BMV debunks blackout license plate myth

As the anniversary of Indiana’s Blackout license plate approaches, the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) is proud to announce that over 240,000 Hoosier vehicles are now adorned with a version of the Blackout plate.  

Each time the BMV posts about our Blackout license plate on social media, the agency’s accounts almost always receive comments that Blackout license plates can more easily be read by Automated License Plate Recognition (ALPR) cameras. The BMV would like to debunk this common rumor about its popular Blackout license plate. 

ALPRs can read the Blackout plate with the same efficiency and accuracy as any other plate available to Hoosiers on the road.  

The Indiana State Police confirm that ALPR systems read Blackout plates with the same accuracy and efficiency as any other Indiana license plate. The color and design of a license plate has no impact on an ALPR camera’s ability to read it. Law enforcement’s priority is enforcing traffic laws and keeping Hoosiers safe regardless of which license plate design a driver chooses.  

“I wouldn’t want Hoosiers to miss out on the Blackout plate because of incorrect information,” says Commissioner Kevin Garvey. “The Blackout plate’s purpose is to give our customers more choices when it comes to their plate design. It’s simply a fun style choice.” 

The Blackout plate is available for passenger motor vehicles, light trucks (11,000lbs or less), motorcycles, or RVs for an additional fee of $45 and may be personalized for another additional $45 (these fees will be due upon initial registrations and all subsequent annual renewals). For more details visit the Blackout License Plate Fact Sheet on the BMV’s website.