Renew Your Indiana Car Registration
1. Get Started With Car Registration Renewal Assistance Online
In order to renew your Indiana car registration, you need to complete a number of important steps when applying. In order to simplify the process, you will need to gather the necessary documents, calculate your required fee payment before being able to renew your Indiana car registration. Online assistance can help you complete all of these steps quickly and easily by providing you with all of the information you need to know about replacing your license. Start simplifying your application process today.
2. By Mail
Rather than get ahead with online assistance and services, some Indiana residents prefer to handle their DMV transactions via mail. Drivers can complete a few different procedures by mail, but payment methods are restricted, and the transactions have inconvenient and lengthy turnaround times for results.
3. Via a DMV Office
Certain transactions must be completed in person at an Indiana DMV office. However, before visiting a local branch, be sure to verify that the location offers the service you require. Not all DMV procedures can be completed at every location. Additionally, note that wait times are typically lengthy. So make sure to take advantage of online assistance to prepare for your visit.
Indiana DMV vehicle registration renewal is a process in which the Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) oversees. Residents may renew expired car registrations in person, by mail or online. However, residents of Porter or Lake Counties who need to renew car registrations must complete an emissions test and tampering inspection every two years before they may renew their vehicle. Drivers who need to complete a vehicle registration renewal may perform their vehicle inspection at any Clean Air Car Check station. To learn more about renewing car registration in IN, review the sections highlighted below.
When to Renew Car Registrations in Indiana
Drivers must complete Indiana car registration renewals once per year. However, the deadline to renew expired car registrations varies depending on the first letter of the vehicle owner's last name. To learn more about IN auto registration renewal dates, registrants must refer to the BMV's Registration Expiration Schedule. Failure to renew auto registrations before the expiration date results in administrative penalty fees. As a courtesy reminder, the state generally sends DMV vehicle registration renewal notices several weeks before a vehicle's expiration date. Motorists may also create an online account to review their vehicle's renewal date.
If drivers need to renew DMV registrations but live in counties such as Porter or Lake, they must complete a tampering inspection and emissions test every two years prior to renewal. Motorists must complete an emissions test and tampering inspection if the vehicle weighs less than 9,000 lbs and is newer than model year 1976. Before renewing car registration materials, vehicle owners may complete these tests at a Clean Air Car Check station in Gary, Crown Point, Hammond, Portage, Hobart, Valparaiso or Griffith.
Note: Companies must renew vehicle registration in Indiana before January 31. The expiration date for rental vehicles is February 28 and school buses expire on September 28. Heavy trucks or special machinery vehicles expire on February 28, while general assembly and state official license plates expire on December 14.
How to Renew Car Registrations in Indiana Online
In most cases, drivers may renew car registration online in IN through the BMV's website, unless registrants need to update their address of residence or name. Furthermore, drivers cannot renew online if their auto registration renewal requires a special form, including Form 2290, a Department of Revenue Fuel Tax License or a low-digit special group authorization. In situations such as these, vehicle owners must complete the DMV vehicle registration renewal process in person or by mail. During the online car registration renewal process, drivers may update their mailing address.
When renewing car registration online in Indiana, vehicle owners must provide the following information:
- Driver license number
- Social Security Number (last four digits only)
- Zip code
- Card or electronic check payment information
After renewing DMV registration online, the state sends motorists their new registration materials within 14 days.
How to Renew Car Registrations in Indiana in Person or by Kiosk
If motorists cannot renew auto registration online in Indiana, they may visit a BMV branch to renew in person. Vehicle owners must renew expired car registrations in person if they need to submit any special forms, update their residential address or complete a name change. To complete a change of residential address before renewing an expired auto registration, registrants must submit two computer-generated documents as proof of state residency. To complete a name change, registrants must submit one document to prove their identity.
Alternately, motorists may renew DMV registration materials by kiosk if they do not need to submit any special forms. IN vehicle registration renewal kiosks are open 24 hours per day, seven days per week. When renewing auto registration by kiosk, vehicle owners can print their registration stickers immediately after completing the transaction.
Note: Indiana BMV branch locations and kiosks are located throughout the state with full-service branches being open Tuesday through Saturday.
How to Renew Vehicle Registrations in Indiana by Mail
If vehicle owners cannot renew DMV registration online, they may return their renewal notice to the BMV by mail. When renewing vehicle registration by mail, motorists must submit the registration payment in the form of a check or money order.
How to Renew an Indiana Car Registration as a Military Member
Military personnel may renew car registration online or they may contact the BMV and request that their renewal documents be sent to their current address if they are stationed out-of-state. Additionally, active duty military members with Indiana expired car registrations are exempt from acquiring late fees if they do not renew their registration before their vehicle's expiration date. However, non-resident military members who are stationed in the state must renew their registration in person at a BMV licensing branch. To renew DMV registration as a non-resident, military members must submit a copy of their Leave and Earnings Statement, Military Affidavit (Form 46402) and a current military identification card.
How to Renew an Indiana Vehicle Registration on Someone Else's Behalf
When drivers renew car registration online through the myBMV portal, they may also renew the vehicle registrations of friends or family members. To renew a nearly expired car registration in Indiana, registrants may create an account by providing their driver license number, zip code and the last four digits of their Social Security Number. Alternately, applicants may use the express login method, which allows motorists to renew registrations without creating an account.
Indiana Car Registration Renewal Fees
When renewing car registration in IN, vehicle owners must pay a registration fee, excise tax fee and in some cases, a wheel tax or municipal vehicle excise tax. Base vehicle registration renewal fees vary depending on the vehicle's type and weight.