Hoosier motorists purchased nearly 87,000 “Blackout” license plates in 2025, per state data.
Why it matters: It’s a sign of the staying power of the increasingly ubiquitous black-and-white design.
Catch up fast: The throwback plates — which were already fan favorites in other states — got the green light from Indiana lawmakers during the 2025 legislative session, and were made available for purchase in August.
- Proceeds from the sales (there’s a $45 fee) are reinvested in the Indiana BMV to support operations and modernize services.
- Drivers who don’t want to wait for their old plates to expire before upgrading their look can pay an additional $9.50 to make the change now.
Zoom in: Blackout plates generated over $2.3 million by the end of November.
- That momentum has carried over into the new year, with Blackout plates surpassing 90,000 sales as of Jan. 9, according to an Indiana BMV spokesperson.
Reality check: Even with the hot start, Blackout models represented just a fraction of the nearly 7.3 million plates sold new or renewed in the state in 2025…