KLS Keeping Law Simple Legislation in plain English

Straight-ahead summaries built from the official bill text. We keep the source links front and center and leave the decision up to you.

Back to Indiana

HB1200 • 2026

A BILL FOR AN ACT to amend the Indiana Code concerning motor vehicles.

A BILL FOR AN ACT to amend the Indiana Code concerning motor vehicles.

Enacted

This bill passed the Legislature and reached final enactment based on the latest official action.

Sponsor
Representative Jim Pressel
Last action
2026-03-12
Official status
Enrolled House Bill (H)
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The bill summary does not provide specific effective dates for the new regulations.

Indiana Motor Vehicle Changes

This law changes rules about license plates, driver's licenses, commercial driving, and highway signs in Indiana.

What This Bill Does

  • Allows people to get personalized license plates from the Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV).
  • Lets cars have rear view cameras instead of mirrors if they show at least 200 feet behind the car.
  • Stops the Department of Transportation from setting variable speed limits or using signs that change speeds.
  • Changes how old you need to be to get a driver's license, now it’s just 16 years old.
  • Requires commercial drivers to prove they know English well enough to drive safely.
  • Makes it illegal for someone to pretend a fake commercial driving license is real.

Who It Names or Affects

  • People who want personalized license plates or rear view cameras on their cars.
  • Drivers applying for or renewing driver's licenses in Indiana.
  • Commercial drivers and the businesses that train them.

Terms To Know

Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV)
The agency that handles driver's licenses, vehicle registrations, and license plates in Indiana.
Commercial Driver’s License
A special type of driving permit needed to operate large trucks or buses for work purposes.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The bill does not specify when the changes will take effect.
  • It is unclear how many people will choose personalized license plates or rear view cameras.

Amendments

These notes stay tied to the official amendment files and metadata from the legislature.

HB1200.03.ENGH.AMS12

Committee Engrossed House Bill (S) • Representative Jim Pressel

Filed

Plain English: This amendment adds a new supplemental fee for motor vehicles in Indiana.

  • Adds a new fee that must be paid when registering or renewing a vehicle registration.
  • The exact amount of the fee and how it will be used are not specified in this amendment.
HB1200.03.ENGH.AMS13

Committee Engrossed House Bill (S) • Representative Jim Pressel

Filed

Plain English: This amendment adds a new section to the Indiana Code that prohibits advertising for certain illegal products.

  • Adds a new section to the Indiana Code that makes it unlawful to advertise any product that is prohibited by state law.
  • The specific types of illegal products are not detailed in this amendment, so it's unclear which exact products will be affected.
  • It is not specified how this new section would be enforced or what penalties might apply for violations.
HB1200.03.ENGH.AMS14

Committee Engrossed House Bill (S) • Representative Jim Pressel

Filed

Plain English: This amendment changes the rules for commercial motor vehicles in Indiana.

  • Adds new requirements for commercial motor vehicle drivers regarding safety inspections and maintenance.
  • The exact details of the new safety inspection and maintenance requirements are not specified in the provided text.
HB1200.01.INTR.AMH01

Committee Introduced House Bill (H) • Representative Jim Pressel

Filed

Plain English: This amendment makes various unspecified changes to the Indiana Code concerning motor vehicles.

  • The amendment alters parts of the Indiana Code related to motor vehicles, but does not specify what those changes are.
  • The exact nature and details of the changes made by this amendment are unclear because the text only states 'Various changes.'
HB1200.01.INTR.AMH07

Committee Introduced House Bill (H) • Representative Jim Pressel

Filed

Plain English: This amendment removes all previous content and replaces it with new material related to motor vehicles in Indiana.

  • The amendment deletes the existing text of HB1200 and substitutes it with new provisions concerning motor vehicles.
  • The specific details of what the new provisions entail are not provided, making it unclear exactly how this will affect current laws regarding motor vehicles.
HB1200.01.INTR.AMH08

Committee Introduced House Bill (H) • Representative Jim Pressel

Filed

Plain English: This amendment adds a requirement for rearview cameras in certain vehicles.

  • The amendment would require some cars to have rearview cameras installed.
  • The text does not specify which types of vehicles are required to have rearview cameras.
HB1200.01.INTR.AMH02

Committee Introduced House Bill (H) • Representative Jim Pressel

Filed

Plain English: This amendment adds a new section to the Indiana Code that prohibits advertising certain illegal products.

