Vehicle registration plates of Indiana


The U.S. state of Indiana first required its residents to register their motor vehicles in 1905. Registrants provided their own license plates for display until July 1, 1913, when the state began to issue plates.
Plates are currently issued by the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles. Only rear plates have been required since 1956.

Passenger plates 1913 to present

In 1956, the United States, Canada, and Mexico came to an agreement with the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators, the Automobile Manufacturers Association and the National Safety Council that standardized the size for license plates for vehicles at in height by in width, with standardized mounting holes. The 1955 issue was the first Indiana license plate that complied with these standards.
ImageFirst issuedDesignSloganSerial formatSerials issuedNotes
1913Black numbers on yellow porcelain platenone123451 to approximately 45000
1914White lettering on blue basenone123451 to approximately 67000
1915Green lettering on pink basenone123451 to approximately 97000
1916Black lettering on white basenone123451 to 99999
1916Black lettering on white basenoneA1234A1 to approximately D9000
1917Yellow lettering on black basenone123451 to 99999
1917Yellow lettering on black basenoneA1234A1 to approximately K2000
1918Black lettering on green basenone1234561 to approximately 223000
1919White lettering on black basenone1234561 to approximately 277000
1920Green lettering on white basenone1234561 to approximately 296000
1921Black lettering on orange basenone1234561 to approximately 344000
1922White lettering on dark blue basenone1234561 to approximately 407000
1923White lettering on brown basenone123-4561 to approximately 499-000
1924Orange lettering on black basenone123-4561 to approximately 562-000
1925Maroon lettering on tan basenone123-4561 to approximately 620-000
1926White lettering on green basenone123-4561 to approximately 667-000
1927White lettering on black basenone123-4561 to approximately 707-000
1928White lettering on maroon basenone123-4561 to approximately 713-000First use of the full state name.
1929Black lettering on orange basenone123-4561 to approximately 743-000
1930Orange lettering on dark blue basenone123 4561 to approximately 763 000
1931Black lettering and rims on orange basenone123 4561 to approximately 761 000
1932White lettering on dark green basenone123 4561 to approximately 741 000
1933White lettering on maroon basenone123 4561 to approximately 742 000
1934White lettering on black basenone123 4561 to approximately 722 000
1935Black lettering on light green basenone123 4561 to approximately 729 000
1936White lettering and rims on red basenone123 4561 to approximately 779 000
1937Gold lettering on black basenone123 4561 to approximately 835 000
1938Maroon lettering on cream basenone123 4561 to approximately 857 000
1939Dark blue lettering on golden yellow basenone123 4561 to approximately 849 000
1940Silver lettering on black basenone123 4561 to approximately 873 000
1941White lettering on blue basenone123 4561 to approximately 923 000
1942Dark blue lettering on golden yellow basenone123 456
1 234 567		1 to approximately 1 034 000Revalidated for 1943 with black tabs, due to metal conservation for World War II.
1944White lettering on black basenone1234561 to approximately 899000
1945White lettering on brown basenone123 4561 to approximately 894 000
1946Yellow embossed lettering on black basenone123 4561 to approximately 901 000
1947Dark blue lettering on golden yellow basenone123 4561 to approximately 942 000
1948White embossed lettering on navy blue basenone123 4561 to 999 999
1948White embossed lettering on navy blue basenoneA-12345A-1 to approximately A-27000
1949White embossed lettering on red basenone123 4561 to 999 999
1949White embossed lettering on red basenoneA-123456A-1 to approximately A-112000
1950Yellow lettering on black basenoneAB 1234County-coded
1951Black lettering on white basenoneAB 1234County-codedRevalidated for 1952 with yellow tabs, and for 1953 with green tabs, due to metal conservation for the Korean War.
1954White lettering embossed on maroon basenoneAB 1234County-codedRevalidated for 1955 with red tabs.
1956Yellow lettering embossed on navy blue baseDRIVE SAFELYAB 1234County-coded
1957Dark blue lettering embossed on golden yellow baseDRIVE SAFELYAB 1234County-coded
1958Golden yellow lettering embossed on dark blue baseDRIVE SAFELYAB 1234County-coded
1959Navy lettering embossed on golden yellow baseLINCOLN YEARAB 1234County-codedCommemorated the 150th anniversary of the birth of Abraham Lincoln, who lived in Indiana from 1816 to 1830.
1960White lettering embossed on navy baseSAFETY PAYSAB 1234County-coded
1961White lettering on dark red baseSAFETY PAYSAB 1234County-coded
1962Yellow embossed lettering on black baseSAFETY PAYSAB 1234County-coded
1963Yellow lettering on blue basenone0A1234
00A1234		County-coded
1964Reflective white lettering on dark red basenone0A1234
00A1234		County-coded
1965Reflective white lettering on dark green basenone0A1234
