What the Indiana driving log is and why you need it
Indiana requires you to keep a driving log while you hold a learner's permit. This is a record of every supervised drive you complete — the date, time of day, road type, weather, and the name of the licensed adult supervising you. The BMV does not collect this log or check it before you take your road test, but you must be able to show it if an officer stops you while driving on your permit.
The log serves two purposes. First, it proves you have been practicing under supervision, which is what a learner's permit requires. Second, it creates a paper trail that protects you: if there is a question about whether you were driving legally at the time of a stop, the log is your evidence. Without one, you have no proof you were following permit rules.
Indiana law does not specify a single form you must use. You can use the official BMV Learner's Permit Driving Log form, create your own spreadsheet or notebook, or use a third-party app designed for this purpose. What matters is that the information is accurate, complete, and available to show if asked.
Key Takeaways
- You must record every supervised drive on your learner's permit, including the date, time, road type, weather, and supervising driver's name.
- Indiana does not require a specific form — you can use the official BMV log, a notebook, a spreadsheet, or an app, as long as the information is complete and legible.
- An officer can ask to see your log during a traffic stop to verify you are following permit restrictions.
- The log is your responsibility to maintain; the BMV does not track it or use it to clear you for your road test.
What information to record on each drive
Every entry in your driving log must include the same core details. Write down the date of the drive, the start and end time (or total minutes), the type of road you drove on (residential, highway, city streets, rural), the weather conditions, and the full name of the licensed adult who supervised you. Some logs also ask for the number of miles driven, though Indiana does not legally require this.
Be specific about road type. "Highway" is not the same as "residential streets," and an officer reviewing your log will notice if you have only practiced on quiet roads and never on busier routes. If you drove on multiple road types during one trip, list each one or note that you practiced mixed conditions.
Write entries as soon as possible after each drive, while details are fresh. A log filled out weeks later, with vague entries or obvious gaps, raises questions about whether the practice actually happened. Handwritten logs are fine, but make sure your handwriting is legible — an officer needs to be able to read it quickly.
Using the official BMV driving log form
The Indiana BMV provides a free Learner's Permit Driving Log form that you can print from the BMV website or pick up at any BMV branch. This form has columns for date, time, road type, weather, and supervising driver information. Using the official form is not required, but it removes any question about whether you are recording the right information.
To get the official form, visit the Indiana BMV website and search for "Learner's Permit Driving Log." You can print as many copies as you need — most learner's permit holders fill one or two pages before they are ready for their road test. If you prefer a physical copy, ask for one when you renew your permit or visit any BMV branch.
The official form is straightforward to fill out. Print it, keep it in your car or a folder at home, and fill in each row after every supervised drive. When the page is full, start a new one. Keep all completed pages together so you can show the full record if asked.
Alternatives to the official form
You do not have to use the BMV's form. Many learner's permit holders keep a straightforward notebook, a Google Sheet, or a note in their phone. The only requirement is that your record includes the same information: date, time, road type, weather, and supervising driver's name. If you choose this route, make sure the record is organized enough that you can find specific drives quickly if an officer asks.
Some third-party apps are designed specifically for learner's permit logging. These apps can send reminders to log drives, calculate total practice hours, and organize entries by road type. If you use an app, make sure you can show the record on your phone or print it out — an officer may not accept a screenshot or a link.
Whichever method you choose, keep your log with you whenever you drive on your permit. Store it in the glove compartment, in a folder in your car, or on your phone in a format you can display. If you are stopped, you should be able to produce it within a minute or two.
What happens if you cannot show your log
If an officer stops you while you are driving on your learner's permit and you cannot produce a log, you are not automatically breaking the law. However, you lose the ability to prove you were following permit rules. The officer may issue a citation for permit violations, and you would have to contest it in court without documentation.
More practically, a missing or incomplete log can hurt you if there is any question about your driving. If you were involved in an accident or a traffic violation, the log would help show that you were practicing legally and under proper supervision. Without it, you have only your word.
The log is also useful for you. As you accumulate entries, you can see how many hours you have practiced, what road types you have covered, and where you might need more practice before your road test. A complete log gives you confidence that you have put in the work.
How much practice to record before your road test
Indiana does not set a minimum number of hours or drives you must log before you take your road test. However, the BMV recommends at least 50 hours of supervised driving, with at least 10 of those hours at night. Your log is the only way to track this progress.
Use your log to plan your practice. If you have logged 30 hours but only 2 of them are at night, you know you need more evening and night drives before you are ready. If most of your practice is on residential streets, add some highway and city driving. The log keeps you honest about whether you have truly practiced the full range of driving conditions.
When you feel ready to schedule your road test, review your log to make sure you have a solid record of varied practice. Bring the log with you to the test — the examiner may ask to see it, though they will not use it to decide whether to test you. It is straightforward part of your permit record.
Keeping your log organized and safe
Store your completed log pages in a safe place at home, separate from the copy you keep in your car. If your car is damaged or broken into, you do not want to lose your entire practice record. A folder in a drawer or a digital backup on your computer works well.
If you are using a digital log (spreadsheet, app, or notes), back it up regularly. Take a screenshot or export a copy every few weeks so you do not lose entries if your phone is lost or damaged. If you are using a handwritten log, consider taking a photo of each completed page and storing it on your phone or computer.
Once you pass your road test and receive your driver's license, you can stop logging drives. Keep your completed log for your records — it documents your learning process and can be useful if you ever need to show proof of your training history.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to show my driving log to the BMV before I take my road test?
No. The BMV does not collect or review your log before your road test. However, you must be able to show it to a police officer if you are stopped while driving on your permit. Keep it with you in your car.
What if I forget to log a drive right after it happens?
Log it as soon as you remember, with the date and time you drove. Entries filled in days or weeks later are less reliable, but they are better than no record at all. Try to make logging a habit — fill it out in the car before you leave the parking lot.
Can someone else keep the log for me?
You are responsible for maintaining the log, but your supervising driver can help you fill it out. They can provide details about the drive, road conditions, and their own name. You should still review each entry to make sure it is accurate and complete.
Do I need to log practice drives with my driving instructor?
Yes. Every supervised drive counts, whether it is with a parent, guardian, or professional instructor. Log each lesson with your instructor's name as the supervising driver.
What if I lose my driving log?
Start a new one when ready and begin logging from that point forward. If you are stopped before you rebuild your log, explain to the officer that you lost your previous record. You can still show your new entries going forward. To avoid this, keep a digital backup of your log entries.