The State of Indiana issues new driver’s licenses and permits at BMV license branches. All applicants for new driver’s licenses or permits must meet Indiana SecureID requirements (See Below). These standards comply with federal security laws. The applicant must present documents verifying their identity (See Below), Social Security number (See Below), United States lawful status (See Below), and Indiana residency (See Below).
Persons who are not United States citizens (legal temporary or permanent residents) are required to have a SecureID and must present full documentation to apply for a new, renewal or to amend their existing driver’s license, permit, or identification card. This includes providing documents which prove name (See Below), date of birth (See Below), Social Security number (See Below), United States lawful status (See Below), and Indiana residency (See Below). This documentation is not required when replacing a valid SecureID.
Documents of identification required in Indiana
Customers who are renewing, amending, or replacing their current Indiana driver’s license, permit, or identification card have the option of applying for a SecureID or a non-SecureID. A non-SecureID does not require additional documentation and allows the holder to drive and/or vote. Hoosiers who want a SecureID are asked to bring original versions or certified copies of documents to the license branch so they can obtain a new SecureID credential.
New Indiana Residents
Welcome to Indiana! When you become a resident of Indiana, you have 60 days to obtain a new Indiana driver's license if you hold a valid driver's license from another state. You must also transfer the titles and registrations of any vehicles you own from your previous state to Indiana.
If you are at least 18 years of age and hold a valid driver's license from another state
If you are at least 18 years of age and have held a valid out-of-state operator's, chauffeur's, commercial driver's license, or public passenger chauffeur's license from the state of your prior residence you must visit a license branch to present your current out-of-state driver's license, a copy of your official driving record, or a verification letter. You must also present documents of identification and pass a knowledge examination and a vision screening test. If your out-of-state license has been expired for more than three years you must pass a driving skills test.
If you are younger than 18 years of age and hold a valid driver's license from another state
If you are between 16 years and 180 days of age, but less than eighteen years of age, and currently hold a valid out-of-state driver's license (excluding learner's permits or the equivalent) for at least 180 days in the state, or combination of states, in which you formerly resided, you must visit a license branch to present your current out-of-state driver's license or a copy of your official driving record. You must also present documents of identification and pass a knowledge examination and a vision screening test.
If you have not held a valid out-of-state driver's license for at least 180 days you must apply for an Indiana learner's permit.
Documents of identification
When applying for a driver's license, you must present documents of identification proving your identity, Social Security number, lawful status, and Indiana residency.
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.
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.
Titling and Registering A Vehicle
You must title your vehicles in Indiana within 60 days of becoming an Indiana resident and will need to visit a BMV branch to complete this transaction.
You must register your vehicles in Indiana within 60 days of becoming an Indiana resident and will need to visit a BMV branch to complete this transaction. The link below provides more details, including how to estimate the cost of your registration and license plates.
Residents With An Out-Of-Country License
The United States signed an agreement with many other countries to honor a foreign driver license for visitors to the United States for at least one year from the date of arrival. This privilege is made possible as a result of the United Nations Convention on Road Traffic (Geneva, 1949), and the Convention on the Regulation of American Automotive Traffic (Washington, 1943), both of which have been ratified by the United States.
An out-of-country driver's license cannot be used for identification purposes. You do not have to surrender an out-of-country license if you are issued an Indiana driver's license, permit, or identification card.
If you have an out-of-country driver's license and intend to become a resident of Indiana or meet Indiana residency requirements, you must pass the vision screening test, written knowledge test, and driving skills test to obtain an Indiana driver's license.
All documents proving your identity, Social Security number, lawful status, and Indiana residency will be verified through a central verification process. The BMV will issue an interim license, valid for 30 days, authorizing the holder to drive pending authentication of documents submitted to BMV.
When your documents are verified, the BMV will mail the license, permit, or identification card to you. If the documents cannot be verified, you will receive a letter explaining the determination and your rights to request an administrative hearing to review the determination. No refunds will be issued in the case of documents that cannot be verified.
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.
Your driver's license expires on your birthday and a late fee will be charged if the license is renewed after that date. If your birthday falls on a day on which license branches are closed, such as a Sunday or a Monday, your license will remain valid until the end of the next business day.
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Driver's License Transactions |
Fees |
Driver's license
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New or renewed.
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Valid for six years.
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$21 |
Probationary driver's license
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New or renewed.
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For drivers younger than 18 years of age.
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$16 |
Three-year driver's license
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New or renewed.
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For drivers who are 75 to 84 years old.
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$11 |
Two-year driver's license
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New or renewed.
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For drivers older than 85 years of age.
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$7 |
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.
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.
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.
-
Foreign passport with a VISA and I-94 form.
-
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.
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.