While Indiana doesn’t offer temporary license plates, it does offer temporary registration to drivers who need a little time to get their vehicle registered.
Does Indiana issue temporary plates?
Indiana does not issue temporary plates, but they do issue temporary registrations that can help drivers stay legal on the road until they get their plates.
While most new car owners qualify for a 96-hour temporary vehicle registration, you may be eligible for a 30-day temporary registration in some cases.
How to get started: Go to the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) website and check out their pricing and qualification requirements.
How to get an Indiana temporary license plate
While you can’t get temporary license plates in Indiana, you can get temporary registration permits relatively easily. There are two types of temporary registrations you can get in Indiana:
- 96-hour delivery permit
- 30-day registration permit
While the application process is nearly identical, you’ll need to meet different qualifications in order to apply. For a 96-hour delivery permit, drivers can apply at any time so long as they have:
- Proof of financial responsibility (i.e. car insurance)
- Proof of ownership (also known as a certificate of title)
But if you want to apply for a 30-day temporary registration permit, you’ll need to meet one of the following requirements:
- Obtained the vehicle in Indiana but plan to title it through the DMV in another state/country
- Own a registered car in Indiana but plan on moving within a few weeks of the registration’s expiration
- Waiting for Indiana registration to process after recently moving to the state
- Moving the car from one lessee to another
- Need to drive to a mechanic for repairs to pass a state emissions test
How to apply for temporary license plates in Indiana
To apply for a temporary license plate, you will need to follow these steps:
- Visit a local BMV office.
- Request a 96-hour delivery permit.
- Show proof of financial responsibility and proof of ownership.
- Pay the required fee ($3 for a 96-hour permit, $18 for a 30-day permit).
Need to know: You’ll need to apply for your temporary registration in person. The Indiana BMV does not currently have an online or remote option for temporary registration applications.
Can I drive a car without plates if I just bought it in Indiana?
It is illegal to drive a car without plates in Indiana—even if you just bought it. That said, you’ll need to apply for a 96-hour delivery permit after buying your car so you can legally drive the vehicle home from the dealership.
What’s the problem with temporary license plates?
Some states have stopped issuing temporary license plates because they’re easily forged. People have been pinning fake ones on the backs of their cars and skipping permanent registration altogether.
Temporary tags have also been used to enable criminal activities by helping drivers avoid identification.
To prevent the abuse of temporary license plates in Indiana, the state no longer issues them. Instead, drivers must apply for temporary vehicle registration directly through the BMV, which makes forgery nearly impossible.
Joshua Levy is an insurance writer with a background in academic writing and web content development spanning a range of subjects and platforms. Joshua creates comprehensive content that car owners can use to make effective and economical decisions about car-related expenses. Joshua has written over 700 articles for Jerry on subjects ranging from car technology and vehicle specs to car insurance-related topics.
Expert insurance writer and editor Amy Bobinger specializes in car repair, car maintenance, and car insurance. Amy is passionate about creating content that helps consumers navigate challenges related to car ownership and achieve financial success in areas relating to cars. Amy has over 10 years of writing and editing experience. After several years as a freelance writer, Amy spent four years as an editing fellow at WikiHow, where she co-authored over 600 articles on topics including car maintenance and home ownership. Since joining Jerry’s editorial team in 2022, Amy has edited over 2,500 articles on car insurance, state driving laws, and car repair and maintenance.
Jessica Barrett is a senior insurance writer and editor with 10 years of experience in the automotive and travel industries. A specialist in car insurance, car loans, and car ownership, Jessica’s mission is to create comprehensive content that car owners can use to manage their costs and improve their lives. As a managing editor for a team of writers and insurance specialists, Jessica has edited over 2,000 articles for Jerry on topics ranging from local insurance shopping tips to refinancing car loans with bad credit. Before joining Jerry as a senior content editor in 2021, Jessica created visual content for clients such as Expedia, Vivid Seats, Budget Direct Car Insurance, Angie’s List, and HomeAdvisor. Her content was published in Business Insider, Forbes, Apartment Therapy, and the BBC.
