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Updated
Minimum age: 16-16-plus for probationary licenses, 21 for full, unrestricted
Required documents: Proof of identity, Indiana residency documentation, agreement of financial liability and log of supervised driving practice (if younger than 18)
Testing requirements: Generally a vision screening, Indiana knowledge exam, and driving test
Estimated cost: Up to $17.50. Senior citizens pay a discounted rate.
Timeline: Varies depending on whether it’s your first driver’s license or an out-of-state transfer.
Getting a driver’s license in Indiana involves the following steps:[1]
Enroll in an approved driver’s education program: If you’re younger than 16 years and three months, you must take an approved driver education course.
Gather required documentation: This includes identity verification and proof of residency documents. You’ll need to bring these with you to the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV).
Take a vision test: All applicants must pass a vision screening.
Take a knowledge exam and driving test: In some cases, you’ll need to take and pass a knowledge exam and Indiana road test.
When you’re ready to apply for an Indiana driver’s license, you’ll need to have the following documents available to bring to the BMV.[2]
One document proving your identity (U.S. birth certificate or passport, etc.)
Legal document showing name or date of birth changes (marriage license, court decree, etc.)
Social Security card
Two documents proving Indiana residency (utility bill, bank statement, etc.)
Liability quotes in Indiana start at $35/mo.
To get an Indiana driver’s license, you’ll pay $17.50 if you’re younger than 75, $11 if you’re between the ages of 75 and 84, and $7 if you’re 85 or older.[3]
If you want to get your license at age 15 in Indiana, you’ll need to take an approved driver’s education program, which generally costs a few hundred to several hundred dollars.[4] Exact costs vary by company and program.
There’s no fee in Indiana to take a road test.
The table below shows the different costs to get a driver’s license in Indiana.
Fee Type  | Cost |
|---|---|
| Permit fee | $9 |
| License fee |
|
| Replacement/duplicate license fee | $9 |
Teens must navigate two phases to receive an Indiana driver’s license: a learner’s permit and a provisional license. Indiana teens can get a learner’s permit at age 15 if they provide identification, take an approved driver training course, and pass a vision screening and knowledge exam. At age 16, teens can get a learner’s permit without taking a driver’s education course.[5]
The next step after getting the Indiana learner’s permit is a probationary driver’s license. To get a probationary driver’s license, you must have a valid driver’s permit for six months and meet the following age requirements:
1) If you’ve successfully completed an approved driver’s education course, you can get a probationary driver’s license at age 16 and three months old.
2) If you haven’t completed an approved driver’s education course, you can get a probationary driver’s license starting at age 16 and nine months old.
If you’re younger than 18, you must have a parent or other adult sign an agreement of financial liability.[6] If you got your license as a teen in Indiana, it will remain probationary until your 21st birthday.
Here’s how to get a teen driver’s license in Indiana step-by-step:
Take a BMV-approved driver education course if you’re younger than 16 and nine months old.
Apply for a learner’s permit. You’ll need to pass a vision screening and knowledge exam, as well as have a parent or guardian sign an agreement of financial liability.
Get a probationary license when you meet the time and age requirements.
Get an unrestricted license at age 21.
The following table breaks down teen license types in Indiana.
License Type | Hours Teens Are Not Allowed to Drive | Additional Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Learner’s permit | Can drive anytime if accompanied by a licensed driver age 25 or older, or a licensed spouse age 21 or older. | Be enrolled in a BMV-approved driver education course. If older than 16, pass a vision and knowledge exam, and provide proof of identity. |
| Probationary driver’s license: 16 years and 90 days | For first 180 days: Can’t drive between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. After first 180 days until age 18: Monday–Friday before 5 a.m., Saturday–Sunday between 1 a.m. and 5 a.m., and Sunday-Thursday after 11 p.m., with some exceptions. | Have a learners permit for 180 days. If 16-years-old and three months, you need to complete a driver’s training course. If 16-years-old and nine months, you don’t need to take a driver’s training course. |
| Full, unrestricted license: 21 years | Not applicable | 21-years-old |
A REAL ID in Indiana will have a black circle with a white star in the upper right-hand corner. To get a REAL ID in Indiana, you must bring the following documentation to a BMV branch.[7]
One identity document
One lawful status document
Proof of name or date of birth changes
Social Security document
Two documents proving Indiana residency
If you have questions about Indiana’s Real ID requirements, you can call their helpline at (1) 888 692-6841.
Full-coverage quotes start at $61/mo.
If you move to Indiana from another state, you have 60 days to get an Indiana driver’s license. You must also transfer your vehicle title and registration from your previous state to Indiana.
Indiana requires drivers with expired out-of-state licenses to take and pass a knowledge exam before it issues a new license. If your license expired more than five years ago, or you’ve had a valid out-of-state license for less than one year, you must also pass a driving skills test.
Here are the steps to transfer your out-of-state license to Indiana if you’re age 18 or older:[8]
Go to a BMV branch within 60 days of moving to Indiana to apply for an Indiana license.
Bring one of the three documents to the BMV: Your current out-of-state driver’s license, a copy of your official driving record, or a verification letter.
Also, bring documents to prove your identity, lawful status, Social Security number, and Indiana residency.
Pass a vision screening.
If applicable, take and pass the knowledge exam and driving test.
Indiana drivers have a few options if they need to renew or replace their driver’s license.[9]
Online: Online renewal is available if you meet certain requirements. For example, you can renew online if your driver’s license hasn’t been expired for more than 180 days and you don’t have six or more active points on your driving record. You can also replace your driver’s license online up to 10 times.
BMV Connect kiosk: BMV Connect kiosks are self-service machines that allow you to complete routine BMV transactions, including renewals and replacements. You’ll need to provide your driver’s license or ID number, ZIP code, and the last four digits of your Social Security number. You can find your closest BMV kiosk location on the BMV website.
BMV branch: Many Indiana drivers only need to renew their licenses at a branch every other renewal. But certain reasons you may need to renew in a branch include if you have six or more points on your driving record, or if you’re 75 or older. If you need to change your name or address, you need to visit a branch in person to replace your license.
Monthly rates for teens start at $75/mo.
Under Indiana law, all drivers must purchase car insurance. To register a vehicle in Indiana, you’ll need to provide proof of insurance that states that you carry at least the minimum car insurance. Indiana minimum car insurance requirements include:[10]
$25,000 per person in bodily injury liability coverage
$50,000 per accident in bodily injury liability coverage
$25,000 in property damage liability coverage
Indiana drivers younger than 18 must have a parent, guardian, or other adult sign an agreement of financial liability to get a permit or license. The agreement states that the adult will be held jointly liable for any injuries or damages caused by the minor driver, according to the Indiana BMV.
New drivers, especially teenagers, generally pay higher car insurance rates due to their limited driving experience. One way to reduce costs is for a parent or guardian to add the teen driver to their existing auto insurance policy.
The following table shows full-coverage and liability-only car insurance quotes for teen drivers in Indiana.
Insurance Company | Liability Only | Full Coverage |
|---|---|---|
| Auto-Owners | $75 | $65 |
| State Farm | $76 | $69 |
| USAA | $76 | $73 |
| GEICO | $76 | $76 |
| Progressive | $77 | $61 |
| First Chicago | $83 | $104 |
| Root | $99 | $101 |
| National General | $99 | $112 |
| Direct Auto | $105 | $97 |
| American Family | $108 | $101 |
| The General | $109 | $138 |
| Dairyland | $111 | $188 |
| First Acceptance | $114 | $128 |
| Trexis | $118 | $147 |
| GAINSCO | $120 | $166 |
| Safeco | $126 | $85 |
| Trexis One | $126 | $159 |
| Liberty Mutual | $128 | $120 |
| AssuranceAmerica | $130 | $111 |
| Elephant | $135 | $113 |
| Bristol West | $143 | $145 |
| Mendota | $148 | $149 |
| CSAA | $151 | $134 |
| Travelers | $157 | $136 |
| Farmers | $160 | $142 |
| Allstate | $179 | $162 |
| Nationwide | $195 | $178 |
| State Auto | $454 | $339 |
Whether you’re a lifelong Hoosier or a new Indiana resident, learn more about the state’s driver’s license requirements below.
New teen drivers generally need to have an Indiana learner’s permit for at least six months before getting a probationary driver’s license. They also must be at least 16 years and three months old if they’ve completed an approved driver’s ed course, or 16 years and nine months old if they haven’t. New drivers become eligible for an unrestricted Indiana license at 21 years old.
The cost of an Indiana driver’s license depends on your age, with seniors paying less for a license. These Indiana BMV fees include:
Drivers younger than 75: $17.50
Drivers at least 75 but less than 85: $11
Drivers age 85 and older: $7
It depends. If it’s your first time getting a driver’s license in Indiana, you must visit a BMV branch. But many Indiana residents are eligible to renew their license online.
To get a driver’s license in Indiana, you generally must bring required documents to the BMV, take a vision test, and, in some cases, pass a knowledge and road test.
An Indiana driver’s license is valid for six years if you’re 74 or younger, three years if you’re 75–84, or two years if you’re 85 or older. You can renew your driver’s license up to two years before it expires, according to the Indiana BMV.
Indiana doesn’t give specific guidance on learner’s permits if you’re older than 18. You can get a learner’s permit if you’re 18 or older, and you have to complete driving hours and have the permit for six months before you can apply for your license, according to the Indiana BMV. But it doesn’t specify if you have to take knowledge or vision tests.
If you’re 18 or older and want to confirm, it’s worth visiting an Indiana BMV office or calling their help desk at (1) 888 692-6841.
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AFCPE Accredited Financial Counselor
6 years experience in the personal financial industry
Featured in
Licensed property and casualty insurance agent
10+ years editing experience
NPN: 21630969
Licensed property and casualty insurance agent
10+ years editing experience
NPN: 20461358
Featured in
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