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.[1]

Indiana
Current series
Size12 in × 6 in
30 cm × 15 cm
MaterialAluminum
Serial format123A
123AB
123ABC
IntroducedJanuary 1, 2017 (2017-01-01)
Availability
Issued byIndiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles
History
First issuedJuly 1, 1913 (1913-07-01)
(pre-state plates from 1905 to June 30, 1913)

Plates are currently issued by the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV). Only rear plates have been required since 1956.

Passenger baseplates

1913 to 1980

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 (except those for motorcycles) at 6 inches (15 cm) in height by 12 inches (30 cm) in width, with standardized mounting holes.[2] The 1955 (dated 1956) issue was the first Indiana license plate that complied with these standards.

Image First issued Design Slogan Serial format Serials issued Notes
1913 Black serial on yellow porcelain plate; "IND 1913" in yellow on black section at right none 12345 1 to approximately 45000
1914 Embossed white serial on dark blue plate; "IND 1914" at right none 12345 1 to approximately 67000 First embossed plate.
1915 Embossed green serial on pink plate; "IND '15" at right none 12345 1 to approximately 97000
1916 Embossed black serial on white plate; "IND '16" at right none 12345 1 to 99999
A1234 A1 to approximately D9000
1917 Embossed yellow serial on black plate with border line; "IND 17" at right none 12345 1 to 99999
A1234 A1 to approximately K2000
1918 Embossed black serial on green plate with border line; "IND 18" at right none 123456 1 to approximately 223000
1919 Embossed white serial on black plate with border line; "IND 19" at right none 123456 1 to approximately 277000
1920 Embossed green serial on cream-colored plate with border line; "IND 20" at right none 123456 1 to approximately 296000
1921 Embossed black serial on salmon-colored plate with border line; "IND 21" at right none 123456 1 to approximately 344000
1922 Embossed white serial on dark blue plate with border line; "IND 22" at right none 123456 1 to approximately 407000
1923 Embossed white serial on brown plate with border line; "IND 23" at right none 123-456 1 to approximately 499-000
1924 Embossed orange serial on black plate with border line; "IND 24" at right none 123-456 1 to approximately 562-000
1925 Embossed maroon serial on tan plate with border line; "IND 25" at right none 123-456 1 to approximately 620-000
1926 Embossed white serial on green plate with border line; "IND 26" at right none 123-456 1 to approximately 667-000
1927 Embossed white serial on black plate with border line; "IND 27" at right none 123-456 1 to approximately 707-000
1928 Embossed white serial on maroon plate with border line; "INDIANA-1928" at bottom none 123-456 1 to approximately 713-000 First use of the full state name.
1929 Embossed black serial on orange plate with border line; "INDIANA-29" at bottom none 123-456 1 to approximately 743-000
1930 Embossed orange serial on dark blue plate with border line; "INDIANA-30" at bottom none 123 456 1 to approximately 763 000
1931 Embossed dark blue serial on orange plate with border line; "INDIANA-31" at top none 123 456 1 to approximately 761 000
1932 Embossed white serial on dark green plate with border line; "INDIANA-32" at bottom none 123 456 1 to approximately 741 000
1933 Embossed white serial on maroon plate with border line; "INDIANA–33" at top none 123 456 1 to approximately 742 000
1934 Embossed white serial on black plate with border line; "INDIANA–34" at bottom none 123 456 1 to approximately 722 000
1935 Embossed black serial on light blue plate with border line; "INDIANA-35" at top none 123 456 1 to approximately 729 000
1936 Embossed white serial on red plate with border line; "INDIANA-36" at bottom none 123 456 1 to approximately 779 000
1937 Embossed golden yellow serial on black plate with border line; "INDIANA-37" at top none 123 456 1 to approximately 835 000
1938 Embossed maroon serial on cream-colored plate with border line; "INDIANA–38" at bottom none 123 456 1 to approximately 857 000
1939 Embossed dark blue serial on golden yellow plate with border line; "INDIANA–39" at top none 123 456 1 to approximately 849 000
1940 Embossed silver serial on black plate with border line; "INDIANA–40" at bottom none 123 456 1 to approximately 873 000
1941 Embossed white serial on blue plate with border line; "INDIANA–41" at top none 123 456 1 to approximately 923 000
1942 Embossed dark blue serial on golden yellow plate with border line; "INDIANA–42" at bottom none 123 456
1 234 567		 1 to approximately 1 034 000 Revalidated for 1943 with black tabs, due to metal conservation for World War II.
1944 Embossed white serial on black plate; "IND 44" at right none 123456 1 to approximately 899000
1945 Embossed white serial on brown plate; "INDIANA" and "45" centered at top and bottom respectively none 123 456 1 to approximately 894 000
1946 Embossed golden yellow serial on black plate; "46" and "INDIANA" centered at top and bottom respectively none 123 456 1 to approximately 901 000
1947 Embossed dark blue serial on golden yellow plate; "INDIANA" and "47" centered at top and bottom respectively none 123 456 1 to approximately 942 000
