Frequently Asked Questions
Plates and Registrations
I received some but not all of my registrations, plate stickers and/or license plates. Why?
After a registration is paid, the vehicle’s registration and plate sticker will be mailed.
All current “In God We Trust” and specialty plate holders will receive renewal stickers and registration cards in the mail within 14 days of payment.
All current holders of standard plates (blue with white letters), standard pick-up truck plates (white with black letters), and the Abraham Lincoln plate will receive new plates along with registrations in 2013. These new plates and registrations will arrive separately from the “In God We Trust” and specialty plate materials.
If you are renewing both “In God We Trust”/other specialty plates and non-specialty plates, these items are mailed separately and may arrive up to one week apart.
Vehicles registered in Lake and Porter counties are required to undergo emissions tests and tampering inspections every two years before the registration can be renewed. Click here for details.
I have paid for my registration renewals, but I have not received the registration and plate sticker within ten business days. What do I do?
- If there is another person listed on the vehicle’s registration, please contact him or her. The BMV’s records may indicate another person is designated to receive the registration and plate sticker and the materials were mailed to him or her. Due to privacy laws, the BMV is prohibited from providing the name and address of others listed on the vehicle registration.
- If you want the new vehicle registration and plate sticker mailed to your address, you must ask the person designated in BMV’s records to change his or her mailing address to your mailing address prior to renewing the vehicle. That person must log into their myBMV.com account and select the “update your contact information” link in the left column.
- If no one listed on the registration received the vehicle registration and plate sticker, please contact the BMV at 888-692-6841 to request a replacement. The replacement registration and sticker will be mailed to the person designated in BMV’s records.
I renewed more than one registration on the same day and I have received one registration and plate sticker, but not the second. What do I do?
Depending on the plate type, you may be receiving a new license plate. The standard plate (blue with white letters), standard pick-up truck plate (white with black letters), and the Abraham Lincoln plate are new in 2013. Please allow for additional processing time when receiving a new license plate. If the plate and registration have not arrived within 10 business days, please read the previous question.
I didn’t update my mailing address and now my registration is being mailed to the wrong address. What do I do?
If you ordered your registration and discovered the mailing address was incorrect after the order was complete, please go to any license branch to change your mailing address and request a replacement registration. There is a charge for the replacement registration and license plate sticker.
Driver's License / Identification Card
I’ve lost my driver’s license. How do I get a replacement online?
If you meet certain eligibility requirements, you can order a replacement driver's license online. If you do not meet the criteria, you must visit a license branch.
Suspension and Reinstatement
What are my reinstatement requirements?
Information about the current status of your driver’s license is available by clicking the "View and Update myInfo" icon in the right column. Also, immediate details about your driver record can be obtained in the Driver Record section.
Updating Your Address
How do I update my legal and mailing address with the BMV?
The BMV maintains two addresses for each customer: a legal address and a mailing address.
A legal address is the address the BMV requires to validate your permanent place of residency in Indiana. The legal address is necessary for your credentials, such as your driver’s license or identification card. It is very important that you provide two approved documents to establish or update your legal address. For a complete list of approved documents, please visit this page. You must visit a license branch to update your legal address.
The mailing address is an alternate address which you may provide to the BMV for mailing your correspondence - including license plates, renewal reminders, and other communications. Visit this page to update your mailing address. You may also update your mailing address at any BMV branch.
Paying BMV Fees
You may pay BMV fees using the following methods:
myBMV.com
- E-check
- Visa credit or debit card
- MasterCard credit or debit card
License branch or BMV Certified Partner location
- Visa credit or debit card
- MasterCard credit or debit card
- Cash
- Check (Payable to “BMV”)
- Personal (one-party)
- Money order
- Cashier’s
- Certified
- Corporate or company
The following checks are not accepted at license branches or BMV Certified Partner locations:
- Two-party
- Counter (No account number or customer name printed by the bank on the check)
- Payroll
- Draft
- Traveler’s
- E-check
- A check from anyone who has written a bad check to the BMV within the prior two years from the date of the transaction
