Vehicle Registration

Indiana License Plate Options and Fees

3 min read

Indiana residents have a diverse selection of license plates to choose from, ranging from standard designs to personalized and specialty plates that support various organizations and causes. Understanding the available options and associated fees can help you make an informed decision when registering your vehicle.

Standard License Plates

The standard passenger license plate is the default option for most vehicles in Indiana. The base registration fee for a passenger vehicle is $21.35. Additional fees may apply based on vehicle type, weight, and fuel type. For example:

Motorcycle or Motor Driven Cycle: $26.35
Truck (≤ 11,000 pounds): $30.35
Recreational Vehicle (RV): $29.35
Trailer (≤ 3,000 pounds): $16.35

These fees are subject to change and may vary based on specific vehicle characteristics.

Specialty License Plates

Indiana offers a variety of specialty license plates that allow vehicle owners to support causes, organizations, or display their affiliations. Categories include:

College & University: Show support for your alma mater.
Military: Honor military service and affiliations.
Organizations: Support various non-profit organizations and causes.

Specialty plates typically involve additional fees:

Administrative Fee: $15
Group Fee: Varies by organization (commonly $25)
Personalization Fee: $45 (if personalized)

For example, the Down Syndrome Awareness plate includes a $15 administrative fee and a $20 group fee, totaling $35 in addition to standard registration fees. If personalized, an additional $45 fee applies.

A comprehensive list of available specialty plates and their fees can be found on the Indiana BMV License Plates List.

Personalized License Plates

Personalized plates allow you to create a unique combination of letters and numbers, subject to availability and approval. The fees associated with personalized plates are:

Initial Personalized Plate Fee: $45
Annual Renewal Fee: $45

These fees are in addition to the standard registration and any applicable specialty plate fees.

Additional Fees and Taxes

Beyond the base registration and plate-specific fees, Indiana imposes several additional charges:

Transportation Infrastructure Improvement Fee (TIIF): $15
Electric Vehicle Supplemental Fee: $230
Hybrid Vehicle Supplemental Fee: $77
Vehicle Excise Tax: Based on the vehicle's value and age; varies accordingly.
Municipal Vehicle Excise Tax: Varies by county and municipality.

These fees contribute to state and local infrastructure projects and services. For a detailed explanation of these charges, refer to the Vehicle Registration Fees & Taxes page.

Plate Replacement and Transfer

If your license plate is lost, stolen, or damaged, or if you're transferring it to a new vehicle, the following fees apply:

Replacement Fee: $9.50
Transfer Fee: $9.50

Additional registration fees may be required when transferring plates between vehicles, depending on the differences in vehicle type and weight.

Online Services and Resources

Many license plate services, including renewals, replacements, and personalized plate requests, can be completed online through the myBMV portal. For an estimate of your registration and plate fees, use the Quick Quote tool.

For more information on vehicle registration and license plates in Indiana, consider exploring the following resources: