Indiana BMV says $12.9M from ‘blackout’ plate sales will fund five-year modernization

Indiana Capital Chronicle reported on Oct. 5, 2026, that the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles has sold more than 380,000 optional “blackout” license plates since the design launched in August 2025, and that about 314,000 of those plates are currently on the road. The agency said sales have generated $12.9 million to fund a five-year BMV modernization plan.

The blackout plate, which features white numerals and letters on an all-black background, adds $45 to initial registration and to annual renewal fees; the reported plate totals include transfers and renewals. The BMV told the paper it has purchased new payment machines that accept tap-to-pay and digital currency, added more 24/7 BMV Connect kiosks statewide and plans pay raises for many customer-facing employees. The reported modernization follows an executive order from Governor Mike Braun directing upgrades to roughly 20-year-old tracking and records software.

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