INDIANA — If you’ve been planning to give your car a fresh look with a new coat of paint or a custom vinyl wrap, you’ll now need to add a trip to the BMV to your to-do list.
Starting on January 1, 2026, a new state law officially requires all Indiana vehicle owners to update their registration if the exterior color of their passenger vehicle has been modified. The legislation, Senate Bill 331, was signed into law by Governor Mike Braun last year to ensure law enforcement has accurate descriptions of vehicles on the road.
Under the new regulations, Hoosiers must notify the Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) within 30 days if they change their vehicle’s appearance through any of the following methods:
- Application of Paint: Repainting the vehicle a different color than what is currently on file.
- Vinyl Wraps: Installing either a partial or full vinyl vehicle wrap that significantly alters the look of the car.
- Wrap Removal: Removing a wrap to return the vehicle to its original factory color.
The state is emphasizing a “compliance-first” approach for everyday drivers, but the law includes steeper penalties for those attempting to evade the law.
If a driver is stopped and their vehicle color does not match their registration, law enforcement will issue a formal warning. The owner then has 30 days to update their records.
The law takes a much harder line if a vehicle’s color is changed after it was used in the commission of a crime. In these cases, failing to notify the BMV is a Class C misdemeanor.
The Indiana BMV has made several channels available for residents to report these changes:
| Method | Best For… |
| myBMV Account | Quickest option for most users; can be done 24/7 online. |
| BMV Connect Kiosk | Convenient for those already at a location for registration renewal. |
| BMV Branch | Necessary if you prefer in-person assistance or have complex registration issues. |
“Maintaining accurate vehicle records is a matter of public safety,” the BMV stated in a recent release. “Whether it’s for silver-alerts, missing persons, or criminal investigations, having the correct color on file is a vital tool for our law enforcement partners.”
For more information, a full list of branch locations, or to access a 24-hour BMV Connect kiosk, Hoosiers are encouraged to visit IN.gov/BMV.
