How the BMV Suspends a License
The Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) — Indiana's licensing authority — suspends your driving privileges when you break certain traffic laws or fail to meet licensing requirements. A suspension is temporary: your license stops working on a specific date, and you cannot legally drive until the BMV reinstates it. This is different from a revocation, which is permanent and requires you to reapply for a new license.
When the BMV suspends your license, you receive a notice in the mail explaining the reason, the suspension start date, and how long it will last. The length of suspension depends on what caused it — some last 30 days, others six months or longer. You must stop driving when ready when the suspension takes effect, even if you still have your physical license card in your wallet.
Driving on a suspended license is a separate criminal offense in Indiana, with penalties including fines, jail time, and a longer suspension. The BMV tracks suspensions through its database, so police can see your status during a traffic stop.
Key Takeaways
- The BMV suspends licenses for specific violations like unpaid traffic tickets, failure to pay child support, or accumulating too many points on your driving record.
- A suspension is temporary and has a set end date; you must stop driving when ready when it begins, even if you still have your physical license card.
- Driving while suspended is a criminal offense that results in additional fines, possible jail time, and an extended suspension period.
- You can request a hearing to challenge a suspension if you believe the BMV made an error or if you have hardship circumstances.
- Reinstatement requires you to pay any outstanding fees, resolve the underlying violation, and sometimes complete a driver safety course.
Common Reasons the BMV Suspends Licenses in Indiana
The BMV suspends licenses for a range of violations. The most common reason is accumulating too many points on your driving record — Indiana uses a point system where traffic violations add points, and reaching 12 points in two years triggers a suspension. Speeding, reckless driving, and at-fault accidents all add points.
Other frequent suspension reasons include unpaid traffic tickets or court fines, failure to pay child support, and driving without insurance. If you receive a ticket and do not pay it or fail to appear in court, the BMV will suspend your license. Similarly, if you fall behind on child support payments, the state can suspend your license as a collection tool.
Suspension also happens for medical reasons — if you have a seizure disorder or other condition that affects your ability to drive safely, the BMV can suspend your license until you provide medical clearance. DUI convictions carry automatic suspension periods that vary based on whether it is your first offense or a repeat violation.
How Long a Suspension Lasts
Suspension length depends on the cause. Point-based suspensions typically last 30 days for a first suspension, 60 days for a second within five years, and 180 days for a third. If you accumulate points again after reinstatement, the suspension period grows longer.
Unpaid ticket suspensions last until you pay the fine and court costs. Child support suspensions continue until you bring your account current. DUI suspensions are longer — a first offense usually means 180 days to one year, and repeat offenses carry suspensions of one year or more.
The BMV notice you receive will state the exact suspension period and the date your license becomes active again, assuming you meet all reinstatement requirements.
What You Must Do During a Suspension
During a suspension, you cannot legally drive for any reason — not to work, not to medical appointments, not to court. Doing so is a criminal offense. If you are stopped by police, you face arrest, additional fines, and a longer suspension.
You should arrange alternative transportation: carpooling, public transit, rideshare services, or asking friends and family for rides. Some employers offer flexible schedules or remote work during suspensions. If you have a medical appointment that cannot wait, you may be able to request a hardship license, though this is granted only in limited circumstances and requires a formal request to the BMV.
Use the suspension period to address the underlying cause. If points caused the suspension, take a defensive driving course — completing one removes four points from your record and may shorten your suspension. If unpaid tickets caused it, contact the court to set up a payment plan. If child support is the issue, work with the child support agency to bring your account current.
How to Request a Hearing or Challenge a Suspension
You have the right to request a hearing if you believe the BMV made an error or if you have circumstances that warrant reconsideration. The BMV notice you receive will include instructions for requesting a hearing, usually within a set number of days (often 10 days from the notice date).
At a hearing, you can present evidence and testimony about why the suspension should not stand or should be reduced. Common grounds for challenge include clerical errors in the BMV's records, proof that you paid a ticket the BMV says is unpaid, or medical evidence that contradicts a medical suspension. Hardship circumstances — such as being the sole caregiver for a disabled family member or having a job you cannot reach by other means — may result in a limited driving permit instead of full reinstatement.
You do not need a lawyer to request a hearing, but having one can help if your case is complex. Contact the BMV directly for the hearing request process and important date specific to your suspension type.
Steps to Reinstate Your License After Suspension
Reinstatement is not automatic when your suspension period ends. You must take specific steps to restore your driving privileges. First, resolve the underlying cause: pay any outstanding fines and court costs, bring child support current, or provide medical clearance if applicable.
Next, pay the BMV reinstatement fee, which is typically $50 to $100 depending on the suspension reason. You may also need to complete a driver safety course or defensive driving course, particularly if your suspension was point-based. Some suspensions require you to obtain an SR-22 form (proof of financial responsibility) from your insurance company before the BMV will reinstate you.
Once you have completed all requirements, contact the BMV or visit a branch in person to request reinstatement. Bring proof of payment, course completion certificates, and any other documents the BMV specified in your suspension notice. Your license will be reinstated once the BMV confirms you have met all conditions.
Hardship Licenses and Limited Driving Permits
If a suspension creates genuine hardship — you cannot reach work, medical treatment, or court-ordered obligations — you may request a hardship license (also called a limited driving permit). This allows you to drive only for specific purposes during your suspension period, not for general use.
Hardship licenses are not granted automatically and require you to demonstrate that no reasonable alternative transportation exists. You must submit a written request to the BMV explaining your situation, often with supporting documents such as a letter from your employer, proof of medical appointments, or evidence that public transit is unavailable in your area.
The BMV reviews hardship requests on a case-by-case basis. If approved, your permit will specify which routes and times you can drive — typically to and from work, medical appointments, or court. Driving outside these limits is a violation and can result in criminal charges and further suspension.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drive to work if my license is suspended?
No, you cannot drive for any reason during a suspension, including work. Doing so is a criminal offense. You must arrange alternative transportation or request a hardship license from the BMV, which is granted only if you can show that no other transportation option exists and that you have a genuine work-related need.
What happens if I get pulled over while suspended?
You can be arrested, charged with driving with a suspended license (a criminal offense), fined, and jailed. Your license suspension will be extended, and you may face additional penalties. The police officer will see your suspension status in the BMV database during the traffic stop.
How do I know when my suspension ends?
The BMV notice you received when the suspension began states the exact end date. You can also contact the BMV directly or check your status online through the BMV website. Remember that reinstatement is not automatic — you must complete all requirements and request reinstatement even after the suspension period expires.
Can I get my license back early?
Early reinstatement is possible in some cases if you complete the underlying requirement before the suspension period ends. For example, if you pay an unpaid ticket before the suspension period expires, you may be able to request early reinstatement. Contact the BMV to ask whether early reinstatement is an option for your specific suspension.
Do I need to retake the written or road test to get my license back?
No, you do not retake tests for a suspension reinstatement. You only need to pay reinstatement fees, resolve the underlying violation, and meet any other conditions the BMV specifies. A revocation (permanent cancellation) would require you to reapply and retake tests, but a suspension does not.