INDIANALICENSEPLATE.COM IS A PRIVATELY OWNED WEBSITE AND IS NOT AFFILIATED WITH, ENDORSED BY, OR OPERATED BY ANY STATE OR GOVERNMENT AGENCY.

Indiana License Plate Search
  1. Home/
  2. Custom License Plates
  • About Us
  • License Plates Overview
  • License Lookup
  • License Renewal
  • Custom Plates
  • Specialty Plates
  • Temporary Plates
  • License Costs
  • License Designs
  • License Laws & Regulations
  • Driver Education
  • Driver Licenses
  • Vehicle Registration
  • FAQ

    • Custom Indiana License Plates

    Indiana license plates offer drivers a distinct way to personalize their vehicles. Whether you want to showcase your initials, highlight a favorite hobby, display a witty slogan, or support a local university or non-profit organization, designing a custom license plate allows you to stand out on the road while maintaining full legal compliance with the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV).

    Designing and ordering a custom or personalized plate involves choosing your preferred background style, crafting a unique letter and number combination, and completing the application through state-approved channels.

    Step-by-Step Custom Plate Process

    Now, let’s have a look at how obtaining custom license plates works.

    Step 1: Choose Your Plate Type

    Before creating your custom message, decide which license plate style best fits your vehicle:

    • Standard Passenger Background: Features Indiana's standard state graphic background with your custom character combination centered in the middle.
    • Indiana Blackout Plate: Features a minimalist all-black background with high-contrast white characters.
    • Specialty & Organizational Backgrounds: Displays custom text over background artwork representing Indiana colleges, military honors, or non-profit causes.
    • Motorcycle & RV Tags: Custom options formatted specifically for smaller motorcycle sizes or recreational vehicle classifications.

    Step 2: Create Your Design & Check Availability

    Once you select a background style, draft your preferred character combination while keeping state character limits in mind:

    • Standard Passenger Plates: Up to 8 characters maximum (if 8 characters are used, at least one must be a space).
    • Specialty Plate Backgrounds: Up to 6 characters maximum for passenger-sized tags.
    • Motorcycles: Up to 6 characters on standard motorcycle tags, or up to 5 characters on specialty motorcycle backgrounds.

    Because character combinations are granted on a strict first-come, first-served basis, no two vehicles in Indiana can share identical tag text. Use the myBMV online plate availability tool before applying to verify that your preferred combination is available. Preparing two or three backup choices is recommended in case your first choice is already assigned.

    Step 3: Apply Online or In Person

    You can request your custom license plate through several convenient channels:

    • Online via myBMV: Log into your myBMV account, select vehicle registration services, enter your chosen combination, and complete the payment process.
    • In Person at a BMV Branch: Visit any local Indiana BMV branch to submit your combination choices directly to a customer service representative.
    • BMV Connect Kiosk: Use a 24/7 self-service BMV kiosk located at select branch facilities to complete your application.

    During application, you will pay the $45.00 annual Personalized License Plate (PLP) fee alongside standard vehicle registration costs and any applicable specialty background contribution fees.

    Design Guidelines and Restrictions

    To ensure all license plates remain legible to law enforcement, automated readers, and the general public, the Indiana BMV reviews every custom application against specific formatting and decency standards.

    Formatting Rules

    • Allowed Characters: Uppercase letters (A–Z) and numbers (0–9).
    • Spacing: Single spaces count as a character position. Consecutive spaces (two or more in a row) are not permitted.
    • No Punctuation or Symbols: Special characters, punctuation marks, hyphens, ampersands (&), or hash marks (#) are strictly prohibited.
    • No Numbers-Only Text: Custom combinations must contain at least one letter and cannot consist solely of numbers.
    • Standard Format Protection: Custom text cannot duplicate standard state issuing formats (such as three numbers followed by three letters).

    Prohibited Content

    The Indiana BMV will reject custom plate applications that contain:

    • Profane, vulgar, or sexually explicit language or connotations.
    • References to illegal acts, controlled substances, or violence.
    • Terms that impersonate law enforcement, military rank credentials, or emergency services.
    • Trademarked brand names or misleading commercial text.

    If your requested combination is denied during administrative review, the BMV will issue a written notice allowing you to submit an alternative combination or request a refund of the personalization fee.

    Receiving and Displaying Your Custom Tag

    Once approved, custom license plates are manufactured and mailed directly to the address on your vehicle registration within 2 to 4 weeks. The BMV provides a temporary paper registration permit to display in your rear window until your physical metal tag arrives.

    When your custom plate arrives, securely mount it horizontally on the rear exterior of your vehicle. Ensure the plate remains right-side up, clean, and fully illuminated by your vehicle's license plate light at night.

    Related Indiana License Plate Guides