1948 Embossed white serial on dark blue plate; "48" and "INDIANA" centered at top and bottom respectively none 123 456 1 to 999 999
A-12345 A-1 to approximately A-27000
1949 Embossed white serial on red plate; "INDIANA" and "49" centered at top and bottom respectively none 123 456 1 to 999 999
A-123456 A-1 to approximately A-112000
1950 Embossed golden yellow serial on black plate; "50" and "INDIANA" centered at top and bottom respectively none AB 1234 County-coded
1951 Embossed black serial on white plate; "INDIANA" and "51" centered at top and bottom respectively none AB 1234 County-coded Revalidated for 1952 with yellow tabs, and for 1953 with green tabs, due to metal conservation for the Korean War.
1954 Embossed white serial on maroon plate; "54" and "INDIANA" centered at top and bottom respectively none AB 1234 County-coded Revalidated for 1955 with red tabs.
1956 Embossed golden yellow serial on dark blue plate; "IND–56" centered at bottom "DRIVE SAFELY" on golden yellow bar centered at top AB 1234 County-coded
1957 Embossed dark blue serial on golden yellow plate; "IND–57" centered at top "DRIVE SAFELY" on dark blue bar centered at bottom AB 1234 County-coded
1958 Embossed golden yellow serial on dark blue plate; "IND–58" centered at bottom "DRIVE SAFELY" on golden yellow bar centered at top AB 1234 County-coded
1959 Embossed dark blue serial on golden yellow plate; "IND–59" centered at top "LINCOLN YEAR" on dark blue bar centered at bottom AB 1234 County-coded Commemorated the 150th anniversary of the birth of Abraham Lincoln, who lived in Indiana from 1816 to 1830.
1960 Embossed white serial on dark blue plate; "IND–60" centered at bottom "SAFETY PAYS" on white bar centered at top AB 1234 County-coded
1961 Embossed white serial on red plate; "IND–61" centered at top "SAFETY PAYS" on white bar centered at bottom AB 1234 County-coded
1962 Embossed golden yellow serial on black plate; "IND–62" centered at bottom "SAFETY PAYS" on golden yellow bar centered at top AB 1234 County-coded
1963 Embossed golden yellow serial on blue plate; "1963" and "INDIANA" centered at top and bottom respectively none 0A1234
00A1234		 County-coded
1964 Embossed reflective white serial on red plate; "INDIANA" and "1964" centered at top and bottom respectively none 0A1234
00A1234		 County-coded
1965 Embossed reflective white serial on dark green plate; "1965" and "INDIANA" centered at top and bottom respectively none 0A1234
00A1234		 County-coded
1966 Embossed black serial on reflective white plate; "IND–66" centered at bottom "150TH YEAR" centered at top 0A1234
00A1234		 County-coded Commemorated Indiana's 150 years of statehood.
1967 Embossed red serial on reflective white plate; "1967" and "INDIANA" centered at top and bottom respectively none 0A1234
00A1234		 County-coded
1968 Embossed blue serial on reflective white plate; "INDIANA" and "1968" centered at top and bottom respectively none 0A1234
00A1234		 County-coded
1969 Embossed black serial on reflective white plate; "1969" and "INDIANA" centered at top and bottom respectively none 0A1234
00A1234		 County-coded
1970 Embossed red serial on reflective white plate; "IND–70" centered at top; month sticker and "71" at bottom none 0A1234
00A1234		 County-coded Monthly staggered 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.
1971 Embossed blue serial on reflective white plate; "71–IND" centered at top; month sticker and "72" at bottom none 0A1234
00A1234		 County-coded Plates expired from January 31 through June 30, 1972.
1972 Embossed green serial on reflective white plate; "IND–72" centered at top; month sticker and "73" at bottom none 0A1234
00A1234		 County-coded Plates expired from January 31 through June 30, 1973.
1973 Embossed red serial on reflective white plate; "INDIANA" centered at top; month sticker and "74" at bottom none 0A1234
00A1234		 County-coded Plates expired from January 31 through June 30, 1974.
1974 Embossed black serial on reflective white plate; "INDIANA" centered at top; month sticker and "75" at bottom none 0A1234
00A1234		 County-coded Plates expired from January 31 through June 30, 1975.
1975 Embossed blue serial on reflective white plate; "INDIANA" centered at top; month sticker and "76" at bottom none 0A1234
00A1234		 County-coded Plates expired from January 31 through June 30, 1976.
1976 Blue serial on reflective white, red and blue graphic background Heritage State 0A1234
00A1234		 County-coded First 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.
1977 Green serial on reflective white, green and yellow background none 0A1234
00A1234		 County-coded Plates expired from January 31 through June 30, 1978.
1978 Black serial on reflective white, red and light blue background none 0A1234
00A1234		 County-coded Indianapolis 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.
1979 Brown serial on reflective white, yellow and brown background 1779 George Rogers Clark 0A1234
00A1234		 County-coded Awarded "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.
1980 Black serial on reflective white, yellow, orange and red background none 0A1234
00A1234		 County-coded Final single-year passenger plate in the United States. Plates expired from January 31 through June 30, 1981.

