What a hardship license does in Indiana
A hardship license in Indiana lets you drive to specific places — work, school, medical appointments, court — when your regular license is suspended or revoked. You cannot use it for any other reason. The state issues it only when you can show that losing your license would create real hardship: losing your job, missing treatment, or being unable to get to school.
Indiana calls this a Provisional Driving Permit when you are under 18, and a Hardship Permit when you are 18 or older. Both work the same way: they restrict where and when you can drive, and they require you to carry the permit with you every time you get behind the wheel.
You cannot get a hardship license if your suspension is for refusing a breath test, driving with a suspended license, or certain drug-related convictions. You also cannot get one during the first 90 days of a suspension for a first-time impaired driving offense, though you may be able to after that waiting period ends.
Key Takeaways
- Indiana hardship licenses restrict you to driving for work, school, medical care, court, or alcohol treatment — nowhere else.
- You must file a petition with the court in the county where you were charged, not with the BMV, and you need a lawyer or the court's permission to represent yourself.
- The court decides whether your hardship is real enough to grant the permit; having a job or medical need helps, but it is not automatic.
- Once approved, you must carry the hardship permit at all times and follow every restriction listed on it, or you risk a new criminal charge.
- The cost varies by county but usually runs $100 to $300 in court fees, plus any lawyer fees if you hire one.
When you can and cannot get a hardship license in Indiana
Indiana law allows hardship licenses only for certain types of suspensions and revocations. If your license was suspended for unpaid traffic fines, child support, or a medical reason (like failing a vision test), you cannot get a hardship permit — you have to fix the underlying problem first. If it was suspended for points, you can request one.
For impaired driving (DUI/OWI), the rules are stricter. On a first offense, you must wait 90 days before you can even ask for a hardship license. On a second or later offense, you cannot get one at all during the suspension period. If your license was revoked for refusing a breath test or for multiple impaired driving convictions, Indiana does not allow hardship licenses.
If your suspension is for driving with a suspended license or for certain drug-related convictions, you are also ineligible. Check with the court that issued your suspension if you are unsure whether your case qualifies.
How to file a petition with the court
You must file a petition in the circuit or superior court of the county where you were charged — not with the Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV). The petition is a formal written request asking the judge to grant you a hardship license. You will need to explain why losing your license would cause hardship: job loss, inability to reach medical treatment, school attendance, or caring for a dependent.
Indiana requires you to have a lawyer represent you in this petition, or you must ask the court for permission to represent yourself. If you cannot afford a lawyer, you can request a public defender at your hearing. The court will tell you the filing fee when you contact the clerk's office; it typically ranges from $100 to $300 depending on the county.
Contact the clerk of the circuit or superior court in your county and ask for the hardship petition form. Some courts have it online; others will mail it or let you pick it up in person. Fill it out completely, listing the specific places you need to drive (your employer's address, your school, your doctor's office) and explaining why each trip is necessary.
What the judge will consider at your hearing
The judge will look at whether you have a genuine need to drive and whether you are a safe driver. Bring proof of your job (a letter from your employer saying you would be fired if you cannot get to work), proof of school enrollment, medical records showing ongoing treatment, or court orders requiring your attendance. The stronger your evidence, the better your chances.
The judge will also consider your driving record before the suspension, whether you have had other suspensions, and whether you have complied with court orders in the past. If you have a history of driving on a suspended license or ignoring court orders, the judge is less likely to trust that you will follow the restrictions on a hardship permit.
Be honest about your situation. If you lost your job or your circumstances have changed since your suspension, tell the judge. If you have completed a substance abuse program or made other changes, mention that too. The court wants to see that you take the suspension seriously and that you have a real reason to drive.
What restrictions come with a hardship license
Your hardship permit will list the specific places you are allowed to drive: your workplace, your school, your doctor's office, a treatment facility, or the courthouse. You can drive only to and from those locations, and only during the hours the court specifies. Many hardship licenses allow driving during daylight hours only, or they restrict you to certain days of the week.
You must carry the hardship permit with you every time you drive. If a police officer stops you and you cannot show the permit, you can be charged with driving with a suspended license — a new criminal offense. You also cannot drive anyone else unless the court specifically allows it, and you cannot use the permit for any purpose other than those listed.
Violating the restrictions — driving to a place not on your permit, driving at a time you are not allowed, or driving without the permit — can result in a new criminal charge and the loss of your hardship license. The court can also impose additional penalties.
How long a hardship license lasts
The length of your hardship permit depends on the length of your suspension or revocation. If your license is suspended for 90 days, your hardship permit might last 60 days. If it is suspended for one year, your hardship permit might last several months. The judge decides the duration when granting the permit.
When your hardship permit expires, your license remains suspended until the full suspension period is over. You cannot renew a hardship permit; you would have to file a new petition if your circumstances have not changed and your suspension is still in effect.
Once your suspension period ends, you can explore to the BMV to have your license reinstated. Some suspensions require you to pay a reinstatement fee or complete a driver safety course before the BMV will restore your license.
The difference between a hardship license and a work permit
Indiana also issues work permits for certain suspensions, particularly those related to unpaid child support or unpaid traffic fines. A work permit is narrower than a hardship license — it usually allows you to drive only to and from work, and sometimes to a child support office or courthouse. You cannot use it for medical appointments or school.
If your suspension is for unpaid fines or child support, ask the court whether you may have access to for a work permit instead of a hardship license. The process is similar, but the restrictions may be tighter. Some people find it easier to get a work permit because the need is more straightforward.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drive to the grocery store or run errands with a hardship license?
No. A hardship license covers only the specific places listed on the permit: work, school, medical appointments, court, or treatment. Grocery shopping, banking, or any other errand is not allowed. Driving to those places can result in a new criminal charge.
What happens if I get pulled over while driving on my hardship license?
You must show the officer your hardship permit when ready. If you are driving to one of the approved locations during an approved time, you should not be cited. If you are driving somewhere not on your permit or at a time you are not allowed, you can be charged with driving with a suspended license.
Do I need a lawyer to file for a hardship license in Indiana?
Indiana law requires you to have a lawyer or to ask the court for permission to represent yourself. If you cannot afford a lawyer, you can request a public defender at your hearing. Some courts are more flexible about self-representation than others; call the clerk's office to ask.
Can I get a hardship license if I was arrested for DUI?
It depends on whether this is your first offense and how much time has passed. On a first DUI, you must wait 90 days before you can petition for a hardship license. On a second or later DUI, you cannot get one during the suspension period. If you refused the breath test, you are ineligible.
What if the court denies my hardship license petition?
You can file a new petition if your circumstances change — for example, if you get a job after being denied the first time. You can also ask the judge to reconsider at a later date. Some courts allow you to refile after a certain period, such as 30 or 60 days.