BMV says blackout plate sales raised $12.9M to fund five-year modernization

According to the Indiana Capital Chronicle, Indiana's Bureau of Motor Vehicles has sold more than 380,000 optional 'blackout' license plates since the design launched in August 2025 and reports about 314,000 blackout plates are currently on the road. The BMV says those sales have generated $12.9 million earmarked for a five-year modernization plan.

The article says the optional blackout design adds $45 to initial registration and to annual renewal fees; the agency has purchased new payment machines that accept tap-to-pay and digital payments and added more 24/7 BMV Connect kiosks statewide. It also reports that pay raises are coming for many customer-facing BMV employees and notes Gov. Mike Braun directed a five-year modernization of BMV systems last year.

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