A Special Group Recognition plate is a way to promote your organization while using the revenue to improve services provided or special projects. An organization seeking initial participation in the Special Group Recognition (SGR) license plate program must submit a completed application including required documentation to the BMV on or before end of business hours on April 1 for potential issuance in the following year.
Review the SGR Checklist to ensure you have all documentation needed for your SGR application.
How to Submit an SGR Application?
SGR applications and required documentation can be submitted:
- Electronically through our eform, or
- Emailed to the BMV Registrations department, or
- Mailed or hand delivered to:
Bureau of Motor Vehicles
100 North Senate Avenue
Room N483
Indianapolis, IN 46204
What Happens After an SGR Application is Submitted?
First, the BMV will confirm receipt of your application. Next, your application packet will be reviewed by BMV to assess completeness. Complete application packets will be presented to the House of Representatives Roads and Transportation Committee, which usually meets mid to late summer. Note: The BMV will contact applicants when incomplete application packets are submitted. The committee will make recommendations as to which plates should be accepted, and the public may attend this meeting to support or object to the issuance of your plate. Based upon these recommendations, the BMV will then determine which plates are accepted into the program.
When is the Roads and Transportation Committee meeting this year?
The 2026 Roads and Transportation Committee will be held in the House Chamber of the Indiana Statehouse on August 4th at 10 A.M. and September 2nd at 10 A.M.
Specialty Group Recognition Plate FAQs
A Special Group Recognition plate is a way to promote your organization while using the revenue to improve services provided or special projects.
There is no fee to join the SGR program.
Groups may make up to $25.00 per plate.
There may be up to 150 groups total. However, a maximum of 5 groups may enter each year.
To apply to the Special Group Recognition (SGR) plate program, a Special Group Recognition License Plate Application – State Form 54852 and a Petition for Participation in the Special Group Recognition License Plate Program - State Form 55352 must be submitted to the BMV by April 1 for potential issuance in the following year. Petitions are due at the time of application submission. Applicants must obtain a minimum of 1,000 signatures. All signatures must be dated within one calendar year of application submission.
SGR Applications may be submitted with the required documentation via:
- Electronically
- Mail or hand delivered to:
Bureau of Motor Vehicles
100 North Senate Avenue
Room N483
Indianapolis, IN 46204
Individuals who sign the petition are pledging to purchase your organization’s plate if your organization is accepted into the SGR program.
- Petitions must include State form 55352.
- Electronic signatures are prohibited without BMV authorization.
- To obtain authorization email the BMV Registrations department.
- A minimum of 1000 signatures must be obtained within one calendar year of the SGR application submission. Petitions are due at the time of application submission.
- Signatures must be accompanies by an Indiana address
- P.O. boxes are not accepted.
- The address must be complete (street, city, state, and zip code).
First, the BMV will confirm receipt of your organization's application. Next, your application packet will be reviewed by BMV to assess completeness. Complete application packets will be presented to the House of Representatives Roads and Transportation Committee, which usually meets mid to late summer. The Committee will make recommendations regarding which organizations should be accepted. Based upon the recommendations by the Committee, the BMV will then determine which plates are accepted into the program.
Once your organization's application packet is submitted, the remaining process depends on the date the Committee meets. Usually the process takes several months.
If your organization's application is incomplete, your organization may reapply again the following year.
Note: The BMV will contact applicants when incomplete application packets are submitted.
The BMV will acknowledge receipt of your organization's application but may not contact your organization again until the BMV knows the date of the Roads and Transportation Committee meeting.
If your organization is accepted into the SGR program, your organization will need to reapply every 10 years to continue participation by submitting a Special Group Recognition License Plate Application – State Form 54852. If the application is incomplete, your organization will be placed on probation and must resubmit a complete application the following year for consideration or participation in the SGR program will be terminated. If your organization is terminated from the program, your organization can reapply after two years.
An organization that entered the program before 1-1-2026, can have their plate terminated if they fail to meet the required sale of 500 plates each year. If an organization entered the program after 1-1-2026, during the first two years, the group must sell 1,000 plates, subsequent years must meet the required 1,000 plate sales. If the group fails to meet that requirement, they will be placed on probation for one year. If the group fails to meet the sales requirement during probation, they will be terminated.
When participation in the SGR program is terminated, the organization may reapply after 2 years. Reinstated organizations will be required to sell 1000 plates each year, regardless of when they entered the program.
The petitions are validation that at least 1,000 people are pledging to purchase your specialty plate if approved.
The Petitions (State Form 55352) are validation that at least 1,000 people are pledging to purchase your specialty plate if approved.
If you do not have everything by April 1st, you would need to apply the following year.