00A1234		County-coded
1966Black lettering on reflective white base150th Year0A1234
00A1234		County-codedCommemorated Indiana's 150 years of statehood.
1967Red lettering on reflective white basenone0A1234
00A1234		County-coded
1968Blue lettering on reflective white basenone0A1234
00A1234		County-coded
1969Black lettering on reflective white basenone0A1234
00A1234		County-coded
1970Red serial on reflective white backgroundnone0A1234
00A1234		County-codedStaggered registration introduced, with the month of expiration determined by the initial letter of the registrant's surname. Plates expired from January 31 through June 30, 1971.
1971Blue serial on reflective white backgroundnone0A1234
00A1234		County-codedPlates expired from January 31 through June 30, 1972.
1972Green serial on reflective white backgroundnone0A1234
00A1234		County-codedPlates expired from January 31 through June 30, 1973.
1973Red serial on reflective white backgroundnone0A1234
00A1234		County-codedPlates expired from January 31 through June 30, 1974.
1974Black serial on reflective white backgroundnone0A1234
00A1234		County-codedPlates expired from January 31 through June 30, 1975.
1975Blue serial on reflective white backgroundnone0A1234
00A1234		County-codedPlates expired from January 31 through June 30, 1976.
1976Blue serial on reflective white, red and blue graphic backgroundHeritage State0A1234
00A1234		County-codedFirst graphic plate; commemorated the US Bicentennial. The letter in the serial was moved to the bottom of the plate to accommodate the Minuteman graphic. Plates expired from January 31 through June 30, 1977.
1977Green serial on reflective white, green and yellow backgroundnone0A1234
00A1234		County-codedPlates expired from January 31 through June 30, 1978.
1978Black serial on reflective white, red and light blue backgroundnone0A1234
00A1234		County-codedIndianapolis 500 race cars in background. This issue is thought by some to be a tribute to Tony Hulman, owner of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, who died in 1977; sample plates, normally numbered 00A0000 in most years, were numbered 00H0000 this year, lending some credence to this belief. Plates expired from January 31 through June 30, 1979.
1979Brown serial on reflective white, yellow and brown background1779 George Rogers Clark0A1234
00A1234		County-codedAwarded "Plate of the Year" for best new license plate of 1979 by the Automobile License Plate Collectors Association, the first and, to date, only time Indiana has been so honored. Plates expired from January 31 through June 30, 1980.
1980Black serial on reflective white, yellow, orange and red backgroundnone0A1234
00A1234		County-codedFinal single-year passenger plate in the United States. Plates expired from January 31 through June 30, 1981.
1981Brown serial on reflective white, light and dark brown and black graphic backgroundHoosier State0A1234
00A1234		County-codedFirst multi-year plate in Indiana since 1955, and the first to be renewed with decals. Plates were valid until June 30, 1984.
1984Black serial on reflective white, yellow, green and red backgroundWander Indiana0A1234
00A1234		County-codedStaggered registration expanded to January–October with 1987 expiration. Plates were valid through October 31, 1987.
1987Blue serial on reflective blue, white and gold backgroundBack Home Again0A1234
00A1234		County-codedSmall white-on-blue county name sticker in bottom right corner. Plates were valid through October 31, 1990.
1990Red serial on reflective white backgroundHoosier Hospitality0A1234
0AB123
00A1234		County-codedSmall white-on-blue county name sticker in bottom right corner as on the Back Home Again base. Allen County began issuing two-letter, three-digit serials in 1992 after reaching 2Z9999. Plates were valid through October 31, 1993.
1993Black serial on reflective red, yellow and black backgroundAmber Waves of Grain0A1234
0AB123
00A1234
00AB123		County-codedReplacement cycle extended from 3 to 5 years. Early plates had a small yellow-on-black county name sticker in the bottom right corner; this was soon discontinued. Plates were valid through October 31, 1998.
1998Dark blue serial on reflective white background, gold state outline and coat of arms - Indiana and Crossroads of America Printed in dark blue.The Crossroads of America0A1234
0AB123
00A1234
00AB123		County-codedFinal embossed plate. Plates were valid through October 31, 2003.
2003Dark blue on reflective farm scene graphicwww.IN.gov0A1234
0AB123
00A1234
00AB123		County-codedFirst screened plate. The original design had the slogan "Back Home Again" ; this was replaced with the state's web address before production began. Early plates used a bolder serial font that included full-height letters; this was changed in response to legibility concerns. Plates were valid through October 31, 2008.
2008White serial on reflective dark blue; torch and stars from the state flag at left; county number and name on white sticker at topnoneStandard Version
123A, 123AB or 123ABC Grandfathered
Version
00A0, 00A00 or 00A000

