| Size: | 12x |
| Material: | Aluminum |
| Serial Format: | 123A 123AB 123ABC |
| Issuer: | Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles |
| Start Date: | (pre-state plates from 1905 to June 30, 1913) |
The U.S. state of Indiana first required its residents to register their motor vehicles in 1905. Registrants provided their own license plates for display until July 1, 1913, when the state began to issue plates.[1]
Plates are currently issued by the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV). Only rear plates have been required since 1956.
In 1956, the United States, Canada, and Mexico came to an agreement with the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators, the Automobile Manufacturers Association and the National Safety Council that standardized the size for license plates for vehicles (except those for motorcycles) at 6inches in height by 12inches in width, with standardized mounting holes.[2] The 1955 (dated 1956) issue was the first Indiana license plate that complied with these standards.
| Image | First issued | Design | Slogan | Serial format | Serials issued | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1913 | Black serial on yellow porcelain plate; "IND 1913" in yellow on black section at right | none | 12345 | 1 to approximately 45000 | |||
| 1914 | Embossed white serial on dark blue plate; "IND 1914" at right | none | 12345 | 1 to approximately 67000 | First embossed plate. | ||
| 1915 | Embossed green serial on pink plate; "IND '15" at right | none | 12345 | 1 to approximately 97000 | |||
| 1916 | Embossed black serial on white plate; "IND '16" at right | none | 12345 | 1 to 99999 | |||
| A1234 | A1 to approximately D9000 | ||||||
| 1917 | Embossed yellow serial on black plate with border line; "IND 17" at right | none | 12345 | 1 to 99999 | |||
| A1234 | A1 to approximately K2000 | ||||||
| 1918 | Embossed black serial on green plate with border line; "IND 18" at right | none | 123456 | 1 to approximately 223000 | |||
| 1919 | Embossed white serial on black plate with border line; "IND 19" at right | none | 123456 | 1 to approximately 277000 | |||
| 1920 | Embossed green serial on cream-colored plate with border line; "IND 20" at right | none | 123456 | 1 to approximately 296000 | |||
| 1921 | Embossed black serial on salmon-colored plate with border line; "IND 21" at right | none | 123456 | 1 to approximately 344000 | |||
| 1922 | Embossed white serial on dark blue plate with border line; "IND 22" at right | none | 123456 | 1 to approximately 407000 | |||
| 1923 | Embossed white serial on brown plate with border line; "IND 23" at right | none | 123-456 | 1 to approximately 499-000 | |||
| 1924 | Embossed orange serial on black plate with border line; "IND 24" at right | none | 123-456 | 1 to approximately 562-000 | |||
| 1925 | Embossed maroon serial on tan plate with border line; "IND 25" at right | none | 123-456 | 1 to approximately 620-000 | |||
| 1926 | Embossed white serial on green plate with border line; "IND 26" at right | none | 123-456 | 1 to approximately 667-000 | |||
| 1927 | Embossed white serial on black plate with border line; "IND 27" at right | none | 123-456 | 1 to approximately 707-000 | |||
| 1928 | Embossed white serial on maroon plate with border line; "INDIANA-1928" at bottom | none | 123-456 | 1 to approximately 713-000 | First use of the full state name. | ||
| 1929 | Embossed black serial on orange plate with border line; "INDIANA-29" at bottom | none | 123-456 | 1 to approximately 743-000 | |||
| 1930 | Embossed orange serial on dark blue plate with border line; "INDIANA-30" at bottom | none | 123 456 | 1 to approximately 763 000 | |||
| 1931 | Embossed dark blue serial on orange plate with border line; "INDIANA-31" at top | none | 123 456 | 1 to approximately 761 000 | |||
| 1932 | Embossed white serial on dark green plate with border line; "INDIANA-32" at bottom | none | 123 456 | 1 to approximately 741 000 | |||
| 1933 | Embossed white serial on maroon plate with border line; "INDIANA–33" at top | none | 123 456 | 1 to approximately 742 000 | |||
| 1934 | Embossed white serial on black plate with border line; "INDIANA–34" at bottom | none | 123 456 | 1 to approximately 722 000 | |||
