Indiana directs $12.9M from ‘blackout’ plate sales into five‑year BMV modernization plan

Indiana Capital Chronicle reports the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) has generated $12.9 million from sales of the optional “blackout” license plate and is putting that money toward a five‑year effort to modernize BMV systems. The blackout plate, which launched in August 2025 and features white characters on a black background, adds $45 to initial registrations and annual renewals; the BMV said it has sold more than 380,000 blackout plates in the year since launch and that about 314,000 are currently on the road.

The article says the modernization effort traces to an executive order Gov. Mike Braun issued in 2025 directing the agency to replace or improve 20‑year‑old tracking and records software over five years. The BMV has reported purchases so far this year that include new payment machines accepting tap‑to‑pay and digital currency, more 24/7 BMV Connect kiosks, and other initiatives from a 13‑item report such as an AI chatbot, automated customer notifications, upgraded branch cameras and digital driver’s licenses; the article also notes pay raises are planned for many customer‑facing BMV employees.

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