indiana drivers permit - IN
Getting your first Indiana driver's license is an exciting and nerve-racking time. Questions from "Do I have all the correct identification?" to "Who can ride with me when I first get my license?" can cause some headaches.
This page will guide you through the steps needed to acquire your learner permit and, ultimately, your driver's license. With links to the Indiana driver's manual, step-by-step instructions for getting a learner's permit, and clarification of what documentation is needed, you will soon be ready to take the wheel and drive safely through the Hoosier state!
Obtaining A Learner's Permit
Learner’s permits allow Indiana residents to practice driving before obtaining a driver’s license.
You may obtain a learner's permit if you are at least 15 years and 180 days old (approximately 15 years and six months) and you are enrolled in an approved driver education program. You must show proof of your enrollment in an approved driver education program by presenting a valid Certificate of Driver Education Enrollment from the program. You must also present documents of identification and pass a vision screening test.
A driver education program consists of classroom/online instruction and 6 hours of behind-the-wheel instruction with an approved driver education provider.
To obtain a learner's permit if you are 16 years of age or older you must present documents of identification at a license branch and pass a written examination and a vision screening test.
Log of supervised driving
Indiana requires persons with a learner’s permit to complete at least 50 hours of supervised driving practice with a licensed instructor or with a licensed driver who is at least 25 years old, or a spouse who is at least 21 years old. At least 10 hours of supervised driving practice must be nighttime driving. The practice time must be maintained in a Log of Supervised Driving and presented to the BMV at the time of application for a driver’s license. The log must be signed by a parent or legal guardian.
Documents of identification (See Below)
When applying for a learner's permit you must present documents of identification proving your identity, Social Security number(See Below), lawful status (See Below), and Indiana residency (See Below).
If you are younger than 18 years of age and you do not have two original documents proving your Indiana residency, you may instead submit an Indiana Residency Affidavit. The affidavit must be signed by an individual who is 18 years of age or older and with whom you reside. The individual signing an Indiana Residency Affidavit must present their unexpired Indiana driver’s license or identification card, one document proving their identity, and two documents proving their Indiana residency. It is not necessary for individuals with an unexpired SecureID driver’s license or identification card to provide these documents.
Knowledge examination
You do not need to schedule an appointment for a knowledge examination unless you need to have the test read to you. You must arrive at least one hour before a branch closes to take a knowledge examination.
Vision screening test
The vision screening test measures your visual ability. If your visual ability does not meet state standards you will be referred to an eye doctor for an eye examination.
Agreement of financial liability
If you are younger than 18 years of age when you apply for a learner's permit, you must have a parent or guardian sign an agreement of financial liability.
Driving With A Learner's Permit
If you are enrolled in an approved driver education program
If you have a learner’s permit and you are enrolled in an approved driver education program you may practice driving only after you begin an approved driver education program. You may drive only when you are accompanied by a certified driving instructor in the front seat of a vehicle equipped with dual brake controls, or when a parent, step-parent or guardian who is at least 21 years of age and has their valid driver’s license with them is seated in your vehicle’s passenger seat.
If you are NOT enrolled in an approved driver education program
If you are between the ages of 16 years and 18 years and you are not enrolled in a driver education program, you may practice driving with a learner’s permit only when a parent, guardian, step-parent or other relative who is 21 years of age or older and who has their valid driver’s license with them is seated in your vehicle’s front passenger seat.
If you are 18 years of age or older, you may practice driving with a learner’s permit only when an individual with their valid driver’s license in their possession is seated in your vehicle’s front passenger seat.
Renewing or Replacing a Learner's Permit
Learner's permits cannot be renewed, but you may obtain a new permit once your first permit expires. You may replace a lost or stolen license or permit by visiting a license branch and presenting certain documents of identification.
Probationary Driver's License
If you are 16 or 17 when you obtain your Indiana driver's license, your license is considered probationary until you turn 18 years old.
To obtain a probationary driver's license, you must meet the age requirements and have held an Indiana learner's permit (See Above) for 180 days (approximately six months).
If you have successfully completed an approved driver education program you must be at least 16 years and 180 days old (approximately 16 years and six months) to obtain a probationary driver's license.
If you have not successfully completed an approved driver education program you must be at least 16 years and 270 days old (approximately 16 years and nine months) to obtain a probationary driver’s license.
A driver education program consists of classroom/online instruction and six hours of behind-the-wheel instruction with an approved driver education provider.
To apply for a probationary driver’s license, you must visit a license branch and present documents of identification and provide a signed Log of Supervised Driving. In addition, you must pass a driving skills test, a knowledge examination, and a vision screening test.