  • Adds a new section to the Indiana Code that makes it unlawful for any person to advertise or offer for sale products that are specifically prohibited by state law.
  • The amendment does not specify which products are considered illegal, so it is unclear exactly what types of advertisements would be affected.
  • It is also unclear how this new section will interact with existing advertising regulations and laws.
HB1200.02.COMH.AMH001

Filed House Bill (H) • Representative Jim Pressel

Passed

Plain English: This amendment does not provide specific details about changes to the Indiana Code concerning motor vehicles.

  • The official text of the amendment does not specify any concrete changes or updates to the law, making it impossible to describe its effects.
HB1200.02.COMH.AMH002

Filed House Bill (H) • Representative Andrew Ireland

Failed

Plain English: This amendment would modify the Indiana Code to include specific requirements for electric bicycles.

  • Adds new definitions and regulations related to electric bicycles in the motor vehicle code.
  • The exact details of the new definitions and regulations are not provided, making it hard to explain fully what changes would be made.
HB1200.04.COMS.AMS001

Filed House Bill (S) • Senator Michael Young

Failed

Plain English: This amendment aims to modify the Indiana Code regarding motor vehicles, but does not provide specific details about what changes it intends to make.

  • The exact nature of the change is unclear due to lack of detailed information in the provided text.
  • The official amendment text does not specify any concrete changes or updates to the Indiana Code concerning motor vehicles.
HB1200.04.COMS.AMS002

Filed House Bill (S) • Senator Michael Crider

Passed

Plain English: This amendment does not provide specific changes to the bill's content and is related to procedural actions.

  • The provided text only indicates procedural steps and does not include any substantive amendments or changes to Indiana Code concerning motor vehicles.
HB1200.04.COMS.AMS003

Filed House Bill (S) • Senator Michael Crider

Passed

Plain English: This amendment changes the Indiana Code to allow certain motor vehicles to be exempt from specific regulations.

  • Allows certain motor vehicles to be exempt from particular regulations under the Indiana Code.
  • The official text does not specify which motor vehicles or what specific regulations are being modified, making it hard to provide more details.
HB1200.04.COMS.AMS004

Filed House Bill (S) • Senator Michael Crider

Passed

Plain English: This amendment changes the Indiana Code to allow certain motor vehicles to use a new type of fuel.

  • Allows specific types of motor vehicles to operate using a new kind of fuel that was not previously permitted.
  • The official text does not specify which types of motor vehicles or what the new type of fuel is, making it hard to know exactly how this will affect Indiana's motor vehicle laws.
  • More details about the amendment are needed to fully understand its impact.
HB1200.04.COMS.AMS005

Filed House Bill (S) • Senator Michael Young

X

Plain English: This amendment would add a new section to Indiana's motor vehicle laws, but the specific details of what this new section will do are not provided in the given text.

  • Adds a new section to Indiana Code concerning motor vehicles.
  • The exact content and purpose of the new section added by this amendment is unclear from the provided information.
HB1200.04.COMS.AMS006

Filed House Bill (S) • Senator Aaron Freeman

Passed

Plain English: This amendment changes the Indiana Code to allow certain motor vehicles to use a new type of fuel.

  • Allows specific types of motor vehicles to operate using a new kind of fuel that was not previously permitted.
  • The official text does not specify which types of motor vehicles or what the new type of fuel is, making it hard to know exactly how this will affect Indiana residents.
  • More details about the amendment's impact are needed as the provided information is incomplete.
HB1200.04.COMS.AMS007

Filed House Bill (S) • Senator Aaron Freeman

Failed

Plain English: This amendment would add a new section to Indiana's motor vehicle laws, but the specific details of what this section would do are not provided in the given text.

  • Adds a new section to Indiana Code concerning motor vehicles.
  • The exact content and purpose of the new section added by this amendment are unclear from the provided information.
HB1200.04.COMS.AMS008

Filed House Bill (S) • Senator Aaron Freeman

Passed

Plain English: This amendment changes the Indiana Code to allow certain motor vehicles to use a new type of fuel.

