How Much Does It Cost To Register a Car in Indiana in 2025
Indiana operates a centralized vehicle registration system through the Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV), with standardized state fees and additional local taxes varying by county and municipality. Registration costs include base fees, excise taxes based on vehicle value and age, and supplemental fees for infrastructure and environmental programs.
Base Registration Fees by Vehicle Type
Indiana charges annual registration fees that vary by vehicle classification, with most fees remaining constant regardless of vehicle age or value.
Standard Passenger Vehicles
| Vehicle Type | Annual Registration Fee |
|---|---|
| Passenger motor vehicle | $21.35 |
| Recreational vehicle | $29.35 |
| Collector vehicle | $16.35 |
Motorcycles and Light Vehicles
| Vehicle Type | Annual Registration Fee |
|---|---|
| Motorcycle or motor driven cycle | $26.35 |
| Special machinery | $25.35 |
Trucks and Commercial Vehicles
Indiana truck registration fees vary significantly based on weight and intended use.
Light Commercial Vehicles:
| Vehicle Type | Annual Registration Fee |
|---|---|
| Truck ≤ 11,000 pounds | $30.35 |
| For hire bus | $30.35 |
| Mini truck | $30.35 |
| Not-for-hire bus | $16.35 |
Heavy Commercial Vehicles (Prorated Registration Available):
| Weight Category | Annual Registration Fee |
|---|---|
| TTB ≤ 16,000 pounds | $144.00 |
| TTB ≤ 26,000 pounds | $180.00 |
| TTB ≤ 36,000 pounds | $372.00 |
| TTB ≤ 48,000 pounds | $624.00 |
| TTB ≤ 66,000 pounds | $900.00 |
| TTB ≤ 78,000 pounds | $1,200.00 |
| TTB > 78,000 pounds | $1,692.00 |
*TTB = Truck, Tractor, or For-Hire Bus
Trailers
| Weight Category | Annual Registration Fee |
|---|---|
| Trailer ≤ 3,000 pounds | $16.35 |
| Trailer ≤ 9,000 pounds | $16.35 |
| Trailer ≤ 12,000 pounds | $72.00 |
| Trailer ≤ 16,000 pounds | $108.00 |
| Trailer ≤ 22,000 pounds | $168.00 |
| Trailer > 22,000 pounds | $228.00 |
Vehicle Excise Tax
Indiana imposes an annual vehicle excise tax based on vehicle age and original value, separate from registration fees.
Passenger Vehicle Excise Tax
Excise tax rates decrease as vehicles age, with different rates for various value classes:
| Value Range | Age 0 Years | Age 1-2 Years | Age 3-8 Years | Age 9+ Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $1,500-$2,249 | $36 | $30 | $18 | $12 |
| $2,250-$2,999 | $50 | $42 | $25 | $12 |
| $3,000-$3,999 | $50 | $42 | $25 | $12 |
| $4,000-$5,499 | $66 | $55 | $33 | $12 |
Excise tax continues to scale with vehicle value, with higher-priced vehicles paying proportionally more tax, particularly in their first few years.
Local and County Fees
County Vehicle Excise Tax and Wheel Tax
Many Indiana counties impose additional vehicle taxes through the Local Option Highway User Tax (LOHUT) system.
County Excise Surtax:
- Applies to passenger vehicles, motorcycles, trucks under 11,000 lbs
- Rate: 2%-10% of base vehicle excise tax
- Minimum payment varies by county
County Wheel Tax:
- Applies to vehicles not subject to excise surtax
- Rate: $5-$40 per vehicle
- Varies by vehicle type and weight
- Higher rates typically for trucks, lower for trailers
Municipal Vehicle Taxes
Cities with populations over 5,000 may impose municipal wheel taxes or vehicle excise taxes.
Sample Municipal Wheel Tax Rates:
- Fort Wayne: $12.50
- Various municipalities: $5.00-$40.00
- Rates may vary by vehicle type within municipalities
Geographic Distribution: Counties and municipalities with local vehicle taxes include major population centers and many rural areas. The BMV's municipal tax spreadsheet provides specific rates by jurisdiction.
Mandatory Supplemental Fees
Transportation Infrastructure Improvement Fee (TIIF)
All motor vehicle registrations are subject to the Transportation Infrastructure Improvement Fee, implemented in 2017.
| Vehicle Type | Annual TIIF |
|---|---|
| All registered vehicles | $15.00 |
Alternative Fuel Vehicle Fees
Indiana imposes supplemental registration fees on hybrid and electric vehicles to compensate for reduced fuel tax revenue.
| Vehicle Type | Annual Supplemental Fee |
|---|---|
| Electric vehicle | $230.00 |
| Hybrid vehicle | $77.00 |
Regional Requirements and Inspection Fees
Emissions Testing Areas
Indiana requires emissions testing only in Lake and Porter counties (Northwest Indiana region), administered through the Clean Air Car Check program.
Emissions Testing Requirements:
- Required every two years
- Applies to vehicles 4-25 model years old
- Three most recent model years exempt
- Vehicles 25+ model years exempt
Emissions Testing Costs:
- Base test: Free through Clean Air Car Check program
- Convenience fees may apply at partner locations
- Retest: Free if within specified timeframe
- Temporary permit (if repairs needed): $18.00
The remaining 90 Indiana counties do not require emissions testing.
VIN Inspections
Required for certain vehicle transfers and title applications:
- Performed at BMV branches: Free
- BMV-certified providers: Free
- May be required for salvage vehicles, out-of-state transfers
Specialty License Plates
Indiana offers various specialty plate options with additional fees beyond standard registration costs.
Personalized License Plates
| Component | Fee |
|---|---|
| Personalized license plate message | $37.00 |
| Alternate personalized license plate design | $45.00 |
Distinctive Plates
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Distinctive plate | Varies by plate type |
| Amateur radio plate | Varies |
| Authentic model year plate | $37.00 |
| Civic event plate | $45.00 |
Administrative and Processing Fees
Title Services
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Issue, duplicate, or replace title | $15.00 |
| Speed title | $25.00 |
| Administrative penalty for late title | $30.00 |
| Salvage title | $4.00 |
| Certificate of authority | $10.00 |
| Administrative penalty for late salvage title | $10.00 |
Registration Services
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Transfer, amend, duplicate, or replacement | $9.00 |
| Administrative penalty for late registration | $15.00 |
| Temporary permit | $18.00 |
Record Services
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Record request | $4.00 |
| Record pull (with supporting documents) | $8.00 |
| Viewable driver record (myBMV.com) | $5.00 |
| Printable certificate of registration (myBMV.com) | Free |
Emissions Testing Areas (Lake/Porter Counties)
Additional costs for vehicles requiring emissions testing:
| Component | Amount |
|---|---|
| Standard registration costs | Varies |
| Emissions test | Free |
| Convenience fees (if using partner location) | Varies |
| Temporary permit (if needed for repairs) | $18.00 |
Excise Tax Credits and Refunds
Indiana provides excise tax refunds for:
- Vehicles sold or destroyed
- Vehicles registered in other states
- Disabled veterans (through Department of Veterans Affairs)
Refund applications require proof of sale, destruction, or out-of-state registration.
Vehicle registration services are provided through BMV branches statewide and authorized full-service providers. Online services are available through myBMV.com for registration renewals and various other services.
Fee estimation tools are available through the BMV's Quick Quote Tool. Emissions testing information for Lake and Porter counties is available through Clean Air Car Check.
