Ind. Code ch. 9-18.1-2

Ind. Code ch. 9-18.1-2
in effect

Ind. Code § 9-18.1-2-1 Applicability of article; validity of certificate or proof of registration issued under IC 9-18 (before its expiration)

Sec. 1. (a) This article applies after December 31, 2016. (b) A certificate of registration or proof of registration issued under IC 9-18 (before its expiration on December 31, 2016) remains valid until it expires or is revoked, suspended, or canceled. As added by P.L.198-2016, SEC.326.

Ind. Code § 9-18.1-2-2 Vehicles not required to be registered

Sec. 2. The following vehicles are not required to be registered under this article: (1) A vehicle that is propelled by electric power obtained from overhead trolley wires but is not operated on rails or tracks. (2) A firetruck and apparatus used for fire protection. (3) A new motor vehicle if the new motor vehicle is being operated in Indiana solely to remove it from an accident site to a storage location because: (A) the new motor vehicle was being transported on a railroad car or semitrailer; and (B) the railroad car or semitrailer was involved in an accident that required the unloading of the new motor vehicle to preserve or prevent further damage to it. (4) A vehicle that is: (A) owned or leased; and (B) used; by the United States government for official government purposes. (5) A school bus or special purpose bus that is: (A) owned by a school corporation; and (B) registered under IC 20-27-7. (6) Golf carts when operated in accordance with an ordinance adopted under IC 9-21-1-3(a)(14) or IC 9-21-1-3.3(a). (7) A vehicle that is not designed for or employed in general highway transportation of persons or property and is occasionally operated or moved over the highway, including the following: (A) An electric personal assistive mobility device. (B) Road construction or maintenance machinery. (C) A movable device designed, used, or maintained to alert motorists of hazardous conditions on highways. (D) Construction dust control machinery. (E) A well boring apparatus. (F) A ditch digging apparatus. (G) An implement of agriculture designed to be operated primarily in a farm field or on farm premises. (H) A farm tractor. (I) A farm wagon. (J) A tractor: (i) that is used to move semitrailers around a terminal or a loading or spotting facility; and (ii) for which a permit is issued under IC 6-6-4.1-13(f). (8) Except as provided in IC 9-18.1-14, an off-road vehicle or a snowmobile. (9) A vehicle that is operated and displays a license plate in accordance with IC 9-32. (10) A disposable trailer. [Pre-2016 Revision Citations: 9-13-2-196(b); 9-13-2-201; 9-18-1-1; 9-18-2-7(a); 9-18-3-1; 9-29-5-12.] As added by P.L.198-2016, SEC.326. Amended by P.L.128-2018, SEC.3; P.L.178-2019, SEC.38.

Ind. Code § 9-18.1-2-3 Registration required for operation on highway

Sec. 3. Except as provided in sections 4 through 9 of this chapter, a vehicle may not be operated on a highway unless the vehicle: (1) is registered under this article; and (2) displays proof of registration in accordance with this article. [Pre-2016 Revision Citations: 9-18-2-1(i); 9-18-2-7; 9-18-2-29(a); 9-18-2-29.5(a); 9-18-9-1(a); 18-10-1(a); subdivision (1) formerly 9-18-2-1(e); subdivision (2) formerly 9-18-2-30.] As added by P.L.198-2016, SEC.326.

Ind. Code § 9-18.1-2-4 Semitrailer or trailer used with apportionable vehicle; exception

Sec. 4. A semitrailer or trailer that is used in combination with a vehicle that is an apportionable vehicle under the terms of the International Registration Plan may be operated on a highway if the semitrailer or trailer is registered in accordance with the laws of a jurisdiction that participates in the International Registration Plan. [Pre-2016 Revision Citation: 9-18-2-5.] As added by P.L.198-2016, SEC.326.

Ind. Code § 9-18.1-2-5 Vehicle operated by nonresident; exception

Sec. 5. (a) A nonresident that owns a vehicle that: (1) is required to be registered under this article; and (2) is not subject to registration under the International Registration Plan; may operate, or permit the operation of, the vehicle on a highway without registering the vehicle under this article if the vehicle is registered in accordance with the laws of the jurisdiction in which the nonresident is a resident. (b) The exemption granted by subsection (a) applies only to the extent that Indiana residents are granted an equivalent exemption in the jurisdiction in which the nonresident is a resident. [Pre-2016 Revision Citations: 9-18-2-2; subsection (b) formerly 9-18-2-3.] As added by P.L.198-2016, SEC.326.

Ind. Code § 9-18.1-2-6 Operation of vehicle on highway by nonresident

Sec. 6. A nonresident that becomes an Indiana resident may operate a vehicle on a highway for not more than sixty (60) days after becoming an Indiana resident without registering the vehicle under this article if the vehicle is registered in accordance with the laws of the jurisdiction in which the nonresident was a resident. [Pre-2016 Revision Citation: 9-18-2-1(d).] As added by P.L.198-2016, SEC.326.

