By CAPT. JAMES L. BRADBURY
Elkhart COunty Sheriff’s Department

Beginning Monday, Dec. 15, those requiring out of state vehicle inspections, which live in the unincorporated areas of Elkhart County, should have those completed at the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles.

The service will be provided at any BMV location and is a convenient way to complete the title and registration process.

Residents in the unincorporated parts of Elkhart County will no longer have to wait for officers from the Elkhart County Sheriff’s Department to perform this service and can drive their vehicle directly to the BMV for the inspection. The Elkhart County Sheriff’s Department will be referring those in need of inspections to the BMV to have those completed.

For those without a valid temporary plate from a dealer, residents may obtain a 96-hour delivery permit from the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles, which would allow them to drive their vehicle to their local branch for the inspection.

The Indiana BMV by statute is not the only option available for those needing inspections completed. Other options for residents include the following per Indiana statute I.C. 9-17-2-12: an employee of a dealer designated by the secretary of state to perform an inspection; a military police officer assigned to a military post in Indiana; a police officer; a designated employee of the bureau; an employee of a qualified person operating under contract with the commission under IC 9-16-1-4 for operation of a full service branch; and an employee of a qualified person operating under contract with the commission under IC 9-16-1-4.5 for operation of a partial service branch.

Forms for the inspections can be located at the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles website at www.in.gov/bmv/.

Those with questions about special circumstances where they feel that they cannot complete inspections at the Bureau of Motor Vehicles should contact the Elkhart County Sheriff’s Department’s detail section at (574) 891-2379.