Overview
Buy a bike and the same $15 title fee and 7% sales tax apply as any vehicle purchase, including the fair-market-value check on private sales. Because most motorcycles carry a lower original sticker price than cars, they typically land in a lower excise class - so while the base fee is higher, the excise tax is often lower than a comparable car's, especially once the bike has a few years on it.
01 - Official fees
Indiana motorcycle fees fees at a glance
| Fee | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Base registration (motorcycle) | $26.35 | |
| Transportation Infrastructure Improvement Fee | $15.00 | |
| Excise tax | $12–$300+ | typical motorcycle value classes, by age |
| County wheel tax / surtax | $0–$77.50+ | only where adopted |
| Title fee (new purchase) | $15.00 | |
| Sales tax (new purchase) | 7% | of price minus trade-in |
Figures verified June 2026 against official sources (listed below). Always confirm the final amount with the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) - counties can add small local fees.
03 - Same state, other costs
More Indiana vehicle costs
04 - Common questions
Indiana motorcycle fees FAQ
How much does it cost to register a motorcycle in Indiana per year?
Start with $26.35 base plus the $15 infrastructure fee - that's $41.35 before excise tax. Add the excise tax for the bike's value class and age (often $12 to $150 for a typical used motorcycle, more for a nearly-new high-end bike), plus any county wheel tax.
Is the base fee really higher for a motorcycle than a car?
Yes - $26.35 versus $21.35 for a passenger car. It's a small difference in the flat portion, but motorcycles usually land in a lower excise tax class because their original MSRP is typically well below a car's, so the total often comes out lower overall.
Do motorcycles pay the same sales tax as cars?
Yes - 7% flat, with the same trade-in credit at a dealer and the same fair-market-value check on private sales. There's no motorcycle-specific rate or discount.
Do motorcycles need emissions testing?
Only in Lake and Porter counties, and even there, Indiana's Clean Air Car Check program has historically focused on cars and light trucks - confirm current requirements with the testing program directly, since motorcycle inclusion has varied.
Can I register a custom-built or kit motorcycle?
Yes, but the BMV typically requires a VIN inspection and additional ownership documentation before issuing a title, since there's no factory MSRP on file to assign an excise class - branches use a comparable-value determination instead.
Do mopeds register the same way?
No - in Indiana, low-powered mopeds and scooters that meet the state's specific speed and engine-size definition are generally exempt from titling and registration altogether, unlike full motorcycles, which register and title like any motor vehicle.
05 - Receipts
Official sources
Every number on this page comes from these documents - check them yourself.