Ind. Code § 9-18.1-2-7 Vehicle registered in another state; exception

Sec. 7. An Indiana resident that: (1) has a legal residence in a state that is not contiguous to Indiana; and (2) owns or operates a vehicle that is registered in accordance with the laws of the other state of legal residence; may operate the vehicle on a highway for not more than sixty (60) days without registering the vehicle under this article. [Pre-2016 Revision Citation: 9-18-2-1(f).] As added by P.L.198-2016, SEC.326.

Ind. Code § 9-18.1-2-8 Newly acquired vehicle; exception

Sec. 8. A person that acquires a vehicle may operate the vehicle on a highway without registering the vehicle under this article under the following conditions: (1) For the length of a temporary permit issued under the following: (A) IC 9-18-7-1 (before its expiration on December 31, 2016). (B) IC 9-18-7-4 (before its expiration on December 31, 2016). (C) IC 9-18.1-12-2. (D) IC 9-18.1-12-3. (2) For not more than forty-five (45) days after the date on which the person acquires the vehicle, if the person displays on the newly acquired vehicle a valid and unexpired license plate transferred from another vehicle that the person disposes of by sale or other means. While operating the newly acquired vehicle, the person must have in the person's possession a: (A) manufacturer's certificate of origin; (B) certificate of title; or (C) bill of sale; indicating that the person owns the vehicle to which the unexpired license plates are affixed. (3) For not more than forty-five (45) days after the date on which the person acquires the vehicle from a dealer licensed under IC 9-32, if the person displays on the newly acquired vehicle a valid and unexpired interim plate issued under IC 9-32-6-11. (4) If the person acquires the vehicle from a person other than a dealer licensed under IC 9-32, for: (A) not more than seventy-two (72) hours after the date of acquisition; and (B) the sole purpose of transporting the vehicle by the most direct route from the place of acquisition to: (i) a place of storage, including the person's residence or place of business; (ii) an inspection station for purposes of emissions testing under IC 13-17-5-5.1(b); or (iii) a license branch or a location operated by a full service provider (as defined in IC 9-14.1-1-2) or a partial services provider (as defined in IC 9-14.1-1-3) to register the vehicle under this article. While operating the vehicle, the person must have in the person's possession a certificate of title indicating that the person owns the vehicle. [Pre-2016 Revision Citations: subdivision (2) formerly 9-18-6-5; subdivision (3) formerly 9-18-6-4; subdivision (4) formerly 9-18-7-2.] As added by P.L.198-2016, SEC.326.

Ind. Code § 9-18.1-2-9 Apportionable vehicle; exception

Sec. 9. A person may operate a vehicle that is an apportionable vehicle under the terms of the International Registration Plan upon a highway if the vehicle is registered under the International Registration Plan with a valid and unexpired cab card. As added by P.L.198-2016, SEC.326.

Ind. Code § 9-18.1-2-10 Actions by law enforcement officers

Sec. 10. (a) Subject to subsection (b), a law enforcement officer authorized to enforce motor vehicle laws who discovers a vehicle that is operated in violation of this chapter may: (1) take the license plate displayed on the vehicle into the officer's custody; (2) take the vehicle into the officer's custody; (3) cause the vehicle to be taken to and stored in a suitable place; or (4) take any combination of the actions described in subdivisions (1), (2), and (3); until the proper certificate of registration and license plates for the vehicle are procured or the legal owner of the vehicle is found. (b) A farm vehicle that is carrying perishable fruits or vegetables or livestock may not be impounded, and the operator may proceed to the point of destination after having been stopped by a law enforcement officer under this section. [Pre-2016 Revision Citations: 9-18-2-43(a); subsection (b) formerly 9-18-2-43(b); 9-21-21-7.] As added by P.L.198-2016, SEC.326.

Ind. Code § 9-18.1-2-11 Failure to register; violation

Sec. 11. A person that fails to register a vehicle that is required to be registered under this chapter commits a Class C infraction. [Pre-2016 Revision Citations: 9-18-2-1(j); 9-18-2-7(g); 9-18-2-7(h).] As added by P.L.198-2016, SEC.326.

Ind. Code § 9-18.1-2-12 Registration in other state; violation

Sec. 12. A person that knowingly or intentionally owns a motor vehicle that is registered outside Indiana but that is required to be registered in Indiana commits a Class B misdemeanor. [Pre-2016 Revision Citation: 9-18-2-45.] As added by P.L.198-2016, SEC.326.
Source: Open US Law by Vaquill AI (CC BY 4.0)URL: https://iga.in.gov/laws/2026/ic/titles/9Fetched: 10/17/2026

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