Indiana suspends your license when you reach 12 points in a two-year period

In Indiana, the Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) tracks points on your driving record. When your total reaches 12 points within any 24-month window, your license is automatically suspended. This is not a warning or a fine — it is a mandatory suspension that takes effect.

The suspension length depends on how many times you have been suspended before. Your first suspension lasts 30 days. A second suspension within five years lasts 60 days. A third or later suspension lasts 180 days. After the suspension period ends, you must visit an Indiana BMV branch in person to reinstate your license and pay a reinstatement fee.

Points stay on your record for two years from the date of the violation, not from the date you paid the ticket. This means a ticket from January 2023 stops counting toward suspension in January 2025, even if you paid it months later.

Key Takeaways

  • Twelve points accumulated within 24 months triggers an automatic license suspension in Indiana.
  • Your first suspension lasts 30 days; a second suspension within five years lasts 60 days; a third or later suspension lasts 180 days.
  • Points are based on the violation date, not the date you received the ticket or paid the fine.
  • You must visit an Indiana BMV office in person and pay a reinstatement fee to get your license back after the suspension period ends.

What violations add points to your Indiana record

Not every traffic ticket adds points. Parking violations, equipment violations (like a broken taillight), and some minor infractions do not count. Moving violations — things you do while driving — are what add points to your record.

Common violations and their point values include: speeding (2 to 6 points depending on how far over the limit), reckless driving (4 points), running a red light or stop sign (4 points), improper lane change (3 points), following too closely (4 points), and driving without a valid license (6 points). More serious violations like operating while intoxicated (OWI) add 8 points, and causing an accident while at fault adds 4 points.

If you receive a ticket, the citation itself will show the point value. You can also contact your local BMV branch or check your driving record online through the Indiana BMV website to see exactly what points are on your record and when they will drop off.

How to check your current point total

You can view your Indiana driving record online through the BMV website without visiting an office. You will need your driver's license number and date of birth. The online record shows every violation on file, the date it occurred, the point value, and the date it will be removed.

If you prefer to check in person, visit any Indiana BMV branch. Bring your driver's license or state ID. The staff can print your record and explain which violations are still counting toward suspension and which ones are about to drop off.

Checking your record is free and takes only a few minutes. Many people discover they are closer to 12 points than they realized, which gives them time to adjust their driving or plan for the possibility of suspension.

What happens when you reach 12 points

The BMV does not send a warning when you are approaching 12 points. Once your record reaches exactly 12 points, the suspension takes effect automatically. You will receive a notice in the mail, but the suspension is already in place — you cannot drive legally while waiting for the letter to arrive.

Driving on a suspended license is a separate criminal offense in Indiana. If you are stopped while your license is suspended, you face additional charges, fines, and possible jail time on top of the original suspension. This is why checking your record regularly matters: if you know you are at 10 or 11 points, you can be extra careful to avoid another violation.

The suspension is not negotiable or reducible through the BMV. You must wait out the full suspension period (30, 60, or 180 days depending on your history) before you can reinstate.

How to reinstate your license after suspension

After your suspension period ends, your license does not automatically come back. You must take action. Visit an Indiana BMV branch in person with your driver's license or state ID and proof of your identity (such as a birth certificate or passport). You will need to pay a reinstatement fee, which is currently $50, though this amount can change.

Bring proof of financial responsibility if you were suspended for an at-fault accident or an OWI. This usually means an SR-22 form from your insurance company, which shows the BMV that you carry the required liability coverage. Without it, your license will not be reinstated even after you pay the fee.

Once you complete these steps and pay the fee, your license is reinstated when ready. You can drive legally as soon as you leave the BMV office.

How points drop off your record

Points are removed automatically two years after the violation date. You do not have to do anything — the BMV removes them on its own. However, the two-year clock starts from the date of the violation, not the date you received the ticket or paid the fine.

If you received a ticket on March 15, 2023, those points drop off on March 15, 2025, regardless of when you paid the ticket or went to court. This matters if you are close to 12 points: a violation from two years ago might be about to fall off, which could bring you back below the suspension threshold.

This is another reason to check your driving record regularly. If you know a violation is about to drop off, you can be especially careful for a few more weeks until it does.

Defensive driving courses and point reduction

Indiana allows you to reduce points on your record by taking a defensive driving course approved by the BMV. Completing the course removes up to 4 points from your record, but only if you have not taken a defensive driving course in the past three years.

The course is typically offered online and takes a few hours to complete. You pay a fee directly to the course provider (not the BMV), which varies but is usually between $20 and $50. After you finish, the provider sends your completion certificate to the BMV, and the points are removed within a few weeks.

This option is most useful if you are at 8, 9, 10, or 11 points and want to avoid suspension. Taking the course brings you back below 12 and gives you a fresh start. However, you can only use this option once every three years, so it is not a permanent solution if you continue to receive violations.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I drive during my 30-day suspension?

No. Driving on a suspended license is illegal in Indiana, even for one day or a short trip. If you are stopped, you face criminal charges, fines, and possible jail time in addition to the original suspension. Some people receive a hardship license that allows driving to work or school, but you must request this from the BMV and meet specific requirements.

Do points from out-of-state tickets count toward Indiana suspension?

Yes. Indiana counts violations from other states under the Interstate Compact agreement. If you receive a ticket in Ohio or Kentucky, for example, those points are added to your Indiana record and count toward the 12-point suspension threshold.

What if I was not the one driving when I got the ticket?

If someone else was driving your car, you can contest the ticket in traffic court. You will need to prove you were not driving. However, if you straightforward pay the ticket without contesting it, the points go on your record regardless of who was actually behind the wheel.

Does my suspension affect my car insurance?

Yes. A license suspension is reported to insurance companies and typically results in higher premiums or cancellation of your policy. You may also be required to carry SR-22 insurance, which is more expensive than standard coverage.

Can I get my points reduced if I go to traffic court?

Possibly. If you contest the ticket in court and the charge is reduced or dismissed, the points are reduced or removed. Some judges also offer point reductions as part of a plea agreement. However, this depends on the specific violation and the judge — there is no may provide.