The Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles has agreed to repay motorists more than $62 million it collected in excessive fees to settle a class-action lawsuit.
That means most motorists who qualify for refunds will receive somewhere between $1 and $50, according to the attorney who represented motorists in the case.
Attorney Irwin Levin, with the Indianapolis firm of Cohen & Malad, says the settlement includes $28.5 million in refunds for customers who were overcharged between 2002 and mid-2006 for driver licenses, vehicle registrations, identification cards and other services. It also includes $33.6 million the agency began returning to customers last year for transactions from 2006 to 2014.
Together with previous settlements and refunds, the BMV has admitted to charging drivers more than $115 million in higher-than-allowed taxes and fees over the past 15 years.
Attorney Carl Hayes represented the BMV in the case. He says the agency is pleased to have resolved the issue.
How to Claim Your Refund
More than 5.5 million Indiana individuals, businesses and other organizations are eligible for refunds.
For fees paid 2002 through mid-2006:
- MUST complete claim form on the state website
- Refunds will be applied as a credit for most claimants
- Non-Indiana residents may request a check.
For fees paid mid-2006 through 2014:
- Refunds AUTOMATICALLY applied as a credit
- But, any class member can request a check instead through this online form
Fees Overcharged
The settlement includes a list of dozens of fees and services for which the BMV overcharged between 2002 and 2014. The extra amounts collected range from about 50 cents to $15.50.
The fees include:
- Registrations - Passenger vehicle, motorcycle, truck, RV, farm equipment, bus and trailer
- Operators Licenses – standard, chauffeur, motorcycle, commercial
- Learner’s Permit
- Identification Cards
- Titles – duplicate, salvage
- Plate Fees – transfer, personalized, antique
- Watercraft Titles
A website has been set up with complete information about the settlement in this case.
Information from the Associated Press was used in this report.
