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

Indiana Capital Chronicle reports the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) says sales of its optional “blackout” license plate generated $12.9 million to help fund a five-year modernization plan tied to an executive order from Governor Mike Braun. The blackout plate — white numerals and letters on an all‑black background — began selling in August 2025 and has sold more than 380,000 plates, the article says; a BMV spokesman reported about 314,000 plates are currently on the road.

The optional design adds $45 to initial registration and to annual renewal fees, and the reported sales figure includes renewals. Sales volumes were nearly 22,000 in the first month and more than 90,000 by the end of 2025. The agency says the funds are supporting initiatives such as pay raises for many customer-facing BMV employees, new payment machines that accept tap-to-pay and digital currency, additional 24/7 BMV Connect kiosks, and other upgrades drawn from a comprehensive systems review that outlined 13 initiatives including an AI chatbot, automated personalized notifications, upgraded branch cameras and digital driver’s licenses. BMV Commissioner Kevin Garvey and Governor Mike Braun are quoted in the story describing the revenue as money that can be reinvested into the BMV.

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