Indiana vehicle registration renews every two years on your birthday month

Indiana sends you a renewal notice 30 to 60 days before your registration expires. The notice arrives by mail at the address on your current registration. You can renew online through the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) website, by mail, or in person at a BMV branch. Online renewal takes about 10 minutes and costs less than renewing by mail or in person because you avoid a service fee.

Your registration expires on the last day of your birthday month, two years after you first registered the vehicle. If your birthday is in March, your registration expires March 31. The BMV will not renew your registration before the 30-day window opens, so you cannot renew early even if you want to.

Key Takeaways

  • Indiana registration renews every two years in your birthday month, and the BMV mails a renewal notice 30 to 60 days before expiration.
  • Online renewal through the BMV website is the fastest and cheapest option, requiring only your vehicle identification number (VIN) and driver's license number.
  • If you renew by mail or in person, you must include proof of a current Indiana safety inspection performed within the past 12 months.
  • Late renewal carries a penalty fee that increases the longer you wait, and driving on an expired registration can result in a traffic citation.
  • You can renew at any BMV branch, but branches have different hours and some require appointments, so check your local branch's schedule before you go.

Online renewal through the BMV website

The BMV website at in.gov/bmv has a renewal portal that works on desktop and mobile browsers. You will need your current vehicle registration, your VIN, and your driver's license number. The system asks for your vehicle's current mileage and confirms your address. If your address has changed, you update it during renewal.

Online renewal does not require a safety inspection report because the BMV can verify your inspection status through its database. Payment is by credit card, debit card, or electronic check. The BMV charges a $17.50 registration fee plus a $1.00 online service fee. Your new registration arrives by mail within 7 to 10 business days.

If the online system rejects your renewal, it usually means your vehicle failed its most recent safety inspection or your inspection has expired. The system will tell you which one. You must complete a new safety inspection before you can renew online.

Renewing by mail or at a BMV branch

Mail renewal uses the notice the BMV sent you. You fill out the back of the notice, include a check or money order for the renewal fee, and mail it to the address printed on the notice. Mail renewal takes 2 to 3 weeks from the time the BMV receives it, so send it at least three weeks before your registration expires.

In-person renewal at a BMV branch takes about 15 to 30 minutes depending on how busy the branch is. You bring your current registration, your driver's license, and proof of a current safety inspection. The BMV charges $17.50 for registration plus a $3.00 in-person service fee. Some branches require you to book an appointment through the BMV website; others operate on a first-come, first-served basis. Check your local branch's page on the BMV website to see which system it uses.

Both mail and in-person renewal require you to show proof that your vehicle passed a safety inspection within the past 12 months. The inspection report is a document your mechanic or inspection station gives you after the inspection. You do not need to bring the original; a photocopy or photo of the report works.

Safety inspection requirements and timing

Indiana requires all vehicles to pass a safety inspection every 12 months. The inspection checks your brakes, lights, windshield wipers, horn, steering, and seatbelts. It does not include emissions testing. Any mechanic or inspection station licensed by the BMV can perform the inspection. The inspection costs between $15 and $25 depending on the station.

Your inspection is valid for 12 months from the date it was performed. If your registration expires in June and your inspection was performed in May of the previous year, your inspection is still valid. If your inspection was performed in April of the previous year, it has expired and you need a new one before you renew your registration.

You can have your inspection done at any time during the 12-month window. Many people schedule it a month or two before their registration expires so they have time to renew. If you renew online, the BMV checks your inspection status automatically, so you do not need to submit the report yourself.

What happens if you miss the renewal important date

If your registration expires and you have not renewed it, you cannot legally drive the vehicle on Indiana roads. Driving on an expired registration is a traffic violation that can result in a citation and a fine. The fine varies by county but is typically $50 to $150.

If you renew after the expiration date, the BMV charges a late fee in addition to the regular registration fee. The late fee is $20 if you renew within 60 days of expiration, and $50 if you renew more than 60 days after expiration. The BMV does not waive late fees, even if you have a good reason for missing the important date.

You can still renew your registration at any time, even years after it expires. The BMV will calculate the late fees based on how long the registration has been expired. Once you renew, your new registration is valid for two years from the renewal date, not from the original expiration date.

Address changes and title transfers during renewal

If you have moved since your last registration, you must update your address during renewal. Online renewal has a field for address changes. If you renew by mail or in person, you can update your address on the renewal form or tell the BMV employee at the branch.

If you bought the vehicle from someone else and have not yet registered it in your name, you cannot renew the old registration. You must first transfer the title into your name at a BMV branch. Title transfer requires the signed title from the previous owner, your driver's license, and proof of a safety inspection. Once the title is in your name, you can renew the registration.

If you are selling the vehicle, you do not need to renew the registration. The new owner will register it in their name. You should notify the BMV that you have sold the vehicle so you do not receive renewal notices for a vehicle you no longer own.

Finding your local BMV branch and checking hours

The BMV website has a branch locator tool at in.gov/bmv where you can search by city or zip code. Each branch page shows its hours, phone number, and whether it requires appointments. Some branches are open Monday through Friday only; others have Saturday hours. Hours vary widely, so check before you go.

Many branches now require appointments for in-person visits. You can book an appointment through the BMV website up to 30 days in advance. If a branch is fully booked, you can try a different branch nearby or wait for new appointment slots to open.

If you cannot visit a branch in person and online renewal is not working for your vehicle, you can call the BMV at 317-615-7293 to ask about mail renewal or to troubleshoot why online renewal failed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my registration if my safety inspection is expired?

No. You must have a current safety inspection dated within the past 12 months before you renew. If your inspection has expired, schedule a new one at any BMV-licensed mechanic or inspection station, then renew your registration.

What if I lose my renewal notice before I renew?

You do not need the notice to renew online or in person. You can renew online using your VIN and driver's license number, or you can go to a BMV branch with your current registration and driver's license. The notice is just a reminder; it is not required.

How long does it take to get my new registration after I renew?

Online renewal takes 7 to 10 business days by mail. Mail renewal takes 2 to 3 weeks from when the BMV receives it. In-person renewal gives you a temporary registration when ready, and your permanent registration arrives by mail within 7 to 10 days.

Can I renew someone else's vehicle registration?

Online renewal requires the vehicle owner's driver's license number, so you would need that information. In-person renewal requires the vehicle owner or someone with power of attorney to be present. Mail renewal can be done by anyone if they have the renewal notice and can sign the owner's name.

What if my vehicle failed its safety inspection?

You cannot renew your registration until the vehicle passes inspection. You must have the failed items repaired and then take the vehicle back for a new inspection. Once it passes, you can renew your registration.