| 1935 | Embossed black serial on light blue plate with border line; "INDIANA-35" at top | none | 123 456 | 1 to approximately 729 000 | |||
| 1936 | Embossed white serial on red plate with border line; "INDIANA-36" at bottom | none | 123 456 | 1 to approximately 779 000 | |||
| 1937 | Embossed golden yellow serial on black plate with border line; "INDIANA-37" at top | none | 123 456 | 1 to approximately 835 000 | |||
| 1938 | Embossed maroon serial on cream-colored plate with border line; "INDIANA–38" at bottom | none | 123 456 | 1 to approximately 857 000 | |||
| 1939 | Embossed dark blue serial on golden yellow plate with border line; "INDIANA–39" at top | none | 123 456 | 1 to approximately 849 000 | |||
| 1940 | Embossed silver serial on black plate with border line; "INDIANA–40" at bottom | none | 123 456 | 1 to approximately 873 000 | |||
| 1941 | Embossed white serial on blue plate with border line; "INDIANA–41" at top | none | 123 456 | 1 to approximately 923 000 | |||
| 1942 | Embossed dark blue serial on golden yellow plate with border line; "INDIANA–42" at bottom | none | 123 456 1 234 567 | 1 to approximately 1 034 000 | Revalidated for 1943 with black tabs, due to metal conservation for World War II. | ||
| 1944 | Embossed white serial on black plate; "IND 44" at right | none | 123456 | 1 to approximately 899000 | |||
| 1945 | Embossed white serial on brown plate; "INDIANA" and "45" centered at top and bottom respectively | none | 123 456 | 1 to approximately 894 000 | |||
| 1946 | Embossed golden yellow serial on black plate; "46" and "INDIANA" centered at top and bottom respectively | none | 123 456 | 1 to approximately 901 000 | |||
| 1947 | Embossed dark blue serial on golden yellow plate; "INDIANA" and "47" centered at top and bottom respectively | none | 123 456 | 1 to approximately 942 000 | |||
| 1948 | Embossed white serial on dark blue plate; "48" and "INDIANA" centered at top and bottom respectively | none | 123 456 | 1 to 999 999 | |||
| A-12345 | A-1 to approximately A-27000 | ||||||
| 1949 | Embossed white serial on red plate; "INDIANA" and "49" centered at top and bottom respectively | none | 123 456 | 1 to 999 999 | |||
| A-123456 | A-1 to approximately A-112000 | ||||||
| 1950 | Embossed golden yellow serial on black plate; "50" and "INDIANA" centered at top and bottom respectively | none | AB 1234 | County-coded | |||
| 1951 | Embossed black serial on white plate; "INDIANA" and "51" centered at top and bottom respectively | none | AB 1234 | County-coded | Revalidated for 1952 with yellow tabs, and for 1953 with green tabs, due to metal conservation for the Korean War. | ||
| 1954 | Embossed white serial on maroon plate; "54" and "INDIANA" centered at top and bottom respectively | none | AB 1234 | County-coded | Revalidated for 1955 with red tabs. | ||
| 1956 | Embossed golden yellow serial on dark blue plate; "IND–56" centered at bottom | "DRIVE SAFELY" on golden yellow bar centered at top | AB 1234 | County-coded | |||
| 1957 | Embossed dark blue serial on golden yellow plate; "IND–57" centered at top | "DRIVE SAFELY" on dark blue bar centered at bottom | AB 1234 | County-coded | |||
| 1958 | Embossed golden yellow serial on dark blue plate; "IND–58" centered at bottom | "DRIVE SAFELY" on golden yellow bar centered at top | AB 1234 | County-coded | |||
| 1959 | Embossed dark blue serial on golden yellow plate; "IND–59" centered at top | "LINCOLN YEAR" on dark blue bar centered at bottom | AB 1234 | County-coded | Commemorated the 150th anniversary of the birth of Abraham Lincoln, who lived in Indiana from 1816 to 1830. | ||
| 1960 | Embossed white serial on dark blue plate; "IND–60" centered at bottom | "SAFETY PAYS" on white bar centered at top | AB 1234 | County-coded | |||
| 1961 | Embossed white serial on red plate; "IND–61" centered at top | "SAFETY PAYS" on white bar centered at bottom | AB 1234 | County-coded | |||
| 1962 | Embossed golden yellow serial on black plate; "IND–62" centered at bottom | "SAFETY PAYS" on golden yellow bar centered at top | AB 1234 | County-coded | |||
| 1963 | Embossed golden yellow serial on blue plate; "1963" and "INDIANA" centered at top and bottom respectively | none | A1234 A1234 | County-coded | |||
