Appaloosa 2003 As current passenger base, but with Appaloosa horse graphic screened at left, "Discover Idaho Heritage" at top, and "APPALOOSA" at bottom 1234B 1B to present
Capitol Restoration 1234R 1R to present
Celebrate Idaho Youth: America's Promise 1234Y 1Y to present
Colleges and Universities 1234S
12SAS
1AB2S		 1S to 9999S
?
?		 Idaho State University redesigned at least by transition to surface-printed serials.
Corvette As current passenger base, but with Corvette logo screened at left, "Drive Idaho" at top, and "America's Sports Car" centered at bottom 1234M 1M to present
Elks USA c. 2009 unknown unknown
Fire Fighters As current passenger base, but with graphic screened at left featuring two firefighters and flames, and "FIRE FIGHTERS" centered at bottom 1234X 1X to present
Forests Today and Tomorrow 1234F 1F to present
Idaho Aviation 2012 As current passenger base, but with yellow airplane graphic screened at left, "Fly Idaho" at top, and "A PILOT'S PARADISE" centered at bottom 12345I 00001I to present
Idaho Biking: Preserve Our Trails As current passenger base, but with mountain biker graphic screened at left, "Biking" to right of state name, and "PRESERVE OUR TRAILS" centered at bottom 12345F 00001F to present
Ideas. Innovations. Idaho. As current passenger base, but with light bulb graphic screened at left, with a yellow state shape as its filament, and "IDEAS. INNOVATIONS. IDAHO." centered at bottom U1234 U0001 to present
Lewis & Clark As current passenger base, but with graphic of a pointing Native American Indian woman screened at left, "Discover Idaho" at top, and "1803 LEWIS & CLARK 1806" centered at bottom 1234L 1L to present
Mining: Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow c. 2009 12345C 00001C to present
National Guard 1234G 1G to present
On the Range c. 2009 12345B 00001B to present
Peace Officer As current passenger base, but with the logo of the Idaho Peace Officers' Memorial screened at left and "Honoring our Peace Officers" centered at bottom 1234J 1J to present
Pet Friendly July 1, 2019[4] As current passenger base, but with dog and cat graphic screened at left and "PET FRIENDLY", with a heart on either side, centered at bottom PF123 PF001 to present
Purple Heart 1234H 1H to present
Radio Amateur
Rotary As current passenger base, but with black Rotary logo screened at left and "Service Above Self" centered at bottom RI123 RI001 to present
Sawtooth National Recreation Area As current passenger base, but with graphic screened at left featuring a white mountain goat against a purple mountain and a white sun, and "Sawtooth National Recreation Area" centered at bottom 1234Z 1Z to present
Scenic Idaho: Wild Rivers 1234U 1U to present
Ski Idaho: Winter Wonderland As current passenger base, but with skier graphic screened at left, "Ski" to left of state name, and "WINTER WONDERLAND" at bottom 1234K 1K to 9999K
123AK 1AK to present
Snowmobile: World's Best Trails 1234N 1N to present
Special Olympics June 2008[5] As current passenger base, but with the logo of the 2009 Special Olympics World Winter Games screened at left and "SPECIAL OLYMPICS" centered at bottom unknown unknown
Support Our Troops 12345S 00001S to present
Supporting Rider Education As current passenger base, but with the logo of the Idaho STAR Motorcycle Safety Program, featuring three motorcyclists, screened at left and "Supporting Rider Education" centered at bottom 1234P 1P to present
The Gem State As current passenger base, but with graphic screened at left consisting of a diamond, two quartz crystals and a star garnet, and "THE GEM STATE" centered at bottom 12345E 00001E to present
Timeless Idaho Values: Boy Scouts 1234I 1I to present
Veteran 1234V 1V to present
Wilderness - Frank Church: River of No Return and Selway-Bitterroot
Wildlife – bluebird 12345 1 to present
Wildlife – cutthroat 2003 1234D 1D to 9999D
123AD 1AD to present
Wildlife – elk 1998
redesigned c. 2008		 1234E 1E to 9999E Awarded "Plate of the Year" for best new optional license plate of 1998 by the Automobile License Plate Collectors Association, the third time Idaho was so honored. Co-recipient with Alaska.
123AE 1AE to 999ZE
12ABE 1AAE to 99ZZE
12A3E 1A0E to present
World Famous Potatoes As current passenger base, but with baked potato graphic screened at left, "World" and "Famous" on either side of the state name, and "Potatoes" centered at bottom 1234T 1T to present

Discontinued
Image Type Dates issued Design Serial format Serials issued Notes
Basque 2006 – June 30, 2011[6] As current passenger base, but with green and white sheep wagon graphic screened at left and "BASQUE" centered at bottom B1234 B0001 to ?
Breast Cancer c. 2009–12 As current passenger base, but with pink ribbon graphic screened at left and "EARLY DETECTION SAVES LIVES" centered at bottom unknown unknown
Historic Idaho: Preserve Our Heritage ? to 2012[7] As current passenger base, but with graphic of a wooden house and trees screened at left, "Historic" to left of state name, and "PRESERVE OUR HERITAGE" centered at bottom JA123
National Rifle Association c. 2009–12 unknown unknown

References
  1. Garrish, Christopher (October 2016). "Reconsidering the Standard Plate Size". Plates. Vol. 62 no. 5. Automobile License Plate Collectors Association.
  2. Tanner, Eric N. "Idaho Passenger License Plates". allaboutlicenseplates.com. Retrieved November 11, 2020.
  3. Turnbull, Andrew. "March of the Flats". The Andrew Turnbull Network. Retrieved March 29, 2015.
  4. "Pet-friendly license plates now available in Idaho". KTVB. July 1, 2019. Retrieved March 25, 2020.
  5. "Sale of new license plates to benefit 2009 Special Olympics World Games in Idaho". Idaho Transportation Department. June 6, 2008. Archived from the original on June 22, 2010. Retrieved October 11, 2014.
  6. "Idaho's Basque heritage license plate gets death penalty". EITB. May 9, 2011. Retrieved March 25, 2020.
  7. Prentice, George (June 19, 2012). "Idaho Reins In Specialty License Plates". Boise Weekly. Retrieved March 19, 2018.
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