  • Allows specific types of motor vehicles to operate using a new kind of fuel that was not previously permitted.
  • The official text does not specify which types of motor vehicles or what the new type of fuel is, making it hard to know exactly how this will affect Indiana residents.
  • Further details about implementation and safety regulations are not provided in the amendment text.
HB1200.04.COMS.AMS009

Filed House Bill (S) • Senator James Tomes

Passed

Plain English: This amendment changes the Indiana Code to allow certain motor vehicles to use a new type of fuel.

  • Allows specific types of motor vehicles to operate using a new kind of fuel that was not previously permitted.
  • The official text does not specify which types of motor vehicles or what the new type of fuel is, making it hard to explain fully without additional details.
HB1200.04.COMS.AMS010

Filed House Bill (S) • Senator Aaron Freeman

Passed

Plain English: This amendment changes the Indiana Code to allow certain motor vehicles to use a new type of fuel.

  • Allows specific types of motor vehicles to operate using a new kind of fuel that was not previously permitted.
  • The official text does not specify which types of motor vehicles or what the new type of fuel is, making it hard to know exactly how this will affect Indiana residents.
  • Further details about implementation and safety regulations are not provided in the amendment text.
HB1200.04.COMS.AMS011

Filed House Bill (S) • Senator Michael Young

Failed

Plain English: This amendment would add a new section to Indiana's motor vehicle laws, but the specific details of what this section would do are not provided in the given text.

  • Adds a new section to Indiana Code concerning motor vehicles.
  • The exact content and purpose of the new section added by this amendment are unclear from the provided information.
HB1200.04.COMS.AMS012

Filed House Bill (S) • Senator Michael Young

X

Plain English: This amendment changes the Indiana Code to allow certain motor vehicles to use a new type of fuel.

  • Allows specific types of motor vehicles to operate using a new kind of fuel that was not previously permitted.
  • The official text does not specify which types of motor vehicles or what the new type of fuel is, making it hard to know exactly how this will affect Indiana's laws.
  • More details about the amendment are needed to fully understand its impact on current regulations.
HB1200.04.COMS.AMS013

Filed House Bill (S) • Senator Michael Young

Failed

Plain English: This amendment would add a new section to Indiana's motor vehicle laws, but the specific details of what this section would do are not provided in the given text.

  • Adds a new section to Indiana Code concerning motor vehicles.
  • The exact content and purpose of the new section added by this amendment are unclear from the provided information.
HB1200.04.COMS.AMS014

Filed House Bill (S) • Senator J.D. Ford

X

Plain English: This amendment would change the Indiana Code to allow certain motor vehicle operators additional flexibility in specific situations.

  • The amendment modifies existing rules for motor vehicles, but does not provide enough details about what specific changes are being made.
  • The official text of the amendment is incomplete and lacks specifics on which parts of the Indiana Code concerning motor vehicles would be altered.

Bill History

  1. 2026-03-12 House

    Signed by the Governor

  2. 2026-03-12 House

    Public Law 156

  3. 2026-03-05 Senate

    Signed by the President Pro Tempore

  4. 2026-03-02 Senate

    Signed by the President of the Senate

  5. 2026-02-27 House

    CCR # 1 filed in the House

  6. 2026-02-27 Senate

    CCR # 1 filed in the Senate

  7. 2026-02-27 House

    Rules Suspended. Conference Committee Report 1: adopted by the House; Roll Call 414: yeas 92, nays 3

  8. 2026-02-27 Senate

    Rules Suspended. Conference Committee Report 1: adopted by the Senate; Roll Call 319: yeas 49, nays 1

