Receiving Your Driver's License or ID Card Through the Mail

In the central issuance process, the BMV verifies your identity and lawful status and confirms that you do not already hold a credential in your name or another name, and that your driving privileges are not suspended (if applicable). The branch employee will take your documents, electronically scan them and then return the original documents to you before you leave the branch. The scanned documents will then be reviewed by BMV employees before your permanent credential is mailed to you.

Yes, 38 states mail credentials from a central printing shop.

The process used to mail credentials is similar to that used by the financial services industry to mail credit and debit cards.

No, the application process is the same as outlined in the new Real ID document requirements section. You will visit a branch and follow the same procedures: your photo will be taken, you will take the vision test, provide the required source documents, and pay the required fees.

What will change is that you will be given an interim driver's license or learner permit at the branch rather than your permanent credential if you are a new Indiana resident, if you are getting your first Indiana credential, or if your Indiana credential is expired. You will receive your permanent credential at your mailing address within 14 days, provided there are no issues with your application or documentation. If there are issues with your application or documentation, you will be contacted by a BMV representative.

You will not receive an interim identification card unless the date of your application is within 30 days of an election. If you receive an interim identification card within 30 days of an election, it will only be accepted for voting identification purposes. Your permanent identification card will arrive at your mailing address within 14 days, provided there are no issues with your application or documentation. If there are issues with your application or documentation, you will be contacted by a BMV representative.

Learn more about the new Real ID document requirements

Central issuance is another way that the BMV is combating identity theft and driver’s license fraud.

In the central issuance process, the BMV verifies your identity and lawful status and confirms that you do not already hold a credential in your name or another name, and that your driving privileges are not suspended (if applicable).

If you do not receive your permanent credential within 14 days, call the BMV at 888-692-6841. The customer service staff will research your application and confirm your mailing address. You may also track the progress of your application through your myBMV online account.

If you have called the BMV at 1-888-myBMV-411 and we have not been able to resolve your issue, please return to a branch and you will be issued a new interim driver's license, learner’s permit, or identification card, if necessary.

Please plan ahead and do not allow your credential to expire before you are about to conduct a transaction that involves photo identification. The process to mail a Real ID credential will take approximately 14 days. To help avoid delays, you can renew your credential up to one year before expiration.

You would receive an interim license and retain your current driver's license.

If you already have a non-commercial Indiana credential, and you are not changing credential types or amending information on the credential, you will keep the card and receive a printed 30-day interim license. If your credential has already, or will, expire during the 14 days it will take to mail your permanent credential, your paper 30-day interim license shall serve as your credential. This credential can be used for identification purposes even if it is expired. Your driver's license would still be acceptable as authorization to operate a vehicle.

You would receive an interim driver's license if you are a new Indiana resident or if you are receiving a driver's license for the first time.

If you are moving to Indiana and applying for a driver's license, you would need to supply all the required source documents, and pass the written test and vision screening. If your out-of-state driver's license has expired you may be required to pass a driving test. After presenting your source documents, you would receive an interim driver's license that would not be valid for identification. You would receive your permanent driver's license in the mail within 14 days, provided there are no issues with your application or documentation. If there are issues with your application or documentation, you will be contacted by a BMV representative.

If you are getting your driver's license for the first time, you will need to follow all the document requirements and pass the required exams. After you have passed the exams, you will receive an interim driver's license that would allow you to drive but would not be valid for identification. You would receive your permanent driver's license in the mail within 14 days, provided there are no issues with your application or documentation. If there are issues with your application or documentation, you will be contacted by a BMV representative.

Due to these new security regulations, it is not possible to receive your permanent credential on the same day that you apply for it. If you are renewing your driver's license, you will keep your current license and receive a 30-day interim license. Please plan ahead and remember that it will take approximately 14 days to receive your permanent driver's license. To avoid delays, you can renew your driver's license up to one year before it expires.

You may request a mailing address in your BMV file that is different from your residential address. The credential will be sent to the mailing address.

You may obtain a duplicate interim credential if your original was lost or destroyed. You must visit a BMV branch and present the required documents. The replacement interim credential will be a reprint of the original interim credential.

Yes, the interim credential will be valid for 30 days from the date of issuance.

It is up to the individual retail establishment whether to accept the interim credential as valid identification. The BMV has communicated about central issuance to businesses and government agencies that regularly require identification. It is recommended that you carry an additional form of identification in case a business requests it.

Yes.

No, the cost for credentials will remain the same.

The address will be the one that you provided at the time of application. You will be asked to sign an affidavit confirming your mailing address.

To reduce errors, please verify all information before you leave the branch. If there is incorrect information on the permanent card, please return to a branch.