How to Get a Hardship License in Indiana

What a hardship license lets you do in Indiana

A hardship license in Indiana is a restricted driving permit that lets you drive for specific purposes only — usually work, school, medical appointments, or court-ordered programs — when your regular license has been suspended. You cannot use it for any other reason. The state issues it through the Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV), and it costs money to obtain.

Indiana calls this permit a Conditional License or Hardship License depending on why your license was suspended. The rules are the same either way: you drive only for the purposes listed on the permit, during the hours listed, and you must carry the permit with you every time you drive. If you drive outside those limits, you can be arrested for driving with a suspended license.

The permit does not restore your full driving privileges. It is a narrow exception to a suspension, not a replacement license. You still cannot drive for pleasure, errands, or any purpose not listed on the permit itself.

Key Takeaways

A hardship license in Indiana lets you drive only for work, school, medical care, or court programs — not for any other reason.
You must request one through the BMV in person, and you need proof of financial hardship, a valid reason for driving, and proof of insurance.
The permit costs money and is valid only for the suspension period; it does not shorten the suspension itself.
Driving outside the permitted purposes or hours is a criminal offense and can result in arrest.
Not all suspensions may have access to for a hardship license — some are ineligible by law, including suspensions for certain drug convictions or habitual traffic violations.

Who can get a hardship license in Indiana

You can request a hardship license only if your suspension meets certain conditions. Indiana law does not allow hardship licenses for all types of suspensions. Suspensions for habitual traffic violations, drug convictions, or refusing a breath test in some cases are ineligible. You also cannot get one if you are under 18 or if your license was suspended for a criminal offense.

If your suspension is for unpaid traffic fines, unpaid child support, or a positive breath test (DUI-related), you may be may be able to access. The BMV will tell you whether your specific suspension qualifies when you contact them. Call the BMV at 317-615-7293 or visit your local branch in person to ask.

You must also show that losing your driving privileges causes genuine hardship — meaning you cannot work, attend school, or receive medical care without driving. The BMV will ask you to explain why you need to drive and what would happen if you could not.

Documents and proof you need to bring

Bring these items with you when you go to the BMV to request a hardship license:

Your current ID or passport
Proof of insurance (a current insurance card or policy document)
Proof of the hardship — this might be a letter from your employer stating you will lose your job if you cannot drive, a school enrollment letter, or a medical appointment notice
Proof of residence (a utility bill, lease, or bank statement with your current address)
The fee, which varies but is typically $20 to $50

The hardship proof is the most important document. It must show a real consequence — job loss, inability to attend school, or inability to reach medical care. A general statement that you need to drive is not enough. If you are in a court-ordered program (such as substance abuse treatment), bring a letter from the program confirming your enrollment and the dates and times you must attend.

If you are requesting the license because of unpaid child support, bring documentation from the child support enforcement agency showing the amount owed and that you are working to pay it.

How to request a hardship license at the BMV

You must request a hardship license in person at a BMV branch. You cannot request one by mail or online. Find your nearest branch on the BMV website at in.gov/bmv and note its hours, as some branches have limited schedules.

Bring all documents listed above. Tell the BMV clerk that you are requesting a hardship license and explain your hardship. The clerk will give you a form to fill out. Be specific about which days and hours you need to drive and for what purpose. For example: "Monday through Friday, 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., for work at [employer name and address]" or "Tuesday and Thursday, 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., for medical appointments at [hospital or clinic name]."

The BMV will review your request and either approve or deny it on the spot or within a few days. If approved, you will receive a permit that lists the exact purposes, days, and hours you are allowed to drive. Keep this permit in your vehicle at all times.

What the permit covers and what it does not

Your hardship license will list specific purposes. Common approved purposes include:

Driving to and from work
Driving to and from school or court-ordered education programs
Driving to medical or dental appointments
Driving to court-ordered substance abuse treatment or counseling
Driving to child support enforcement appointments

You cannot use the permit for grocery shopping, visiting friends, running errands, driving for pleasure, or any purpose not listed on the permit. You also cannot drive outside the hours listed. If your permit says you can drive Monday through Friday, 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., you cannot drive on Saturday or after 6 p.m., even for an approved purpose.

The permit does not shorten your suspension. If you are suspended for one year, the hardship license is valid for that one year, but your suspension still lasts the full year. Once the suspension ends, you must renew your regular license through the normal BMV process.

Cost and how long the permit lasts

The fee for a hardship license in Indiana is not fixed by state law and varies by BMV branch, but typically ranges from $20 to $50. Some branches may charge additional fees if you need a replacement permit. Ask the clerk for the exact cost before you pay.

The permit is valid for the length of your suspension. If you are suspended for six months, the hardship license lasts six months. If you are suspended for one year, it lasts one year. You do not need to renew it during that time unless you lose it or need to change the purposes listed on it.

If your circumstances change — for example, you change jobs or no longer need to attend a court program — you can request a new permit with updated purposes. Go back to the BMV with proof of the change and ask for a replacement permit.

What happens if you drive outside the permit limits

Driving for a purpose not listed on your hardship license, or driving outside the approved hours, is a criminal offense in Indiana. You can be arrested and charged with driving with a suspended license, which is a Class B misdemeanor. This charge carries jail time, fines, and a longer suspension.

Police can stop you at any time and ask to see your hardship license. If you cannot produce it or if your driving does not match the permit, you will be cited. Even one trip outside the approved purposes can result in arrest.

If you are arrested for violating the hardship license terms, you will need to appear in court. A conviction will add to your driving record and may make it harder to get your license back when the suspension ends.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a hardship license if I was suspended for a DUI?

It depends on the type of DUI suspension. If you refused a breath test, Indiana law may prohibit a hardship license in some cases. If you had a positive breath test, you may be may be able to access. Contact the BMV directly at 317-615-7293 to find out whether your specific suspension qualifies.

What if the BMV denies my request?

If the BMV denies your request, ask the clerk why. Common reasons include that your suspension is ineligible by law, you did not provide enough proof of hardship, or you do not have valid insurance. If you believe the denial was wrong, you can request a hearing before a BMV hearing officer. Ask the clerk how to file for a hearing.

Can I use my hardship license to drive someone else's car?

Yes, as long as the car is insured and you are driving for one of the approved purposes listed on your permit. The permit is tied to you, not to a specific vehicle. However, you must have the permit with you in the car at all times.

Does a hardship license count as a valid license if I am pulled over?

A hardship license is a valid permit to drive, but only for the purposes listed on it. If you are pulled over and the officer sees that you are driving outside those purposes or hours, you can be arrested. The permit itself is valid; your use of it may not be.

What happens to my hardship license when my suspension ends?

Your hardship license expires when your suspension ends. You will need to renew your regular driver's license through the normal BMV process — you cannot straightforward start driving without a valid license. Go to the BMV with your ID, proof of residence, and the renewal fee to get your regular license back.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.