Frequently Asked Questions

Are there times I won’t be allowed to renew registration?

Yes. Indiana residents will not be able to renew car registration if they:

  • Did not pass an emissions test, when required.
  • Have unpaid tickets or taxes.
  • Have an outstanding warrant.
  • Have lost their car registration and are not within the renewal window.

For more information: How to Renew Your Vehicle Registration in Indiana

Can somebody else renew my registration for me?

No. The state of Indiana requires drivers to obtain their own new auto registration. The BMV even gives residents the chance to renew car registration online and by mail for their convenience.

For more information: How to Renew Your Vehicle Registration in Indiana

Do boats need to be registered?

Yes. In the state of Indiana, all motorboats that will be used on waterways need to be registered with the Bureau of Motor Vehicles. The only exceptions are:

  • Ship lifeboats
  • Non-motorized boats
  • Motorized watercrafts from other countries
  • Any watercraft that has been moored on the Indiana part of Lake Michigan for less than 180 consecutive days.
  • Motorized watercrafts that are registered in other states.
    • The owner must have paid the excise tax in IN.
    • The boat cannot have been within Indiana for more than 60 straight days.

For more information: How to Register a Boat or Water Craft in Indiana

Do I need to file a police report if my registration was lost or stolen?

No. The Bureau of Motor Vehicles has not made it a requirement to file a police report when dealing with astolen car registration. However, the BMV does recommend that you take the necessary steps to protect your identity, and filing a police report can help drivers stop fraudulent activity.

For more information: How to Replace a Vehicle Registration in Indiana

Do I need to return my license plate if I move out of the state?

In order to find out if you will have to return your license plates when moving, the best course of action is to contact your local license branch office. They will be able to tell you whether or not you must go in person to surrender your plates.

For more information: How to Register a Vehicle in Indiana

Do I need to turn in my damaged registration?

Whether you are applying for a car registration replacement card or license plates, the BMV asks that you provide the damaged original copies to your application. The Bureau of Motor Vehicles office will ensure that your original credentials are disposed of properly.

For more information: How to Replace a Vehicle Registration in Indiana

Does a motorized scooter need to be registered?

Yes. Motorized scooters are classified as Motor Driven Cycles in the state of Indiana and are required to be registered with the Bureau of Motor Vehicles.

For more information: How to Register a Vehicle in Indiana

Does my vehicle qualify for a smog inspection?

If your vehicle is registered in Lake or Porter county, then it must undergo a vehicle emissions test and a tampering inspection every two years if it meets the following requirements:

  • The vehicle was manufactured after 1976.
  • The vehicle has a GVWR of 9,000 pounds or less.

For more information: How to Register a Vehicle in Indiana

How can I renew my vehicle registration?

Residents of Indiana have three options for renewing car registration in their home state:

  • Online
  • In person
  • By mail

Online

In order to renew online, visit the BMV website, create an account and review the information that the Bureau of Motor Vehicles has on file for your car. If everything is accurate, drivers must then pay for the renewal fee with a credit card, debit card or electronic check. Then print the receipt and wait for your renewed Indiana vehicle registration to arrive within 14 days.

In Person

If you would like to receive your new documents immediately, visit a local BMV office to renew. You will need to bring:

  • Current car registration.
  • Proof of passing an emissions test, if applicable.
  • Proof of auto insurance, if applicable.
  • Payment for car registration renewal fees.

By Mail

In order to apply by mail, fill out your registration renewal notice and mail it in with payment to the address listed on the form. Acceptable payment methods for mail-in applications include checks and money orders.

For more information: How to Renew Your Vehicle Registration in Indiana

How can I transfer my registration to another state?

In order to properly transfer vehicle registration to another state, a driver must contact their new state s Department of Motor Vehicles for specific instructions. Each state has different procedures for transferring registration documents, including fees and taxes that must be paid.

For more information: How to Register a Vehicle in Indiana

How do I apply for a disabled person parking placard or plates?

To obtain a disability parking placard orlicense plates, have a licensed physician fill out the Application for Disability Plate or Parking Placard 42070 formand mail it in with payment to the address listed on the form. If you would like to go in person to a nearby BMV office to complete the process, you have the option to do so.

For more information: Information for Disabled Drivers in Indiana

How do I file a police report if my car registration was stolen?

If you are dealing with a stolen car registration in Indiana and would like to report this theft to the police, visit your local law enforcement agency. Once there, inform an officer of what occurred and fill out any forms provided to help prevent fraudulent activity from occurring.

For more information: How to Replace a Vehicle Registration in Indiana

How do I obtain a duplicate car registration?

Drivers can replace vehicle registration online or in person at a BMV office. To obtain a replacement card in person, simply provide proof of identity, your VIN or license plate number and payment to get a new registration card. Online applicants, on the other hand, must also have access to a printer and a credit card in order to pay for an auto registration replacement. The online BMV system will also ask you for personal and vehicle information.

For more information: How to Replace a Vehicle Registration in Indiana

How do I obtain car registration?