1981 to present
Image First issued Design Slogan Serial format Serials issued Notes
1981 Brown serial on reflective white, light and dark brown and black graphic background Hoosier State 0A1234
00A1234		 County-coded First multi-year plate in Indiana since 1955, and the first to be renewed with decals (except for plates with numbers up to and including 100, which were reissued annually). Plates were valid until June 30, 1984.
1984 Black serial on reflective white, yellow, green and red background Wander Indiana 0A1234
00A1234		 County-coded Staggered registration expanded to January–October with 1987 expiration. Plates were valid through October 31, 1987.
1987 Blue serial on reflective blue, white and gold background Back Home Again 0A1234
00A1234		 County-coded Small white-on-blue county name sticker in bottom right corner. Plates were valid through October 31, 1990.
1990 Red serial on reflective white background Hoosier Hospitality 0A1234
0AB123
00A1234		 County-coded Small 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.
1993 Black serial on reflective red, yellow and black background Amber Waves of Grain 0A1234
0AB123
00A1234
00AB123		 County-coded Replacement 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.
1998 Dark 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 America 0A1234
0AB123
00A1234
00AB123		 County-coded Final embossed plate. Plates were valid through October 31, 2003.
2003 Dark blue on reflective farm scene graphic www.IN.gov 0A1234
0AB123
00A1234
00AB123		 County-coded First screened plate. The original design had the slogan "Back Home Again" (as on the 1987–90 base); 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.
2008 White serial on reflective dark blue; torch and stars from the state flag at left; county number and name on white sticker at top none Standard 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 (except in January and December). 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.
2013 Black serial on reflective white fading to gold; number 200 and circle of 19 stars (the 19th enlarged and colored gold) over dark blue state shape at left; expiration date, year, county number and recycling symbol in corners clockwise from top left Bicentennial 1816-2016 Standard 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.
2017 Dark blue serial on reflective country scene graphic featuring a covered bridge; expiration date, year, county number and recycling symbol in corners clockwise from top left none Standard 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
Image First issued Design Slogan Serial format Serials issued Notes
2007 Screened white on blue with national flag at bottom; "08" screened in top right corner and county code on sticker in bottom right corner In God We Trust A/B1234 While very popular, this plate was controversial as the American Civil Liberties Union of Indiana claimed that it is a symbol of endorsement of a religion. After a lawsuit from the ACLU, the Indiana Court of Appeals upheld the plates' constitutionality.[3]
2012 Screened black on national flag motif; expiration year screened in top right corner, county code in bottom right corner, expiration date in top left corner and recycling symbol in bottom left corner In God We Trust ABC123 RAA101 to ZZZ999
*ZZZ999 to AAA101 change over occurred in January 2018.
*AMY101 As of June 2018
*Occasionally plates with serials AAA101-PZZ999 have also been issued.		 "In God We Trust" now appears at the bottom instead of on the left. The changes were made to address visibility issues with the previous version and in preparation for the introduction of the Bicentennial passenger base in 2013.
March 4, 2008[4] Screened black on white with graphic of young Abraham Lincoln at left; "09" screened in top right corner and county code on sticker in bottom right corner Lincoln's Boyhood Home B/F1234
B/F123A
B/H1234		 Aside from this and the In God We Trust Plates, there are approximately 70 other various organizations, schools, and other entities that offer plates using the same format but come with a $15 organizational fee. See Indiana Plate Types for further details.

