How to learn about your Indiana license is suspended right now

You can check your Indiana driver's license status online through the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) website without paying a fee. Go to in.gov/bmv, select "License Status Check," and enter your driver's license number and date of birth. The system will tell you when ready whether your license is valid, suspended, or revoked.

If you do not have internet access or prefer to speak with someone, call the BMV at 317-615-7293. Have your license number ready. You can also visit a local BMV branch in person — there are about 140 across Indiana — and an employee can look up your status on the spot.

The online check takes about 30 seconds and is the fastest way to know for certain. Many people discover a suspension this way after being pulled over or when they try to renew online and the system blocks them.

Key Takeaways

  • Check your license status free on in.gov/bmv by entering your license number and birth date, or call 317-615-7293.
  • A suspension in Indiana usually lasts 90 days to one year depending on the reason, but you must resolve the underlying issue before the BMV will lift it.
  • If you were suspended for unpaid traffic fines or child support, you must pay what you owe; if suspended for a DUI, you may need an SR22 form and a substance abuse evaluation.
  • Driving on a suspended license in Indiana is a criminal misdemeanor that can result in jail time, fines up to $500, and a longer suspension.
  • Once you resolve the reason for suspension, contact the BMV to request reinstatement — the suspension does not automatically end on a certain date.

Common reasons your Indiana license gets suspended

Indiana suspends licenses for several specific reasons, and the cause determines what you must do to get it back. The most common are unpaid traffic fines, failure to pay child support, a DUI or alcohol-related conviction, accumulating too many points from traffic violations, and failure to maintain car insurance or report an accident.

Unpaid fines are the single most frequent reason. If you do not pay a traffic ticket by the court important date, the court reports you to the BMV and your license is suspended automatically. Child support arrears work the same way — the state child support enforcement office reports non-payment to the BMV.

A DUI suspension is different: it is tied to the criminal case, not a fine. The BMV suspends your license the moment you are arrested for DUI, even before trial. If you are convicted, the suspension period is set by law based on whether it is your first, second, or third offense within a certain time frame.

What you must do to get your license back

The steps depend on why you were suspended. If it was for unpaid fines, you must pay the full amount owed to the court that issued the ticket. Contact the court directly — the BMV cannot accept payment for fines. Once the court confirms payment, it notifies the BMV, and your suspension is lifted within a few business days.

For child support arrears, you must work with the Indiana Child Support Enforcement office or your local prosecutor's child support division. You can set up a payment plan if you cannot pay the full amount at once. Once you are current or have an approved plan in place, the enforcement office reports this to the BMV.

For a DUI suspension, the process is longer. You must complete a substance abuse evaluation (also called a risk assessment) through an approved provider in Indiana. The evaluation costs between $100 and $300 depending on the provider. You must also obtain an SR22 form from your insurance company — this is a certificate proving you carry the minimum required liability coverage. Only after the BMV receives both the evaluation results and the SR22 can you request reinstatement.

For suspensions due to too many traffic points, you must wait out the suspension period (usually 90 days to one year) and then request reinstatement. You do not have to pay anything, but the BMV will not lift the suspension early.

How long a suspension lasts in Indiana

Suspension length varies by reason. A first-time DUI suspension lasts six months if you are convicted; a second DUI within 10 years is one year; a third is two years. Suspensions for unpaid fines or child support last until you pay, with no set time limit — they can go on indefinitely if the debt is not resolved.

Point-based suspensions (from accumulating traffic violations) typically last 90 days for a first suspension, 180 days for a second, and one year for a third or more within a five-year period. These are automatic — you do not have to do anything except wait, but you cannot drive legally during this time.

Insurance-related suspensions (failure to maintain coverage or report an accident) last until you provide proof of insurance to the BMV. Once you buy a policy and the insurance company files the proof electronically, the suspension is lifted within one to three business days.

What happens if you drive on a suspended license in Indiana

Driving with a suspended license in Indiana is a Class B misdemeanor. If you are caught, you face a fine of $100 to $500, up to 60 days in jail, or both. A second offense within five years is a Class A misdemeanor, punishable by up to one year in jail and fines up to $500.

Beyond the criminal penalty, the BMV will extend your suspension. A conviction for driving while suspended adds another 90 days to one year to your existing suspension, depending on the circumstances. This means a 90-day suspension can become six months or longer if you are caught driving during it.

You also risk civil liability. If you cause an accident while driving on a suspended license, your insurance may deny your claim, leaving you personally responsible for damages. This is one of the most expensive consequences of ignoring a suspension.

Requesting reinstatement after you have resolved the issue

Reinstatement is not automatic. Even after you pay a fine, complete a DUI evaluation, or obtain an SR22, you must formally request that the BMV lift your suspension. You can do this online at in.gov/bmv, by phone at 317-615-7293, or in person at a BMV branch.

If you are requesting reinstatement online, you will need your license number, date of birth, and a valid payment method if there is a reinstatement fee. Indiana charges a $50 reinstatement fee for most suspensions, though some reasons (like point-based suspensions) do not carry a fee.

After you submit your request, the BMV verifies that the underlying issue has been resolved. This usually takes three to five business days. Once approved, your license is reinstated and you can drive legally again. You do not need to take a new test or visit a branch unless the BMV specifically asks you to.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a hardship license while my license is suspended in Indiana?

Indiana does not issue hardship or work licenses during a suspension. However, if your suspension is for unpaid fines or child support, paying what you owe lifts the suspension when ready. For DUI suspensions, you cannot drive at all during the suspension period, even for work.

Will my suspension show up on a background check?

A license suspension is a BMV record, not a criminal record, so it does not appear on most employment background checks. However, if you were convicted of driving while suspended, that conviction is a criminal record and will show up. Some employers who check driving records (like those hiring commercial drivers) will see the suspension history.

What if I moved out of Indiana — does my suspension follow me?

Yes. Indiana suspensions are reported to the National Driver Register, which all states can access. If you move to another state and try to get a license there, the new state will see your Indiana suspension and will not issue you a license until it is lifted. You must resolve the issue with Indiana first.

How do I know if my suspension is for a DUI or for unpaid fines?

The BMV status check online will tell you the reason for suspension. If it does not specify, call 317-615-7293 and ask. The reason matters because it determines what you must do to get reinstated — paying a fine will not lift a DUI suspension, and completing an evaluation will not lift a fine suspension.

Can I appeal my suspension if I think it was a mistake?

If the suspension was issued in error (for example, the court says you paid the fine but the BMV still shows it unpaid), contact the BMV directly with proof. If the suspension was for a conviction you believe was wrongful, you must appeal the conviction itself through the court system, not the BMV. The BMV will lift the suspension once the conviction is overturned.