New driver’s licenses are issued by our branches throughout the state. This page provides you a summary of requirements for obtaining your driver’s license for the first time and for renewing or replacing your driver’s license are outlined on this page.
If you are new to Indiana, make sure to review our New Resident Packet for a checklist to help you prepare for your visit to the branch.
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If you are under the age of 21 when you obtain your Indiana driver's license, your license is considered probationary. To obtain a probationary driver's license, you must meet Indiana’s age requirements below and have held a learner's permit for 180 days (approximately six months).
You may also need a co-signer for financial liability and a log of supervised driving if you are under the age of 18 years old. Open the accordion below for more information on this.
If you have successfully completed an approved driver education program you must be at least 16 years and 90 days old to obtain a 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 to obtain a driver's license. A probationary driver’s license cannot be renewed until your 21st birthday. You will have 30 days after your 21st birthday to renew your driver’s license before you will be required to pay an administrative penalty. Learn More About Obtaining a Probationary Driver’s License
If the individual is over 18 years of age:
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. If you have a daylight-only restriction on your learner’s permit, you do not need to complete the 10 hours of nighttime driving; however, you must still complete the 50 hours total.
An adult who co-signs for financial liability swears or affirms financial liability for a minor applicant and agrees to be responsible jointly and severally with the minor applicant for all damage that results from operating a motor vehicle. The adult who co-signs for financial liability must present a valid form of identification, including a U.S. government-issued photo identification card that displays a United States address. The BMV does not accept Matricula Consular cards for purposes of financial liability. Any form of identity must be a U.S. government-issued identity document.
If you are 21 years of age or older, your Indiana driver's license is not probationary.
If you are a US citizen, you may renew your license up to twenty-four (24) months prior to its expiration. A knowledge exam is not required when you renew a driver’s license, unless you have accumulated six or more points on your driver record since your previous renewal or your license has been expired for more than 180 days.
If you have lawful permanent or temporary status, you may renew your driver’s license at any BMV branch up to 30 days before the license expires. If you have Temporary Lawful Status your license is valid until the end date of your lawful presence OR for;
You have the power to save lives by signing up today to be an organ and tissue donor in Indiana. You can save the lives of up to 8 people, and as a tissue donor, you may save or enhance the lives of as many as 50 people.
Register your decision to become an organ donor when renewing or updating your identification card with the BMV or register to become an organ donor at any time by visiting the Donate Life Indiana website.
All applicants are required to take a vision screening, which measures your visual acuity.
If you are an Indiana resident and apply for a driver’s license, you most likely have already passed your knowledge exam. However, there are situations where you may need to take another knowledge exam, such as:
As of July 1, 2019, if you are moving to Indiana from another state and hold a valid driver's license in that state you are no longer required to complete a knowledge exam. Note: Some knowledge exams are required for transferring a CDL, motorcycle, or for-hire endorsement.
You must arrive at least 30 minutes before a branch closes to take a computer-based knowledge exam. You do not need to schedule an appointment for a knowledge exam unless you need to have the exam read to you, you are deaf or hard of hearing. Appointments for applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing can be made by a branch manager or by calling the BMV’s Contact Center at 1-888-692-6841.
You must arrive at least 15 minutes before your scheduled appointment time to take a driving test.
If you need to visit a BMV branch, here is a list of BMV locations.
Endorsements and restrictions change the circumstances in which an individual may operate a motor vehicle. Some endorsements and restrictions also apply to identification cards.
Additional Licenses and Endorsements
Indiana also issues licenses for commercial driver’s licenses along with motorcycle and for-hire endorsements.
Effective January 1, 2017, the BMV began issuing a for-hire endorsement in place of a public passenger chauffer’s (PPC) or chauffer’s license. A PPC or chauffer’s license issued prior to January 1, 2017 will remain valid until the expiration date printed on the license.
If you are at least 18 years of age, disabled, and have successfully completed driver rehabilitation training conducted by a certified driver rehabilitation specialist recognized by the BMV, you may apply for a driver’s license without a completed Log of Supervised Driving.
You will be required to provide the BMV branch with a report of the training received from the driver rehabilitation specialist.
If you have an out-of-country driver's license and intend to become an Indiana resident, visit this webpage to learn how to obtain an Indiana driver’s license.
Translation of documents that are in a language other than English and without English subheadings, must be translated into English. Here are the requirements for translated documents:
