The Idaho Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) is reminding vehicle owners: keep your insurance current or risk losing your vehicle registration.
Under Idaho law, drivers who fail to maintain continuous insurance coverage for two months face the suspension of their vehicle registration. This regulation, known as the Drive Insured law (Idaho Code 49-1234), was enacted during the 2019 legislative session and became effective in January 2020.
Initially, the DMV postponed the law’s enforcement to assist Idaho residents facing the challenges of the COVID-19 emergency. Data from licensed Idaho insurance providers informs the DMV about vehicles with active coverage.
If a vehicle owner’s insurance lapses for two consecutive months, the DMV will send a warning notice. The owner then has 30 days to either show proof of insurance or secure an exemption before registration suspension takes effect. To reinstate a suspended registration, drivers must show proof of insurance and pay a $75 fee.
Affected drivers should expect warning letters to arrive this October. However, the DMV encourages all Idahoans to proactively use the Drive Insured self-reporting tool at driveinsured.itd.idaho.gov. This tool allows drivers to:
- Check if the DMV has their current insurance information.
- Report any changes in their insurance status.
- File for an exemption.
While insurance companies are legally obligated to provide this data, some have shortcomings, leading to some vehicles being incorrectly flagged as uninsured. The self-reporting tool provides a simple way for drivers to ensure their insurance information is accurate with the DMV.
Important Note: County DMV offices are not involved with the Drive Insured program. Vehicle owners cannot report insurance in person at these locations. Instead, use the online self-reporting tool or call 208.334.8075.
Exemptions to the law exist. The Drive Insured law applies only to non-commercial vehicles and explicitly excludes trailers and off-highway vehicles. For a comprehensive list of frequently asked questions, visit dmv.idaho.gov and click the Drive Insured heading.
