Idaho § 49-401A - Owner to secure registration from a county assessor or the department
Full text of Idaho Idaho Statutes § 49-401A — Owner to secure registration from a county assessor or the department, with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 49-401A. Owner to secure registration from a county assessor or the department
(1) Every owner of a motor vehicle, trailer or semitrailer who intends to operate the vehicle upon any highway in this state shall, before the same is so operated, apply to a county assessor or to the department or an agent of the department and obtain registration for vehicles pursuant to sections 49-402 (1) through (3), 49-402A , 49-402B and 49-422 , Idaho Code. All others shall be obtained from the department except as provided in subsection (2) of this section. Owners of vehicles specified in section 49-426 , Idaho Code, are exempt from the provisions of this section. Owners of vehicles operating on a temporary basis as provided in sections 49-431 (3) and 49-432 , Idaho Code, are exempt from the provisions of this section to the extent that the temporary permits in use are unexpired.
(2) Commercial vehicles in excess of twenty-six thousand (26,000) pounds gross weight, farm and noncommercial vehicles in excess of sixty thousand (60,000) pounds gross weight and all vehicles registered under section 49-435 , Idaho Code, shall be registered by the department. All other commercial, farm and noncommercial vehicles and the vehicles in paragraphs (a), (b), and (c) of this subsection shall be registered by the county assessor or by the department or an agent of the department.
(a) Motor vehicles equipped primarily to haul passengers on a commercial basis, doing strictly an intrastate business, and having gross weights of twenty-six thousand (26,000) pounds or less.
(b) Any farm vehicle or combination of vehicles where each vehicle or combination of vehicles shall not exceed a gross weight of sixty thousand (60,000) pounds.
(c) Nonresident vehicles or combination of vehicles owned by transient labor used in hauling unprocessed agricultural products for hire and not exceeding sixty thousand (60,000) pounds gross weight shall register their vehicle for the appropriate gross weight scale for the annual fee if registered on or before June 30 and for one-half (1/2) the annual fee if not registered until on or after July 1 of any year, with the assessor of the county in which the owner resides.
(3) Commercial, farm and noncommercial vehicles of any weight doing strictly an intrastate business may be registered by the county assessor or by the department or an agent of the department by mutual agreement between the department and the county.
[49-401A, added 1992, ch. 35, sec. 8, p. 113; am. 1996, ch. 428, sec. 1, p. 1455; am. 1998, ch. 392, sec. 6, p. 1206; am. 1999, ch. 316, sec. 1, p. 790; am. 2015, ch. 208, sec. 4, p. 643; am. 2021, ch. 180, sec. 1, p. 496; am. 2026, ch. 251, sec. 16, p. 1066.]
Source: official Idaho text · Last verified 2026-08-27
Frequently Asked Questions About Idaho § 49-401A
What does Idaho Statutes § 49-401A cover?
Section 49-401A ("Owner to secure registration from a county assessor or the department") is part of the Idaho Statutes, the codified statutory law of Idaho. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.
How do I cite Idaho § 49-401A?
A common citation format is "Idaho Statutes § 49-401A" (Idaho). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.
Is this the official text of Idaho law?
No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Idaho official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Idaho attorney.
How does Idaho § 49-401A apply to my situation?
Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Idaho can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.
Sources & Verification
Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Idaho.