Indiana Temporary License Plate

What Is a Temporary License Plate in Indiana?

Indiana uses two different short-term permits: a “temporary license plate” issued by dealers and a “temporary permit” issued by the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles. Both allow highway operation until permanent registration is completed.

The temporary license plate covers the standard gap when purchasing from a dealer. BMV temporary permits serve narrower situations: delivering an unregistered vehicle, titling a vehicle out-of-state, or completing emissions repairs. Licensed dealers print temporary plates through the Secretary of State’s Plates on Demand program; the BMV issues temporary permits at any branch.

Both documents are paper-based. The buyer places each on the rear license plate bracket or on the left side of the rear window.

What Types of Temporary License Plates Are There in Indiana?

A dealer cannot issue a second temporary license plate for the same transaction. The Secretary of State’s Title Assistance Plate Program covers cases where the dealer fails to deliver the title within 31 days.

When Is a Temporary License Plate Required in Indiana?

• A licensed dealer issues a temporary license plate at the point of sale for each vehicle transaction under IC 9-32-6-11; the buyer must register at a BMV branch before the plate expires.
• A buyer purchasing from a private party may operate the vehicle without plates for 72 hours under IC 9-18.1-2-8(4), limited to a direct route to storage, inspection station, or BMV branch.
• A person titling or registering a vehicle in another state after purchase in Indiana applies for a 30-day temporary registration permit at any BMV branch.
• An owner whose vehicle failed an emissions test and requires further repair may obtain a 30-day temporary registration permit under IC 9-18.1-12-2(b)(5).

How to Get a Temporary License Plate in Indiana?

1. Gather proof of ownership (title, bill of sale, or manufacturer’s certificate of origin) and proof of financial responsibility (insurance).
2. For dealer purchases, the dealership handles everything at the point of sale and prints the temporary license plate via the Plates on Demand portal.
3. For permits issued by the BMV, visit any Indiana BMV branch with ownership and insurance documents.
4. Pay the permit fee at the counter (see the fee table below).
5. Receive the paper plate or permit immediately and place it on the rear of the vehicle before driving.

The BMV publishes a complete Fee Chart listing all permit and registration costs.

How Much Does a Temporary License Plate Cost in Indiana?

Dealers pay the Secretary of State $3 per temporary plate using a credit card or guaranteed e-check. The BMV charges a flat fee of $18 for both types of temporary permits at any branch.

How to Get a Temporary License Plate Online in Indiana?

No. The BMV does not offer consumers online processing for any temporary permit.

Dealers print temporary license plates online through the Plates on Demand system at dealers.sos.in.gov. Consumers do not have access to this portal.

To obtain a 30-day temporary registration permit or a 96-hour delivery permit, visit any BMV branch in person. The BMV operates in all 92 counties of Indiana.

Most vehicle buyers receive their temporary license plate from the dealer at the time of purchase, making a separate trip to the BMV unnecessary for the initial permit.

How Long Can I Run a Temporary License Plate in Indiana?

Operating after a permit’s expiration or using a permit for an unauthorized purpose is a Class C infraction under IC 9-18.1-12-3(d). Lack of a license plate is a violation of IC 9-18.1-4-4, also a Class C infraction.