Non-passenger plates
Image Type First issued Design Serial format Serials issued Notes
Amateur Radio As current passenger base FCC call sign Issued only to Indiana residents holding valid amateur radio operator's licenses.
Bus Screened black on white; vertical "BUS" at left B123AB
Disability Screened blue on white; International Symbol of Access at left D123AB
D123ABC
Farm Semi-Trailer As regular Semi-Trailer (Permanent) plate, but with vertical "FARM" at left FP123AB
Farm Vehicle Screened black on white; vertical "FARM" at left F123AB Issued on farm trucks, farm trailers and farm semi-tractors.
Fleet Vehicle Screened black on white; "FLEET" at bottom FL123ABC
Historic Vehicle Screened black on tan; state seal at left and "HISTORIC" at bottom AN123A Issued on vehicles that are at least 25 years old.
Motorcycle 2008 Screened blue on white; "M CYCLE" at bottom right and "09" at top right 123456 1 to approximately 178000
2010 As above, but with "11" at top right M123A M101A to M999Z
M123AB M101AA to present
Municipal Black on light blue; "MUNICIPAL" at bottom 12345
Recreational Vehicle Screened black on white; vertical "RV" at left R123AB
Semi-Tractor Screened black on white; "SEMI TRACTOR" at bottom TC123ABC Issued on tractors used in combination with semi-trailers. Tractors not used in such a combination are registered as trucks.
Semi-Trailer (Non-Permanent) Screened red on white; "SEMI TRAILER" at bottom SE123ABC
Semi-Trailer (Permanent) Screened black on light gray; "SEMI TRAILER" at bottom; "NO" at top left and "EXP" at top right SP123ABC
Special Machinery Screened black on white; "SPECIAL MACHINERY" at bottom SM123AB Issued on vehicles used to perform specific functions unrelated to transportation on highways, usually on tow trucks.
Trailer Screened black on white; "TRAILER" and gross weight at bottom TR123ABC
Truck 2013 Screened black on white; "TRUCK" and gross weight at bottom TK123ABC

Organizational and collegiate plates

Indiana issues a large number of organizational and collegiate license plates.[5][6] A portion of the fees for these plates is given to the respective organization or college.

Organizational plates
Plate Organization Slogan
Indy 500 Festival 500FESTIVAL.COM
American Diabetes Association American Diabetes Association
American Legion LEGIONNAIRE
Autism Society AUTISM AWARENESS
Bicycle Indiana I Share The Road
Black Expo INDIANA BLACK EXPO, INC.
Boy Scouts BOY SCOUTS
Breast Cancer Awareness INDIANA BREAST CANCER AWARENESS TRUST
D.A.R.E Indiana D.A.R.E. INDIANA
Donate Life Indiana Be an Organ, Tissue, & Eye Donor!
Ducks Unlimited DUCKS UNLIMITED
FFA Foundation www.inffa.org
Freemasons FREEMASON
Greenway Foundation I SUPPORT TRAILS!
Habitat For Humanity Help build it!
Indiana 4-H Foundation 4-H Foundation
Indiana Arts Commission CELEBRATE THE ARTS
Indiana Association of Chiefs of Police CHIEFS OF POLICE

IACP FOUNDATION

Indiana Association of Pregnancy Centers Choose Life
Indiana Blood Center indiana BLOOD CENTER
Indiana Coal Mining Institute COAL KEEPS THE LIGHTS ON!
Indiana Department of Education Hoosier Family of Readers
Indiana Emergency Medical Services Association (IEMSA) Supporting EMS
Indiana Golf Foundation THE FIRST TEE OF INDIANA
President Benjamin Harrison Conservation Trust (formerly Indiana Heritage Trust) ENVIRONMENT
Indiana Homeland Security Foundation SECURE INDIANA
Indiana Motor Truck Association - Put The Phone Down INTRUCKING.ORG
Indiana Organization of Nursing Executives BE A NURSE
Indiana Patriot Guard Riders PATRIOT GUARD RIDERS
Indiana Recycling Coalition INDIANARECYCLING.ORG
Indiana Sheriff's Association LAW ENFORCEMENT, CORRECTIONS, COURT SECURITY
Indiana Soccer WE SUPPORT INDY ELEVEN
Indiana State Museum (Abraham Lincoln) Lincoln's Boyhood Home
Indiana State Police REMEMBERING OUR HEROES
Indiana Volunteer Firefighters Association SAVING INDIANA LIVES
Indiana Youth Group INDIANA YOUTH GROUP
Indianapolis Colts GO COLTS
Indianapolis Motor Speedway Hall of Fame HALL OF FAME MUSEUM
Indianapolis Zoological Society Advancing Animal Conservation
Juvenile Diabetes research Foundation IMPROVING LIVES. CURING TYPE I DIABETES.
Kids First Trust Fund PREVENTING CHILD ABUSE
Lincoln Boyhood Drama Association LINCOLN FAMILY ARRIVES 1816
Lions of Indiana WE SERVE
Lupus Foundation of America SOLVING THE CRUEL MYSTERY
Marine Foundation of Indiana SEMPER FI
National Rifle Association TEACHING FREEDOM
National Wild Turkey Federation CONSERVATION
Native American Land of the Indians
Pacers Foundation PACERS FOUNDATION
Pet Friendly - Spay-Neuter Services of Indiana PET FRIENDLY
Peyton Manning Children's Hospital at St Vincent stvincent.org/paytonmanning
Prisoner of War - Missing in Action NOT FORGOTTEN
Professional Firefighters FIREFIGHTERS
Riley Hospital for Children RILEY HOSPITAL FOR CHILDREN
Shrine Association Indiana Shriner
Special Olympics of Indiana Special Olympics Indiana
Tony Stewart Foundation ACCELERATING CHANGE
To Your Health To Your Health

