Selling a dead or junk car in Boise

How Boise's code describes a wrecked car

Section 3-16-2 holds the definitions for the city's towing rules. One of them covers vehicles that are "extensively damaged, to include, but not limited to, broken windows and/or windshield or missing parts integral to physical operation of the vehicle, such as tires, motor or transmission." The same definition reaches cars "that pose a safety risk, such as those with leaking fluids," and any car that "cannot be legally driven on the roadway in the condition in which they are found."

That last clause is wide. A car with a shattered windshield can fall inside it even when the engine still turns over.

The zoning code in section 11-06-03 comes at the same problem from another side. It names "any automobile, truck, or other vehicle that is inoperable or in some obvious state of disrepair or abandonment." Where it allows outdoor storage of vehicles, it carves out wrecked or inoperable ones by name.

The 24-hour and 72-hour clocks

• 24 hours. Boise's 3-16-2 also defines it as a car on a highway or public parking area, or on private property without permission, "for twenty four (24) hours or longer."
• 72 hours. In a City parking facility, section 6-10A-18 says "no person shall park a vehicle for more than seventy two (72) consecutive hours" unless specifically allowed. Parking Services or the Boise Police Department can tow and impound a car that overstays.
• Wrecked or junked cars. Section 3-16-5-3 lets any law enforcement officer direct the removal of vehicles that are "abandoned, unlicensed, wrecked, junked or hazardously parked" on a street, roadway or public place.

By the side of a highway, Idaho law adds its own step. In Boise, an abandoned car gets a notice that it will be towed after 48 hours. With current plates, the officer tries to reach the owner, but the tow goes ahead either way. If your car is already gone, read towed or impounded.

Shops and the cars waiting on them

Boise's commercial-use rules say a repair business may keep "damaged, wrecked or temporarily inoperable vehicles awaiting repairs" outdoors only in designated parking stalls, never in setbacks, landscaping or drive aisles. If your car has been parked at a shop while you decide whether the repair is worth it, stuck at a repair shop lays out the choices. The truck can collect a car from a shop lot as easily as from a home.

Title work in Ada County

A Boise private sale is titled through the county assessor's motor vehicle office, which means Ada County handles it rather than the state. The state title fee is $14, and the county adds its own admin fee on top. Boise is also where ITD itself takes titles sent by mail.

A junk sale has one extra step in Idaho. If a Boise car is sold as not an operating unit, the owner puts "for junk only" on the front of the title during the sale. Those words stay on every future title, and the car can't be sold for driving again.

Lost the title? To replace it, use the Duplicate Idaho Title Application, form ITD 3367. Get it notarized. Only the owner or lienholder on record, or someone acting for them, can apply. More in selling with no title.

Plates, the release and the buyer's 30 days

Unscrew the plates before the tow truck hooks up. A Boise seller holds on to the plates and registration card. The plate can go on another car once that car is registered, for a $5 transfer fee.

Then a Boise seller has 5 days from handing over the car to file the release of liability with ITD. The fee is $3.50. Once it is on file, later infractions, towing, storage, repair and service charges on that car are not yours. A Boise buyer who doesn't file with the county assessor within 30 days pays a $20.00 late penalty. The after you sell guide has the full list.

You don't need an emissions test beforehand. Idaho's last program covered the Treasure Valley in Ada County, and it was repealed effective July 1, 2023.

Nearby

Neighboring pages: Meridian, about 8.5 miles away as the crow flies, then Kuna at 10.0, Eagle at 11.3 and Nampa at 16.6. Statewide rules are on the Idaho page.

Getting an offer

Got a dead car in Boise? Boise sellers can call (877) 421-6008 or fill out the online offer form. Curb, home garage or repair bay all work for loading.