Introduced Version
HOUSE BILL No. 1494
_____
DIGEST OF INTRODUCED BILL
Citations Affected: IC 9-18.1.
Synopsis: License plate information. Removes the requirement that
the bureau of motor vehicles issue registration renewal stickers for
motor vehicles. Makes conforming changes.
Effective: July 1, 2025; January 1, 2026.
Morris, Teshka, Judy, Jeter
January 21, 2025, read first time and referred to Committee on Roads and Transportation.
2025 IN 1494—LS 6696/DI 151 Introduced
First Regular Session of the 124th General Assembly (2025)
PRINTING CODE. Amendments: Whenever an existing statute (or a section of the Indiana
Constitution) is being amended, the text of the existing provision will appear in this style type,
additions will appear in this style type, and deletions will appear in this style type.
Additions: Whenever a new statutory provision is being enacted (or a new constitutional
provision adopted), the text of the new provision will appear in this style type. Also, the
word NEW will appear in that style type in the introductory clause of each SECTION that adds
a new provision to the Indiana Code or the Indiana Constitution.
Conflict reconciliation: Text in a statute in this style type or this style type reconciles conflicts
between statutes enacted by the 2024 Regular Session of the General Assembly.
HOUSE BILL No. 1494
A BILL FOR AN ACT to amend the Indiana Code concerning
motor vehicles.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Indiana:
1 SECTION 1. IC 9-18.1-1-5, AS ADDED BY P.L.198-2016,
2 SECTION 326, IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS
3 [EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 2026]: Sec. 5. "Proof of registration"
4 includes the following:
5 (1) A license plate.
6 (2) A decal or sticker issued by the bureau to indicate registration.
7 (3) (2) A certificate of registration.
8 (4) (3) Any other indication of registration issued by the bureau
9 or the motor carrier services division of the department of state
10 revenue.
11 SECTION 2. IC 9-18.1-4-3, AS ADDED BY P.L.198-2016,
12 SECTION 326, IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS
13 [EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 2026]: Sec. 3. The bureau shall adopt
14 rules under IC 4-22-2 regarding the size, character, display, mounting,
15 securing, content, issuance, replacement, and life cycle of license
16 plates, temporary license plates, renewal stickers, and other proof of
17 registration.
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1 SECTION 3. IC 9-18.1-4-4, AS AMENDED BY P.L.111-2021,
2 SECTION 17, IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE
3 JULY 1, 2025]: Sec. 4. (a) License plates shall be displayed on a
4 vehicle as follows:
5 (1) For a tractor, a dump truck, or a truck with a rear-mounted
6 forklift or a mechanism to carry a rear-mounted forklift or
7 implement, upon the front of the vehicle.
8 (2) Except as provided in subsections (c) and (d), for every other
9 vehicle, upon the rear of the vehicle.
10 (b) A license plate shall be:
11 (1) securely fastened, in a horizontal and upright position that
12 displays the registration expiration year in the upper right corner,
13 to the vehicle for which the plate is issued:
14 (A) to prevent the license plate from swinging;
15 (B) at a height of at least twelve (12) inches from the ground,
16 measuring from the bottom of the license plate; and
17 (C) in a place and position that are clearly visible;
18 (2) maintained free from foreign materials and in a condition to
19 be clearly legible; and
20 (3) not obstructed or obscured by tires, bumpers, accessories, or
21 other opaque objects.
22 (c) Subject to subsection (b), an interim license plate issued or used
23 by a dealer licensed under IC 9-32 or used by a manufacturer must be
24 displayed:
25 (1) in the manner required under subsection (a) for the type of
26 vehicle on which the interim license plate is displayed; or
27 (2) in a location on the left side of a window that is:
28 (A) facing the rear of the motor vehicle; and
29 (B) clearly visible and unobstructed.
30 A plate displayed under subdivision (2) must be affixed to the window
31 of the motor vehicle.
32 (d) A temporary license plate issued by the bureau must be
33 displayed in the same manner as an interim license plate under
34 subsection (c).
35 (e) Before January 1, 2026, upon the renewal of a registration
36 under this article, a license plate other than a temporary license plate
37 must display a renewal sticker:
38 (1) that is securely affixed in the upper right corner of the license
39 plate; and
40 (2) that covers the previous registration expiration year.
41 (f) After December 31, 2025, the registered owner of a motor
42 vehicle is not required to display a renewal sticker on the license
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1 plate of the motor vehicle.
2 (f) (g) A person that violates this section commits a Class C
3 infraction.
4 SECTION 4. IC 9-18.1-13-2, AS AMENDED BY P.L.257-2017,
5 SECTION 27, IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE
6 JANUARY 1, 2026]: Sec. 2. (a) The authority granted to the bureau
7 throughout this article extends to the department of state revenue when
8 the department administers transactions under IC 9-17-2, IC 9-17-3,
9 IC 9-18 (before its expiration), or IC 9-18.1. this article. The
10 department's authority includes the following:
11 (1) Registering vehicles (IC 9-18.1-3 and IC 9-18.1-4).
12 (2) Withholding registration of a vehicle when the vehicle was
13 used in the commission of a toll violation (IC 9-18.1-3).
14 (3) Determining the size, character, display, mounting, securing,
15 content, issuance, replacement, and life cycle of license plates,
16 temporary license plates, renewal stickers, and other proof of
17 registration issued by the department (IC 9-18.1-4).
18 (4) Publishing a schedule of expiration dates (IC 9-18.1-11).
19 (5) Transferring registration and license plates (IC 9-18.1-11).
20 (6) Issuing a duplicate license plate that is lost, stolen, or
21 destroyed (IC 9-18.1-11).
22 (7) Changing ownership information (IC 9-18.1-11).
23 (8) Issuing temporary permits (IC 9-18.1-12).
24 (9) Issuing certificates of title (IC 9-17-2).
25 (b) Plates issued by the department of state revenue remain the
26 property of the department (IC 9-18.1-4).
27 (c) The department of state revenue may adopt rules under
28 IC 4-22-2 to administer this chapter.
2025 IN 1494—LS 6696/DI 151