The Bluebird, Elk or Cutthroat Trout license plates cost an additional $35 above regular registration fees for a new plate and an additional $25 above regular registration fees for renewal. Personalized plates cost an additional $60 for a new plate and $40 for renewal.
A portion of each plate purchase or renewal is a contribution that benefits wildlife diversity programs, including research and management projects that focus on species in greatest need of conservation; habitat monitoring; preservation and rehabilitation; conservation education, wildlife publications and classroom materials.
New plate: Cost $35
$25 is a contribution deposited by the state treasurer for use in wildlife diversity management and programs.
Renewal: $25
$15 is a contribution for use in wildlife diversity management and programs.
New plate: Cost $35
$25 is a contribution, of which $1.25 is for the Idaho Department of Fish and Game’s wildlife disease laboratory program, and $1.25 is designated to a livestock disease control fund.
Renewal: $25
$15 is a contribution, of which 75 cents is deposited into the Idaho Department of Fish and Game’s wildlife disease laboratory program, and 75 cents is designated to a livestock disease control fund.
New plate: Cost $35
$25 is a contribution, of which $2.50 goes to the construction and maintenance of non-motorized boating access facilities for anglers.
Renewal Cost: Cost $25
$15 is a contribution, of which $1.25 goes to the construction and maintenance of non-motorized boating access facilities for anglers.
To purchase a Wildlife license plate (Bluebird, Elk, or Cutthroat Trout), visit your local DMV office. For a listing of DMV offices in Idaho, click here.
You may purchase a Personalized plate online. Click on your choice of plate below.
To renew your Wildlife license, plate click here.
The Wildlife license plates were developed in the early 1990s as a source of essential funding for Idaho’s wildlife diversity programs. Those programs focus on the great diversity of species not hunted, fished or trapped. Game species that share habitats also benefit from license plate sales.
The Wildlife plates are the most popular of all Idaho specialty plates. They raise hundreds of thousands of dollars annually to support species that are not hunted, fished or trapped--98% of Idaho’s biological diversity. Game species that share the same habitats benefit, too, such as elk, deer, antelope, sage-grouse, salmon and trout.
With the help of Idaho citizens, the sponsorship of the Idaho Fish & Wildlife Foundation, a dedicated committee and hundreds of volunteers throughout the state, a successful Wildlife license plate program was established by state statute. The first Wildlife license plate, the “Bluebird” plate, became available in 1993. The “Elk” plate was issued in 1998, and the “Cutthroat Trout” plate was issued in 2003.
The first Wildlife license plates were the traditional, embossed license plates. In the mid-1990s, various states began testing a flat, digital license plate as an adjunct or replacement for the embossed plates. Idaho began the transition to digital plates in 2008. Digital license plates use solvent-free thermal transfer printing technology, which results in a more environmentally-friendly process. Also, a harder, thinner aluminum can be used because there is no need to emboss, which conserves raw materials.
