Overview of Idaho’s License Plate Counties
Idaho is a beautiful state located in the northwestern part of the United States. Known for its scenic beauty and natural wonders, Idaho has a lot to offer to its residents and visitors. One of the unique features of Idaho is its license plate counties.
Idaho’s counties are designated on its license plates in the form of three numbers. Each county has its unique number assigned by the Idaho Transportation Department. The first digit of the number represents one of seven geographical regions of the state. Each region has its unique number range, and each county within that region is assigned a unique number.
The number system of Idaho’s license plate counties is not only unique but also a great way to show pride in their respective counties. It also helps to identify a vehicle’s origin and owner’s residence within the state. This numbering system is exclusively used in Idaho and makes the state stand out from others in the country.
Starting from the north, region one includes the counties of 1-09 Boundary, 1-11 Bonner, 1-13 Shoshone, 1-17 Benewah, 1-21 Kootenai, and 1-23 Latah. Region two includes the counties of 2-03 Clearwater, 2-05 Idaho, 2-07 Lewis, 2-09 Nez Perce, and 2-11 Lemhi. Region three consists of the counties of 3-05 Boise, 3-07 Adams, 3-09 Valley, 3-13 Payette, 3-15 Washington, and 3-25 Gem.
Region four includes the counties of 4-07 Canyon, 4-13 Ada, 4-15 Elmore, 4-27 Owyhee, and 4-39 Boise. Region five consists of the counties of 5-07 Cassia, 5-15 Jerome, 5-17 Twin Falls, 5-19 Minidoka, 5-27 Lincoln, 5-29 Gooding, and 5-31 Blaine. Region six includes the counties of 6-07 Lemhi, 6-09 Custer, 6-13 Butte, 6-21 Clark, and 6-29 Jefferson. Finally, region seven consists of the counties of 7-05 Bonneville, 7-11 Madison, and 7-19 Fremont.
Idaho’s counties are not just designated on its license plates, but they also reflect the state’s rich cultural and geographic diversity. From the rugged mountains to the rolling plains, Idaho has a diverse landscape that is worth exploring. The license plate county system also encourages residents and visitors to travel through various regions of the state and explore what each county has to offer.
Overall, Idaho’s license plate counties system is a unique way of showcasing pride in counties and celebrating the state’s diversity. The numbering system is not only helpful in identifying vehicles but also encourages residents and visitors to explore the state’s natural beauty. So, the next time you see a license plate county number in Idaho, you’ll know exactly which county that vehicle is from!
How License Plate Counties are Assigned in Idaho
If you’ve ever driven through Idaho, you may have noticed that each license plate seems to bear a two or three-digit number followed by a short name or abbreviation of a county. For example, a license plate may read “4ADA,” which indicates that the car is registered in Ada County. So, what’s the story behind Idaho’s license plate counties? How are they assigned, and why?
To answer these questions, we must first understand how Idaho’s counties are organized. Idaho has 44 counties, ranging in size from just under 1,000 residents to more than 250,000 residents. Each county has a unique name and a unique abbreviation, which is used on license plates. These abbreviations can be two or three letters long, and they are assigned based on a specific system.
When a new vehicle is registered in Idaho, the owner must choose a county of residence. This county is usually where the vehicle is garaged or stored. When the county is chosen, the Idaho Transportation Department assigns a corresponding county code to the vehicle’s license plate. This code is based on a specific numbering system that assigns numbers from 1 to 99 to each county in the state.
The system works like this: the smallest counties, by population, are assigned the lowest numbers. For example, Camas County, which has a population of just over 1,000 residents, is assigned the number 1. Clark County, with a population of around 860 residents, is assigned the number 2. As counties get larger, their numbers increase accordingly. Ada County, the most populous county in the state, is assigned the number 4. Canyon County, the second most populous county, is assigned the number 27.
Some Idaho counties share the same first digit in their respective county codes. In these cases, the second digit is used to differentiate between the counties. For example, Ada County and Adams County both have the number 4 as their first digit, but Ada County is assigned the code 4ADA and Adams County is assigned the code 4ADM. This numbering system allows Idaho to continue adding new counties while maintaining a consistent method for assigning license plate codes.
While the county code on a license plate may seem like a small detail, it plays an important role in identifying the vehicle’s county of origin. This can be helpful for law enforcement, vehicle registration purposes, and even just as a fun bit of trivia for Idahoans. So, the next time you see a license plate with a county code, you’ll know just what it means, and how it came to be.
Unique Features of Idaho’s License Plate County System
Idaho is one of the few states in the US that has a unique license plate county system. Instead of having a standard design for all license plates issued within the state, each county has its own unique design. The system was implemented in the 1920s when county clerks were authorized to issue license plates in their respective counties. The idea was to have a unique identification system for vehicles in the state and allow counties to generate revenue from selling license plates.
Today, Idaho’s license plate county system is still in place, and there are 44 different designs representing each of the state’s counties. These designs range from simple and straightforward depictions of county landmarks to more complex designs that contain several images. Some of the unique features of the system include:
1. Customized County Designs
One of the most remarkable things about the Idaho license plate county system is that each county has its own unique design. County officials, artists, and committees come up with designs depicting county landmarks, natural features, and symbols, with the goal of representing the proud heritage and legacy of each county.
