BMV puts $12.9M from ‘blackout’ plate sales toward five-year modernization plan

Indiana Capital Chronicle reported the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) said on 2026-10-05 it has generated $12.9 million from sales of the optional “blackout” license plate, which the agency began offering in August 2025. The BMV said it has sold more than 380,000 blackout plates and that about 314,000 are on the road. The optional design features white numerals and letters on an all-black background and adds $45 to initial registration and annual renewal fees.

The BMV told the Capital Chronicle the revenue is being directed to a five-year modernization plan ordered by Gov. Mike Braun in an executive order last year. The agency listed actions already taken or funded, including pay raises for many customer-facing employees, new payment machines that accept tap-to-pay and digital currency, and additional 24/7 BMV Connect kiosks. The agency also noted its sales figures include registration renewals and transfers of plates between vehicles.

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