Blackout plate sales net $12.9M for Indiana BMV 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 began selling in August 2025, generating $12.9 million toward a five-year BMV modernization plan, according to the governor’s office. The blackout plate features white numerals and letters on an all-black background and carries a $45 added fee at initial registration and annual renewal.

The story notes that Hoosiers had bought more than 90,000 blackout plates by the end of 2025 and that nearly 22,000 were sold in the first month of sales. BMV spokesman Greg Dunn told the Chronicle about 314,000 blackout plates remain on the road. The agency says some revenue has funded purchases this year of new payment machines that accept tap-to-pay and digital currency and more 24/7 BMV Connect kiosks statewide; pay raises for many customer-facing BMV employees are also coming. Governor Mike Braun directed the BMV last year to modernize its tracking and records software and other systems over five years.

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