| 1964 | Embossed reflective white serial on red plate; "INDIANA" and "1964" centered at top and bottom respectively | none | 01234 001234 | County-coded | |||
| 1965 | Embossed reflective white serial on dark green plate; "1965" and "INDIANA" centered at top and bottom respectively | none | 01234 001234 | County-coded | |||
| 1966 | Embossed black serial on reflective white plate; "IND–66" centered at bottom | "150TH YEAR" centered at top | 01234 001234 | County-coded | Commemorated Indiana's 150 years of statehood. | ||
| 1967 | Embossed red serial on reflective white plate; "1967" and "INDIANA" centered at top and bottom respectively | none | 01234 001234 | County-coded | |||
| 1968 | Embossed blue serial on reflective white plate; "INDIANA" and "1968" centered at top and bottom respectively | none | 01234 001234 | County-coded | |||
| 1969 | Embossed black serial on reflective white plate; "1969" and "INDIANA" centered at top and bottom respectively | none | 01234 001234 | County-coded | |||
| 1970 | Embossed red serial on reflective white plate; "IND–70" centered at top; month sticker and "71" at bottom | none | 01234 001234 | County-coded | Monthly staggered registration introduced, with the month of expiration determined by the initial letter of the registrant's surname. Plates expired from January 31 through June 30, 1971. | ||
| 1971 | Embossed blue serial on reflective white plate; "71–IND" centered at top; month sticker and "72" at bottom | none | 01234 001234 | County-coded | Plates expired from January 31 through June 30, 1972. | ||
| 1972 | Embossed green serial on reflective white plate; "IND–72" centered at top; month sticker and "73" at bottom | none | 01234 001234 | County-coded | Plates expired from January 31 through June 30, 1973. | ||
| 1973 | Embossed red serial on reflective white plate; "INDIANA" centered at top; month sticker and "74" at bottom | none | 01234 001234 | County-coded | Plates expired from January 31 through June 30, 1974. | ||
| 1974 | Embossed black serial on reflective white plate; "INDIANA" centered at top; month sticker and "75" at bottom | none | 01234 001234 | County-coded | Plates expired from January 31 through June 30, 1975. | ||
| 1975 | Embossed blue serial on reflective white plate; "INDIANA" centered at top; month sticker and "76" at bottom | none | 01234 001234 | County-coded | Plates expired from January 31 through June 30, 1976. | ||
| 1976 | Blue serial on reflective white, red and blue graphic background | Heritage State | 01234 001234 | County-coded | First graphic plate; commemorated the US Bicentennial. The letter in the serial was moved to the bottom of the plate to accommodate the Minuteman graphic. Plates expired from January 31 through June 30, 1977. | ||
| 1977 | Green serial on reflective white, green and yellow background | none | 01234 001234 | County-coded | Plates expired from January 31 through June 30, 1978. | ||
| 1978 | Black serial on reflective white, red and light blue background | none | 01234 001234 | County-coded | Indianapolis 500 race cars in background. This issue is thought by some to be a tribute to Tony Hulman, owner of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, who died in 1977; sample plates, normally numbered 00A0000 in most years, were numbered 00H0000 this year, lending some credence to this belief. Plates expired from January 31 through June 30, 1979. | ||
| 1979 | Brown serial on reflective white, yellow and brown background | 1779 George Rogers Clark | 01234 001234 | County-coded | Awarded "Plate of the Year" for best new license plate of 1979 by the Automobile License Plate Collectors Association, the first and, to date, only time Indiana has been so honored. Plates expired from January 31 through June 30, 1980. | ||
| 1980 | Black serial on reflective white, yellow, orange and red background | none | 01234 001234 | County-coded | Final single-year passenger plate in the United States. Plates expired from January 31 through June 30, 1981. |
| Image | First issued | Design | Slogan | Serial format | Serials issued | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Brown serial on reflective white, light and dark brown and black graphic background | Hoosier State | 01234 001234 | County-coded | First multi-year plate in Indiana since 1955, and the first to be renewed with decals (except for plates with numbers up to and including 100, which were reissued annually). Plates were valid through June 30, 1984. | ||