If you are 16 or 17 years old when you apply for a driver's license you must have a parent or guardian sign an agreement of financial liability.
Documents of identification
When applying for a probationary driver's license, you must present documents of identification proving your identity (See Below), Social Security number (See Below), lawful status (See Below), and Indiana residency (See Below).
If you do not have two original documents proving your Indiana residency, you may instead submit an Indiana Residency Affidavit. The affidavit must be signed by an individual who is 18 years of age or older and with whom you reside. The individual signing an Indiana Residency Affidavit must present their unexpired Indiana driver’s license or identification card, one document proving their identity, and two documents proving their Indiana residency. It is not necessary for individuals with an unexpired SecureID driver’s license or identification card to provide these documents.
Driving skills test
You must arrive at least 15 minutes before your scheduled appointment time to take a driving skills test.
Knowledge examination
You do not need to schedule an appointment for a knowledge examination unless you need to have the test read to you. You must arrive at least one hour before a branch closes to take a knowledge examination.
Vision screening test
The vision screening test measures your visual ability. If your visual ability does not meet state standards you will be referred to an eye doctor for an eye examination.
Driver Education Waiver
If you have a learner’s permit and are enrolled in an approved driver education program, you may take the driving skills test after your driver education program or when you apply for a probationary driver’s license at a license branch. Only one skills test may be administered by a school. If a skills test was taken and failed at a license branch, you may not return to the school to complete a skills test.
You must take the driving skills test at a license branch if any of the following situations occur:
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Your driver education learner’s permit expires; or
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You receive a failing grade of 79 percent or below in either classroom instruction or behind-the-wheel training in your driver education program; or
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Your driver education program does not participate in the BMV’s driving skills test waiver program.
Driving With A Probationary Driver's License
If you are 16 or 17 years old when you obtain your driver's license, your license is considered probationary until you turn 18 years old. You may amend your license after you turn 18 years old to remove the probationary driver designation from your license, although if you are 18 years old the probationary driver restrictions will not apply to you even if your license still shows the probationary designation.
If you have a probationary driver's license every passenger in the vehicle that you are driving must wear a seat belt even if the vehicle is a truck or a sport utility vehicle.
Telecommunication devices
You may not use any type of telecommunication device while driving except to make emergency 911 calls.
Driving restrictions
You may not drive between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. for 180 days after getting your license.
After you have driven for 180 days, you may not drive during the following hours:
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Saturday and Sunday, between 1 a.m. and 5 a.m.
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Sunday through Thursday, after 11 p.m.
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Monday through Friday, before 5 a.m.
You may drive at any time if you are traveling to or from work, school, or a religious event, or if you are accompanied by an individual with a valid Indiana driver’s license who is 25 years or older.
Driving with passengers
You may not drive with passengers for 180 days after getting your license, unless you are also accompanied by a licensed instructor, an individual with a valid Indiana driver’s license who is 25 years or older, or a parent, guardian, or step-parent who is 21 years or older. You may drive with your child, sibling, or spouse during the hours allowed by law.
Court diversion programs
You will not qualify for court diversion programs.
Fees
The BMV issues two different types of permits to Indiana residents who are learning to drive: a learner's permit or a driver education learner's permit.
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Learner's Permit Transactions |
Fees |
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Learner's permit
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$9 |
Driver education learner's permit
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If the permit was issued before the driver turned 15 years and 3 months old, the permit is valid until the driver turns 16 years and 3 months old.
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If the permit was issued after the driver turned 15 years and 3 months old, the permit is valid for one year.
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$9 |
Replaced learner's permit
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To replace a lost, stolen, or destroyed permit.
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$9 |
Amended learner's permit
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To change the permit holder's name, address, or personal information.
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$9
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Proving Your Identity
You need one document to prove your identity when you apply for a new driver’s license, permit, or identification card.
Customers with questions about collecting their documents can call the BMV toll-free at 888-692-6841 and speak with a customer service representative for help or visit any Indiana license branch for assistance.
The most common documents that you can use to prove your identity include:
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United States birth certificate. Must be an original or certified copy filed with a U.S. state or territory office of vital statistics or equivalent agency in your state of birth. Puerto Rican-born citizens must provide a birth certificate issued on or after July 1, 2010.
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United States passport.
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Foreign passport with a VISA and I-94 form.
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Consular Report Of Birth Abroad.
