Blackout plate sales put $12.9M toward Indiana BMV five-year modernization
The Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles sold more than 380,000 optional 'blackout' plates since their August 2025 launch, generating $12.9 million the agency says will fund a five-year modernization ordered by Gov. Mike Braun. The BMV cites new payment machines, more kiosks and planned pay raises as uses.
Reporting by the Indiana Capital Chronicle: The Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles has sold more than 380,000 optional “blackout” license plates since the design launched in August 2025; about 314,000 are on the road, the BMV told the paper. Blackout plates feature white numerals and letters on an all‑black background.
The BMV says sales — which include registration renewals and add $45 to initial registration and annual renewal fees — produced $12.9 million toward a five‑year modernization ordered by Gov. Mike Braun in 2025. The agency said it has purchased new tap‑to‑pay and digital‑currency payment machines, added more 24/7 BMV Connect kiosks and that pay raises are coming for many customer‑facing employees.
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