Idaho State Policeidaho police patch

gallery of police cars

The Bureau of Constabulary under the Idaho Department of Law Enforcement was established in May of 1919.

In March of 1929, the State Traffic Patrol was formed to address the matters of vehicular "high speed" on new asphalt roadways and the carnage that can sometimes come with it. By 1930, the fifteen man force collected auto license fees, set up light and brake testing stations, enforced spring highway load restrictions, suppressed gasoline bootleggers, kept irrigation water from eroding the highways and enforced all aircraft regulations as well! Their primary mandate however was to patrol the highways and reduce the collision rate.

By the end of 1930, over 2000 motorists on Idaho's highways were warned of traffic infractions and the most serious offenders found themselves in handcuffs. 21 Patrol Districts were set up and patrolled routinely. By 1938, US Route 95 known as the "North-South Highway" was completed and the need for stepped-up enforcement was required. In 1939, the Idaho State Police became the new name and organization that embodied the necessary authority to address all matters and manners of a state law enforcement mandate. In 1947, the Idaho State Police was up to 40 sworn officers and they received 40 new Chevrolet coupes with large diagonal stripes down both sides.

The birth of the "skunk car" as ISP marked patrol cars are known began. Strict enforcement of truck registration, weight and equipment laws by the Idaho State Police commenced with the "Port of Entry" program that went into full swing in 1952. This program alone required 25 officers to cover 44 counties to sustain it. The State Police became a separate division of the Department of Law Enforcement in 1955 and a superintendent appointed by the state governor became the man who administered and managed the agency. ISP marked patrol vehicles went to blue and white in 1965 and in 1978, they returned to the traditional black and white diagonal stripe. This was also the year that "bubble style" roof lights were replaced by light bars. In July of 1982, Port of Entry and Motor Vehicle Divisions were moved from the Department of Law Enforcement to the Idaho Transportation Department.

1983 saw delivery of twelve 5.0 liter Ford Mustangs for patrol. These 140 mph patrol cars required the specialized training of twelve lucky officers to manage the speed and handling of these hard-working vehicles. The ISP celebrated its 50th Anniversary on February 20 1989.

The Idaho State Police used exempt prefixed license plates for their marked patrol cars since their inception in 1929 when they were known as the Idaho Highway Patrol. The ISP had a reserved number bloc in the 400s which is still being used to this day, although the EX prefix was replaced by an ISP prefix in the 1970's. As the fleet grew, the reserved number bloc expanded into the 500 and 600 blocs as well.





License Plates of the Idaho State Police

  • Idaho license plate imageOnce thought to be a first issue ISP license plate based on being an EXEMPT VEHICLE with a number in the 400 bloc.
    Embossed steel. 5 1/2"x 12".
    Yellow over black.
    Photo below showing 1930 group of ISP officers reveals regular passenger car license plates mostly in the early 200 series.
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  • 1930 Idaho line up of police car
  • 1930 Idaho line up of police car Boise Idaho- 1930. A gathering of Idaho State Police Officers with their Command Staff and cars. All cars bearing standard black over yellow-orange Idaho passenger license plates mostly in lower 200 series. Commander's Buick bearing number 2.
    Previously believed to have EX (EXEMPT) prefix license in 400 bloc.
    (Courtesy Jack McGee)

1930 issue. Embossed steel. 5 1/2"x 12". Black over deep yellow. Exempt EX prefix followed by number in 400 bloc. 1930-IDAHO embossed along bottom.

  • Idaho license plate image1931 issue. Embossed steel.
    5 1/2"x 12". White over black.
    Exempt EX prefix followed by number in 400 bloc.
    (Courtesy Jack McGee)
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1932 issue. Embossed steel. 6" x 12 1/2". Black over orange. Exempt identifier and number in 400 bloc.

  • Idaho license plate image1933 "Combined Exempt" issue. Embossed steel. 6 1/4" x 13 1/2". Orange over black. Only one of this era without EX prefix. S infix instead. 19-IDAHO-33 embossed along bottom.
    (Courtesy Jack McGee)
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  • Idaho license plate image1934 issue. Embossed steel.
    6" x 13 1/2".
    Black over deep yellow.
    Exempt E prefix followed by number in 400 bloc followed by X suffix.
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  • Idaho license plate image1935 issue. Embossed steel.
    6" x 13 1/2".
    Deep yellow over black.
    Exempt E prefix followed by number in 400 bloc followed by X suffix.
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  • Idaho license plate image1936 issue. Embossed steel.
    6" x 13 1/2".
    Black over deep yellow.
    Exempt E prefix followed by number in 400 bloc followed by X suffix.
    (Courtesy of Jack McGee)
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1937 issue. Embossed steel. 5 1/2" x 12". Black over silver. Exempt E prefix followed by number in 400 bloc followed by X suffix. STATE-37-IDA embossed along bottom center.

