Indiana License Plate Lookup
Indiana License Plate Lookup powered by NHTSA. The IN license plate lookup tool above returns make, model, year, trim, recalls, and crash ratings for any Indiana-registered vehicle in seconds.
Indiana License Plate Lookup: Quick Facts
| Agency | Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles |
| Issuance year | 1913 |
| Current format | 123ABC — Six characters on the current 'In God We Trust' design: three digits followed by three letters. Indiana is a single-plate (rear-only) state. |
| Plates required | One (rear only) |
| Replacement fee | $9.50 |
| Registration validity | 1 year |
| Registered vehicles | 5.9M (approx.) |
| DMV contact | 1-888-692-6841 · www.in.gov/bmv |
How do I look up an Indiana license plate?
Three steps to a complete indiana license plate lookup. The IN license plate lookup workflow below works for any Indiana-registered plate.
- 1Enter the Indiana license plate number in the search field above. Spaces and dashes are optional.
- 2Confirm IN is selected in the state dropdown — plate numbers can repeat across states, so the state is required for accurate matching.
- 3Press Search Plate. You'll see make, model, year, trim, engine, open recalls, and NHTSA crash safety ratings in seconds.
What does an Indiana license plate lookup reveal?
Free Indiana plate searches return vehicle-level data: make, model, year, recalls, and NHTSA crash ratings. Personal information (driver name, address, contact) is protected under the DPPA and is not available here.
This Indiana license plate lookup returns vehicle information only — make, model, year, recalls, and safety ratings from NHTSA's public database. We do not return the registered owner's name, address, phone number, email, driving record, or any other personal information about the driver. Personal driver and owner information is protected under the federal Driver's Privacy Protection Act of 1994 (18 U.S.C. § 2721) and is not lawfully accessible through any free public lookup.
- check_circleMake, model, year, and trim
- check_circleBody style, doors, curb weight
- check_circleEngine size, cylinders, fuel type
- check_circleTransmission and drivetrain
- check_circleOpen NHTSA safety recalls
- check_circleNHTSA crash test ratings
- check_circleEPA fuel economy (MPG)
- check_circleManufacturing plant & country
- boltTitle brand history (salvage, flood, rebuilt)
- boltReported accident history
- boltOdometer rollback detection
- boltNumber of previous owners
- boltLien and loan history
- boltAuction & insurance records
- boltState of registration history
- boltTheft / total-loss records
Registered owner name, address, contact details, and driving records are protected under the federal Driver's Privacy Protection Act (18 U.S.C. § 2721) and are not returned by this site or any other free public lookup. This tool provides vehicle-level data only — make, model, year, recalls, safety ratings, and EPA fuel economy — sourced from NHTSA and EPA public databases.
What does an Indiana license plate format look like?
Six characters on the current 'In God We Trust' design: three digits followed by three letters. Indiana is a single-plate (rear-only) state.
Indiana license plate format history
| Era | Format | Example |
|---|---|---|
| 1913–1962 | Numeric, with county prefix in later years | 12-3456 |
| 1963–1976 | County-coded numeric (1A-1234 = county A) | 12A1234 |
| 1977–1987 | 3 digits + 3 letters (county-coded numeric prefix) | 12A 3456 |
| 1988–2002 | 3 letters + 3 digits ('Hoosier State', white on blue) | ABC 123 |
| 2003–2016 | 3 digits + 3 letters ('In God We Trust' optional) | 123 ABC |
| 2017–present | 3 digits + 3 letters (refreshed Indiana design) | 123ABC |
Indiana license plate laws you should know
Below are the four laws that most often trip up Indiana drivers. Rules are enforced at the stop, the inspection station, and at registration renewal.
Single plate state
Indiana is a single-plate state. IC § 9-18.1-4-4 requires every registered passenger vehicle to display only one license plate, on the rear of the vehicle. Decorative front plates are permitted.
Front plate rule
No front plate is required or issued for passenger vehicles in Indiana. Drivers may legally display decorative front plates as long as they do not obstruct visibility or imitate official plates.
Registration stickers & display
Indiana issues a registration sticker affixed to the upper-right corner of the rear plate showing the month and year of expiration. Registration is verified electronically.
Inspection / smog check
Indiana requires biennial emissions testing in only two counties: Lake and Porter (the Chicago-area I/M region). Vehicles 1976 model year or newer registered in these counties must pass an OBD-II test. There is no statewide safety inspection requirement.
Types of Indiana license plates
Indiana issues dozens of plate designs. These are the main categories you'll encounter on the road or see at the DMV counter.
Standard Indiana / In God We Trust
Default rear-only plate. Drivers can choose either the standard 'Indiana' or no-cost 'In God We Trust' plate.
