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Monday, October 13, 2008

Ind. Law - "It's the law: Out-of-state plates are illegal"

Ken Kosky's "It's the Law" column in the NWI Times this week focuses on the law requiring people to obtain Indiana license plates within 60 days of moving to the state. The article begins:

There are very few things that annoy Indiana residents more than seeing someone from Illinois move into town and then keep their old Illinois plates on their cars -- cheating Indiana and its counties of much needed revenue.

Police in Hammond, Highland, Schererville, Whiting and other communities have done license plate crackdowns at apartment complexes, neighborhoods and schools in recent years.

But the problem persists because people want to continue using the out-of-state plates that they've already purchased, and because some people even find ways to renew an out-of-state plate rather than purchase an Indiana plate. People do it because out-of-state plates can be cheaper.

But people should know that another crackdown could be coming or, manpower permitting, most police agencies will act on complaints from citizens.

Indiana law states, "A person who 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. Violators face hefty fines.

Porter County police Sgt. John Kuehl said a person who moves to Indiana and has no other residence has 60 days to buy Indiana plates. Even people who live in another state must buy Indiana plates if they also live in Indiana at least 183 days a year. People registered to vote in Indiana or who have kids in elementary or secondary schools in Indiana must also buy Indiana plates.

College students and military personnel living in Indiana are exempt from having to buy Indiana plates.

Posted by Marcia Oddi on October 13, 2008 08:19 AM
Posted to Indiana Law