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Indiana driver guide · Michigan City Ford · Michigan City, IN
Indiana License Plates: Types, Fees and Rules
Choosing a specialty plate, personalizing one or just checking where the stickers go? Here is what the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) says about plate types, extra fees, personalized messages, display rules and renewals.
$45per year to personalize a plate (BMV)
$45per year for a Blackout plate (BMV)
8characters max on a standard passenger PLP
12 in.minimum plate height off the ground
The short answer
Every Indiana plate carries registration fees and taxes based on your vehicle and where you live. Personalizing adds $45 a year, the Blackout plate adds $45 a year, and Special Group Recognition plates can add group fees. Plates go on the rear, at least 12 inches up, with frames that leave every sticker and character visible.
Types of Indiana license plates
The Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) offers many plate designs. Some honor history, others support the military and their families, and others help schools and local groups. The BMV groups its designs as standard, college and university, military, organization and personalized plates, plus plates made for certain kinds of vehicles.
Standard plates
The standard passenger plate may be displayed on passenger cars. It can be ordered through myBMV.com, at a branch and at other customer service locations.
Special Group Recognition plates
College and university plates and organization plates are Special Group Recognition (SGR) plates. They may carry a group fee that goes back to the sponsoring organization, plus other fees.
Military plates
Plates for military personnel, Hoosier veterans and supporters of the armed forces. Some require state forms, and all are available as motorcycle plates.
Personalized plates
A personalized license plate (PLP) carries a BMV-approved message requested by the vehicle's owner or lessee.
Most designs, including the standard passenger and personalized plates, can go on motorcycles, passenger vehicles, recreational vehicles (RVs) and trucks with a declared gross weight of not more than 11,000 pounds. Low-digit plates (1 to 100) need authorization from the sponsoring organization.
From the BMV's License Plates Overview, Standard License Plates, License Plate Designs and Military License Plates pages, read November 10, 2026.
What Indiana license plates cost
When you buy or renew any Indiana plate, you pay registration fees and taxes. The BMV says the amount depends on the year and make of your vehicle and your county and municipality of residence. Some plates add fees on top of that:
| Plate option | Extra fee, per the BMV |
|---|---|
| Personalized message | $45, due at registration and each annual renewal |
| Blackout plate (black background) | $45, due at registration and each annual renewal |
| Personalized Blackout plate | An additional $45 for the personalization |
| Blackout plate bought at a branch between renewals | $9.50 replacement plate fee plus the $45 plate fee |
| Special Group Recognition plate | Group and administrative fees set by the sponsoring organization |
A plate change fee may also apply if you ask for a plate different from the one issued when you registered your vehicle. Group fees go to the sponsoring organization, which decides how the money is used.
From the BMV's License Plates Overview, Standard License Plates, Personalized License Plates and License Plate Designs pages, read November 10, 2026. These are state fees, not dealer prices.
The Indiana Blackout plate
Since August 8, 2025, Indiana has offered plates with a black background for an additional $45, and they may be personalized for another $45. Both fees are due at the first registration and every annual renewal.
- Between renewals: you do not have to wait for your registration to expire, but you must visit a BMV branch, and a $9.50 replacement plate fee applies along with the $45.
- Online or kiosk: a Blackout plate can be bought on myBMV.com or at a kiosk only with a new registration or a renewal.
- Keeping a personalized message: to switch a personalized plate to a Blackout plate and keep your message, you must visit a branch.
- In God We Trust: that plate number sequence cannot be used on Blackout plates.
From the BMV's License Plates Overview page, read November 10, 2026.
How to get a personalized plate
You can apply for a personalized plate at a branch, at a BMV Connect kiosk or online at myBMV, where you can also check that a message fits the rules and is not already in use. Messages are first come, first served. If the BMV approves yours, the plate arrives by mail within about 30 days.
- Use only letters A to Z and numbers 0 to 9; special characters are not allowed.
- Use at least two characters, and not only numbers.
- Single spaces between characters are allowed, but not two spaces in a row.
- The message cannot duplicate the format of any other BMV-issued plate.
| Plate | Passenger | Motorcycle |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Indiana plate | 8 | 6 |
| All other distinctive plates | 6 | 5 |
You must register the message every year. If it is not registered and more than one calendar year passes after the last expiration date, the message becomes available to anyone on the following January 1. The BMV may refuse a message that is offensive, misleading or otherwise improper. If it does, you can choose a standard plate (with a refund of the personalized plate fee) or another message, or ask for a review; the denial becomes final unless the BMV receives a written request within 18 days of the denial letter.
