Indiana BMV says blackout-plate sales raised $12.9M to fund five-year modernization

Indiana Capital Chronicle reported on 2026-10-05 that the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles has sold more than 380,000 optional “blackout” license plates since the design launched in August 2025 and that about 314,000 of those plates are currently on the road, BMV spokesman Greg Dunn said. The sales — which add $45 to initial registration and annual renewals — have generated $12.9 million earmarked for a five-year BMV modernization plan.

The story says the agency has already bought new payment machines that accept tap-to-pay and digital currency, added more 24/7 BMV Connect kiosks, and that pay raises are coming for many customer-facing employees. It also notes a completed systems review produced 13 recommended initiatives, including an AI chatbot, automated personalized customer notifications, upgraded branch cameras and implementation of digital driver’s licenses.

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