If you do not have your birth certificate in your possession, you need to contact your state or county Department of Health office of the state of your birth and request an original or certified copy. Some states may take up to five months to process duplicate birth certificates.
All Documents Proving Identity
The full list of documents proving your identity includes:
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United States birth certificate. Must be an original or certified copy filed with a U.S. state or territory office of vital statistics or equivalent agency in your state of birth. Puerto Rican-born citizens must provide a birth certificate issued on or after July 1, 2010.
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Amended birth certificate showing a change of legal name, date of birth, or gender. The amended birth certificate must have been filed with a state office of vital statistics in your state of birth.
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United States passport.
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Foreign passport with a United States visa affixed and accompanied by an approved I-94 form documenting your most recent admittance into, or current status in, the United States.
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Consular Report of Birth Abroad issued by Department of State (Form FS-240, Form DS-1350, or Form FS-545).
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Certificate of Naturalization (Form N-550 or Form N-570).
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Certificate of Citizenship (Form N-560 or Form N-561).
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Permanent Resident Card issued by Department of Homeland Security or Citizenship and Immigration Services (Form I-551).
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Employment Authorization Document issued by Department of Homeland Security (Form I-766).
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Other documents issued by a United States federal agency to show identity and lawful status. The BMV must be able to verify through the Department of Homeland Security that the information in the document is accurate.
Proving Your Social Security Number
You need one document to prove your Social Security number when you apply for a new driver’s license, permit, or identification card.
Customers with questions about collecting their documents can call the BMV toll-free at 888-692-6841 and speak with a customer service representative for help or visit any Indiana license branch for assistance.
The full list of documents proving your Social Security number includes:
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Social Security card.
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W-2 form.
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SSA-1099 form.
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Non-SSA-1099 form.
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Pay stub with your name and Social Security number on it.
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Social Security Administration documents establishing that you are ineligible for a Social Security number.
Submitting Acceptable Documents
The BMV will only accept original documents or certified copies from the issuing agency. The BMV may refuse any document that appears fraudulent, unreliable, altered, or expired. All documents must be in English or be presented with a verifiably accurate English translation. Your legal name and date of birth on documents presented to the BMV must match Social Security Administration records.
Proving Your Lawful Status
You need one document to prove your lawful status in the United States when you apply for a new driver’s license, permit, or identification card.
Customers with questions about collecting their documents can call the BMV toll-free at 888-692-6841 and speak with a customer service representative for help or visit any Indiana license branch for assistance.
In most cases, the document that you present to prove your identity will also prove your lawful status in the United States. The most common documents that you can use to prove your lawful status include:
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United States birth certificate. Must be an original or certified copy filed with a U.S. state or territory office of vital statistics or equivalent agency in your state of birth. Puerto Rican-born citizens must provide a birth certificate issued on or after July 1, 2010.
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United States passport.
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Foreign passport with a VISA and I-94 form.
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Consular Report Of Birth Abroad.
All Documents Proving Lawful Status
The full list of documents proving your lawful status includes:
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United States birth certificate. Must be an original or certified copy filed with a U.S. state or territory office of vital statistics or equivalent agency in your state of birth. Puerto Rican-born citizens must provide a birth certificate issued on or after July 1, 2010.
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Amended birth certificate showing a change of legal name, date of birth, or gender. The amended birth certificate must have been filed with a state office of vital statistics in your state of birth.
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United States passport.
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Foreign passport with a United States visa affixed and accompanied by an approved I-94 form documenting your most recent admittance into, or current status in, the United States.
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Consular Report of Birth Abroad issued by Department of State (Form FS-240, Form DS-1350, or Form FS-545).
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Certificate of Naturalization (Form N-550 or Form N-570).
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Certificate of Citizenship (Form N-560 or Form N-561).
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Permanent Resident Card issued by Department of Homeland Security or United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (Form I-551).
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Employment Authorization Document issued by Department of Homeland Security (Form I-766).
Additional lawful status document
You may also present a Notice of Action document or other documents pertaining to your Notice of Action issued by a United States federal agency to show lawful status (Form I-797). The BMV must be able to verify that the Department of Homeland Security has reviewed the document and has not denied action. Must accompany other United States Citizenship and Immigration Services documents.
Proving Indiana Residency
You need two computer-generated documents to prove your Indiana residency when you apply for a new driver’s license, permit, or identification card.
Customers with questions about collecting their documents can call the BMV toll-free at 888-692-6841 and speak with a customer service representative for help or visit any Indiana license branch for assistance.