  • Idaho police license plate1938 issue. Embossed steel.
    5 1/2" x 12".
    White over maroon. Exempt E prefix followed by number in 400 bloc followed by X suffix.
  • Idaho police car with license plate1938 issue # 404
  • Idaho license plate image1939 issue. Embossed steel.
    5 1/2" x 12".
    Yellow over blue. Exempt E prefix followed by number in 400 bloc followed by X suffix.
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  • Idaho state police car

1940 issue. Embossed steel. 5 1/2" x 12". Green over Yellow-orange. Exempt E prefix followed by number in 400 bloc followed by X suffix. STATE-IDAHO-1940 embossed along bottom.
1941 issue. Embossed steel. 5 1/2" x 12". Black over yellow. STATE stacked vertically on left side of plate. Number in 400 bloc followed by IDAHO stacked vertically on right side of plate over EX-41 embossed in bottom center.
1942 issue. Embossed steel. 5 1/2" x 12". Blue over light gray. IDAHO 42 over small exempt EX prefix followed by number in 400 bloc.
1943 issue. No plate issued due to metal conservation for War effort. 1942 license plates revalidated for 1943 via 3 1/2" x 5 1/2" black and yellow windshield decal.

  • Idaho police license plate1944 issue. No plate issued due to metal conservation efforts for War effort. 1942 license plate revalidated for 1944 via 2 3/4" x 4" black over cream windshield decal.
    (Courtesy Jack McGee)
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1945 issue. Embossed steel. 5 1/2" x 12". Black over yellow-orange. Exempt EX prefix followed by number in 400 bloc over IDAHO 45.
1946 issue. Embossed steel. 5 1/2" x 12". White over black. Exempt EX prefix followed by number in 400 bloc over IDAHO 46.

IIdaho state police car

1947 issue. Embossed steel. 5 3/4" x 12 3/4". White over blue. IDAHO 47 over exempt EX prefix followed by number in 400 bloc.

IIdaho state police car1948 Idaho Exempt license plate # EX- 438 (White over blue)
(Courtesy Kip Wills)

1948 issue. Embossed aluminum. 6 1/8" x 13". Black over aluminum. Idaho 48 over exempt EX prefix folllowed by number in 400 bloc.
1949 issue. Embossed aluminum validation tab. 1 1/4" x 1 7/8". Red over aluminum inserted into tab slits on either side of the 48 from the 1948 issue.
1950 issue. Embossed steel. 5 1/2" x 12". White over black. IDAHO 50 over exempt EX prefix followed by number in 400 bloc.
1951 issue. Embossed steel. 5 1/2" x 12". White over maroon. IDAHO 51 over number in 400 bloc.

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  • Idaho state police car1951 issue
  • Idaho state police car1952 issue. Embossed steel.
    5 1/2" x 12". White over maroon. IDAHO 52 over number in 400 bloc. STATE along bottom.
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  • Idaho state police car1952 STATE issue # 447 (White over maroon)
    (Courtesy Kip Wills)

From 1953 until the present day, all license plates used by the Idaho State Police measure the standard 6" x 12". Only color and formatting will be detailed in each type description.
1953-1955 issue. Embossed steel. White over black. IDAHO top left center over number in 400 bloc and STATE on bottom.
1955-1956 issue. Embossed steel. Black over white. IDAHO top left center over number in 400 bloc and STATE on bottom.
1957 issue. Embossed steel. White over light green. IDAHO 57 over number in 400 bloc and STATE on bottom.

Idaho license plate image

Idaho scale for trucks

1957 photo of Port of Entry scales at Idaho state line. ISP Port of Entry patrol car in light green instead of black. Photo courtesy of the late Earl Jenson as is the color photo above it showing the black 1956 Chevrolet with ISP plate # 453.

