Indiana drivers are now required to report changes to their vehicle’s exterior color under a new state law that took effect at the start of the year.
What the New Law Requires
Senate Enrolled Act 331, signed by Gov. Mike Braun, officially took effect Jan. 1, 2026, updating Indiana Code 9-18.1-3. The law requires vehicle owners to notify the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles whenever a vehicle’s exterior color is altered.
The reporting requirement covers changes made through repainting a vehicle, installing a vinyl wrap, or removing an existing wrap. Owners have 30 days from the date of the change to update their vehicle information with the BMV, and failing to do so may result in a warning issued by law enforcement.
Criminal Penalties Tied to Investigations
The legislation also carries stricter penalties tied to criminal investigations. If a vehicle is used in the commission of a crime and its color is later changed without being reported, the owner could face a Class C misdemeanor charge.
State officials say the law is meant to keep vehicle records accurate and improve identification during traffic stops and investigations. Changes in a vehicle’s appearance that aren’t reflected in registration records can complicate law enforcement efforts, particularly when color serves as a primary identifying feature in a case.
How to Report a Color Change
Drivers have a few ways to update their vehicle information: in person at a BMV branch, through a BMV Connect kiosk, or online through a myBMV account. The law doesn’t specify any additional fees tied to reporting a color change.
The requirement applies to all registered vehicles in Indiana and doesn’t distinguish between full paint jobs and temporary or partial vinyl wraps — any modification that changes a vehicle’s listed exterior color needs to be reported.
With the law now in effect, Indiana drivers who modify their vehicles are encouraged to update their registration records promptly to avoid running into enforcement issues down the road.