The most common documents proving your Indiana residency include:
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Computer-generated bill from a utility company, credit card company, doctor, or hospital, issued within 60 days of the date you visit a license branch and containing your name and address of residence.
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Bank statement.
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Pre-printed pay stub.
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Medicaid or Medicare benefit statement.
Post office boxes may not be used as an address of residence.
All Documents Proving Residency
The full list of documents proving your Indiana residency includes:
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Computer-generated bill issued by a utility company, credit card company, doctor, or hospital showing your name and address of residence. Bill must be dated within 60 days of the date of application.
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Bank statement or bank transaction receipt showing your name and address of residence, and the bank’s name and mailing address. Statement or receipt must be dated within 60 days of the date of application.
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Pre-printed pay stub showing your name and address of residence, and your employer’s name and address. Pay stub must be dated within 60 days of the application date.
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W-2 form, property or excise tax bill, or Social Security Administration or other pension or retirement annual benefits summary statement showing your name and address of residence. The form, bill, or statement must be dated within the current or immediately prior year.
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Medicaid or Medicare benefit statement showing your name and address of residence. Statement must be dated within 60 days of the application date.
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Current valid homeowner’s, renter’s, or motor vehicle insurance policy showing your name and address of residence. Policy must be dated within one year of the application date.
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Current motor vehicle loan payment book for a motor vehicle registered in your name, and showing your name and address of residence.
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Residential mortgage or similar loan contract, lease, or rental contract showing your name, address of residence, and signatures from all parties needed to execute the agreement. The agreement must be dated within 12 months of the date of application.
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Child support check stub issued by the Indiana Department of Child Services showing your name and address of residence. Check stub must be dated within 60 days of the application date.
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First-class mail from federal or state court or agency showing your name and address of residence. Mail must be dated within 60 days of the application date.
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Indiana voter registration card.
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Change-of-address confirmation from the United States Postal Service showing your prior and current address (Form CNL107).
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Survey of your Indiana property issued by a licensed surveyor and showing your name and address of residence.
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Valid Indiana handgun permit showing your name, signature, address of residence, and date of birth.
Indiana Residency Affidavit
If you cannot provide two documents proving your Indiana residency you may submit an Indiana Residency Affidavit if you meet the following qualifications:
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You are under the age of 18. An Indiana Residency Affidavit for you must be signed at a license branch by another person. The person signing the affidavit must submit their valid Indiana driver’s license or identification card, one document proving their identity, and two documents proving their Indiana residency.
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You are at least 18 years old but cannot submit the required documents. An Indiana Residency Affidavit for you must be signed at a license branch by a person who you are living with. The person signing the affidavit must submit their valid Indiana driver's license or identification card, one document proving their identity, and two documents proving their Indiana residency.
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You are incapacitated. An Indiana Residency Affidavit for you must be signed at a license branch by another person who is your legal guardian or caregiver, is at least 18 years old, and who you are living with. The legal guardian or caregiver must submit their valid Indiana driver’s license or identification card, one document proving their identity, and two documents proving their Indiana residency.
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You do not have an address of residence and you live at a group resident facility. An Indiana Residency Affidavit for you must be signed at a license branch by a legal representative of the group resident facility. You must also provide a letter from the group resident facility on its letterhead showing the facility’s name, address, and telephone number, and showing the legal representative’s name, signature, and signature date.
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Homeless applicants without a residence address. You must complete a residency affidavit and provide a letter from the government entity or not-for-profit organization on its letterhead showing the facility’s name, address, and telephone number, and showing the legal representative’s name, signature, and signature date. The legal representative must state in the letter that the entity or organization provides services to the applicant and will accept delivery of mail for the applicant.
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You reside in a motor vehicle, including but not limited to a mobile home or motor home. An Indiana Residency Affidavit for you must be signed at a license branch by another Indiana resident who attests that you may use his or her address of residence for record purposes. The person signing the affidavit must submit two documents proving their Indiana residency. You must provide proof of paying Indiana income taxes for the current year or immediately prior year, and have current motor vehicle title and registration records with the BMV.
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You have a rural route mail delivery address. You must provide a properly certified government-issued document showing your name and a description of the residence’s location.
If you are enrolled in a truck driving training school located in Indiana, you must show proof of enrollment and present your out-of-state driver’s license.
Submitting Acceptable Documents
The BMV will only accept original documents or certified copies from the issuing agency. The BMV may refuse any document that appears fraudulent, unreliable, altered, or expired. All documents must be in English or be presented with a verifiably accurate English translation. Your legal name and date of birth on documents presented to the BMV must match Social Security Administration records.