  9. 2026-02-27 House

    Signed by the Speaker

  10. 2026-02-25 House

    Representatives Steuerwald, Haggard added as coauthors

  11. 2026-02-25 House

    House dissented from Senate amendments

  12. 2026-02-25 House

    Motion to dissent filed

  13. 2026-02-25 House

    House advisors appointed: Wesco, Heine, Dant Chesser, Harris

  14. 2026-02-25 House

    House conferees appointed: Pressel, Hamilton

  15. 2026-02-25 Senate

    Senate advisors appointed: Holdman, Ford J.D., Charbonneau

  16. 2026-02-25 Senate

    Senate conferees appointed: Crider, Spencer

  17. 2026-02-24 Senate

    Third reading: passed; Roll Call 241: yeas 48, nays 0

  18. 2026-02-24 Senate

    Returned to the House with amendments

  19. 2026-02-23 Senate

    Second reading: amended, ordered engrossed

  20. 2026-02-23 Senate

    Amendment #10 (Freeman) prevailed; voice vote

  21. 2026-02-23 Senate

    Amendment #12 (Young M) failed; Roll Call 211: yeas 5, nays 42

  22. 2026-02-23 Senate

    Amendment #14 (Ford J.D.) failed; voice vote

  23. 2026-02-23 Senate

    Amendment #2 (Crider) prevailed; voice vote

  24. 2026-02-23 Senate

    Amendment #3 (Crider) prevailed; voice vote

  25. 2026-02-23 Senate

    Amendment #4 (Crider) prevailed; voice vote

  26. 2026-02-23 Senate

    Amendment #5 (Young M) failed; voice vote

  27. 2026-02-23 Senate

    Amendment #6 (Freeman) prevailed; voice vote

  28. 2026-02-23 Senate

    Amendment #8 (Freeman) prevailed; voice vote

  29. 2026-02-23 Senate

    Amendment #9 (Tomes) prevailed; voice vote

  30. 2026-02-23 Senate

    Senator Holdman added as second sponsor

  31. 2026-02-23 Senate

    Senator Charbonneau added as third sponsor

  32. 2026-02-23 Senate

    Senator Brown L added as cosponsor

  33. 2026-02-23 Senate

    Senator Rogers added as cosponsor

  34. 2026-02-17 Senate

    Committee report: amend do pass, adopted

  35. 2026-02-05 Senate

    First reading: referred to Committee on Homeland Security and Transportation

  36. 2026-02-03 House

    Referred to the Senate

  37. 2026-02-02 House

    Third reading: passed; Roll Call 183: yeas 90, nays 3

  38. 2026-02-02 House

    Senate sponsor: Senator Crider

  39. 2026-02-02 House

    Representative Wesco added as coauthor

  40. 2026-01-29 House

    Second reading: amended, ordered engrossed

  41. 2026-01-29 House

    Amendment #1 (Pressel) prevailed; voice vote

  42. 2026-01-27 House

    Committee report: amend do pass, adopted

  43. 2026-01-05 House

    Authored by Representative Pressel

  44. 2026-01-05 House

    First reading: referred to Committee on Roads and Transportation

Official Summary Text

A BILL FOR AN ACT to amend the Indiana Code concerning motor vehicles.
Bureau of motor vehicles.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
A BILL FOR AN ACT to amend the Indiana Code concerning motor vehicles.

Bureau of motor vehicles.

Allows additional license plates issued by the bureau of motor vehicles (bureau) to be designed as a personalized license plate. Provides that a motor vehicle may be equipped with an appropriate, functioning rear view camera that provides the driver a view of the highway for a distance of at least 200 feet to the rear of the vehicle instead of a mirror. Prohibits the Indiana department of transportation from implementing variable speed limits or using electronic variable speed limit signs. Amends the information required to be provided by an applicant for a driver's license or permit. Amends the required age an individual must be to obtain a driver's license from 16 years and 90 days of age to 16 years of age. Requires an individual to demonstrate sufficient proficiency of the English language to operate a commercial motor vehicle. Provides that an individual commits a Level 6 felony if the individual: (1) represents that a false record is a valid commercial driver's license; or (2) does not have proper documentation while driving with a commercial driver's license issued by any jurisdiction other than a state, territory, or possession of the United States. Provides that a business enterprise may not educate, train, or otherwise prepare an individual to operate a commercial motor vehicle if certain circumstances exist. Makes certain changes to the requirements for the issuance of a nondomiciled commercial driver's license and allows for the revocation of an individual's nondomiciled commercial driver's license in certain circumstances. Allows an applicant for a driver's license or permit to take an examination of the individual's ability to read and understand highway signs and the individual's knowledge of Indiana traffic laws by satisfactorily completing an online examination approved by the bureau. Amends the time that an expired driver's license of an individual temporarily residing outside Indiana because of service in the armed forces remains valid. Changes the time for an individual who is 75 years of age or older and renewing a physical credential to provide proof to the bureau that the individual passed an eyesight examination from 30 days to 60 days. Removes the limitation that a renewal identification card cannot be issued by electronic service if the card expired more than 180 days prior to the date of the application for renewal. Provides that an advertisement that violates the prohibition on advertising certain illegal products must be removed from public circulation not later than October 1, 2026. Amends certain requirements for township capital improvement plans.