In Indiana, the number of letters you can put on a personalized license plate depends on the type of vehicle. For passenger vehicle plates, you can use up to 8 characters, all of which can be letters. Motorcycle plates allow up to 6 characters, which can also be all letters.
Character Limits for Indiana Personalized License Plates
When customizing a license plate in Indiana, the maximum number of characters you can use determines how many letters, numbers, or a combination of both can be displayed. This limit applies to the total length of your personalized message.
| Plate Type | Maximum Characters (Letters, Numbers, and Spaces) |
|---|---|
| Passenger Vehicle | 8 |
| Motorcycle | 6 |
Practical Considerations for Personalized Plate Content
While the limit specifies "characters," you have the flexibility to use all letters if you wish, or a mix of letters and numbers. For instance, on a passenger plate, you could have "ROADTRIP" (8 letters) or "INPL8" (3 letters, 2 numbers).
Here are some practical insights:
- Passenger Plates: You can choose up to 8 letters for your custom message, such as "GO HOOSI" or "MYRIDE".
- Motorcycle Plates: These plates accommodate up to 6 letters, for example, "BIKER" or "ONROAD".
- It's important to note that spaces and hyphens, if allowed, typically count towards the total character limit, so plan your message accordingly.
- The Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) has specific guidelines regarding offensive or inappropriate character combinations, ensuring all personalized plates adhere to state regulations.
How to Personalize Your Indiana License Plate
To apply for a personalized license plate in Indiana, you generally need to check the availability of your desired character combination and submit an application through the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV).
- Availability Check: Use the Indiana BMV's online portal to see if your chosen sequence of letters and numbers is available.
- Application Submission: Once availability is confirmed, you can proceed with the application process, which can often be completed online or at a BMV branch. You can find more information about personalized license plates on the Indiana BMV website.
- Fees: Be aware that personalized plates typically incur an additional fee beyond standard registration costs.
