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.
Driver's License Types
Probationary Driver's License
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.
Standard Driver's License
If you are 21 years of age or older, your Indiana driver's license is not probationary.
How Long is a Driver's License Valid?
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;
- Six years if you are less than 75 years of age,
- Three years if you are at least 75 years of age and less than 85 years of age, or
- Two years if you are at least 85 years of age.
Be a Hero. Save a Life.
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.
Examinations and Screening
Vision Screening
All applicants are required to take a vision screening, which measures your visual acuity.
Learn More About the Vision Screening Test
Knowledge Exam
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:
- You are renewing from a probationary driver’s license to a driver’s license and have six or more points on your driver record.
- You recently moved to Indiana from another country and are applying for a driver’s license.
- Your driver’s license has been expired for more than 180 days.
- You wish to add endorsements to your driver’s license or commercial driver’s license.
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.
Learn More About the Knowledge Exam
Driving Test
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
Endorsements and restrictions change the circumstances in which an individual may operate a motor vehicle. Some endorsements and restrictions also apply to identification cards.
Learn More About Endorsements and Restrictions
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.
Drivers with Disabilities
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.
Residents with an Out-of-Country License
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.
Translated Document Requirements
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:
- The translation must be typed on a separate page on the letterhead of a government entity, accredited educational institution or translation agency.
- The translation must include a signed statement from the translator indicating that the translation is complete and accurate, attest to his or her competence as a translator and state that the document has not been translated for a family member, friend, or business associate.