BMV says 380,000-plus ‘blackout’ plates have generated $12.9M for five‑year BMV modernization

According to the Indiana Capital Chronicle, the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles told the newspaper it has sold more than 380,000 optional “blackout” license plates since the design launched in August 2025, generating $12.9 million that the governor’s office says will be applied to a five‑year BMV modernization plan. BMV spokesman Greg Dunn told the paper about 314,000 blackout plates are currently on the road.

The article notes the optional blackout design — white numerals and letters on an all‑black background — adds $45 to initial registration and to annual renewal fees. The governor’s office and the BMV said the revenue is planned to support pay raises for many customer‑facing BMV employees and fund recent purchases and projects already underway, including new tap‑to‑pay and digital‑currency payment machines, more 24/7 BMV Connect kiosks, and a 13‑point set of modernization initiatives (AI chatbot, automated notifications, upgraded branch cameras, digital driver’s licenses, etc.).

Report a correction · Editorial standards · Our source directory

BusinessIndy examines this development and its implications for Indiana businesses and communities using the linked sources.