Beginning in January 2020, Idaho vehicle owners will be required to maintain proof of insurance for their vehicles to avoid registration suspension. This new requirement, established by Idaho Code Section 49-1234, which was passed during the 2019 legislative session, mandates that the Idaho Transportation Department’s Division of Motor Vehicles monitor vehicle insurance coverage monthly.
The law impacts all non-commercial vehicles, excluding trailers and off-highway vehicles. Vehicle owners will first receive a notification letter informing them of the change. If the records indicate a lapse in insurance coverage for two consecutive months, owners will initially receive a warning. They will then have a 30-day window to either furnish proof of insurance or secure an exemption to avoid the suspension of their vehicle registration.
To reinstate a suspended registration, vehicle owners will be required to provide proof of current insurance coverage and pay a fee of $75. The Idaho Transportation Department provides a list of vehicles exempt from the mandate. For further details and answers to frequently asked questions, visit itd.idaho.gov/driveidaho.
