Indiana Personalized License Plates
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.
Already have a plate in mind? Check it against the official Indiana availability tool.
Different state? See every state's availability checker.
Get Indiana plate ideas
Describe yourself — name, job, hobbies — and we'll suggest personalized plate ideas you can preview on an Indiana plate.
Stuck for an idea? Browse our plate lists for nurses, teachers, jeep owners, dog lovers and fishing, or all plate idea lists. Every idea fits Indiana's character limit or can be trimmed to it.
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