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BMV > Licenses & Identification Cards > Getting Your Driver's License Getting Your Driver's License

An Indiana driver's license issued by the Bureau of Motor Vehicles indicates the extent of the holder’s privileges to operate motor vehicles. Law enforcement officers use driver's licenses to identify drivers and access driving records. Hoosiers also use driver's licenses to prove their identity, for example, when voting, writing checks or boarding an airplane.

The BMV also issues driver's licenses that allow Hoosiers to ride motorcycles and operate vehicles for commercial purposes.

Important information on this page

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Getting your learner's permit

The Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles issues two different types of learner's permits to individuals who are in the process of learning to drive. The learner's permit is for Indiana residents who would like to obtain a driver's license without taking a driver education course. The driver education learner's permit is a limited learner's permit that allows a student driver to enroll in a BMV-approved driver education course.

Requirements for a learner's permit

A learner's permit allows an Indiana resident to practice driving to qualify for an driver's license. To obtain a learner's permit, an applicant must meet the following requirements:

  • Be at least 16 years old;
  • Present documents of identification proving his or her identity, residency status and Social Security number;
  • Pass a written examination based on information contained in the Indiana driver manual; and
  • Pass the standard vision screening test.

If you hold a learner's permit, you may not drive alone under any circumstances. If you are younger than 18 years of age, you may practice driving only when a relative with a valid driver's license is seated in your vehicle's front passenger seat. If you are older than 18 years of age, an individual with a valid driver's license must be seated in your vehicle's front passenger seat; however, this individual does not need to be a relative.

If your learner's permit expires it is no longer valid and you must pass the appropriate tests to obtain a new permit. This new permit must be held for 60 days before you may apply for a driver's license.

Requirements for a driver education learner's permit

A driver education learner's permit is a limited learner's permit that allows a student driver to enroll in a BMV-approved driver education course. To obtain a driver education learner's permit, an applicant must meet the following requirements:

  • Be at least 15 years of age;
  • Present documents of identification proving his or her identity, residency status and Social Security number;
  • Show proof of enrollment in a BMV-approved driver education program by providing the certificate of driver education provided by the school; and
  • Pass the standard vision screening test.

If  you hold a driver education learner's permit, you may not drive alone under any circumstances. You may practice driving only after you have begun a BMV-approved driver education program. You must be accompanied either by a certified driving instructor in the front passenger seat of a vehicle equipped with a dual brake, or by a parent or guardian with a valid driver's license seated in the front passenger seat of your vehicle.

Once the holder of a driver education learner's permit has successfully completed the driver education program and the driver education instructor validates the permit, the holder may participate in practice driving if a relative with a valid driver's license is seated in the front passenger seat.

Your driver education learner's permit is not valid if you do not complete the driver education couse or if you do not meet all course requirements. After your 16th birthday, you must visit a license branch to apply for a learner's permit. When your driver education learner's permit expires, all driving privileges expire with it. 

Getting your driver's license

Getting your driver's license with a learner's permit

To obtain an Indiana driver's license if you hold a learner's permit, you must meet the following requirements:

  • Be at least 16 years and 180 days old;
  • Hold a valid Indiana learner's permit for 60 days;
  • Pass a standard vision screening test;
  • Pass a written examination; and
  • Pass a roadway skills test (unless you qualify for a roadway skills test waiver).

If you are less than 18 years of age when you apply for a driver's license, you must have a parent or guardian sign the financial responsibility agreement portion of the driver's license application.

If you hold any valid state-issued identification card, you must surrender it when you receive your Indiana driver's license.

In addition to presenting a valid learner's permit when applying for a driver license, you must also present certain documents of identification proving your identity, residency status and Social Security number.

Getting your driver's license with a driver education learner's permit

To obtain an Indiana driver's license if you hold a driver education learner's permit, you must meet the following requirements:

  • Be at least 16 years and 30 days old;
  • Hold a valid Indiana driver education learner's permit for 60 days;
  • Complete a BMV-approved driver education course;
  • Pass a standard vision screening test;
  • Pass a written examination; and
  • Pass a roadway skills test (unless you qualify for a roadway skills test waiver).

If you are less than 18 years of age when you apply for a driver's license, you must have a parent or guardian sign the financial responsibility agreement portion of the driver's license application.

If you hold any valid state-issued identification card, you must surrender it when you receive your Indiana driver's license.

In addition to presenting a valid driver education learner's permit when applying for a driver's license, you must also present certain documents of identification proving your identity, residency status and Social Security number.

Probationary license driving privileges

If  you are younger than 18 years of age when you receive your driver's license, your license is considered probationary. If you have a probationary driver's license, you may drive alone. However, you must observe the following regulations regarding passengers:

  • If there are passengers of any age in your vehicle during the first 90 days that you hold your driver's license, an individual 21 years of age or older with a valid driver's license must be seated in your vehicle's front passenger seat; and
  • If there are passengers in your vehicle, every occupant must wear a seat belt.

If you have a probationary driver's license, you must comply with state and local curfew laws. Drivers under the age of 18 are not permitted to drive after 1 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, or after 11 p.m. on Sunday through Thursday, unless the following conditions apply:

  • The probationary driver is accompanied by a parent, guardian or custodian, or an adult designated by a parent, guardian or custodian; or
  • The probationary driver is going to or returning from a job, school, religious activity, an activity involving the exercise of civil rights, or an activity sponsored by a governmental or non-profit entity.

