Indiana car owners must register their newly acquired and unregistered vehicles a month after obtaining them. They must also register their already owned vehicles within sixty days after moving into Indiana. Residents of Indiana must also renew their car registration each year with the Bureau of Motor Vehicles. The reminder to renew one’s registration is sent via email a few weeks before the registration expires.

How do you renew your car registration?

No matter what method you use to renew your car’s registration, there are things that you will need for the process:

Your current registration cardYour notice of registration renewalYour car’s plate number Your Vehicle Identification NumberCar owner’s license number Cash for the renewal service.

There are three ways of renewing the registration of your car. The most convenient renewal registration method is by doing it online. First, you’ll have to create an account on the Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV). After that, continue with the renewal procedure by following the following steps:

Verify the details of your car on the websitePay the renewal fee indicated on your portal on the site. Download and print the receipt. Always ensure you have it in your car as proof of having renewed your car’s registration.

Alternatively, you can use the mail to do your renewal. In such a situation, you will need to do the following:

Pass the emission test and have a certificate confirming that you’ve passed the test. Pay using a banker’s cheque the renewal fee. The amount you’re supposed to pay is indicated on the notice letter. Mail the documents (the cheque and the certificate) to the address shown on the notice.

Lastly, you can visit the BMV offices and do the renewal in person. For this, you need:

The notice of renewal that you receivedValidation of auto insuranceThe emission test certificate of completionThe renewal fees.

It is, however, mandatory for you to renew your registration in person if your car requires the following forms:

Forms from the Office of revenue fuel tax permitHeavyweight highway vehicle- use- form (2290)Low digit special group authorization 

You can renew the registration in person at the following places

AAA  office branches (for residents of Hamilton)Clean Air Checking offices (Lake and Porter County residents only)Local BVM offices

How much will it cost you Car Registration Renewal In Indiana?

There are different car registration renewal fees, depending on where you live and your vehicle type. The charges also depend on factors like 

The flat registration- You pay $21. 35 for a standard passenger car and $26. 35 and $2. 35 for a motorcycle and RV, respectively. A truck’s renewal cost ranges from $30. 35 to $1692, depending on the vehicle’s weight. A surtax that is only paid in some countiesAn excise tax varies with respect to the age and value of your car. The registration term you have applied for. Whether or not it is an electric vehicle

Again you will have to part with a few more dollars in your car has a specialty license plate.

There are times when you don’t receive your license renewal notice for various reasons like

Failing to update your mailing address with BVM after moving to a new locationNot paying your delinquent fees on time. Failing to renew your registration during the previous renewal cycle.

Should you fail to receive your notification for renewal, it is prudent that you do the following: 

Notify the BVM desk vial email. Call the BVM helpdesk at (888)692-6841Visit your local BVM office and have the issue resolved.

It is worth noting that Indiana car renewal doesn’t allow a grace period. You stand to be charged $15 for late renewals. Additionally, driving or parking on Indiana roads with expired license plates and registration is against the laws and will earn you a ticket.

How long does it take to process new tags?

Typically, you will receive your updated registration tags after renewing your registration via mail, online, or in person. You can expect the new license plate stickers ten to two weeks after renewing your registration. However, you will have to use the receipt you downloaded as proof of valid registration until you get your updated registration documents. What’s more, you can also check your registration status over the BVM helpline.

Conclusion

To wrap this all up, let’s go through some key points. 

Car registration renewal in Indiana is an annual procedure. Make it your priority to renew your car’s registration to evade hefty penalties.  You must ensure that your car is appropriately insured to avoid its registration being revoked.