What You Need to Do to Get an Indiana Driver's License

To get an Indiana driver's license, you visit your local Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) office with proof of identity, proof of residency, and proof of your Social Security number. You pass a written test on traffic laws, a vision test, and a driving test. The whole process takes a few weeks from start to finish, though you can drive with a learner's permit while you wait for your license to arrive in the mail.

Indiana issues licenses to people 16 and older. If you are under 18, you start with a learner's permit and must hold it for a set time before you can take the driving test. If you are 18 or older, you can skip the permit and go straight to the full license if you pass all three tests on the same day.

Key Takeaways

  • You must bring original or certified copies of documents proving your identity, Indiana residency, and Social Security number to the BMV office in person.
  • Minors under 18 must hold a learner's permit for at least 50 hours of driving (10 of them at night) before they can take the driving test.
  • You will take a written test on road signs and traffic laws, a vision screening, and a road test with an examiner in your own vehicle.
  • Your license arrives by mail within two to three weeks; you can drive with a temporary paper permit until it arrives.
  • The fee is $24 for a four-year license if you are 18 or older, and $19 for a learner's permit.

Documents You Must Bring to the BMV

Indiana requires you to bring one document from each of three categories: proof of identity, proof of residency, and proof of your Social Security number. You must bring originals or certified copies—photocopies are not accepted.

Proof of identity can be a U.S. passport, a passport card, a military ID, a state ID from another state, or a certified birth certificate. A school ID or work ID does not count.

Proof of residency must show your current Indiana address. Acceptable documents include a utility bill, a lease or mortgage statement, a bank statement, an insurance bill, or a property tax bill. The document must be dated within the last 60 days. A piece of mail from a government agency also works. You cannot use a PO box address.

Proof of your Social Security number can be your Social Security card itself, a W-2 form, a 1099 form, a tax return, or a paystub showing your full Social Security number. If you do not have a Social Security number, you can bring a letter from the Social Security Administration stating that you are not may be able to access for one.

The Learner's Permit if You Are Under 18

If you are under 18, you must get a learner's permit first. You bring the same three categories of documents to the BMV, pay $19, pass the written test on traffic laws and road signs, and pass a vision screening. You do not take the driving test yet.

Once you have the permit, you must drive at least 50 hours before you can take the driving test. At least 10 of those hours must be at night (between sunset and sunrise). You must be supervised by a licensed driver who is at least 21 years old and sitting in the front passenger seat. Keep a log of your hours—the BMV may ask to see it when you come back for the driving test.

You must hold the permit for at least 180 days (about six months) before you can take the driving test. If you turn 18 before that time is up, you can take the test as soon as you reach 18, even if you have not held the permit for six months yet.

The Written Test and Vision Screening

The written test has 50 questions about Indiana traffic laws, road signs, and safe driving practices. You must answer at least 40 questions correctly to pass. The test covers topics like speed limits, right-of-way rules, parking, and what different road signs mean. You can study using the Indiana Driver's Manual, which the BMV provides free at every office and online at their website.

The vision screening checks whether you can see well enough to drive safely. You read letters on a chart from a set distance. If you wear glasses or contacts, bring them with you. If you fail the vision test, you will be told on the spot and can retake it after a short wait. If you fail twice, you may need to see an eye doctor and bring a letter from them before you can try again.

If you are under 18 and taking the test for a learner's permit, you take both the written test and vision screening on the same day. If you are 18 or older and going straight for a license, you take these tests on the same day as your driving test.

The Driving Test and What Happens After

The driving test lasts about 30 minutes. An examiner sits in your vehicle while you drive on public roads. You must use your own vehicle, and it must be registered, insured, and in safe working condition. The examiner watches how you handle turns, stops, parking, lane changes, and how you respond to traffic signals and other drivers.

You must pass the written test and vision screening before you take the driving test. If you fail the driving test, you can retake it, but you must wait at least one day. There is no extra fee to retake it.

Once you pass all three tests, you receive a temporary paper permit to drive while your license is being printed and mailed. Your actual license arrives within two to three weeks. The temporary permit is valid for 30 days, which is usually enough time. If your license does not arrive within that window, contact the BMV to check the status.

Fees and How Long Everything Takes

A learner's permit costs $19 and is valid for one year. A four-year driver's license costs $24 if you are 18 or older. If you are 16 or 17, a license costs $19 and is valid until you turn 21.

The timeline depends on your age. If you are 18 or older with no permit, you can walk into a BMV office, take the written test and vision screening, and if you pass, take the driving test the same day. If you pass all three, you get your temporary permit and your license arrives in two to three weeks. The whole process from first visit to having a license in hand takes about three weeks.

If you are under 18, you must get a permit first, hold it for 180 days while you log 50 hours of driving, and then come back for the driving test. That means the total time is at least six months, plus two to three weeks for the license to arrive in the mail.

BMV offices are open Monday through Friday during business hours, and some offices have limited Saturday hours. You do not need an appointment at most offices, but wait times can be long during peak hours. Arriving early in the morning or on a weekday afternoon usually means a shorter wait.

If You Already Have a License from Another State

If you hold a valid driver's license from another state and you move to Indiana, you can exchange it for an Indiana license without taking the written or driving tests. You bring your out-of-state license, proof of Indiana residency, and proof of your Social Security number to the BMV. You pay the license fee, pass the vision screening, and receive your Indiana license in the mail within two to three weeks.

If your out-of-state license is expired, you must take the written test and driving test just like a new driver. If it has been more than a year since your license expired, you may also need to bring proof of your identity and Social Security number again.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I take the driving test in a vehicle that is not registered in my name?

Yes. The vehicle must be registered, insured, and in safe working condition, but it does not have to be registered to you. Many people use a parent's or friend's vehicle for the test. Make sure the registration and proof of insurance are in the vehicle when you arrive.

What if I fail the written test?

You can retake it the same day or come back another day. There is no extra fee. You must pass before you can take the driving test. Most people pass on the second or third try after studying the Indiana Driver's Manual more carefully.

Do I need to bring my Social Security card, or can I bring a paystub instead?

Either one works. You need one document that shows your Social Security number. A paystub, W-2, tax return, or the card itself all count. You do not have to bring the card if you have another document.

What happens if I move to a different address before my license arrives?

Contact the BMV and give them your new address. Your license will be mailed to the new address. If it has already been mailed to your old address, ask the post office to forward it or contact the BMV to request a replacement.

Can I get a license if I do not have a Social Security number?

You can bring a letter from the Social Security Administration stating that you are not may be able to access for a number. Bring that letter instead of a Social Security card or other proof of your number. You will still need proof of identity and residency.