[Vision2020] Vehicle Registration Announcement

[Jennifer McFarland]

Visionaries:

Latah County Sheriff’s deputies have become aware that many pickups
registered in Latah County have not been registered properly for the weight
they are transporting on public roads.  This is especially true of the newer
diesel engine pickups and three-quarter ton pickups.

Vehicles weighing less than 8000 pounds may display “normal” “1L” or other
passenger vehicle registrations as outlined in Idaho Code §49-403(1).  

Idaho Code §49-434(1) requires noncommercial vehicles  8,000 pounds but not
in excess of 60,000 pounds to be registered differently.  This code requires
that vehicles within these parameters be registered with a “T” (truck) plate
or to be registered specifically for their weight class (based on a sliding
scale).  Specialty plates (wildlife, police officer’s memorial, Purple Heart
plates, etc.) may also be registered this way, so people wanting specialty
plates are not precluded from proper registration.

Local auto dealers have verified that all of their ¾ ton, crew-cab style
pickups have an empty curb weight of 7000 lbs. or greater.  Thus, in all
probability, a diesel pickup weighted with four adults and whatever gear or
equipment will bring the vehicle weight in excess of 8000 lbs—making it
subject to infraction or misdemeanor penalties if not registered properly.

The laws detail that the vehicle, or combination of vehicles, are included
in the weight formula.  This includes ATVs, snowmobiles, trash and
construction attachments, and livestock attachments (vehicle weight +
attachment weight + load weight = weight considered under code).  Camp
trailers, boat and trailer combinations, and slide-in campers are exempt.

Idaho Code §49-1013 gives a sliding scale for penalties.  Vehicles found to
be over-weight up to 4000 lbs are subject to infraction penalties; those in
violation in excess of 4000 lbs over the registered allowed weight are
subject to misdemeanor penalties.

If the “GVWR” placard in your truck indicates a rating higher than 8000 lbs,
you need to register your vehicle as a truck (“T” designated license plate
and registration).

Deputy Ron Vietmeier of the Latah County Sheriff’s Office is organizing
enforcement efforts for later in the year to include random checks of
vehicles carrying loads of wood, livestock, and other items which appear to
be in violation of these registration codes.

If you have any questions regarding your vehicle and whether it needs to be
registered as a “truck,” please contact Deputy Ron Vietmeier at the Latah
County Sheriff’s Office business line at (208) 882-2216.

Jennifer L. McFarland
Detective/Public Information Officer
Latah County Sheriff's Office
PO Box 8068
Moscow, Idaho 83843
(208) 882-2216

Truth is the summit of being; justice is the application of it to affairs.
***Ralph Waldo Emerson