IndianaIndiana law requires dealers to keep buyer identification and hold licenses
Vehicle dealers must keep identification from potential buyers, while Indiana dealerships need a state license and transport operators need an Indiana address or federal registration to apply for general plates.
What it does
Dealers must get and keep identification from each potential buyer. For a business, they may keep its federal employer number or an authorized person's photo ID together with the business name.
Transport operators applying for general plates must have an established business address in Indiana or show federal registration allowing them to transport in Indiana. Recovery vehicles are exempt.
Dealerships operating in Indiana must be licensed by the secretary of state. Operating without a license is a Class A infraction.
Argument forKeeping buyer identification could help dealers confirm who is buying a vehicle or who may act for a business.
Argument againstKeeping buyer identification could add recordkeeping work for dealers and raise privacy concerns for people who share their ID.
More detail
Dealers must obtain and keep identification or business information from each potential buyer. For an individual, the dealer must keep a copy or scan of a driver's license or identification card. For a business, the dealer must keep its federal employer identification number, or an authorized person's government photo ID and the business name. This section takes effect July 1, 2026.
Transport operators must meet an Indiana location or federal registration requirement to apply for general transport plates. This applies to transport operators applying to use one general plate number for the vehicles they transport or disposable trailers they use to transport sectionalized buildings. An operator without an established business in Indiana must give the secretary proof of valid U.S. Department of Transportation registration authorizing transport in Indiana. This section does not apply to a vehicle registered as a recovery vehicle. This requirement applies beginning July 1, 2026.
A dealership must be licensed by the Indiana secretary of state to operate in the state. This applies to dealerships operating in Indiana. A dealership that violates the licensing requirement commits a Class A infraction. This section takes effect July 1, 2026.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Feb 26Public Law 39Latest
- Feb 26Signed by the Governor Mike BraunBecame Law
- Feb 25Signed by the President of the SenateMajor
- Feb 24Signed by the President Pro TemporeMajor
- Feb 23Signed by the SpeakerMajor
- Feb 20Returned to the House without amendmentsMinor
- Feb 19Third reading: passed; Roll Call 202: yeas 45, nays 0Passed Senate
- Vote recorded HB 1153 - Doriot - 3rd Reading. Result: pass.Upper
- Feb 12Second reading: ordered engrossedMinor
- Feb 10Committee report: do pass, adoptedMinor
- Feb 5First reading: referred to Committee on Homeland Security and TransportationMinor
- Feb 3Referred to the SenateMinor
- Feb 2Third reading: passed; Roll Call 171: yeas 79, nays 0Passed House
- Vote recorded HB 1153 - Lawson - 3rd Reading. Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 2Senate sponsors: Senators Doriot, Crider
- Jan 29Second reading: ordered engrossedMinor
- Jan 27Committee report: amend do pass, adoptedMinor
- Jan 20Representative Harris added as coauthor
- Jan 5Authored by Representative Lawson
- Jan 5First reading: referred to Committee on Roads and TransportationMinor
- Jan 5Coauthored by Representatives Pressel, HeineIntroduced
Transportation