Indiana driver's license renewal: what you need to know

Indiana lets you renew your driver's license online, by mail, or in person at a Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) branch. Which method you can use depends on your age, how long your license has been expired, and whether you need to change information like your address. Most people renew online or by mail without visiting a branch, but some situations require an in-person visit.

Your Indiana license is valid for eight years if you are under 75, and four years if you are 75 or older. You can renew up to one year before your expiration date, which means you do not have to wait until the last moment. The state sends renewal notices by mail about 60 days before your license expires, but you do not have to wait for that notice to start the process.

Key Takeaways

  • You can renew online through the Indiana BMV website if your license is not expired and you have not changed your address, name, or other personal information.
  • Mail renewal takes about two weeks and costs the same as online renewal, but you must send in your current license and a completed process form.
  • In-person renewal at a BMV branch is required if your license has been expired for more than two years, you need a Real ID, or you are changing your address or name.
  • Indiana charges $20 for a standard eight-year license renewal and $30 for a four-year renewal if you are 75 or older.
  • You can check your license expiration date and renew status on the BMV website before you start the process.

Online renewal: fastest option if your information has not changed

Online renewal through the Indiana BMV website is the quickest and cheapest way to renew if your license is still valid and your personal information has not changed. You will need your current license number, the last four digits of your Social Security number, and your date of birth. The process takes about 10 minutes, and your new license will arrive by mail in about two weeks.

You cannot renew online if your license has been expired for more than two years, if you need to change your address or name, or if you want to add a Real ID designation. You also cannot renew online if you have a commercial driver's license (CDL) or a motorcycle endorsement. If any of these explore to you, you will need to renew by mail or in person.

The online renewal fee is $20 for a standard eight-year license. You will pay by debit or credit card during the process. Once you submit, you cannot cancel the transaction, so double-check your information before you confirm.

Mail renewal: works if your license is current and information is the same

Mail renewal takes longer than online renewal but works if you prefer not to use the internet or if you want a paper record of your process. You will need to fill out form DL 44 (process for Indiana Driver's License), sign it, and mail it along with your current license to the address shown on the form. The BMV will process your process and send your new license back by mail, usually within two to three weeks.

Mail renewal has the same restrictions as online renewal: your license must not be expired for more than two years, your personal information must not have changed, and you cannot have a CDL or motorcycle endorsement. The fee is the same as online renewal ($20 for eight years, $30 for four years if you are 75 or older).

You can read form DL 44 from the Indiana BMV website or request it by mail. If you request it by mail, allow extra time for it to arrive before you send it back. Keep a copy of the form and your mailed license for your records, or take a photo before you mail it.

In-person renewal at a BMV branch: when you must go

You must renew in person at a BMV branch if your license has been expired for more than two years, if you are changing your address or legal name, if you want a Real ID, or if you have a CDL or motorcycle endorsement. You will also need to renew in person if you are renewing for the first time after turning 75, because the state requires a vision test at that age.

To renew in person, bring your current license (or expired license if it has been more than two years), proof of your Social Security number (Social Security card, W-2, or 1099), and proof of your current address (utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within 60 days). If you are changing your name, bring a certified copy of the document that shows the change (marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order). If you want a Real ID, bring a certified birth certificate or passport as well.

BMV branches are open Monday through Friday during business hours, and some branches have Saturday hours. You can check the BMV website to find the branch nearest you and see current wait times. Many branches let you schedule an appointment online, which can save you time. The in-person renewal fee is the same as online or mail renewal ($20 for eight years).

Real ID and what it means for your renewal

Real ID is a federal security standard that makes a driver's license acceptable for domestic air travel and entry to federal buildings. Indiana began issuing Real ID licenses in 2009, and you can add the Real ID designation to your license when you renew. Real ID is not required to drive, but it is required to board a domestic flight or enter a federal courthouse or military base without a passport.

If your current license does not have a gold star in the top right corner, it is not a Real ID license. To get one, you must renew in person and bring a certified birth certificate or passport, plus proof of your address and Social Security number. The fee is the same as a standard renewal.

If your current license already has the Real ID star, your new license will automatically be Real ID when you renew, whether you renew online, by mail, or in person. You do not need to bring extra documents unless you are also changing your address or name.

What to do if your license has been expired for more than two years

If your Indiana license expired more than two years ago, you cannot renew online or by mail. You must go to a BMV branch in person. The process is the same as a standard in-person renewal, but you will need to bring your expired license along with your proof of Social Security number, proof of address, and any documents related to name changes.

If you have been driving with an expired license, you may face a citation for driving without a valid license. Renewing as soon as possible will prevent further legal issues. The renewal fee is still $20 for an eight-year license, even if your license has been expired for several years.

Fees, processing times, and what happens next

Indiana charges $20 to renew a standard driver's license for eight years. If you are 75 or older, the renewal is valid for four years and costs $30. These fees are the same whether you renew online, by mail, or in person. You will pay online or by mail with a debit or credit card, or in person with cash, check, or card at the BMV branch.

Online renewal takes about two weeks from the time you submit your process. Mail renewal takes two to three weeks from the time the BMV receives your form. In-person renewal is usually completed the same day, though you may need to wait in line or come back if the branch is very busy. Your new license will be mailed to the address on file, so make sure your address is correct before you submit.

You can drive with your expired license until your new one arrives, as long as you have proof that you submitted a renewal process. If you need to drive before your new license arrives and you renewed online, you can print a confirmation page from the BMV website to show if you are stopped by police.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my Indiana license if I have moved out of state?

No. Indiana requires you to have a current address in the state to renew. If you have moved out of state, you will need to get a driver's license from your new state instead. You can surrender your Indiana license to the BMV or keep it as an ID, but you cannot renew it.

What if I lost my license and need to renew it at the same time?

You will need to go to a BMV branch in person to get a replacement license. Bring your proof of Social Security number, proof of address, and any documents related to name changes. The replacement fee is $20, and you can renew at the same time without paying twice. Your new license will arrive by mail in about two weeks.

Do I need to take a new photo when I renew?

No. Indiana reuses your photo from your previous license unless you request a new one or your license has been expired for more than eight years. If you want a new photo, you can request one at a BMV branch, but there is no extra fee. Online and mail renewals use your existing photo.

Can I renew early if my license does not expire for several months?

Yes. Indiana lets you renew up to one year before your license expires. Renewing early is useful if you are about to travel or if you want to avoid the rush closer to your expiration date. Your new license will be valid for eight years from the date you renew, not from your old expiration date.

What if my name or address changed since I got my current license?

You must renew in person at a BMV branch if you have changed your name or address. Bring a certified copy of the document showing the name change (marriage certificate or court order) and a recent utility bill or lease showing your new address. You cannot make these changes online or by mail.