Protect Pollinators License Plate For drivers in Indiana

Indiana residents can now show their support for bees, butterflies, and native plants every time they hit the road. Pollinator Partnership (P2) has officially launched the new “Protect Pollinators” specialty license plate, raising awareness and funding for pollinator and native plant conservation efforts across Indiana. The design features native butterflies, bees, and wildflowers, symbols of Indiana’s vital role in pollinator conservation. Indiana sits along the central migratory corridor for monarch butterflies and provides critical breeding and foraging habitat for many native species.

The new plate was made possible thanks to a grassroots campaign that gathered more than 1,200 Hoosier signatures in just one week. Proceeds from every plate will directly support pollinator habitat creation, education, and outreach projects statewide.

How to get the plate

Starting January 1, 2026, Indiana drivers can order the Protect Pollinators specialty license plate through the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles at BMV.IN.gov or at their local BMV. The plates will cost $40 to order or renew each year, with $25 of that going directly to pollinator conservation efforts in Indiana. The additional cost is for administrative fees. Drivers interested in purchasing a Pollinator Partnership plate may do so:

• Online during a new registration or renewal transaction via myBMV.com
• At a BMV Connect kiosk during a new registration or renewal
• In person with a representative at any BMV branch

For a complete list of branch locations and hours, to complete an online transaction, or to find a 24-hour BMV Connect kiosk near you, visit IN.gov/BMV. The plate can also be added at any time outside of renewal.

Indiana BMV

What the Plate Will Support

Funds raised through plate sales will be coordinated by Pollinator Partnership, the world’s largest nonprofit dedicated exclusively to the protection and promotion of pollinators and their ecosystems. P2 works with farmers, land managers, educators, researchers, and communities to support pollinator-friendly practices through science, policy, and education.

Just a few of the many things these plates can help fund:

• Mini-grants for Indiana schools, parks, and community gardens

• Educational signage and funding for native planting sites

• Free pollinator-friendly native seeds, plugs, and Bee Friendly Gardening materials

• Training for landowners, land managers, educators, and more

• Scholarships for Pollinator Steward Certification courses

• Hands-on volunteer events, webinars, and community science opportunities

• Additional initiatives as funding grows

P2 is committed to transparency and will include details in its annual reports about the impact of plate sales so that Hoosiers can see the direct results of their support.

Spread the word!

Help us spread the word to Hoosiers about the Protect Pollinators Specialist License Plate!

• Post on social media using the premade graphics and captions below. Remember to tag @PollinatorPartnership!
• Print the flyer and tack it on your community pin board
• Follow Pollinator Partnership on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and BlueSky Social

Pre-made graphics for social media:

For Instagram, LinkedIn, BlueSky Social:

For Facebook:

Sample Social Media Captions:

Frequently Asked Questions

If my license plate (tags) are due in December of 2025, do I pay those and then buy a new plate when it is available in January? Will I need to pay more than the additional $40?

If you renew in December and decide to switch to a Pollinator Protector plate in January, you will pay the $40 plate fee and a $9.50 amend fee.

I'm not scheduled for renewal for license plates until Sept. 2026 but I want the new plate as soon as possible. When do I need to do to only have to pay once in 2026?

If you choose to get the PP plate in January, you will pay the $40 fee plus $9.50 amend fee and that will expire in September 2026. When you renew, you will pay that SGR fee again for the 2027 exp plate. To avoid paying that twice, you can renew ahead of time in January and switch to the PP plate at that time and only pay one fee.

I have special letters/numbers on my current plate. Can I buy the pollinator plate and have the same special letters/numbers transferred to the new plate?

It depends on the plate message. Our standard personalized plate holds up to 8 characters of which one must be a space. The SGR personalized plates hold 2-6 characters. As long as your plate message fits in 2-6 characters, you will be able to put it on the PP plate.

Will I need to go online to purchase the specialty plate or can I order it at my local BMV?

If you have a standard plate you should be able to renew online and change to a PP plate. If you have a personalized plate, you cannot switch to a different plate and maintain the personalized message online or at a kiosk. This must be done in the branch.