  • Idaho license plate image1958 issue. Embossed steel.
    Green over white. IDAHO 58 over number in 400 and 500 bloc and STATE on bottom.
    (Courtesy Jack McGee) 
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  • Idaho license plate image1959 issue. Embossed steel.
    White over green.
    IDAHO 59 over number in 400 and 500 bloc and STATE on bottom.
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1960 issue. Embossed steel. Green over white. IDAHO 60 over number in 400 bloc and STATE on bottom.

  • Idaho license plate image1961 issue. Embossed steel.
    White over green.
    IDAHO 61 over number in 400 bloc and STATE on bottom.
    This particular plate in the 600 series indicates via an inscription on the backside that it was used on the vehicle of a state game warden in Carey Idaho.
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1962 issue. Embossed steel. Green over white. IDAHO 62 over number in 400 bloc and STATE on bottom.
1963 issue. Embossed steel. White over green. IDAHO 63 over number in 400 bloc and STATE on bottom.

  • Idaho license plate image1964 issue. Embossed steel.
    Green over white. IDAHO 64 over number in 400 bloc and STATE on bottom.
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  • Idaho license plate image1965 issue. Embossed steel.
    White over green. IDAHO 65 over number in 400 bloc and STATE on bottom.
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  • Idaho license plate image1966-1967 issue. Embossed steel.
    Green over white. IDAHO with NO YEAR over number in 400 bloc and STATE on bottom.
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In 1968, Idaho decided to experiment with a variety of base license plates for motorists in the state (SIX variations in total!) and the State Police were part of the experimentation process with a number of different types used from 1968 until the next full license plate change-over in 1975.
Seen below are some of these variations.

  • Idaho license plate image1968-1974 STATE issue using undated green over reflective white with sloppy application. These plates are often mistaken for "re-paints" due to the poor quality control before they were issued.
    Number in 400 bloc.
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  • Idaho license plate image1968-1974 STATE issue using undated green over reflective white with ridiculoulsy small and narrow dies for the state name, STATE and even the numerals. Barely legible from a distance.
    Number in 400 bloc.
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  • Idaho license plate image1973 DATED issue. Green over reflective white. Rare type and likely not used as Idaho State Police license plates were supposed to be undated as multi-year plates. This one is in mint condition and shows no signs of having been affixed for duty.
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  • Idaho license plate image1968-1974 issue. Embossed aluminum.
    Green over reflective white.
    Number in 400 bloc and early 500 bloc closer to late 1974.
    This type tended to be the more prevalent type used during the 1968-1974 period.
  • Idaho state police car and officers
  • Idaho state police car and officers
  • Idaho license plate image1975-1986 issue.
    Number in 400 and 500 blocs.
    This is the early version which has the non-seriffed letter I in the ISP prefix and no dash seperator. This version also has decal recesses in the lower corners of the plate. This plate can be seen "on duty" in adjoining photo to the right.
    (Courtesy Robert Ward)
  • Idaho license plate on car
  • Idaho state police car
  • Idaho state police car1940's ISP meets 1970's ISP
    (Courtesy Tom Wilson) 
  • Idaho license plate image1975-1986 issue.
    Number in 400 and 500 bloc.
    This is the later version which has the seriffed letter I in the ISP prefix and dash seperator. Absence of decal recesses and use of brighter white background sheeting. Uncertain when the changeover to this version took place.
  • Idaho state police car(Courtesy Preston Koening)
  • Idaho license plate image1975-1986 issue for the Peace Officer Standards and Training facility located in Meridien.
    These plates were used on POST Academy Vehicles.
    (Courtesy Michael Morgan)
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  • Idaho state police car

In late 1985, the state of Idaho conducted a general "re-plate" of motor vehicles in the state. The plate was in green over reflective white and featured a stylized silkscreened top legend. The state name was in upper case font with the letter A done as a snow-capped mountain peak. A thin green line over a thick green line traverses from one end of the plate just below the upper mounting holes and beneath the state name. On the right side of the state name, the two lines continue to the right of the plate and then morph into jagged mountain silhouettes.
The bottom of the plate uses the same green line layout as the top portion, however in a straight uninterrupted line from one end of the plate to the other just below the bottom mounting holes. A rectangular outline occupies the lower right corner to accommodate validation decal
The earliest version of this plate used by the Idaho State Police had a seriffed I prefix letter followed by a number between 401 and 700. The word EXEMPT was embossed in green in the center bottom of the plate.
This plate proved to be highly unpopular with ISP Troopers. So much so, that by Spring of 1987 the preferred ISP prefix replaced the single letter I prefix on the same format.

