What do television and elk license plates have in common? Both are going digital.
The brightly colored and newly re-designed elk wildlife license plate became available May 9 at county auto-licensing offices throughout Idaho. The earlier elk design is no longer available. In 2007, the Idaho Transportation Department joined more than a dozen other states by changing to a more efficient digital license plate production technology.
Benefits include:
- Expenses are reduced through automated ordering and inventory control.
- Digital plates are a lighter, more durable aluminum.
- The new technology allows a wider variety of colors.
Wildlife license plates cost $35 when initially purchased, and $25 when renewed in addition to annual registration fees, county administrative fees and plate fees.
Idaho wildlife license plates are available to all Idaho motorists. The elk plate is the highest-selling specialty plate with purchases totaling 61,100 and about 82 percent renewed each year.
Since 1993, Idahoans have purchased 37,300 bluebird plates with about 85 percent renewed each year. The cutthroat trout plate, introduced in 2003, has sold 13,100 with 81 percent renewed each year.
In 1993, the Idaho Fish and Wildlife Foundation Inc., a nonprofit corporation, introduced the trio of wildlife license plates to help support wildlife conservation, education and recreation through the Idaho Department of Fish and Game's nongame wildlife program. Proceeds from the sale of wildlife license plates support habitat improvements, wildlife viewing events, surveys for species of greatest conservation need, and wildlife classroom materials.
The Foundation is dedicated to helping protect and sustain Idaho's hunting, fishing, and wildlife heritage for present and future generations.
Motorists won't have to replace their current elk wildlife plate until the seven-year reissue requirement is met. In addition to the elk plate, motorists may purchase the bluebird or cutthroat wildlife license plates. The digital bluebird or cutthroat license plates will be available once remaining inventory has been depleted.
