Indiana License Plate Slogan: In God We Trust
In God We Trust
License Plate Slogan of Indiana
License Plate Slogan of Indiana
- Lincoln year
- 1959
- Statehood year
- 1966
- Safety slogans
- 1956
- Hoosier plate
- After 1976
Why Indiana Plates Changed Slogans So Often
Indiana plate history is unusually restless. Some states settled into a single plate slogan for decades; Indiana used the plate as a rotating public message board. Safety campaigns, anniversaries, tourism pushes, state identity phrases, and motto language all appeared at different points.
"Hoosier State" is still Indiana's most recognizable nickname, but it is not the whole plate story. The state also printed "The Crossroads of America," the official motto adopted in 1937, and later offered "In God We Trust" as a no-cost optional plate.
That variety fits Indiana better than a single slogan would. The state has a strong demonym in "Hoosier," a transportation identity in "Crossroads," and a plate history full of commemorations and campaigns.
Meaning of In God We Trust
Indiana has used several plate slogans rather than one continuous phrase. Important examples include "Drive Safely," "Safety Pays," "Lincoln Year," "Hoosier State," "Wander," "The Crossroads of America," and "In God We Trust."
The Crossroads of America on Indiana Plates
"The Crossroads of America" is Indiana's official state motto, adopted in 1937. As a plate slogan, it points to Indiana's road and rail geography: the state sits where major east-west and north-south routes meet.
The phrase says something different from "Hoosier State." It identifies Indiana by location and movement rather than by residents. That made it a natural fit for license plates, which are themselves highway objects.
For the broader context of the phrase, see the Indiana state motto page.
Indiana License Plate Slogans by Era
Indiana's plate slogans have moved through safety campaigns, commemorations, tourism branding, nickname language, motto language, and optional faith-based wording.
Drive Safely
Indiana began a run of safety-conscious plate slogans in 1956. "DRIVE SAFELY" was one of the main messages, along with "SAFETY PAYS."
Lincoln Year
"LINCOLN YEAR" marked the sesquicentennial of Abraham Lincoln's birth. Lincoln lived in Indiana from age seven to age twenty-one, giving the state a real claim to the commemoration.
Safety Pays
"SAFETY PAYS" continued Indiana's safety-message period, which ran through much of the late 1950s and early 1960s except for special commemorative years.
Statehood Sesquicentennial
Indiana's 1966 plate marked the state's 150th year of statehood with "150th Year."
Heritage State
Indiana's U.S. Bicentennial plate began a series of non-repeating slogans and commemorative themes, including "Heritage State."
George Rogers Clark
The George Rogers Clark plate marked the bicentennial of the Clark expedition, one of several commemorative Indiana plate themes after 1976.
Hoosier State
"HOOSIER STATE" appeared as a traditional nickname slogan, but it was a single chapter in Indiana's rotating slogan history rather than a continuous long-term plate phrase.
Wander
"WANDER" came from a tourism campaign and showed Indiana using the license plate as travel promotion.
The Crossroads of America
Indiana used its official motto, "The Crossroads of America," on a standard plate design, linking the plate to the state's highway and logistics identity.
In God We Trust
Indiana's no-cost optional "In God We Trust" plate first appeared in 2008 and was followed by a redesigned version in 2013.
Timeline
Indiana begins a run of safety-conscious slogans, including "DRIVE SAFELY" and "SAFETY PAYS."
Indiana begins a run of safety-conscious slogans, including "DRIVE SAFELY" and "SAFETY PAYS."
"LINCOLN YEAR" appears for the sesquicentennial of Abraham Lincoln's birth. Lincoln lived in Indiana from age seven to age twenty-one.
Indiana marks its statehood sesquicentennial with a "150th Year" plate.
Indiana marks its statehood sesquicentennial with a "150th Year" plate.
Indiana's U.S. Bicentennial plate begins a series of plates with no repeating slogans, including later commemorative and tourism designs.
Indiana uses slogans including "HOOSIER STATE" and "WANDER."
Indiana uses slogans including "HOOSIER STATE" and "WANDER."
"The Crossroads of America," Indiana's official motto, appears on plate designs.
Indiana's no-cost optional "In God We Trust" plate reaches the roads.
Indiana's no-cost optional "In God We Trust" plate reaches the roads.
Indiana follows the 2008 "In God We Trust" optional plate with a new design.
Why Indiana Does Not Fit One Slogan
Indiana has several legitimate identities competing for plate space. "Hoosier" identifies the people. "Crossroads" describes the map. "Lincoln Year" and the statehood plates mark anniversaries. "Wander" sells tourism. "In God We Trust" reflects an optional plate choice rather than a nickname.
That mix makes Indiana different from states such as Illinois, which kept "Land of Lincoln" continuously, or Idaho, which held onto "Famous Potatoes." Indiana's pattern is not slogan stability; it is slogan rotation.
For context on how other states handled plate identity, see U.S. license plate slogans by state.
Can You Match All 50 License Plate Slogans?
Each round shows a license plate and asks which state issued it. Some slogans are instantly recognizable. Others — 'Legendary,' 'Pacific Wonderland,' 'Constitution State' — will make you think. Questions and answer positions shuffle every time.
Take the License Plate Slogans QuizQuick Answers
What is Indiana's license plate slogan?
Did Indiana use "Hoosier State" on license plates?
What does "The Crossroads of America" mean on Indiana plates?
What was "Lincoln Year" on Indiana plates?
When did Indiana introduce the "In God We Trust" plate?
Sources
- Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles
- Indiana Historical Bureau
- License Plate Room — Slogans
- Indiana General Assembly
Indiana State Symbols
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