  • Idaho license plate image1986-1987 issue. Seriffed letter I prefix followed by number between 401 and 700. EXEMPT embossed on lower section. Unpopular government coded exempt plate used by ISP and used for barely one year as a result.
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  • Idaho license plate imageSpring 1987 to December 1987 issue. Return of the ISP prefix and replacement of EXEMPT with STATE. Shortlived layout which was quickly replaced by the state centennial base plate described below. Rare type.
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In 1987, Idaho was gearing-up to celebrate its centennial which was to take place in three short years. One of the initiatives to showcase the upcoming state 100 year celebration was to spearhead a general "re-plate" of all license plates in the state with a very special commemorative design. The new Idaho Centennial license plates were introduced to the motoring public and the ISP on January 1 1987. The top of the plate had a reflective red background with 1890 IDAHO 1990 in white. The red faded to white as it proceeded downward toward the center of the plate. In the reflective white field was a large and small pine tree in dark blue to the extreme left which continued into a coniferous forest in the same color across the lower center of the plate. Above the forest is a lighter blue and white mountain range. The lower portion of the plate comprises the forest foreground in dark blue with the word CENTENNIAL emblazoned in white between the lower mounting holes. A white rectangular void occupies the lower right corner to accommodate validation decals.
The Idaho State Police began using these plates at that time with the ISP prefix and a number from the 400 to 700 bloc.
The plates were "validated" at first by a white over blue reflective decal with EX inscribed. Later issues of this decal were dark blue over reflective white with EX inscribed. These plates were so popular that they continued to be used long after the state centennial in 1990.
In 1991, the years 1890 and 1990 were dropped from the top of the plate and replaced with the word Scenic in reflective white script in the upper left portion of the plate. The reflective white word CENTENNIAL on the bottom of the plate was replaced by the popular state motto FAMOUS POTATOES which has been used on regular Idaho license plates consistently since 1957.
The early version of the “Scenic” plate saw the two pine trees relocated to the right side of the plate over the validation decal area.
Around 1996, the larger pine trees were dropped from the design altogether.

  • Idaho state police car
  • Idaho license plate image1987-1991 issue. State Centennial base.
    Early version with larger character dies.
  • Idaho state police car
  • Idaho license plate image1987-1991 issue. State Centennial base.
    Later version with smaller/thinner character dies.
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  • Idaho state police car
  • Idaho state police carISP Camaro (ISP 472)
    (Courtesy Darryl Lindsay)
  • Idaho license plate image1991-2008 issue. Scenic base. Later type with larger pine trees no longer in place. Earlier version has the two larger pine trees to the RIGHT of the plate as seen in photo below of ISP Ford Crown Victoria number ISP 607.
  • Idaho state police car
  • Idaho state police car
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  • Idaho license plate image
  • Idaho state police car2022 (ISP 495)
  • Idaho license plate image1991-2008 issue. Sample.
  • Idaho police patch
  • Idaho license plate image2008-Current issue. All-flat silkscreened type. Helix hologram down center of plate and UPC bar code below Exempt decal.
    (Courtesy of Robert Ward)
  • Idaho license plate imageService/Support vehicle.
    (Courtesy Jim Aitken)
  • Idaho state police carISP Mobile Command Center
    (Courtesy Jim Aitken)
  • Idaho license plate image2014- 75th Anniversary issue.
    All flat-screened.
    Special order type via State Police Association.
    Number 400 Colonel's issue.
  • Idaho license plate image75th Anniversary Souvenir type.
    (Courtesy Pete Flynn)

Motorcycle License Plates of the Idaho State Police

Motorcycle usage by the Idaho State Police began in 1931 and ended soon thereafter. In 1971, the ISP purchased five motorcycles for patrol, but were limited only to summer months. With an increase in injuries and other problems, motorcycle use was phased out by the end of summer 1982.
Only within the past few years has a resurgence of motorcycle use by ISP taken place.
It is unknown what kind of license plates were used on the earlier ISP motors. The newer motors bear a miniature version of the auto-sized license plate and use the same numbering format.

  • police motorcycle license plateLate 1970's Idaho SP Cowboy Motorman
    (Courtesy Kip Wills)
  • police motorcycle license plate2008-current motorcycle issue.
    All-silkscreened with step-border.
  • Idaho license plate imageISP motorcycle bearing plate # ISP 468

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