Indiana residents must register their vehicles after purchase, and new residents must register their out-of-state vehicles.

The process of registering vehicles in Indiana is regulated by the Bureau of Motor Vehicles. The fees to register and renew vehicles vary by county and vehicle type.

Sample Indiana License Plate

Applying for License Plates in Indiana

If you move to Indiana, you have 60 days to register your out-of-state vehicle with the Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV). You must apply in person to a BMV office.

If you purchase a new vehicle from a dealership, some dealers may handle all the paperwork to register your new vehicle. If you don’t require custom or personalized plates, you may be able to drive the vehicle off the lot on the same day.

If you are purchasing a vehicle from a private seller, you will need temporary plates to drive the vehicle legally. Temporary plates are valid for 45 days, allowing you to drive on the road while waiting for your license plates to be registered and processed.

Application Process for License Plates in Indiana

When you apply for your license plates in Indiana, you’ll require the following:

Indiana driver’s license
Vehicle title
Bill of sale
Completed application forms
Proof of car insurance
Payment for fees

It is possible to apply for your license plates either online or in person.

Transferring License Plates in Indiana

If you already have plates and you recently sold, traded, or donated your car, it is possible to transfer your plates to your new vehicle. You have 45 days from the date of purchase to transfer.

You must get your new vehicle titled in your name, and then register it at a BMV office. You’ll also need:

Valid ID
Proof of Insurance
Vehicle Information
Registration Payment
Payment for transfer fee: $9.50

Contact your county’s BMV to obtain a complete list of requirements for license plate transfers in Indiana.

Types of License Plates in Indiana

When you register your vehicle, you have the option to choose or apply for the following:

Standard License Plates
Custom License Plates
Personalized License Plates
Disability License Plates & Placard

The standard license plate is issued immediately, and you will be able to leave the BMV with new plates on your vehicle.

Custom or personalized plates take time to process and prepare. They will be mailed to your address when they are ready.

Custom License Plates in Indiana

If you intend to order custom license plates in Indiana, you may have to submit additional documentation. Some custom license plates require validation; for example, military license plates require proof of military enrollment.

Other custom license plates may invite additional fees, which serve as a donation to the charity or organization being printed on the license plates.

The following is a list of custom license plates available in Indiana:

Fraternity Order of Police License Plates
Professional Firefighters License Plates
Indianapolis Zoological Society License Plates
Purdue University License Plates
Valparaiso University License Plates
Indiana State University License Plates
Gold Star Families License Plates
Purple Heart License Plates
Ex-POW License Plates
Pearl Harbor Survivors License Plates
U.S. Military Veterans License Plates
Antique Vehicle License Plates

You can apply for these custom plates either in person or online. Each plate has different registration and renewal fees. Contact your BMV for more information.

Personalized License Plates in Indiana

Personalizing your license plates means adding your own phrase or words to the plate number. Here are the guidelines to follow to personalize your license plates in Indiana:

Up to 7 characters for a vehicle
Up to 6 characters for motorcycles
You can use letters, words, and 1 space
Cannot use profanity or inappropriate messages
The plate should not be misleading

You’ll be expected to pay $45 to personalize your license plates. You can search online for available license plates in Indiana.

Surrender or Transfer License Plates in Indiana

If you no longer require your license plates, you may be able to keep them. The state of Indiana may require you to surrender your license plates if you are upgrading to a custom or personalized plate.

Also, you can transfer your license plates if you purchase a new vehicle and it is registered and titled in your name. When you transfer your license plates to a new vehicle, you will be expected to pay $9.50 in addition to any registration fees.

Summary of Cost for License Plates in Indiana

Various fees are required when you register your vehicle in Indiana. Here are some of the fees you can expect at the BMV:

Standard License Plate Fee:
- Passenger Vehicle: $21.35
- Recreational Vehicle: $29.35
- Motorcycles: $26.35
- Trucks (less than or equal to 11,000 lbs), for hire bus, mini truck: $30.35
- Trailer (less than or equal to 3,000 lbs), special machinery, collector vehicle, or not-for-hire bus: $16.35
- Trailer (less than or equal to 9,000 lbs): $25.35
Personalized License Plate: $45
Replacement Fee: $9.50
VIN Inspection: $5
Decal Replacement Fee: $9.50
License Plate Transfer Fee: $9.50
Late Vehicle Registration Fee: $15
Changing License Plate Fee: $9.50
Standard Plate Renewal Fees:
- Passenger Vehicle: $21.35
- RV: $29.35
- Motorcycles: $26.35

You may be able to receive your license plates and certified registration stickers when your payment is processed and the paperwork is cleared. If you have selected personalized or special plates, you will receive your plates by mail; it will take some time before they arrive.