| 1984 | Black serial on reflective white, yellow, green and red background | Wander Indiana | 01234 001234 | County-coded | Staggered registration expanded to January–October with 1987 expiration. Plates were valid through October 31, 1987. | ||
| 1987 | Blue serial on reflective blue, white and gold background | Back Home Again | 01234 001234 | County-coded | Small white-on-blue county name sticker in bottom right corner. Plates were valid through October 31, 1990. | ||
| 1990 | Red serial on reflective white background | Hoosier Hospitality | 01234 0123 001234 | County-coded | Small white-on-blue county name sticker in bottom right corner as on the Back Home Again base. Allen County began issuing two-letter, three-digit serials in 1992 after reaching 29999. Plates were valid through October 31, 1993. | ||
| 1993 | Black serial on reflective red, yellow and black background | Amber Waves of Grain | 01234 0123 001234 00123 | County-coded | Replacement cycle extended from 3 to 5 years. Early plates had a small yellow-on-black county name sticker in the bottom right corner; this was soon discontinued. Plates were valid through October 31, 1998. | ||
| 1998 | Dark blue serial on reflective white background, gold state outline and coat of arms - Indiana and Crossroads of America Printed in dark blue. | The Crossroads of America | 01234 0123 001234 00123 | County-coded | Final embossed plate. Plates were valid through October 31, 2003. | ||
| 2003 | Dark blue on reflective farm scene graphic | www.IN.gov | 01234 0123 001234 00123 | County-coded | First screened plate. The original design had the slogan "Back Home Again" (as on the 1987–90 base); this was replaced with the state's web address before production began. Early plates used a bolder serial font that included full-height letters; this was changed in response to legibility concerns. Plates were valid through October 31, 2008. | ||
| 2008 | White serial on reflective dark blue; torch and stars from the state flag at left; county number and name on white sticker at top | none | Standard Version 123A, 123AB or 123ABC Grandfathered Version 000, 0000 or 00000 Handicapped Plates 2008-2010: 123456 2010>: D123A, D123AB | Serials not issued sequentially. Letters or combinations of letters are unique to a particular county. | Issued concurrently with "In God We Trust" base. Staggered registration once again expanded to include all twelve months of the calendar year; four dates, the 7th, 14th, 21st and 28th of each month, are used (except in January and December). Grandfathered Version are laid out by county coding depending on demand for them. Some counties may only use single suffix numbers while others may use as much as three. | ||
| 2013 | Black serial on reflective white fading to gold; number 200 and circle of 19 stars (the 19th enlarged and colored gold) over dark blue state shape at left; expiration date, year, county number and recycling symbol in corners clockwise from top left | Bicentennial 1816-2016 | Standard Version 123A, 123AB or 123ABC, No Grandfathered Version | Serial tied to vehicle. | Registrants keep their old license plate numbers upon renewal if they have a license plate in either the 123A, 123AB or 123ABC formats. If vehicle was issued a previous plate with serial 661XYZ for example, the vehicle's 2013 issued plate will have serial 661XYZ. | ||
| 2017 | Dark blue serial on reflective country scene graphic featuring a covered bridge; expiration date, year, county number and recycling symbol in corners clockwise from top left | none | Standard Version 123A, 123AB or 123ABC, No Grandfathered Version with possibilities for 1234AB, 12345A, or 1234 ABC | Serial tied to vehicle. | Registrants keep their old license plate numbers upon renewal if they have a license plate in either the 123A, 123AB or 123ABC formats. If vehicle was issued a previous plate with serial 661XYZ for example, the vehicle's 2018 issued plate will have serial 661XYZ. |