The designs are reviewed by the Idaho Transportation Department before being approved, ensuring they meet specific design and safety standards. The designs are then printed on the license plates and distributed to each county’s motor vehicle office.
2. Revenue Generation for Counties
Another unique feature of the Idaho license plate system is that it generates revenue for each county. The county clerks’ offices are the ones that sell the license plates to vehicle owners, and the money collected goes directly to the county’s general fund. This revenue has been put to good use, funding various county programs and services.
Moreover, the revenue collected from the sale of specialty plates supports different charitable organizations and causes. The proceeds from the purchase of the “Share The Road” license plate, for example, go towards promoting bicycle safety and supporting cycling programs across the state.
3. Changing Designs
Idaho’s license plate county system is unique in that the designs of the plates change every five years. The reason for this is to ensure that the state’s license plates remain fresh and exciting and also to comply with federal regulations surrounding license plates’ size and readability.
Every five years, each county submits a new design for the following five-year period, which is reviewed by the Idaho Transportation Department to ensure compliance with safety standards and readability. Once approved, the new plates are issued to vehicle owners in the county.
The changing of the designs every five years has become an exciting event for many residents of the state, and some people look forward to seeing the new plates that come out each cycle.
In conclusion, Idaho’s license plate county system is not only unique but also serves as a way to represent each county’s individual character while generating revenue for the state’s counties. With changing designs every five years, the system ensures that the state’s license plates remain fresh and exciting. Idaho residents can take pride in the individualized license plates on their vehicles while showcasing the beauty and heritage of their county to others.
Collecting Idaho License Plates by County
Collecting license plates can be a fun and engaging hobby for many people. Idaho is a popular state for license plate collectors because of its unique and varied designs. Idaho’s license plates are divided into counties, each with its unique design. In this article, we will explore collecting Idaho license plates by county and the different features and designs of each county’s plates.
Ada County
Ada County is one of the most populous counties in Idaho, and its license plate design reflects the state’s natural beauty. The plate features a mountain range, an image of the Boise River, and a rendition of the state capitol building. Ada County plates are known for their bright blue color and bold font.
Canyon County
Canyon County’s license plate features the Owyhee Mountains and the Snake River. The design reflects the county’s picturesque landscapes and natural beauty. The plate’s font is bold and easy to read, making it a popular choice for car owners in Canyon County.
Kootenai County
Kootenai County’s license plate depicts a bald eagle, which is a symbol of freedom and strength. The county is known for its picturesque lakes, forests, and mountain ranges. This license plate’s design is unique, making it a popular choice among collectors.
Bonner County
Bonner County’s license plate features an image of a moose. The moose is a symbol of the county’s wildlife and natural resources. The design is simple yet unique, making it a favorite among collectors. This license plate is a great addition to any collection of Idaho license plates.
In conclusion, collecting Idaho license plates by county is a fascinating hobby that gives collectors a glimpse into the state’s unique history and culture. Each county’s license plate design reflects the region’s natural beauty and resources, making them a great way to explore Idaho’s diverse landscape. With so many counties to choose from, collectors can build impressive collections of Idaho license plates.
Historical Evolution of Idaho’s License Plate County System
Idaho’s license plate county system has undergone several changes since its inception in 1913. Initially, license plates featured the state name and the vehicle registration number, with no reference to the county of registration. In 1928, the state introduced license plates with county codes. These codes were initially represented by numbers, with “1” being assigned to Ada County, “2” to Adams County, “3” to Bannock County, and so on.
The county codes remained in use until 1945 when they were replaced by the county names. The switch to county names was intended to make it easier for law enforcement officers to recognize the county of registration. However, the state didn’t assign individual county names to each district. Instead, it grouped license plate counties based on their geographical location. For example, the license plate for central Idaho featured the names of several counties without any specific order.
In 1949, the state introduced a new license plate design with a small map of Idaho and the words “Famous Potatoes.” This design remained unchanged until 1957 when the state added the slogan “Scenic Idaho” under the map. Additionally, the county names were reorganized, and license plates now featured the names of all 44 counties in the state, organized in alphabetical order.
In 1968, Idaho introduced its first personalized license plates. These plates could contain up to six characters, which included letters, numbers, and hyphens. However, personalized plates couldn’t contain vulgar or offensive language, and they had to be approved by the state Bureau of Motor Vehicles.
In 1976, Idaho issued its first graphic license plates. These plates featured a graphic design representing the state’s history and culture. For example, the 1976 license plate had an American flag design to commemorate the nation’s bicentennial celebration. Since then, different graphic designs have been used to represent various aspects of Idaho, including its wildlife, natural beauty, and recreational activities.
In 1987, Idaho introduced the county code prefix on license plates. The prefix consisted of one or two letters that indicated the county of registration. For example, a license plate with the prefix “AD” indicated that the vehicle was registered in Ada County. The county code prefix remained in use until 2007, when it was phased out in favor of a seven-digit alpha-numeric code that included the county of registration and the vehicle registration number.
