(a) The adopting entity of any county may, subject to the limitation imposed by subsection (b), adopt an ordinance to impose a county wheel tax in accordance with this chapter on each vehicle that:

1. (1) is included in one (1) of the classes of vehicles listed in section 3 of this chapter;
2. (2) is not exempt from the wheel tax under section 4 of this chapter;
3. (3) is registered in the county; and
4. (4) is not registered in an adopting municipality of the county where a municipal wheel tax went into effect after December 31, 2026, in the adopting municipality.

(c) The adopting entity may impose the wheel tax at a different rate for each of the classes of vehicles listed in section 3 of this chapter. In addition, the adopting entity may establish different rates within the classes of buses, semitrailers, trailers, tractors, and trucks based on weight classifications of those vehicles that are established by the bureau of motor vehicles for use throughout Indiana. Except as otherwise provided in subsection (f), the wheel tax rate for a particular class or weight classification of vehicles:

1. (1) may not be less than five dollars ($5) and may not exceed forty dollars ($40), if the county does not use a transportation asset management plan approved by the Indiana department of transportation; or

2. (2) may not be less than five dollars ($5) and may not exceed eighty dollars ($80), if the county uses a transportation asset management plan approved by the Indiana department of transportation.

   The adopting entity shall state the initial wheel tax rates in the ordinance that imposes the tax.

(e) If the county wheel tax imposed by this chapter was not paid for one (1) or more preceding years, the bureau may collect only the county wheel tax imposed by this chapter for the:

1. (1) registration year immediately preceding the current registration year;
2. (2) current registration year; and
3. (3) registration year immediately following the current registration year.

(f) Beginning July 1, 2025, if a county containing a consolidated city uses a transportation asset management plan approved by the Indiana department of transportation, the wheel tax rate for a particular class or weight classification of vehicles may not be less than five dollars ($5) and may not exceed two hundred forty dollars ($240).

As added by Acts 1980, P.L.10, SEC.5. Amended by P.L.85-1983, SEC.6; P.L.205-2013, SEC.94; P.L.146-2016, SEC.9; P.L.256-2017, SEC.8; P.L.178-2019, SEC.10; P.L.173-2025, SEC.5; P.L.147-2026, SEC.5.