Drivers in Indiana have two ways to register car credentials. They may do so online or in person at a local BMV office. Online registration can only be done if the vehicle was purchased in the last 45 days and has its car title document. If it does not meet these requirements, your vehicle must be registered in person by following the steps below:

  1. Visit a local branch office.
  2. Provide your drivers license and Social Security Number.
  3. Give your vehicle title, or apply for title upon arrival.
  4. Show proof of Indiana car insurance.
  5. Show proof of emissions testing, if necessary.
  6. Pay for the registration taxes and fees.

For more information: How to Register a Vehicle in Indiana

If I do not renew on time, will there be an additional fee?

The Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles does not give residents a grace period for renewing car registration documents. Drivers who do not renew on time will pay a $5 late fee in addition to the standard car registration renewal fees, and if they are caught driving with expired tags, they will receive a ticket.

For more information: How to Renew Your Vehicle Registration in Indiana

Is there a different process I must follow if I lost personalized plates?

As of April 2015, the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles is not accepting applications for personalized license plates. Thus, one will have to follow the standard procedure of replacing license plates and provide a completed Application for Replacement or Duplicate License Plate 37135 form and payment to a local BMV office.

For more information: How to Replace a Vehicle Registration in Indiana

Should I carry the registration on me or in the car?

Yes. Given the importance of Indiana car registration documents, these papers should always be kept within your car in a safe place. By doing so, you will have access to these documents whenever you are traveling.

For more information: How to Register a Vehicle in Indiana

What are the most common reasons why I would need to replace my registration?

The most typical reasons someone needs to replace car registration include:

  • If the current car registration is lost.
  • If the registration is stolen.
  • If the registration documents are damaged and illegible or destroyed.

For more information: How to Replace a Vehicle Registration in Indiana

What are the required fees for my vehicle registration?

The amount of money that one must pay in order to receive auto registration documents varies based on a number of factors. These factors include:

  • The weight of the vehicle.
  • The type of vehicle.
  • The county where it is to be registered.

For more information: How to Register a Vehicle in Indiana

What are the required fees to get replacement registration?

The fees that one must pay when renewing car registration are as follows:

  • To replace a registration card: $6.25
  • To replace a plate or a sticker: $10.25

Depending on how you choose to replace your credentials, you will be able to pay with cash, check or credit card.

For more information: How to Replace a Vehicle Registration in Indiana

What are the required fees to renew my registration?

The fees for renewing auto registration in Indiana depend on a number of different factors, such as:

  • The type of the vehicle
  • The kind of license plates
  • The weight of the car
  • The county the vehicle is registered in

For more information: How to Renew Your Vehicle Registration in Indiana

What documents do I need to present to get a replacement car registration?

When replacing car registration in Indiana, one must provide some information to the Bureau of Motor Vehicles representative. Required documents include:

  • Proof of ID, such as an Indiana drivers license.
  • Vehicle identification, such as a VIN number or license plate number.
  • Your current registration card, if only damaged.

For more information: How to Replace a Vehicle Registration in Indiana

What documents do I need to present to get new registration?

In order to register car documents in the state of Indiana, a driver must provide the following:

  • An Indiana drivers license
  • Original vehicle title
  • Proof of Social Security Number
  • Proof of Indiana car insurance
  • Certificate of emissions testing

For more information: How to Register a Vehicle in Indiana

What documents do I need to present to renew my car registration?

If renewing car registration in Indiana in person, bring the following documents:

  • Your current vehicle registration
  • Proof of passing an emissions test, if applicable
  • Proof of Indiana car insurance, if applicable

For more information: How to Renew Your Vehicle Registration in Indiana

What should I do if I have not received my registration tags or stickers?

You should receive Indiana car registration renewal tags in the mail within 14 days of applying. If you do not receive the auto registration documents by the end of this period, contact the Indiana BMV office for information on when to expect them.

For more information: How to Renew Your Vehicle Registration in Indiana

When does my car registration expire?

Your IN vehicle registration needs to be renewed every year on the same date. The expiration date is determined by your last name. In addition, you will receive a renewal notice several weeks before your registration expires with instructions on how and where to renew your car registration.

For more information: How to Renew Your Vehicle Registration in Indiana

Where can I find a local tax county collector office?

In the event you need to obtain an Indiana car registration replacement because your documents were lost, stolen or damaged, you can simply visit a local BMV office. Fortunately, these offices are located all across the state of Indiana.

For more information: Indiana DMV Office Contact Information

Will I need to fill out an application to replace my car registration?

No. An application is not a requirement when applying for duplicate car registration in Indiana. When applying online, one must simply provide personal, vehicle and credit card information. If applying in person, however, one may be asked to fill out some paperwork in addition to providing necessary documentation.

For more information: How to Replace a Vehicle Registration in Indiana

Will I receive a renewal registration notice in the mail?

Yes. The Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles sends out vehicle registration renewal notices several weeks before the expiration of registration documents. The letters of notice feature the fees that you must pay, as well as the expiration date of your registration and the methods by which you can renew.

For more information: How to Renew Your Vehicle Registration in Indiana

Will my registration expire on my birthday or birth month?

If you are not sure when you need a car registration renewal, check your renewal notice. The BMV will send you a letter several weeks before the expiration of your registration with details on the due date and fees you must pay.

For more information: How to Renew Your Vehicle Registration in Indiana