For residents of Ripley County:
The Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles wants your feedback on whether the Versailles license branch should close. Here’s my feedback: absolutely not.
If the BMV moves forward with this closure, Versailles would become yet another small town left behind in the agency’s relentless push toward digital-only services. And while online and kiosk options work for some, they are no replacement for in-person help—especially in a rural county like ours.
Let’s be clear: this would be the fourth BMV branch in Indiana to close in under a year. Versailles may be next, but it won’t be the last. And while state officials talk about efficiency, we need to talk about access.
Ripley County residents deserve more than an internet connection and a kiosk. Many of our seniors still rely on face-to-face service. Many local residents don’t have reliable broadband. And let’s not forget the new drivers, farmers, and small business owners who depend on timely paperwork, title transfers, and personal assistance that only a staffed branch can provide.
Versailles is the county seat. We are not some remote outpost. Closing the branch here forces residents to travel to other towns—possibly Batesville or even Lawrenceburg—just to take care of basic state business. For some, that’s an hour round-trip. For others, it’s simply not feasible.
The BMV says this is about low foot traffic and staffing issues. But that’s not an excuse to abandon an entire community. It’s a call to reinvest in better staffing and better outreach. We deserve public services that serve all Hoosiers—not just those in big cities or with high-speed internet.
This is a slippery slope. Today it’s Versailles. Tomorrow it could be another small town in Indiana. If we don’t speak up now, we’re giving permission for state agencies to cut costs on the backs of rural residents.
Let the BMV know this is a bad idea. Comment online, show up at the public hearing, call your local representatives. Because losing this branch isn’t just about one building—it’s about being heard, respected, and served where we live.
Don’t let Indianapolis forget that Ripley County matters. Because we do.