March 25, 2020
Enforcement of Governor Holcomb’s Executive Orders 20-05 and 20-09
In order to provide relief for Hoosiers from certain statutory burdens during the public health emergency declared for the Coronavirus disease, Governor Holcomb issued Executive Order 20-05 on March 19, 5 included a provision that directed the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) to extend deadlines for renewal of driver’s license or identification cards, vehicle registration renewals, title transactions, salvage titles, and off-road vehicle and snowmobile titles by suspending the imposition of administrative penalty fees (late fees).
Further, on March 23, 2020, Governor Holcomb issued Executive Order 20-09 (Relating to the Continuity of Operations of Government), which automatically extends to May 22, 2020 any state agency-issued license, certification or permit which has expired during, or is set to expire during, this public health emergency.
Executive Order 20-09 states:
The Superintendent of the State Police is directed to notify all law enforcement agencies within Indiana of the extension of expiration of State issued identifications cards, driver’s licenses, vehicle registrations renewals and firearms licenses and must make reasonable efforts to notify law enforcement of this extension in other states. Law enforcement agencies within Indiana should suspend enforcement actions against individuals solely based on expired credentials, licenses and registrations which occurred during this public health emergency
Accordingly, to support the underlying concerns addressed through these executive orders, I am directing all Indiana State Troopers and requesting that all other law enforcement officers immediately cease enforcement of corresponding statutes related to the expiration of credentials (i.e., driver’s licenses, driver’s permits, identification cards, etc.) and registration (i.e., license plates, temporary plates, and interim plates, etc.) issued by the State of Indiana which have expired during, or are set to expire during, this public health emergency until further notice. I have also directed Indiana State Police Commercial Vehicle enforcement personnel and Motor Carrier Inspectors to grant a 60 day grace period related to expiration of all Commercial Driver’s Licenses to ensure motor carriers and drivers can provide direct assistance in support of relief efforts related to the COVID 19 outbreaks and allow for immediate transportation of essential supplies, equipment and persons.
Lastly, the expiration of any license to carry a handgun issued by the State of Indiana which has expired during, or is set to expire during, this public health emergency is extended to May 22, 2020 and no enforcement action should be taken solely based on the license’s expiration.