How to transfer a car title in Idaho
For private sellers and buyers in Idaho. A dealer trade-in follows the dealer's own process.
To transfer a car title in Idaho, the seller signs the title over, writes the price on a bill of sale that both people sign, takes the plates off, and files a release of liability. The buyer files at a county assessor's motor vehicle office within 30 days of the sale and pays the title fee and sales tax.
What do the buyer and seller each do in Idaho?
Seller
- Sign the title over to the buyer, releasing your interest.
- Write the total price on the bill of sale and sign it. The buyer signs it too.
- Take your plates off. You can move them to another car you own through a DMV office.
- Within 5 days of handing over the car, file a release of liability with the Idaho DMV. It protects you from tickets and charges after delivery.
Buyer
- File at a county assessor's motor vehicle office within 30 days, or pay a $20 late-filing penalty.
- Bring the title signed by the seller. For a car newer than 2010 under 16,000 lbs, an odometer disclosure is needed.
- If the car comes from another state or was never titled in Idaho, it needs a VIN inspection.
- Pay sales tax on the total price when you apply for the title. There is no trade-in credit on a private sale.
- A car from a parent, child, grandparent, grandchild, brother or sister is tax free if they paid sales tax on it. Bring Form ST-133.
If you're not sure what you need, check with the Idaho Transportation Department (Idaho DMV) before you go: itd.idaho.gov
How do I sign over a car title in Idaho?
Step 2 · Seller
Fill out a bill of sale.
Write the total price. You and the buyer both sign. Form ITD 3738 can be used.
tax.idaho.gov checkedStep 4 · Seller
File a release of liability within 5 days.
Online or with your county assessor, with the $3.50 fee.
itd.idaho.gov checked
We have not confirmed whether Idaho requires a bill of sale. Check with the Idaho Transportation Department (Idaho DMV) before you sell.
Idaho bill of saleHow do I put a car title in my name in Idaho?
Step 1 · Buyer
Get the signed title and bill of sale.
The bill of sale is your proof of the price for the tax.
itd.idaho.gov checkedStep 2 · Buyer
Go to a county assessor within 30 days.
Apply for the title with Form ITD 3337. After 30 days a $20 penalty applies.
ITD 3337 · Application for Certificate of Idaho Titleitd.idaho.gov checkedStep 3 · Buyer
Pay the sales tax.
On the total price. No trade-in credit on a private sale.
tax.idaho.gov checked
After Idaho DMV processes your papers, it issues the new title in the new owner's name.
Idaho guides
How much does a title transfer cost in Idaho?
| Fee | Amount | Who pays | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Title fee | $14 plus a county admin fee | Buyer | itd.idaho.gov Checked |
| Sales tax | Due when you apply | Buyer | tax.idaho.gov Checked |
| Release of liability filing | $3.50 | Seller | itd.idaho.gov Checked |
| Late title filing penalty, after 30 days (if it applies) | $20 | Buyer | itd.idaho.gov Checked |
| Rush processing, if you want it (if it applies) | $26 | Buyer | itd.idaho.gov Checked |
| Total of required fees, before tax | Not confirmed yet |
Fees can change. Check the official page before you pay. Tax depends on the price and on who is buying. The tax rules are on the site of the Idaho State Tax Commission.
Special cases
- Giving a car as a giftNot confirmed yet Gift steps for Idaho are being checked.
- Lost titleUse the Duplicate Idaho Title Application (ITD 3367).
Common questions
How long does the seller have to file the release of liability?
5 days of handing over the car. It protects you from tickets and charges after delivery.
legislature.idaho.gov checked
Is there sales tax on a car from family?
Not from a parent, child, grandparent, grandchild, brother or sister who paid sales tax on it. Bring the family exemption form.
tax.idaho.gov checked
Sources for this page
- itd.idaho.gov/dmv/
registrations-plates-titles/ Checkedvehicle-titles/ - itd.idaho.gov/wp-content/
uploads/ Checked2025/ 03/ 3858.pdf - legislature.idaho.gov/statutesrules/
idstat/ Checkedtitle49/ t49ch5/ sect49-526/ - tax.idaho.gov/taxes/
sales-use/ Checkedtransportation/ motor-vehicles/ nondealers/ types-of-sales/
About this page
This page summarizes official Idaho sources in plain English. Car Title Steps is not a government website, is not connected to the Idaho Transportation Department (Idaho DMV), and does not file or prepare forms. Confirm each step with the agency before you sign, pay or mail anything. Found a mistake? Email mr@marcelruettgers.com.