| Image | First issued | Design | Slogan | Serial format | Serials issued | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | Screened white on blue with national flag at bottom; "08" screened in top right corner and county code on sticker in bottom right corner | In God We Trust | 1234 | While very popular, this plate was controversial as the American Civil Liberties Union of Indiana claimed that it is a symbol of endorsement of a religion. After a lawsuit from the ACLU, the Indiana Court of Appeals upheld the plates' constitutionality.[3] | |||
| 2012 | Screened black on national flag motif; expiration year screened in top right corner, county code in bottom right corner, expiration date in top left corner and recycling symbol in bottom left corner | In God We Trust | ABC123 | RAA101 to ZZZ999 *ZZZ999 to AAA101 change over occurred in January 2018. *HKV101 As of May 2021 *Occasionally plates with serials AAA101-PZZ999 have also been issued. | "In God We Trust" now appears at the bottom instead of on the left. The changes were made to address visibility issues with the previous version and in preparation for the introduction of the Bicentennial passenger base in 2013. | ||
| March 4, 2008[4] | Screened black on white with graphic of young Abraham Lincoln at left; "09" screened in top right corner and county code on sticker in bottom right corner | Lincoln's Boyhood Home | 1234 123A 1234 | Aside from this and the In God We Trust Plates, there are approximately 70 other various organizations, schools, and other entities that offer plates using the same format but come with a $15 organizational fee. See Indiana Plate Types for further details. |
| Image | Type | First issued | Design | Serial format | Serials issued | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amateur Radio | As current passenger base | FCC call sign | Issued only to Indiana residents holding valid amateur radio operator's licenses. | ||||
| Bus | Screened black on white; vertical "BUS" at left | B123AB | |||||
| Disability | Screened blue on white; International Symbol of Access at left | D123AB D123ABC | |||||
| Farm Semi-Trailer | As regular Semi-Trailer (Permanent) plate, but with vertical "FARM" at left | FP123AB | |||||
| Farm Vehicle | Screened black on white; vertical "FARM" at left | F123AB | Issued on farm trucks, farm trailers and farm semi-tractors. | ||||
| Fleet Vehicle | Screened black on white; "FLEET" at bottom | FL123ABC | FL101AAA to FL328ADS | ||||
| Historic Vehicle | Screened black on tan; state seal at left and "HISTORIC" at bottom | AN123A | Issued on vehicles that are at least 25 years old. | ||||
| Mini-Truck | Screened black on white; "MINI-TRUCK" at left | MT123ABC | . | ||||
| Motorcycle | 2008 | Screened blue on white; "M CYCLE" at bottom right and "09" at top right | 123456 | 1 to approximately 178000 | |||
| 2010 | As above, but with "11" at top right | M123A | M101A to M999Z | ||||
| M123AB | M101AA to present | ||||||
| Municipal | Black on light blue; "MUNICIPAL" at bottom | 12345 | |||||
| Municipal Owned School Bus | Black on yellow; "MUN. OWNED SCHOOL BUS" at bottom | 12345 | |||||
| Recreational Vehicle | Screened black on white; vertical "RV" at left | R123AB | |||||
| Semi-Tractor | Screened black on white; "SEMI TRACTOR" at bottom | TC123ABC | Issued on tractors used in combination with semi-trailers. Tractors not used in such a combination are registered as trucks. | ||||
| Semi-Trailer (Non-Permanent) | Screened red on white; "SEMI TRAILER" at bottom | SE123ABC | |||||
| Semi-Trailer (Permanent) | Screened black on light gray; "SEMI TRAILER" at bottom; "NO" at top left and "EXP" at top right | SP123ABC | |||||
| Special Machinery | Screened black on white; "SPECIAL MACHINERY" at bottom | SM123AB | Issued on vehicles used to perform specific functions unrelated to transportation on highways, usually on tow trucks. | ||||
| Trailer | Screened black on white; "TRAILER" and gross weight at bottom | TR123ABC | |||||
| Truck | 2013 | Screened black on white; "TRUCK" and gross weight at bottom | TK123ABC | TK101LAA to TK713ORW |
Indiana issues a large number of organizational and collegiate license plates.[5] [6] A portion of the fees for these plates is given to the respective organization or college.