From the BMV's Personalized License Plates page, read November 10, 2026.
Plate display, frames and stickers
The BMV says a license plate must be on the rear of the vehicle, securely fastened in a horizontal position at least 12 inches off the ground (measured from the bottom of the plate), with all text, numbers and stickers fully visible. Plate frames or covers must not block any of them. Tractors, dump trucks and trucks with a rear-mounted forklift, or a mechanism to carry a rear-mounted forklift or implement, display the plate on the front.
| Sticker position | What it shows |
|---|---|
| Top right corner | The year your registration expires |
| Top left corner | The month and day your registration expires |
| Bottom right corner | The county where the vehicle is registered |
An interim plate from the BMV, a dealer or a manufacturer goes on the rear of the vehicle or on the left side of a rear-facing window, clearly visible.
From the BMV's License Plate Frame and Sticker Display Requirements page, read November 10, 2026.
Renewing plates and old plates
Most plates can be renewed online; vehicles that need extra forms at renewal cannot. If plates are not renewed on time, the administrative penalty is $15. Besides online, you can renew at a BMV Connect kiosk, at a branch, or by phone with the access code on your renewal reminder, and mail renewals postmarked by the expiration date are not charged the late fee. The BMV says it can take up to 21 business days to receive a registration or plate by mail; an approved personalized plate arrives in about 30 days.
You do not have to return unused or expired plates to the BMV. The BMV says to make them permanently unreadable, for example by cutting, shredding or defacing them, and throw them away.
From the BMV's Standard License Plates and Frame and Sticker Display Requirements pages and the IN.gov late-renewal FAQ, read November 10, 2026.
Keep your vehicle road-ready at Michigan City Ford
The Works® at Michigan City Ford includes a synthetic blend oil change, tire rotation and pressure check, brake inspection, Multi-Point Inspection, fluid top-off, battery test, and a filter, belts and hoses check. Registering a new plate? See our Indiana title and registration guide for the BMV steps.
Schedule service online and see our service specials first. Michigan City Ford is at 3930 Franklin St. in Michigan City. Get directions.
Michigan City Ford service hours
| Days | Hours |
|---|---|
| Mon-Fri | 7:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. |
| Sat | 8 a.m.-3 p.m. |
| Sun | closed |
From Michigan City Ford's website, November 10, 2026. Holiday hours can differ.
Indiana license plates FAQ
How much is a personalized license plate in Indiana?
The BMV lists an extra $45 for personalization, due at registration and each annual renewal, on top of registration fees and taxes and any Special Group Recognition plate fees.
How much is the Indiana Blackout plate?
An additional $45 at the first registration and every annual renewal, plus $45 more to personalize it. Buying one at a branch between renewals adds a $9.50 replacement plate fee.
Where do the stickers go on an Indiana license plate?
The expiration year goes in the top right corner, the expiration month and day in the top left, and the county sticker in the bottom right.
Are license plate frames legal in Indiana?
Yes, as long as the frame does not cover any text, numbers or stickers on the plate. The BMV says these must be fully visible.
What do I do with old Indiana license plates?
You do not have to return them. The BMV recommends cutting, shredding or defacing them so they are permanently unreadable, then throwing them away.
Is there a late fee to renew Indiana plates?
Yes. The administrative penalty is $15 if plates are not renewed on time. A mail renewal postmarked by the expiration date is not charged the late fee.
Just bought or registered a vehicle?
Read our Indiana title and registration guide, or schedule a checkup at Michigan City Ford.
Sources
Plate types, fees, the Blackout plate, personalized plate rules, display and sticker rules, and renewal details are from the Indiana BMV pages listed below and the IN.gov late-renewal FAQ, read November 10, 2026. Fees are state fees, not dealer prices. Service details, address and hours are from Michigan City Ford's own website, checked the same day. Photo is illustrative.
- License Plates Overview (fees, Blackout plate), Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV), read November 10, 2026
- Indiana's Standard License Plates (eligibility, delivery, personalization fee), Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV), read November 10, 2026
- License Plate Designs (Special Group Recognition fees), Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV), read November 10, 2026
- Personalized License Plates, Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV), read November 10, 2026
- License Plate Frame and Sticker Display Requirements, Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV), read November 10, 2026
- Indiana Military License Plates, Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV), read November 10, 2026
- IN.gov FAQ: Will I have to pay extra if I don't renew my plates on time?, IN.gov FAQs (Indiana BMV), read November 10, 2026
- General service: The Works, Michigan City Ford, November 10, 2026
- Address and service hours (structured data), Michigan City Ford, November 10, 2026