Driver Services for Foreign Nationals
Any foreign national who is residing in the United States and wants to apply for an identification card, operator license or learner permit - or renew a document that he or she already has - should contact a license branch and ask to apply through the Central Verification Process (CVP) to verify the applicant's immigration status.
Individuals with questions may call (317) 233-1900. Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) documents will be forwarded to the Central Verification Division and a document stating that a learner permit has been issued will be given to the applicant. This temporary permit will allow the applicant to drive while their application is being processed. When the Central Verification Division has verified the documents, the permit will be mailed to the applicant. This permit must be held for 60 days before the applicant will be eligible to obtain a driver license.
You may drive on your out-of-country license if you also have an international license. If you establish residency in Indiana, you may apply for an Indiana learner permit.
Acceptable immigration documents for the Primary Identification requirement include:
- Valid foreign passport with photo with a visa that includes a valid form I-94 indicating the authorized duration of stay in the United States
- Valid foreign passport with a current visa that states "Upon Endorsement Serves as Temporary I-551 evidencing Permanent Residence for 1-year"
NOTE: Canadian passports are not required to have a visa or a form I-94. Applicants from the Federated States of Micronesia, Palau and the Republic of the Marshall Islands do not required to present a visa but must submit a form I-94. Passports with I-94 indicating F-1/F-2 status must provide a valid form I-20 ("Certificate of Eligibility"). For these applicants, the form I-20 serves as a secondary document. Passports with I-94 indicating J-1/J-2 status must be submitted with a valid form DS-2019 ("Certificate of Eligibility"). For these applicants, the form DS-2019 serves as a secondary document.
- Authorization for parole of an alien into the United States (form I-512)
- Employment authorization card (I-688B)
- Employment authorization card (I-766)
- Form I-94 stamped with "Section 207" refugee status
- Form I-94 Stamped with "Section 208" asylum status
- Permanent resident card (I-551)
- Temporary I-551 stamp/with passport or I-94 with alien number
- Temporary Resident card (I-688)
- Travel document (I-131)
- An I-797 "Notice of Action" including an applicant's "Approval Notice" may be used to extend the validity of an original primary document.
