What a hardship license is and who can get one in Indiana

A hardship license in Indiana is a restricted driving permit that lets you drive for specific purposes when your regular license is suspended. You cannot drive for pleasure or any reason you want — only for the activities listed on your permit, such as driving to work, school, medical appointments, or court-ordered programs.

Indiana calls this permit a Specialized Driving Privileges license. You can request one if your license has been suspended for certain reasons: a conviction for driving while intoxicated (DWI), accumulating too many traffic violations, or failing to pay child support or court fines. You cannot get one if your suspension is for medical reasons or if you refused a breath or blood test after an arrest.

The state does not automatically give you this license — you have to request it from the court that suspended your license, and a judge decides whether to grant it based on your circumstances and the reason for your suspension.

Key Takeaways

  • A hardship license in Indiana is called Specialized Driving Privileges and allows you to drive only for specific purposes listed on the permit.
  • You can request one only if your suspension was for DWI, traffic violations, or failure to pay child support or court fines — not for medical reasons or test refusal.
  • You must file a petition with the court that suspended your license, not with the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles.
  • You will need to show the court that losing your license causes genuine hardship and that you have a legitimate reason to drive.
  • The court may require you to install an ignition interlock device on your vehicle if your suspension was for DWI.

When you can request a hardship license

The timing depends on why your license was suspended. If you were suspended for a DWI conviction, Indiana law requires you to wait a certain amount of time before you can request Specialized Driving Privileges. For a first DWI offense, you typically must wait until at least 30 days of your suspension have passed. For a second or subsequent DWI, the waiting period is longer — often 180 days or more, depending on the details of your case.

If your suspension was for accumulating too many traffic violations (a point suspension), you can usually request a hardship license right away. The same is true if your suspension resulted from failure to pay child support or court fines. However, you cannot request one while your suspension is still pending — the suspension must already be in effect.

Do not wait until the last moment. Courts can take weeks to schedule a hearing, so file your petition as soon as you meet the waiting period requirement.

How to file a petition with the court

You must file your petition in the circuit court or superior court in the county where you were convicted or where your suspension was ordered. If you are unsure which court, call the clerk's office in your county courthouse and tell them your name and driver's license number — they can direct you to the right place.

You will need to complete a Petition for Specialized Driving Privileges form. This form is not filed with the Bureau of Motor Vehicles; it goes directly to the court. Some county courts have their own version of this form, so call ahead and ask whether the court has a specific form you must use or if you can use the state's standard form.

In your petition, you must explain why losing your license causes hardship — for example, you cannot get to work, you are the only person who can drive your children to school, or you need to drive to medical treatment. You must also list the specific purposes for which you need to drive (work address, school address, doctor's office, etc.). The more specific and detailed your explanation, the better your chances.

File your petition at the courthouse in person or by mail. Include a copy for yourself. There is usually a filing fee, which varies by county but is typically between $50 and $150. Ask the clerk whether the court will waive the fee if you cannot afford it.

What the court will consider at your hearing

After you file, the court will schedule a hearing. You will appear before a judge who will decide whether to grant your request. The judge will look at several things: whether you have a genuine hardship, whether your reason for driving is necessary, your driving record before the suspension, and whether you have completed any court-ordered programs (such as DWI education or substance abuse treatment).

If your suspension was for DWI, the judge will almost certainly require you to install an ignition interlock device on any vehicle you drive. This device prevents your car from starting if it detects alcohol on your breath. You pay for the installation and monthly monitoring yourself — costs typically range from $60 to $100 per month. You must keep the device installed for the entire period your hardship license is valid.

Bring documents to your hearing that support your case: a letter from your employer confirming you need to drive to work, proof of school enrollment, medical appointment letters, or evidence that you completed a DWI education program. The more proof you have, the stronger your petition.

Restrictions and rules for your hardship license

Your Specialized Driving Privileges license will list the specific purposes you are allowed to drive for. You can drive only for those purposes and only during the hours the court specifies. Driving for any other reason — even a short trip to the grocery store if it is not listed — is a violation and can result in additional criminal charges.

You must carry your hardship license with you at all times when driving. If you are stopped by police, show them both your hardship license and your regular suspended license. If you are caught driving outside the permitted purposes or hours, you can be charged with driving with a suspended license, which is a criminal offense in Indiana.

Your hardship license is temporary. It remains valid only as long as your suspension is in effect. Once your suspension period ends and your regular license is restored, your hardship license expires automatically.

If the court denies your request

If the judge denies your petition, you can file again after a certain amount of time has passed — usually 90 days to six months, depending on the reason for your suspension. When you file a second petition, include any new information that shows your circumstances have changed: completion of a DWI program, a new job that requires driving, or a change in your family situation.

You can also ask the court to reconsider if your hardship becomes more severe — for example, if you lose your job and have no other way to get to work, or if a family member becomes ill and you are their only caregiver. Document these changes and file a new petition explaining how your situation has changed since the first denial.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I drive to places other than those listed on my hardship license?

No. You can drive only to the specific locations and for the specific purposes listed on your permit. If your permit says you can drive to work and school, you cannot make stops at the grocery store, gas station, or anywhere else, even if it is on the way. Driving outside your permitted purposes is a criminal violation.

Do I have to install an ignition interlock device?

If your suspension was for DWI, yes — the court will almost certainly require one. If your suspension was for traffic violations or failure to pay child support, the court may not require an interlock, but it depends on the judge's decision. Ask about this at your hearing.

What happens if I get pulled over while driving on my hardship license?

Show the officer your hardship license and your suspended license. If you are driving within your permitted purposes and hours, you should not be cited. If you are outside your permitted purposes, you can be charged with driving with a suspended license, which is a criminal offense and can result in jail time and additional fines.

Can I get a hardship license if I refused a breath test?

No. Indiana law does not allow Specialized Driving Privileges for suspensions based on test refusal. You must wait out your entire suspension period before your license can be restored.

How long does the court take to schedule a hearing?

This varies by county, but most courts schedule a hearing within two to four weeks of receiving your petition. Call the clerk's office to ask about the typical wait time in your county, and file your petition as early as possible to avoid delays.