| Plate | Organization | Slogan | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Indy 500 Festival | 500FESTIVAL.COM | ||
| American Diabetes Association | American Diabetes Association | ||
| American Legion | LEGIONNAIRE | ||
| Autism Society | AUTISM AWARENESS | ||
| Bicycle Indiana | I Share The Road | ||
| Black Expo | INDIANA BLACK EXPO, INC. | ||
| Boy Scouts | BOY SCOUTS (Used from 2000 until at least 2007[7]) | ||
| BOY SCOUTS | |||
| Breast Cancer Awareness | INDIANA BREAST CANCER AWARENESS TRUST | ||
| D.A.R.E Indiana | D.A.R.E. INDIANA | ||
| Donate Life Indiana | Be an Organ, Tissue, & Eye Donor! | ||
| Ducks Unlimited | DUCKS UNLIMITED | ||
| FFA Foundation | www.inffa.org | ||
| Freemasons | FREEMASON | ||
| Greenway Foundation | I SUPPORT TRAILS! | ||
| Habitat For Humanity | Help build it! | ||
| Indiana 4-H Foundation | 4-H Foundation | ||
| Indiana Arts Commission | CELEBRATE THE ARTS | ||
| Indiana Association of Chiefs of Police | CHIEFS OF POLICEIACP FOUNDATION | ||
| Indiana Association of Pregnancy Centers | Choose Life | ||
| Indiana Blood Center | BLOOD CENTER | ||
| Indiana Coal Mining Institute | COAL KEEPS THE LIGHTS ON! | ||
| Indiana Department of Education | Hoosier Family of Readers | ||
| Indiana Emergency Medical Services Association (IEMSA) | Supporting EMS | ||
| Indiana Golf Foundation | THE FIRST TEE OF INDIANA | ||
| President Benjamin Harrison Conservation Trust (formerly Indiana Heritage Trust) | ENVIRONMENT | ||
| Indiana Homeland Security Foundation | SECURE INDIANA | ||
| Indiana Motor Truck Association - Put The Phone Down | INTRUCKING.ORG | ||
| Indiana Organization of Nursing Executives | BE A NURSE | ||
| Indiana Patriot Guard Riders | PATRIOT GUARD RIDERS | ||
| Indiana Recycling Coalition | INDIANARECYCLING.ORG | ||
| Indiana Sheriff's Association | LAW ENFORCEMENT, CORRECTIONS, COURT SECURITY | ||
| Indiana Soccer | WE SUPPORT INDY ELEVEN | ||
| Indiana State Museum (Abraham Lincoln) | Lincoln's Boyhood Home | ||
| Indiana State Police | REMEMBERING OUR HEROES | ||
| Indiana Volunteer Firefighters Association | SAVING INDIANA LIVES | ||
| Indiana Youth Group | INDIANA YOUTH GROUP | ||
| Indianapolis Colts | GO COLTS | ||
| Indianapolis Motor Speedway Hall of Fame | HALL OF FAME MUSEUM | ||
| Indianapolis Zoological Society | Advancing Animal Conservation | ||
| Juvenile Diabetes research Foundation | IMPROVING LIVES. CURING TYPE I DIABETES. | ||
| Kids First Trust Fund | PREVENTING CHILD ABUSE | ||
| Lincoln Boyhood Drama Association | LINCOLN FAMILY ARRIVES 1816 | ||
| Lions of Indiana | WE SERVE | ||
| Lupus Foundation of America | SOLVING THE CRUEL MYSTERY | ||
| Marine Foundation of Indiana | SEMPER FI | ||
| National Rifle Association | TEACHING FREEDOM | ||
| National Wild Turkey Federation | CONSERVATION | ||
| Native American | Land of the Indians | ||
| Pacers Foundation | PACERS FOUNDATION | ||
| Pet Friendly - Spay-Neuter Services of Indiana | PET FRIENDLY | ||
| Peyton Manning Children's Hospital at St Vincent | stvincent.org/paytonmanning | ||
| Prisoner of War - Missing in Action | NOT FORGOTTEN | ||
| Professional Firefighters | FIREFIGHTERS | ||
| Riley Hospital for Children | RILEY HOSPITAL FOR CHILDREN | ||
| Shrine Association | Indiana Shriner | ||
| Special Olympics of Indiana | Special Olympics Indiana | ||
| Tony Stewart Foundation | ACCELERATING CHANGE | ||
| To Your Health | To Your Health |
Indiana also issues several military-related license plates.[8] Most are available for veterans only.
