There are more than 75 license plate designs for Indiana residents to display on their vehicles. When purchasing or renewing a license plate, a registration fee and applicable taxes are charged. Special recognition plates may also incur an additional fee for administration costs and a group fee determined by the organization sponsoring the plate.
Standard car plates are available for standard passenger cars, and standard truck plates are available for trucks up to 11,000 pounds. Recreational vehicles may display recreational plates, and Indiana residents who hold a valid amateur radio operator's license may purchase amateur radio license plates. Antique car, truck or motorcycle plates are permitted for vehicles 25 years old or older. Disability license plates permitting parking in designated areas for disabled drivers are available to persons with a permanent disability. License plates displaying the words "In God We Trust" are available for passenger cars, trucks up to 11,000 pounds and recreational vehicles.
Indiana residents who have previously or are currently serving in the military have the option of purchasing military license plates. Plates available are American Legion, Disabled Hoosier Veteran, Ex-Prisoner of War, Hoosier Veteran, National Guard, Pearl Harbor Survivors Association, Prisoner Of War/Missing In Action and Purple Heart plates. Documentation of military service or eligibility of the plates is required. Specific plates will also incur an additional group or administration fee. New in 2010, the Gold Star Family license plate is available to family members of anyone who died while serving on duty in the military, active, reserve or National Guard. Any resident of Indiana may purchase a Support Our Troops license plate, and the group fee supports the Military Family Relief Fund.
Thirty-three college and university plates are available for registered vehicles including Indiana State University, Ivy Tech Community College, Purdue University, Huntington College, University of Southern Indiana and Bethel College. A group fee for specific plates is charged as a donation to the college or university for funding, scholarships or special programs.
Thirty-six organizational plates are available in Indiana including Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, Lions, Professional Firefighters, Shrine Association, FFA, Be A Nurse and Freemasons plates. An administration fee and a group fee is charged for displaying organizational plates.
Municipal license plates are available for municipal and law enforcement vehicles registered in Indiana. Documentation of a municipal vehicle is required, and the registration fee is waived. Personalized plates can be renewed, reserved and purchased if the personalization is available.
The owner of antique vehicles or vehicles manufactured before January 2, 2008, may display a Year of Manufacture plate on their vehicle. Vehicles not previously registered as antique must obtain an antique vehicle state police inspection form. Plates must match the year the vehicle was manufactured, be made out of metal, have minimal fading or rust, not be altered, bent or have holes.
Registered motorcycles in Indiana must display a visible rear license plate. Motorcycles may exhibit standard, personalized, college, university and military special recognition plates. Any group or administrative fees charged for a specialty or personalized plate is applicable for motorcycle plates.