How to look up Indiana license plates

Don’t forget to look up license plates in Indiana if you intend to personalize your plates.

You can also use this license plate search tool to get background information about a vehicle, for example, checking to see if the car you’re about to buy was stolen.

Here is a step-by-step guide on how to look up Indiana License Plates and report bad drivers:

Open a web browser
Go to FindByPlate.com
Enter the plate number, and select state
View the report
View images submitted by the community
View videos submitted by the community
Add comments
Add pictures of the vehicle
Add videos related to the vehicle

Car Ownership in Indiana

Indiana ranks 23 (tied) in the list of states with the highest rates of car ownership.
93.90% of households in Indiana have at least one vehicle.
Indiana ranks 35 (tied) in the US for electric vehicle ownership. About 0.17% of all registered vehicles in Indiana are electric vehicles. California has the most electric vehicles in the US, while Mississippi and North Dakota have the fewest.
Indiana ranks 45 on the list of most expensive states to own a car in the US.
The average cost of a check engine light-related car repair in Indiana is $364. The average cost of full coverage car insurance in Indiana is $1,454 per year.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is on the Indiana license plate?

The top of a standard license plate says INDIANA in capital letters and the bottom of the plate features verdant scenery with a red covered bridge. Also in the standard choices is a plate with the slogan “In God We Trust.” Revalidation stickers for the year and month are applied to the upper corners.

Does Indiana have 1 or 2 license plates?

Indiana requires only one license plate to be placed on the rear of the vehicle.

Can I put a cover on my Indiana license plate?

Frames and covers are not allowed on Indiana plates. All text, numbers, and tags should be clearly visible without anything obstructing or obscuring them.

How many characters are allowed on a personalized Indiana plate?

If you are personalizing your plates, the state of Indiana allows 8 characters on a standard passenger vehicle license plate and 6 characters on a standard motorcycle license plate.

Why was my request for a personalized license plate in Indiana is denied?

Your request for a personalized license plate in Indiana may have been denied because it:

Contained profanity or was misleading (for example, FUCK 0F or PO L1CE)
Contained special characters (for example, 10 MILL$)
Did not contain at least two characters
Contained only numbers (for example, 765 4321)
Contained more than one consecutive space
Duplicated a license plate already issued by the BMV

What happens if my Indiana personalized license plate request is denied?

If the BMV denies you request for a personalized license plate in Indiana, you can:

Request a standard license plate (the personalized license plate fee will be refunded to you).
Request another set of characters for you personalized license plate (the fee paid will be adjusted against the new request).

If you believe your personalized license plate denial is unfair, you can appeal the decision by completely a petition for review online, by mail, or by personally appearing at the BMV office in Indianapolis, IN. You must file a written request for review within 18 days of the date on the denial letter.

How do I make a BMV account for Indiana?

You can make a MyBMV account for Indiana by entering your driver license number and the last four digits of your social security number. Creating a MyBMV account will allow you to save a trip to the BMV for services such as license plates and vehicle registration, driver’s license, permits, and IDs, suspension and reinstatements, and vehicle titling.

What is a REAL ID?

Starting on May 7, 2025, you will need a REAL-ID compliant identification, such as a driver’s license or permit, to enter certain federal facilities or board airplanes. A star in the right upper corner of your driver’s license or state ID card indicates that it is REAL ID-compliant. Here’s a document checklist that you must bring to your local BMV branch to upgrade to a REAL ID:

Original ID (unexpired passport, birth certificate, certificate of citizenship or naturalization, etc.)
Additional documentation if your current name does not match your ID
Document to establish lawful status
Social security number
Indiana residency (two original documents, for example, an Indiana voter registration card, utility or hospital bill no older than 60 days, bank state statement dated within 60 days of the application)

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