| Plate(s) | Representation | Elegebility | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hoosier Veteran (all branches of service) | Verify Veteran Status with one of the following:
| ||
| Disabled Hoosier Veteran | Certified by Indiana Department of Veteran Affairs | ||
| Ex-Prisoner of War | Certified by Indiana Department of Veteran Affairs | ||
| Gold Star Family | Spouse, Parent, Grandparents, Great-Grandparents, Siblings, or Children of anyone who died while serving on duty in the military - active, Reserve or National Guard Must Provide Official DD1300 | ||
| Pearl Harbor Survivors Association | Any military document verifying the person was an active member of the United States Armed Forces and served at Pearl Harbor at the time of the Pearl Harbor attacks. | ||
| Purple Heart | Certified by Indiana Department of Veteran Affairs | ||
| Support Our Troops | Any Indiana Resident; supports the Military Family Relief Fund |
Starting in 2010 special plates such as the handicapped, POW, National Guard, Disabled American Veteran that use the background of the standard plates will no longer use just numbers. Instead they will now use a predetermined prefix of three numbers and one or two suffix letters depending on if they have one or two prefix numbers. In all the max total characters will amount to six and, except the Disabled American Veteran and Purple Heart plate will use the background of the standard plate. Starting in 2015, the colors of these plates, with the exception of the Hoosier Veteran and Purple Heart plates, will invert, producing plates with dark blue serials on a white background.
Starting in 2012 veterans of each of the five branches of the armed forces will be able, for an extra $15, to obtain a plate with the seal of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps or Coast Guard beginning in 2012. The $15 fee will benefit the state's Military Family Relief Fund.[9]
Indiana maintains separate plates for trucks, trailers, tractors/trailers, and farm vehicles. Except for farm and motorcycle vehicles, the plates follow an eight character AB123CDE format. All following plates use a plain white background
From 1963 through 2008, the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles issued standard passenger plates bearing a one- or two-digit prefix identifying the county in which the vehicle was registered. These prefixes were assigned to each county in alphabetical order, beginning with 1 for Adams County and ending with 92 for Whitley County; prefixes 93 through 99 were reserved as overflow for the state's two most populous counties, Marion (93, 95, 97, 98 and 99) and Lake (94 and 96).
In each county, serials consisted of the prefix followed by one letter and up to four digits, progressing sequentially. In 1992, Allen County reached 29999 and subsequently introduced a new format with the prefix followed by two letters and three digits (beginning with 2101); this format was later used in St. Joseph (71), Hamilton (29), Elkhart (20) and Vanderburgh (82) Counties.[10] [11]
Following the introduction of multi-year plates in 1981, plates with serials containing numbers above 100 were revalidated with decals, while those with serials containing numbers 1 through 100 continued to be issued annually.
In 2008, new serial formats were introduced with the white-on-blue torch base, consisting of three digits followed by one, two or three random letters. However, the county number system was retained through the use of decals at the top of each plate displaying both the county number and name, with the overflow numbers for Marion and Lake Counties discontinued.[12]
The no-cost alternative "In God We Trust" plate introduced in 2007 featured the county number on a sticker at the bottom right corner of the plate. The revised "In God We Trust" plate, introduced in 2012, has the number screened onto the bottom right corner; this technique was subsequently adopted on standard passenger plates, beginning with the Bicentennial base in 2013. Since 2013, the following numbers appear at the bottom corner of every plate issued in the state from passenger plates, to truck plates, municipal, even motorcycle plates.
In the past, Indiana colored its due date tags by month. Another change to the plate system is that there are only four colors of tags which are the same regardless of the month, whether it be January, June, or December, another change because Indiana used to only issue month tags from January to October. These are all found on the top left corner of an Indiana plate based on the first three letters of the last name of the owner. Note: Business owned vehicles have black tags that expire 1-31 regardless of name.[13]
01-0702-0703-0704-0705-0706-0707-0708-0709-0710-0711-0712-0701-1402-1403-1404-1405-1406-1407-1408-1409-1410-1411-1412-1401-2102-2103-2104-2105-2106-2107-2108-2109-2110-2111-2112-2101-2802-2803-2804-2805-2806-2807-2808-2809-2810-2811-2812-28