IDAHO

Motorcycle registration began in 1913 at the same time passenger plates were issued by the state in early 1913.  It is doubtful any smaller motorcycle plates were issued in 1913, 1914 or 1915, as the earliest known plate is a 1916.  The 1913 law stated that a 6" x 15" rear plate would be issued to all motor vehicles, but that motorcycles instead "may display" their registered number in 2-inch-tall figures, along with the state name and year date, on the rear mud guard.  This language was not changed despite several other amendments being made in a subsequent law passed on March 12, 1915, effective immediately.  Therefore, we believe that 1916 is the first state-issued motorcycle plate, ending the optional motorcycle pre-state era in Idaho.

A pair of photos of a man and his motorcycle in 1914 show a 1914 passenger plate #180 mounted to the rear wheel spokes.

Based on the highest known 1913 passenger plate number of #2301, and the fact that 2,083 passenger vehicles and 261 motorcycles were registered in 1913, this known number is too high for the passenger category but fits within the total of 2,344 for both types combined.  The chart below shows comparisons for 1914 and 1915 as well as 1913.  Therefore, we believe that passenger plates were issued to motorcycles in 1913, 1914 and 1915, but that motorcycle owners could optionally display a smaller pre-state plate during each of these years.  In 1916, 754 motorcycles were registered, with the highest 1916 motorcycle plate known being #750.

          REGISTRATIONS         HIGHEST KNOWN

       PASS.   M/C   TOTAL      PLATE NUMBERS

1913   2,083   261   2,344          2301

1914   3,346   395   3,741          3355

1915   7,074   627   7,701          7546

Another piece of evidence in support of real-life application of the above law is an article in the Twin Falls News on May 29, 1913:

      "DON'T NEED BIG TAGS"

      "Motorcyclists May Paint License Numbers on Machine Rear Mud Guards."

      "C. W. Brannan has been advised by Secretary of State W. L. Gifford

       that the law allows the painting of motorcycle license numbers on the

       rear mud guards of the machines, providing the figures are at least

       two inches high.  Mr. Brannan wrote Secretary Gifford a short time

       ago, asking that if the numbers could be painted on the machines so as

       to do away with the large and cumbersome license tags which are liable

       to catch on objects while passing, resulting in damage and perhaps

       injury.  This will be glad news to motorcyclists."