Collegiate plates
Plate College
Anderson University
Ball State University
Bethel College
Butler University
DePauw University
Earlham College
Franklin College
Grace College and Seminary
Hanover College
Huntington University
Indiana Institute of Technology
Indiana State University
Indiana University
Indiana University Purdue University of Fort Wayne
Indiana University Purdue University of Indianapolis
Indiana Wesleyan University
Ivy Tech Community College
Manchester University
Marian University
Purdue University
Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology
Saint Joseph's College
Saint Mary's College
Taylor University
Trine University
University of Evansville
University of Indianapolis
University of Notre Dame
University of Saint Francis
University of Southern Indiana
Valparaiso University
Vincennes University
Wabash College

Military plates

Indiana also issues several military-related license plates.[7] Most are available for veterans only.

Plate(s) Representation Elegebility
Hoosier Veteran (all branches of service) 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 (V or AM)
Disabled Hoosier Veteran Certified by Indiana Department of Veteran Affairs
Ex-Prisoner of War Certified by Indiana Department of Veteran Affairs
Gold Star Family Spouse, Parent, Grandparents, Great-Grandparents, Siblings, or Children of anyone who died while serving on duty in the military - active, Reserve or National Guard

Must Provide Official DD1300

Pearl Harbor Survivors Association Any 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 Heart Certified by Indiana Department of Veteran Affairs
Support Our Troops Any Indiana Resident; supports the Military Family Relief Fund

Temporary plates
  • 1989

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.[8]

Trucks and trailers

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

County coding

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 (93, 95, 97, 98 and 99) and Lake (94 and 96).

In each county, serials consisted of the prefix followed by one letter and up to four digits, progressing sequentially. In 1992, Allen County reached 2Z9999 and subsequently introduced a new format with the prefix followed by two letters and three digits (beginning with 2AA101); this format was later used in St. Joseph (71), Hamilton (29), Elkhart (20) and Vanderburgh (82) Counties.[9][10]

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.[11]

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

Overflow numbers (until 2008)

Renewal date tags

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.[12]

References
  1. "Old Indiana License Plates". LeatherLicensePlates.com. Retrieved March 2, 2016.
  2. Garrish, Christopher (October 2016). "Reconsidering the Standard Plate Size". Plates. Vol. 62 no. 5. Automobile License Plate Collectors Association.
  3. "Court Upholds 'In God We Trust' Plate". WRTV. November 17, 2008. Retrieved December 21, 2008.
  4. Bradner, Eric (March 5, 2008). "New Indiana license plate touts 'Lincoln's Boyhood Home'". Evansville Courier & Press. Retrieved March 3, 2016.
  5. "Indiana's Organizational License Plates". Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles. Retrieved April 18, 2017.
  6. "Indiana's College and University License Plates". Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles. Retrieved April 18, 2017.
  7. "Indiana's Military License Plates". Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles. Retrieved April 18, 2017.
  8. "Jacob's License Plate Blog". Jacob Newkirk. Retrieved 2013-10-17.
  9. Nicholson, David. "Indiana License Plates, 1969-present". 15q.net. Retrieved September 23, 2007.
  10. "Indiana License Plates". allaboutlicenseplates.com. Retrieved October 19, 2016.
  11. Northup, John B. License Plates of America. River Pointe Publications, 2009, p. 36.
  12. https://myweb.in.gov/BMV/mybmvportal/RegistrationsAndPlates/IndianasLicensePlates/LicensePlateStickersAndFrames.aspx
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