How to Renew Car Registration in Indiana

Applying for car registration renewal in Indiana is a mandatory process that you must complete before your vehicle’s registration expire. Failure to do so may result in a penalty and late fees when you do decide to renew your registration credentials.

If you do not apply for a registration renewal before your plates expire and you operate a motor vehicle on public roads and highways, you may also receive a traffic ticket for driving an automobile without valid registration credentials.

To apply for registration tag renewal before it expires, you may choose to submit your application materials online, by mail or in person at a local branch of the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV).

If you need to provide the BMV with any supporting documents prior to renewal, however, you must renew your credentials in person or by mail rather than online. To learn more about the process to renew your registration credentials, review the information below.

Applying for License Plate Renewal in Indiana

The BMV allows you to renew registration online, in person or by mail, unless you need to submit any special documentation along with your standard application credentials. If your application requires you to submit a completed tax form, for instance, you cannot renew your credentials online. In situations such as these, you must renew in person or by mail.

Moreover, you may check your vehicle registration status online under the BMV’s website, even if you choose to renew your license plates in person or by mail. By logging into your myBMV online account, you can review your upcoming registration expiration date or track the status of your recent license plate order.

To learn more about these application methods, review the following sections or download our helpful guide.

Renewing Online

To perform your car reg check and renewal online, you must login to your existing myBMV account by providing your user name and password, or you may create a new account by providing your driver’s license number, the last four digits of your Social Security number (SSN) and ZIP code. If you do not have a myBMV account and do not wish to create one, you may also choose to renew your credentials as a guest.

After applying for DMV car registration renewal in IN, you will receive your new credentials in the mail within 14 days.

In Person

To perform your car registration check and renewal in person rather than online, you must visit a local BMV office to submit your application materials. During your office visit, you must pay your registration taxes and fees and present any required application materials, such as the IRS Form 2290 (if applicable).

To learn more about the vehicle registration renewal fees you must pay, you may contact the BMV office before heading in. Typically, the amount of your annual registration fee will vary depending on the county where you live and the make and model year of your registered vehicle. During the annual renewal process, you may also change your registration address if needed.

By Mail

To apply for BMV registration renewal by mail, you must forward your standard application materials and any supporting documents to the Bureau’s Central Office in Indianapolis. With your application, you must also include payment for the annual registration fee.

If you do not know the cost of your registration fee but wish to calculate it before mailing in your payment, you may use the Department’s online Quick Quote service or contact your local BMV branch.

Indiana BMV Car Registration Renewal Requirements

Before applying for BMV tag renewal in Indiana, you may need to submit your vehicle for an emissions test if your automobile is registered in Porter or Lake County.

Under state law, vehicles registered in either of these counties must pass an emissions inspection once every two years, unless the automobile qualifies for an exemption from this rule.

To learn more about the renewal requirements and process, you can download our free car registration guide.