Legislative Update

Bureau of Motor Vehicles

Filed Under: Traffic

H.B. 1506, P.L. 178
Effective: July 1, 2019

  • Provides that if one or more of the following taxes have not been paid for one or more preceding years, the bureau of motor vehicles may collect only the tax for the year immediately preceding the current registration year, the current registration year, and the year immediately following the current registration year: (1) The county vehicle excise tax. (2) The county wheel tax. (3) The municipal vehicle excise tax. (4) The municipal wheel tax. (5) The motor vehicle excise tax. (6) The recreational vehicle excise tax. (7) The commercial vehicle excise tax. (8) The boat excise
  • Specifies to which vehicles a county vehicle excise tax, county wheel tax, municipal vehicle excise tax, and municipal wheel tax apply.
  • Provides that an owner who has paid a surtax or wheel tax and moves out of state may be entitled to a refund.
  • Specifies the minimum and maximum vehicle registration periods for a vehicle with an: (1) expired; and (2) unexpired; registration.
  • Requires that all copies of all ordinances that impose, rescind, or change the rate or amount of a surtax or wheel tax be submitted in a manner prescribed by the bureau of motor vehicles (bureau).
  • Provides that the maximum design speed for a low speed vehicle is 25 miles per hour. (Current law provides for 35 miles per hour.)
  • Provides that, in certain instances, off-road vehicles and snowmobiles need to be registered.
  • Provides that, during the registration or registration renewal process, the bureau may provide information concerning a manufacturer issued motor vehicle safety recall to the registered owner of a motor vehicle subject to an ongoing recall.
  • Specifies that the bureau may not charge a fee for providing information concerning an ongoing, manufacturer issued safety recall.
  • Provides that: (1) the bureau; (2) the commissioner of the bureau; (3) employees of the bureau; and (4) third party vendors responsible for providing the bureau with manufacturer issued safety recall information; are immune from civil liability for any act or omission related to the bureau providing safety recall information.
  • Provides that a person may transfer a plate from a wrecked or destroyed vehicle to a vehicle acquired or owned by the person.
  • Removes the provisions providing for a probationary period for independent colleges under the special group recognition license plate program.
  • Provides that the Indiana department of transportation must review plans for general vehicle platoon operations. (Current law provides that the commissioner of the bureau must review plans).
  • Specifies that an individual who is 75 years of age or older may renew an operator’s, chauffeur’s, or public passenger chauffeur’s license by mail or electronic service if the individual provides proof of an eyesight examination with the renewal application.
  • Establishes distribution by percentage of fees paid for reinstatement of driving privileges. Specifies that a court may waive part or all of a reinstatement fee for driving privileges.
  • Removes the requirement that an emergency contact for the purposes of the emergency contact data base must hold a valid credential.
  • Requires an individual seeking a license to be a driver education instructor to be currently employed or have an employment offer from a licensed driver training school.
  • Requires a rider coach trainer to meet standards established by the bureau for instructors in motorcycle safety and education. (Current law requires that the standards be equivalent to or more stringent than those established by the Motorcycle Safety Foundation.)
  • Requires an applicant from a foreign country that has a reciprocity agreement with the bureau for obtaining an operator’s license to possess a valid driver’s license for the type of vehicle being operated or the equivalent from the foreign country. (Current law also allows the applicant to possess an international driving permit.)
  • Specifies that the court may grant driving privileges to an individual whose driving privileges have been suspended for life: (1) for a specified period of time; and (2) subject to certain conditions. Requires an individual who has been granted driving privileges through a court order after the individual’s driving privileges have been suspended for life to possess the order when operating a vehicle or produce the order upon request of a police officer.
  • Provides that the bureau of motor vehicles may waive certain testing requirements for an applicant seeking a learner’s permit or a driver’s license in certain instances.
  • Provides that the bureau of motor vehicles (BMV) may develop a system to issue mobile credentials.
  • Provides that the BMV may issue, upon request of an applicant, a mobile credential when the applicant satisfies the requirements for application for an identification card or various licenses and permits.
  • Provides the BMV with rulemaking authority to implement the mobile credential system.
  • Defines mobile credential.
  • Eliminates both the department of natural resources fee and the lake and river enhancement fee.
  • Sets out the registration and renewal fees for motorboats.

Read the bill at: http://iga.in.gov/legislative/2019/bills/house/1506