Personalized / Vanity
Up to 7 characters on the standard or specialty backgrounds for $30/year through the BMV.
Disabled / Disabled Veteran
ISA wheelchair symbol; qualifies for accessible parking. Disabled Veteran plates carry waived registration fees.
Military specialty
Purple Heart, Pearl Harbor Survivor, Gold Star Family, POW, Combat Wounded, and branch-specific plates.
Special interest
Indiana University, Purdue, Notre Dame, Indianapolis Colts, Indy 500, environmental, and dozens of cause plates.
Antique / Historic Vehicle
For vehicles 25+ years old used primarily for exhibitions, parades, and club events. Limited use only.
How much does a Indiana license plate cost?
Typical Indiana DMV fees for plates, registration, and related services. Always confirm current amounts on the official DMV site before paying.
| Annual registration (passenger) | $21.35 base + excise tax (varies by vehicle value) |
| Replacement plate | $9.50 |
| Personalized plate | $48 initial + $30/year |
| Specialty plate | $15–$40/year (varies by plate) |
| Title fee | $15 |
| Excise tax (Motor Vehicle Excise) | Based on vehicle age and class — replaces personal property tax |
Source: Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles — https://www.in.gov/bmv
What if my Indiana plate is lost, stolen, or damaged?
Follow these steps to replace a Indiana license plate. Do not keep driving with a missing plate — it is a citable offense in most states.
- 1File a police report immediately if the plate was stolen.
- 2Submit Form 43230 (Application for Replacement Plate or Sticker) at any Indiana BMV branch or online via myBMV.com.
- 3Bring valid ID, vehicle registration, and the $9.50 replacement fee.
- 4Surrender any damaged plate if applicable; new plate is issued on the spot at most branches.
- 5Online replacements are mailed within 7–10 business days; print the temporary receipt as proof.
Indiana DMV contact & privacy
Personal information tied to a Indiana license plate — driver name, address, date of birth, phone number, email, and driving record — is protected by the federal Driver's Privacy Protection Act (18 U.S.C. § 2721) and is not returned by this site. This page and the lookup tool provide vehicle-level data only: make, model, year, trim, recalls, and safety ratings from NHTSA's public database.
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about Indiana license plate lookups, DMV rules, and plate replacement.
How do I run an Indiana license plate lookup?
Does Indiana require a front license plate?
How much does a replacement Indiana plate cost?
What is the current Indiana license plate format?
Are Indiana license plate records public?
Does Indiana require emissions testing?
How do I get a personalized Indiana plate?
What is the Indiana Motor Vehicle Excise Tax?
Beyond IN plate lookup
Have a 17-digit VIN, want recall info, or need a full title history? Use any of these free tools — same NHTSA-grade data behind each one.
The bigger picture on Indiana drivers
Statewide statistics and trend reports compiled from NHTSA, FBI UCR, IIHS, and CDC data — the same sources behind every IN plate lookup result.
Car Recall Statistics (2026)
30M+ US vehicles recalled in 2025 (Ford led with 12.9M via 153 campaigns). ~1 in 4 US cars has an open recall — but only 72% ever get fixed. Ranked & explained.
Car Ownership Statistics (2026)
92% of US households own a car — 22% own three or more. The 1.83-per-household 'average' hides a bimodal split geography, not income, decides.
Electric Vehicle Statistics (2026)
6M plug-in EVs on US roads. 1.28M sold in 2025 — the first-ever YoY decline. Tesla's share fell from 79% to 44%. California alone drives 35% of the national total.
Used Car Market Statistics (2026)
38M used vehicles sold in 2025 (~$1T market) — 2.4× the new-car market by units. Prices are 46% above 2020 baseline and unlikely to fully reverse.
Car Accident Statistics (2026)
16,700 crashes a day. 6.1M a year. 94% caused by human error. Motorcycles are 24× as deadly as cars per mile.
Self-Driving Car Statistics (2026)
71M+ Waymo miles, 6M+ Tesla FSD vehicles, 88% fewer injury crashes — but 61% of Americans still afraid.
Road Rage Statistics (2026)
80% of US drivers report rage. Gun-involved incidents up 160% since 2018.
Car Crash Statistics (2026 US Data)
42,795 annual deaths broken down by state, age, gender, and cause.
Car Theft Statistics (2026)
1M+ stolen cars per year — top models, worst states, recovery rates.
Drunk Driving Statistics (2026)
13,524 annual DUI deaths, arrest rates, BAC averages, state rankings.
Distracted Driving Statistics
Texting kills 3,300+ a year — phone use multiplies crash risk by 23x.
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