What Is License Plate Renewal in Indiana?
License plate renewal in Indiana updates your vehicle registration for the next 12 months. Your license plate and physical license plate remain unchanged. The BMV issues a new registration card and updated year and month stickers.
- Annual cycle. Each registration in Indiana is valid for one year, distributed by the first letter of the owner’s last name according to Indiana Code § 9-18.1-11-1.
- Renewal is a separate transaction from vehicle titling. Title transfer upon purchase does not reset or replace renewal obligations.
- Passenger cars, motorcycles, trucks up to 11,000 pounds, trailers, and recreational vehicles follow the same annual renewal cycle as currently published by the Indiana BMV.
- Electric vehicles renew annually like any other class but have an additional fee described in the fee breakdown below.
When Do You Need To Renew Your Indiana License Plate?
Your registration expires on the last day of the month assigned by the first letter of your last name. The BMV sends reminders via email, text messages, or USPS approximately 60 days before this date.
- Renew by or on the expiration date listed on your registration card. The Indiana BMV vehicle registration page accepts renewals at any time before this deadline.
- Grace period is not available. An administrative penalty of $15 is applied immediately after expiration according to Indiana Code § 9-18.1-11-5.
- Residents of Lake and Porter counties must also pass a biennial emissions test before the BMV processes the renewal. Find testing locations on the Indiana BMV Vehicle Emissions Testing Program page.
- Vehicles in all other counties are not subject to safety or emissions inspections during renewal.
How To Renew Your License Plate in Indiana
Before choosing a renewal channel, ensure your auto insurance is current and on file with the BMV. Lake and Porter county residents must have a positive emissions test result on record. Have your renewal notice or registration card handy.
- Online at myBMV.com works for most passenger cars, motorcycles, and light trucks. Heavy vehicles over 26,000 pounds cannot be renewed online.
- BMV Connect kiosks operate 24/7 and accept credit cards. Kiosks at branches also accept cash. Find one via the BMV Connect page.
- At any BMV branch, bring your renewal notice and payment. Branches handle all vehicle types, including heavy trucks and special group plates not processed by the portal.
- Mail renewals are sent to the Processing Center in Winchester, PO Box 100, Winchester, IN 47394. Include State Form 56163 and payment, postmarked by or on the expiration date.
- Phone renewals are available at 888-692-6841 with your access code and ZIP code; the same restrictions for heavy vehicles apply.
How Much Is License Plate Renewal in Indiana?
The base registration fee is a smaller part of the bill. Excise tax, county surcharges, and any additional fees together exceed the amount most owners expect at the first renewal.
- Passenger vehicles: a registration fee of $21.35 according to the Indiana BMV Fee Chart, plus $15.00 for transportation infrastructure improvement at each renewal.
- Motorcycles renew for $26.35; trucks up to 11,000 pounds for $30.35; trailers up to 3,000 pounds for $16.35; recreational vehicles for $29.35.
- Vehicle excise tax adds from $12 to $532 for passenger vehicles, depending on the original retail price and age of the vehicle. Rates are published on the Indiana BMV Excise Tax page.
- County wheel taxes or municipal excise surcharges vary by county and are added to state fees.
- Additional fee for electric vehicles is $242.00; hybrids pay $81.00. Both are indexed annually according to Indiana Code § 9-18.1-5-12.
- Miss the deadline and a fixed administrative penalty of $15 is added to the total renewal amount.
- Personalized plates cost an additional $45 per year. Special group plates add $25 (plate fee) plus $15 or more for the sponsoring organization.
Can I Renew My License Plate Online in Indiana?
Most passenger vehicles, motorcycles, and light trucks are eligible for online renewal through myBMV.com. The portal accepts Visa, MasterCard, Discover, and American Express. Registration documents and stickers arrive by mail within 21 calendar days.
Residents of Lake and Porter counties will need an emissions test number during the online transaction. Vehicles over 26,000 pounds, special group plates, and any registration requiring additional forms must be renewed at a BMV branch.
- Mail-in packet: print State Form 56163, add payment (check or money order), and send to the Processing Center in Winchester before the expiration date.
- Confirm your renewal details and amount due on myBMV.com without creating an account if necessary.
If the portal can process your vehicle, online renewal is the fastest route to an updated registration; the branch is intended for everything the portal rejects.