Can a 16-Year-Old Register a Car in Their Name in Indiana?

In Indiana, a 16-year-old can register a car in their own name, but only with a parent or guardian involved at nearly every step. State law sets no minimum age for owning a vehicle, so a teen’s name can appear on the Certificate of Title. Registration is the harder part, because it requires insurance and a binding commitment to the state, and a minor can do neither on their own.

Why a Parent Has To Be Involved

Contracts signed by someone under 18 are generally voidable under Indiana law, meaning the minor could later walk away from the agreement. The BMV has a legitimate interest in avoiding that scenario, so adult involvement is effectively required. Most families handle this by having a parent or guardian appear alongside the teen at the BMV branch. Even when the teen’s name goes on the title, the parent’s role in insurance and the transaction itself makes them a de facto partner.

Insurance Is the Real Gatekeeper

Every registered vehicle in Indiana must carry liability insurance meeting the state’s 25/50/25 minimums: $25,000 for bodily injury to one person, $50,000 for bodily injury to two or more people in the same accident, and $25,000 for property damage.¹

A 16-year-old cannot enter into an insurance contract on their own. The standard solution is for the teen to be listed as a driver on a parent’s or guardian’s policy, with the specific vehicle added to that policy. The insurance card showing the vehicle and meeting Indiana’s minimums is what the BMV needs to see. Without it, registration will not go through.

What To Bring to the BMV

Missing one document means a wasted trip, so gather everything before you go.

Title and Ownership Paperwork

Bring the original Certificate of Title signed over by the previous owner, or a Manufacturer’s Certificate of Origin if the vehicle is new. If the vehicle had a lien that was recently paid off, bring the lien release too. You will also complete the Application for Certificate of Title (State Form 205).²

If a bill of sale is being used as the primary ownership document, it must include the buyer’s name; the vehicle’s year, make, model, and VIN; and the seller’s printed name, signature, and address.³

Identity and Residency

The 16-year-old presents a valid Indiana driver’s license or learner’s permit. For residency, the BMV requires two original documents showing the applicant’s name and Indiana residential address. Acceptable items include a utility bill, bank statement, or pay stub dated within 60 days; a current insurance policy; a property tax bill from the current or prior year; or school records showing the student’s name and home address. A post office box does not count.⁴

Insurance Card and Odometer Disclosure

Bring a proof of insurance card listing the specific vehicle and showing coverage that meets or exceeds Indiana’s liability minimums.¹

An odometer disclosure statement is required for most vehicle transfers. Under current federal rules, vehicles from model year 2009 or earlier are exempt because they exceed the 10-year threshold; vehicles from model year 2010 or later are not exempt until they reach 20 years old.⁵ If the disclosure was not completed on the title itself, fill out State Form 43230 separately.²

What It Costs

The bill at the BMV adds up to more than most people expect:

Registration fee: $21.35 per year for a standard passenger vehicle.⁶
Sales tax: Indiana’s 7% sales tax applies to the purchase price of privately bought vehicles and is paid at the BMV when you apply for the title. An Indiana dealer collects the tax at purchase and provides an ST108 receipt. If the vehicle was bought in another state, Indiana credits you for the sales tax paid there, but you owe the difference if it was less than 7%.⁷
Vehicle excise tax: An annual tax based on the vehicle’s original retail price and age. A brand-new car with an original price over $42,500 pays $532; an older vehicle (nine or more years old) in the lowest price class pays $12. Most used cars a teenager would realistically buy fall in the $12 to $50 range.⁸

Some counties also impose a wheel tax or surtax that gets added to the registration bill. The amount varies by county and vehicle type.

The 45-Day Deadline

Indiana gives you 45 days after acquiring a vehicle to apply for the title and complete registration. Miss that window and the BMV charges a $15 administrative penalty on top of the normal fees. Beyond the penalty, failing to register on time is a Class C infraction, which can mean an additional fine if you’re pulled over.⁹ The same $15 penalty applies if you let an existing registration expire without renewing it.

If the Car Is a Gift

Many 16-year-olds receive a vehicle from a parent or relative rather than buying one, and gifted vehicles are exempt from Indiana’s sales tax. When filling out the title transfer, the gift giver signs as the seller, the teen (or their parent) signs as the buyer, and the value is listed as a gift. At the BMV, you file a Certificate of Gross Retail or Use Tax Exemption (State Form 48841, also called ST108E) to claim the exemption.²

The rest of the process works the same as a regular purchase. You still need proof of insurance, residency documents, and a valid ID, and the 45-day deadline still applies.⁷

One geographic note: if you live in Lake or Porter County, vehicles manufactured after 1975 with a gross weight rating of 9,000 pounds or less must pass an emissions test and tampering inspection every two years, with the four most recent model years and antique vehicles exempt.¹⁰

1
Bureau of Motor Vehicles. Proof of Financial Responsibility
2
IN.gov. Vehicle Title and Registration Application Checklist
3
IN.gov. Proof of Vehicle Ownership: Bill of Sale
4
IN.gov. Real ID Documentation Checklist
5
Regulations.gov. Odometer Disclosure Requirements
6
IN.gov. BMV Fee Chart
7
Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles. Buying and Selling a Vehicle
8
IN.gov. Excise Tax Information
9
Indiana General Assembly. Indiana Code 9-18.1-11-5 – Delinquent Registration; Administrative Penalty; Violation
10
Bureau of Motor Vehicles. Vehicle Emissions Testing Program