Another Indiana BMV Location Targeted For Closure

Indiana residents are pleading with the state’s Bureau of Motor Vehicles to stop closing local branches.
Citing staffing challenges and decreased customer numbers, the Bureau has completely shut down eight branches in the last three years. Additionally, many local branches have been downsized or relocated to busier areas.
The latest branch to close is in the community of Nappanee. The BMV announced that a kiosk would be installed so that residents in the area could complete most transactions on their own. BMV Commissioner Joe Hoage stated that many Hoosiers now choose to conduct their BMV business online or at kiosks. He said that the BMV must consider this and make decisions accordingly.

When the closing in Nappanee was announced, dozens of residents and people from nearby communities protested at a public hearing. Many argued that the closing was especially difficult for their Amish residents, who would not have transportation to drive to the next nearest BMV location.

While sympathetic, Hoage explains that the Bureau must examine the data and make decisions based on that. At this time, the branch is scheduled to close its doors on Oct. 8th.

However, public protests proved to be successful in Alexandria. In August, over 40 people showed up at a public hearing to contest the closing of their local BMV branch. A decision was made to keep the branch open, at least for the time being. The BMV will closely monitor foot traffic at the branch for the next two years. Jim Hoage said that if transactions continue to decline at the branch, then the location will be closed in 2024.

Only time will tell what will happen. Hoage feels that customer preference toward online transactions and kiosks is a trend that will continue and result in the Bureau deciding to close or relocate other branches.