How Much Does It Cost to Register a Boat in Idaho?
Registering a boat in Idaho costs $30–$70 per year, based on length. It's handled by the Idaho Department of Parks & Recreation and renews annually. Non-motorized craft like kayaks and canoes are generally exempt (check local rules for sailboats). Boats with motors — including trolling motors on otherwise unpowered craft — almost always require registration.
Cost by boat size
| Boat | Per year | One-time (title etc.) |
|---|---|---|
| 14-ft motorboat | $38.00 | $14.00 |
| 20-ft motorboat | $46.00 | $14.00 |
| 28-ft motorboat | $70.00 | $14.00 |
| Kayak/canoe (no motor) | Free — exempt from registration | |
- Formula: $30 for powered boats up to 12 ft plus $2 per additional foot (invasive-species fee included), plus a $1.50 vendor fee.
- Non-motorized craft skip registration but need a $7/yr invasive species sticker (inflatables under 10 ft exempt).
Idaho: common questions
Do I have to register a kayak or canoe in Idaho?
Generally no — unpowered craft are exempt in Idaho. But the moment you mount any motor, including an electric trolling motor, registration is required.
How often do I renew a boat registration in Idaho?
Annually.
Do I have to register my boat trailer separately in Idaho?
Yes — in Idaho the boat and the trailer are two separate registrations. The boat's fee is above; the trailer registers as a utility trailer with the motor-vehicle agency, priced by the trailer's weight (often a low flat fee or a one-time permanent plate). See our Idaho trailer registration calculator for that cost.
Do I need a title for my boat in Idaho?
Yes — Idaho issues a boat title for a one-time $14 fee, generally required for larger or newer motorized vessels (smaller craft are often exempt). The title is separate from the registration fee shown above.
Do I have to register a jet ski or PWC in Idaho?
Yes — personal watercraft (jet skis, Sea-Doos, WaveRunners) are motorized vessels, so they register just like boats in Idaho, usually in the smallest length class. The same Idaho Department of Parks & Recreation handles them, and the same fee schedule applies.
Where do I register a boat in Idaho?
Boat registration in Idaho is handled by the Idaho Department of Parks & Recreation. You can generally register in person, by mail, or online, and you'll need proof of ownership (a bill of sale or title) plus the fee shown above. Renew every year before your decal expires.
Estimate your exact Idaho cost
Your boat
- Registration fee (by length)$46.00
- Title fee$14.00
Estimate only — actual fees are set by your state and county at the time of registration. Data last reviewed 2026-07-16. This state's full local formula is not yet implemented; see the notes below the calculator.
All figures computed from official fee schedules — sources: https://itd.idaho.gov/dmv/registrations-plates-titles/vehicle-registrations/ — last reviewed 2026-07-16.