Handicapped Plates
2008-2010:
123456
2010>:
D123A, D123AB

National Guard Plates
NG123A		Serials not issued sequentially.

Letters or combinations of letters are unique to a particular county.		Issued concurrently with "In God We Trust" base. Staggered registration once again expanded to include all twelve months of the calendar year; four dates, the 7th, 14th, 21st and 28th of each month, are used. Grandfathered Version are laid out by county coding depending on demand for them. Some counties may only use single suffix numbers while others may use as much as three.
2013Black serial on reflective white fading to gold; number 200 and circle of 19 stars over dark blue state shape at left; expiration date, year, county number and recycling symbol in corners clockwise from top leftBicentennial 1816-2016Standard Version
123A, 123AB or 123ABC, No Grandfathered Version		Serial tied to vehicle.Registrants keep their old license plate numbers upon renewal if they have a license plate in either the 123A, 123AB or 123ABC formats. If vehicle was issued a previous plate with serial 661XYZ for example, the vehicle's 2013 issued plate will have serial 661XYZ.
2017Dark blue serial on reflective country scene graphic featuring a covered bridge; expiration date, year, county number and recycling symbol in corners clockwise from top leftnoneStandard Version
123A, 123AB or 123ABC, No Grandfathered Version with possibilities for 1234AB, 12345A, or 1234 ABC		Serial tied to vehicle.Registrants keep their old license plate numbers upon renewal if they have a license plate in either the 123A, 123AB or 123ABC formats. If vehicle was issued a previous plate with serial 661XYZ for example, the vehicle's 2013 issued plate will have serial 661XYZ.

Optional types

Non-passenger plates

Organizational and collegiate plates

Indiana issues a large number of organizational and collegiate license plates. A portion of the fees for these plates is given to the respective organization or college.

Organizational plates

Collegiate plates

Military plates

Indiana also issues several military-related license plates. Most are available for veterans only.
PlateRepresentationElegebility
Hoosier Veteran Verify Veteran Status with one of the following:
  • A US Uniformed Services Retiree ID card
  • A DD214 or DD215
  • US military discharge papers
  • Indiana ID with Veteran Status
Disabled Hoosier VeteranCertified by Indiana Department of Veteran Affairs
Ex-Prisoner of WarCertified by Indiana Department of Veteran Affairs
Gold Star FamilySpouse, Parent, Grandparents, Great-Grandparents, Siblings, or Children of anyone who died while serving on duty in the military - active, Reserve or National GuardMust Provide Official DD1300
Pearl Harbor Survivors AssociationAny military document verifying the person was an active member of the United States Armed Forces and served at Pearl Harbor at the time of the Pearl Harbor attacks.
Purple HeartCertified by Indiana Department of Veteran Affairs
Support Our TroopsAny Indiana Resident; supports the Military Family Relief Fund

Temporary plates

New plate prefixing

Starting in 2010 special plates such as the handicapped, POW, National Guard, Disabled American Veteran that use the background of the standard plates will no longer use just numbers. Instead they will now use a predetermined prefix of three numbers and one or two suffix letters depending on if they have one or two prefix numbers. In all the max total characters will amount to six and, except the Disabled American Veteran and Purple Heart plate will use the background of the standard plate. Starting in 2015, the colors of these plates, with the exception of the Hoosier Veteran and Purple Heart plates, will invert, producing plates with dark blue serials on a white background.
Starting in 2012 veterans of each of the five branches of the armed forces will be able, for an extra $15, to obtain a plate with the seal of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps or Coast Guard beginning in 2012. The $15 fee will benefit the state's Military Family Relief Fund.
Indiana maintains separate plates for trucks, trailers, tractors/trailers, and farm vehicles. Except for farm and motorcycle vehicles, the plates follow an eight character AB123CDE format. All following plates use a plain white background
From 1963 through 2008, the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles issued standard passenger plates bearing a one- or two-digit prefix identifying the county in which the vehicle was registered. These prefixes were assigned to each county in alphabetical order, beginning with 1 for Adams County and ending with 92 for Whitley County; prefixes 93 through 99 were reserved as overflow for the state's two most populous counties, Marion and Lake.
In each county, serials consisted of the prefix followed by one letter and up to four digits, progressing sequentially. In 1992, Allen County reached 29999 and subsequently introduced a new format with the prefix followed by two letters and three digits ; this format was later used in St. Joseph, Hamilton, Elkhart and Vanderburgh Counties.
Following the introduction of multi-year plates in 1981, plates with serials containing numbers above 100 were revalidated with decals, while those with serials containing numbers 1 through 100 continued to be issued annually.
In 2008, new serial formats were introduced with the white-on-blue torch base, consisting of three digits followed by one, two or three random letters. However, the county number system was retained through the use of decals at the top of each plate displaying both the county number and name, with the overflow numbers for Marion and Lake Counties discontinued.
The no-cost alternative "In God We Trust" plate introduced in 2007 featured the county number on a sticker at the bottom right corner of the plate. The revised "In God We Trust" plate, introduced in 2012, has the number screened onto the bottom right corner; this technique was subsequently adopted on standard passenger plates, beginning with the Bicentennial base in 2013.

List of county numbers

In the past, Indiana colored its due date tags by month. Another change to the plate system is that there are only four colors of tags which are the same regardless of the month, whether it be January, June, or December, another change because Indiana used to only issue month tags from January to October. These are all found on the top left corner of an Indiana plate based on the first three letters of the last name of the owner. Note: Business owned vehicles have black tags that expire 1-31 regardless of name.