Indiana license plate renewal happens through the BMV, online or in person, and costs depend on your vehicle type and county

Indiana renews license plates every two years. The Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) sends you a renewal notice in the mail about 60 days before your plate expires — the expiration date is printed on the plate itself. You can renew online through the BMV website, by mail, or in person at a BMV branch. Online renewal is fastest and costs the least because you skip the branch visit fee.

The renewal fee varies by vehicle type and county. A standard passenger vehicle plate costs between $17 and $27 depending on your county; trucks and other vehicle classes cost more. You'll also pay a $1 branch office fee if you renew in person, which you avoid by renewing online or by mail. Some counties add local income tax to the renewal cost, so your total will depend on where you live.

You need your current plate number and driver's license number to renew. If your address has changed since your last registration, update it before renewing — the BMV will mail your new plate to the address on file. If you've sold the vehicle or it's no longer registered to you, do not renew the plate; instead, contact the BMV about surrendering it.

Key Takeaways

  • The BMV mails renewal notices about 60 days before your plate expires; check the expiration date on your current plate if you haven't received one.
  • Online renewal through the BMV website is the fastest option and avoids the $1 branch office fee charged for in-person renewal.
  • Renewal fees range from $17 to $27 for passenger vehicles and vary by county; some counties add local income tax on top of the state fee.
  • You need your current plate number and driver's license number to renew, and the BMV will mail your new plate to the address on file in your registration.

Renew online through the BMV website

Go to in.gov/bmv and select "Renew a License Plate" from the main menu. Enter your driver's license number, plate number, and the last four digits of your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). The BMV will pull up your registration and show you the renewal fee for your county and vehicle type.

Pay by debit card or credit card. The BMV will email you a receipt and process your renewal when ready. Your new plate will be mailed to the address on file in your registration within 7 to 10 business days. You can continue using your current plate until the new one arrives.

Online renewal works only if your registration is current and your address hasn't changed. If you've moved, you'll need to update your address first — you can do this on the same BMV website before renewing the plate, or you can renew in person at a branch and update your address at the same time.

Renew by mail

Use the renewal notice the BMV mailed to you. Fill out the form, include a check or money order for the renewal fee (the notice shows the amount), and mail it to the address printed on the notice. Do not send cash.

Mail renewal takes 2 to 3 weeks from the time the BMV receives your envelope. Your new plate will arrive separately after processing. If you're close to your expiration date, mail renewal may not arrive in time — online renewal is safer if your plate expires within two weeks.

If you didn't receive a renewal notice, you can request one by calling the BMV at 317-615-7293 or visiting a branch in person. The notice includes the exact fee for your county and vehicle, so it's worth getting before you mail in payment.

Renew in person at a BMV branch

Bring your current registration, driver's license, and proof of current insurance. Walk in during branch hours — no appointment is needed for plate renewal. The BMV staff will process your renewal on the spot and charge you the renewal fee plus a $1 branch office fee.

You'll receive a temporary plate or receipt to use while your new plate is mailed to you, which takes 7 to 10 business days. In-person renewal is useful if you need to update your address, change your name, or fix an error on your registration at the same time.

Find your nearest BMV branch and hours on the BMV website. Some branches are busier than others; calling ahead can tell you how long the wait is. If you're renewing only the plate and your information hasn't changed, online renewal is faster and cheaper.

What happens if your plate expires before you renew

Driving with an expired plate is a traffic violation in Indiana. You can be stopped and cited. If your plate has already expired and you haven't renewed it, renew when ready — online is the fastest option and takes effect the same day you pay.

If you're waiting for your new plate to arrive by mail and your current plate is about to expire, you can print a temporary plate from the BMV website after you renew online. This temporary plate is valid for 30 days and lets you drive legally while your permanent plate is in transit.

If your plate expired more than 30 days ago, you may need to pay a late fee in addition to the renewal fee. Contact the BMV or visit a branch to find out what you owe. Renewing online will show you the total cost before you pay.

Renewing a plate for a vehicle you no longer own

If you've sold the vehicle, do not renew the plate. Instead, contact the BMV to surrender it. You can do this online, by mail, or in person. Surrendering the plate removes it from your name and stops you from being responsible for registration fees or violations tied to that vehicle.

If the new owner hasn't registered the vehicle in their name yet, they may receive notices or citations under your registration. Contact the BMV when ready to document the sale and protect yourself. Bring a bill of sale or other proof of the sale date if you have it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my plate before the renewal notice arrives?

Yes. You don't need the renewal notice to renew online — you only need your driver's license number, plate number, and the last four digits of your VIN. The BMV website will pull up your registration and show you the fee. Renewing early is fine; your new plate will straightforward arrive before your current one expires.

What if I moved to a different county in Indiana?

Update your address on the BMV website before renewing online, or renew in person at a branch in your new county. Your renewal fee may change because some counties charge different amounts. The BMV will mail your new plate to your updated address.

Do I need insurance to renew my plate?

Yes. Indiana law requires proof of current auto insurance to register or renew a vehicle. If you renew online, the BMV may verify your insurance electronically. If you renew in person, bring proof of insurance — your insurance card or a letter from your insurer showing your policy is active.

How long does online renewal take?

Online renewal is processed when ready when you pay. Your new plate is mailed within 7 to 10 business days. You can drive legally on your current plate until the new one arrives. If you need a temporary plate while you wait, you can print one from the BMV website.

What if the BMV website says I can't renew online?

This usually means your registration has an issue — an unpaid ticket, an address mismatch, or a lapsed insurance record. Call the BMV at 317-615-7293 or visit a branch to find out what needs to be fixed. Once it's resolved, you can renew online or in person.