Indiana
In Indiana, residents can personalize license plates for various vehicle types, including passenger vehicles, motorcycles, recreational vehicles, and trucks with a declared gross weight of not more than 11,000 pounds. Personalized plates allow for a combination of letters, numbers, and spaces, subject to specific character limits and guidelines.
How to Get a Personalized Indiana Plate
- Check Plate Availability: Before applying, verify if your desired plate combination is available using the Indiana BMV's Personalized License Plate Check.
- Apply Online or In Person:
- Online: Use the myBMV portal to select your plate design, enter your desired combination, and complete the application process.
- In Person: Visit a local BMV branch or a BMV Connect Kiosk to apply for a personalized plate.
- Await Approval: The BMV will review your application to ensure the requested plate combination adheres to state guidelines. If your request is denied, you will receive a denial letter and may choose to select an alternate plate message or receive a standard license plate.
- Receive Your Plate: Once approved and processed, your personalized plate will be mailed to you within approximately 30 days of your request.
Important Notes for Indiana Residents
- Character Limits:
- Standard Plates: Up to 8 characters for passenger vehicles and 6 characters for motorcycles.
- Specialty Plates: Up to 6 characters for passenger vehicles and 5 characters for motorcycles.
- Prohibited Content: Plates must not contain offensive or inappropriate language. The BMV reserves the right to deny any combination deemed offensive to good taste and decency, misleading, or otherwise improper for issuance.
- No Punctuation: Punctuation marks or special characters are not permitted. Spaces are allowed and count as characters.
- Plate Ownership: Personalized plates are generally tied to the vehicle owner, not the vehicle itself.
- Renewal: Personalized plates must be renewed annually, along with your vehicle registration.
Fees:
| State | Initial Fee | Renewal Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Indiana | $45 | $45 |
These fees are in addition to standard vehicle registration fees.
Indiana BMV - Personalized Plates