Written examination and roadway skills test

The written examination is based on information contained in the Indiana driver manual. Passage of the written examination demonstrates a basic understanding of Indiana traffic laws and safe driving techniques. Written examinations include multiple choice questions concerning traffic maneuvers and knowledge of types of traffic signs.

After you pass your vision screening and your written test, the examiner will test your ability to drive by riding with you and observing how well you control your vehicle and observe Indiana's rules of the road. There is no charge for the drive test administered by the BMV driver examiner; however, you must provide your own vehicle.

To schedule an appointment for the written examination or roadway skill test, please contact an Indiana BMV license branch. Please arrive at the branch at least one hour before the close of business (i.e. by 4 p.m. on days when a branch closes at 5 p.m.) in order to take the written exam that day.

If you are applying for an Indiana driver's license, you may fail no more than three tests (a combination of written examinations and roadway skill tests). In addition, if one of the first two tests failed is a drive test, you must wait 14 days before taking another drive test.

Roadway skills test waiver

Driver's license applicants who have completed a BMV-approved driver education course with a grade of B or above in both the classroom and the behind-the-wheel sections of the course may choose to take the roadway skills test provided by their driver education school if the school participates in the BMV's roadway skills test waiver program. If the student passes the roadway skills test provided by their driver education school, the BMV will waive the roadway skills test requirement when the student applies for a driver's license at a license branch.

The roadway skills test is not included in the required six hours of behind-the-wheel training and the driver education school may charge an additional fee for providing the roadway skills test. Only one roadway skills test may be administered by the driver education school prior to any BMV testing.

The roadway skills test waiver will not be made available to a driver's license applicant, or will be voided, if any of the following conditions apply:

  • The driver education learner permit expires before a driver's license applicant applies for a driver's license;
  • The driver's license applicant takes the written test at the branch before completing the drive test at the school;
  • The driver's license applicant has a grade of B- or below indicated on his or her driver education learner permit; or 
  • The applicant fails to pass the written test.

Vision screening requirements

All applicants for a driver's license or permit are required to satisfy Indiana's minimum vision standards, even if the applicant is renewing an existing driver's license. If you normally wear glasses while driving, please be sure to bring your glasses with you so that you will be able to pass the vision screening. The vision screening will involve testing of an applicant's visual acuity and visual fields.

If your visual ability does not meet state standards, you will be referred to an eye doctor for examination. You may return to the license branch with a statement from an eye doctor certifying that your vision has been corrected to meet the state standard; however, you will still be required to submit to a vision screening at the license branch.

Following are some of the most frequent restriction codes placed on a license due to vision:

  • Glasses or contact lenses
  • Outside rearview mirrors
  • Daylight driving only

Getting your learner's permit or driver's license without a birth certificate

First-time learner's permit applicants who are 65 years or older, and can attest that they have never been issued a birth certificate because their birth was never recorded with a state office of vital statistics, may present other forms of identification as a primary document of identification, along with the necessary secondary document of identification, for an Indiana learner's permit.

Individuals who are 65 years or older may present, as primary documents:

  • Medicaid/Medicare card
  • Social Security benefits statement
  • Property deed
  • Property tax statement
  • Bank statement
  • US Veteran's Access Photo ID card
  • Marriage/divorce decree
  • Pension statement

Please note that secondary documents, and other documents proving residency, are still required for most transactions.

Learner's permit applicants who are younger than 65 years of age and who do not have an original copy of their birth certificate should bring another document from the primary group of identification documents or contact the health department or department of vital statistics in their county or state of birth to obtain a new copy of their original birth certificate.

To be accepted by the BMV, a birth certificate must be an original copy with a raised seal issued by the health department or department of vital statistics in the applicant's county or state of birth. Birth certificates issued by hospitals or other organizations will not be accepted.

Getting your learner's permit or driver's license without a Social Security number

Any Indiana resident who wants to apply for a learner's permit but who does not have a Social Security number should visit a license branch and ask to apply for a learner's permit through the Central Verification Process (CVP). This process allows the BMV to verify the applicant’s immigration or residency status.

Any documents presented at a license branch establishing an applicant’s immigration or residency status will be forwarded to the BMV's Central Verification Division. The applicant will be issued a document stating that he or she has a temporary learner permit which is valid for 60 days. When the Central Verification Division has verified the applicant’s documents, the permanent learner's permit will be mailed to the applicant. All applicants for an Indiana driver's license must hold a valid Indiana learner's permit for 60 days and meet all other requirements to obtain a driver's license.

Getting your learner's permit or driver's license if you are a foreign national

Any foreign national who lives in Indiana and wants to apply for a learner permit should visit a license branch and ask to apply for a learner permit through the Central Verification Process (CVP). This process allows the BMV to verify the applicant's immigration or residency status.

Any documents presented at a license branch establishing an applicant’s immigration or residency status will be forwarded to the BMV's Central Verification Division. The applicant will be issued a document stating that he or she has a temporary learner permit which is valid for 60 days. When the Central Verification Division has verified the applicant’s documents, the permanent learner's permit will be mailed to the applicant. All applicants for an Indiana driver's license must hold a valid Indiana learner's permit for 60 days and meet all other requirements to obtain a driver's license.

You may drive in Indiana with an out-of-country driver's license if you also have an international driver license.