If your registration sticker was not received in Idaho, you may need to take steps to order a replacement. Your registration tabs can potentially get lost in the mail any time you renew your registration, order a new license plate or request any other type of registration credential by mail. No matter the reason for a license plate sticker not received, it is your responsibility to obtain new tabs in order to avoid penalties.

When asking where to get your Idaho registration sticker and other documents replaced, you will need to use the county office in charge of motor vehicles. Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) matters are usually handled by the County Assessor’s Office. Below, learn what to do in the event you never received your stickers and find out what the penalties are for not replacing your lost tabs.

Common Reasons for a Registration Sticker Not Being Received in Idaho

A DMV sticker not received can occur for a variety of reasons in Idaho. Sometimes, stickers are lost because of errors on the part of the DMV, but there are a few other reasons that your tabs may not arrive. Common reasons for your tabs not being delivered include:

  • Errors on your application.
  • Stickers getting lost in the mail.
  • Paying the wrong renewal fee.
  • Recent address changes that were not reported to the DMV.

While some situations might be out of your control, it is possible to avoid many of these issues by keeping your information current with the DMV and by double checking applications before submitting them. Remember that it is your responsibility to report any address changes to the DMV so that all of your motor vehicle-related correspondence, including tabs, can make it to the correct address. Keep in mind that certain types of DMV materials will not be forwarded by the United States Postal Service (USPS) if you failed to give the DMV your new information.

Can I legally drive if my Idaho registration sticker was not received?

If you have a car sticker not received in Idaho, you may find yourself driving with expired tabs or an invalid license plate. Failing to show valid and current registration can result in fines and other penalties if you are pulled over by a law enforcement officer. Traffic tickets are issued for several different types of registration-related violations, including:

  • Failure to carry registration in vehicle.
  • Failure to display a license plate.
  • Operating a vehicle without registration.

Legally, you are not supposed to continue operating your vehicle without proper registration, regardless of the reason you do not have the necessary tabs or plates. A law enforcement officer will likely still issue a ticket for failing to show your current registration credentials even if you attempt to explain that your tabs or other documents were simply lost in the mail.

Additional Consequences of a License Sticker Not Received in Idaho

While you need to get a DMV registration sticker in Idaho annually or biennially, keep in mind that you are also required to get new license plates on a regular basis. By law, you need to order new plates or submit a form requesting to keep your existing plate number every few years in Idaho.

Your new license plates and tabs will arrive in the mail, but you will be issued a temporary permit to use in the meantime. In the event of a DMV registration sticker not received within the six-week timeframe, you may need to order another set of plates and tabs. Failing to show a valid temporary registration document can carry the same penalties as improperly displaying your permanent plates.

Steps to Take If Your Idaho DMV Sticker Was Not Received

When your Idaho DMV sticker replacement has not been delivered in a timely manner, there are a few steps you can take to check the status of your order. First, you can contact your County Assessor to ask how long new tabs usually take to arrive in the mail. In many cases, tabs take up to two weeks or longer to arrive. If it has only been a few days since you ordered your tabs, it is possible your renewal or replacement is still being processed. Second, you may check the registration status of your vehicle on the Idaho Department of Transportation’s (DOT) website. All you need to do is enter your license plate number, as well as your driver’s license number, to check the status of your registration.

Where to Get Registration Sticker Replacements in Idaho

If your Idaho car tag sticker has been lost in the mail, you may need to take action in order to get replacement tabs. It is important to note that the proper steps for replacing a lost sticker can vary based on where you live. DMV policies and procedures can differ from one county to the next, so it is always a good idea to contact the local County Assessor for help if you are unsure of the proper steps to take.

You may be able to replace your sticker online in Idaho depending on the policies in your county. If you are eligible to order stickers online where you live, be prepared to enter basic information such as your:

  • Name and address.
  • License plate number.
  • Registration card number.
  • Vehicle identification number (VIN).

If you cannot get a registration sticker online in your county, you will likely be required to visit a DMV office in person or locate a car plate sticker renewal form on your County Assessor’s website. Once complete, a paper form will usually be accepted through the mail or in person.

Last updated on Tuesday, March 10 2020.