What Happens When Your Indiana License Gets Suspended

A suspended license in Indiana means you cannot legally drive. The state's Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) removes your driving privilege for a set period, and you must stop driving until the suspension ends and you meet any reinstatement requirements. Unlike a revocation, which is permanent or very long-term, a suspension has an end date — but you cannot shorten it by ignoring it.

Indiana suspends licenses for specific violations and failures. The most common reason is failing to pay a traffic fine or court-ordered child support. Other frequent causes include accumulating too many points on your driving record, driving with a suspended license, failing a drug or alcohol test, or not maintaining required insurance. Each reason carries its own suspension length, which the BMV will tell you in writing.

Driving on a suspended license is a separate criminal offense in Indiana. A first offense is a Class B misdemeanor, which can result in jail time and fines. This makes it critical to know your suspension status before you get behind the wheel.

Key Takeaways

  • Indiana suspends licenses most often for unpaid traffic fines, failure to maintain insurance, or accumulating too many driving points.
  • You will receive written notice from the BMV explaining why your license is suspended and when it will end.
  • Driving while suspended is a criminal offense that carries jail time and fines separate from the original suspension reason.
  • To reinstate your license, you must wait out the suspension period, pay any required fees, and sometimes complete additional steps like an alcohol safety program.
  • You can check your suspension status online through the BMV website or by calling their customer service line.

The Most Common Reasons for Suspension in Indiana

Unpaid traffic fines and court costs are the leading cause of license suspension in Indiana. When you receive a ticket and fail to pay the fine by the court's important date, the court reports this to the BMV, which suspends your license automatically. The suspension stays in place until you pay the full amount owed, including any late fees or collection costs.

Failure to maintain auto insurance triggers suspension under Indiana's Financial Responsibility Law. If you let your insurance lapse, are caught driving uninsured, or fail to show proof of insurance when asked, the BMV will suspend your license. This suspension typically lasts 90 days, but you cannot reinstate until you purchase insurance and file an SR22 form with the BMV.

Accumulating too many points on your driving record also leads to suspension. Indiana uses a points system where moving violations add points to your record. If you reach 12 points within two years, your license is suspended for 30 days. A second suspension within five years lasts 60 days, and a third is 90 days. Points drop off your record after two years from the violation date.

Driving with a suspended license results in an additional suspension on top of your original one. If you are caught driving while already suspended, the BMV adds another suspension period to your existing one. This is why checking your status before driving is essential.

Failure to pay child support can also trigger license suspension. If you fall behind on court-ordered child support payments, the state can suspend your license as a collection tool. You must contact the child support enforcement office to arrange payment before the BMV will reinstate your license.

How to Check Your Suspension Status in Indiana

The fastest way to know whether your license is suspended is to check the BMV website directly. Go to in.gov/bmv and use their online license status tool. You will need your driver's license number and date of birth. The system will tell you when ready whether your license is suspended, why, and when the suspension ends.

If you do not have internet access or prefer to speak with someone, call the BMV Customer Service line at 317-615-7293. They can look up your status over the phone and explain what you need to do to reinstate your license. Wait times vary, but calling early in the morning usually means a shorter hold.

You can also visit a local BMV branch in person. Bring your driver's license or state ID, and staff will print out your driving record and suspension details. This is useful if you want to understand exactly what violations led to the suspension or if you need a document for court or your employer.

Steps to Reinstate Your License After Suspension

The reinstatement process depends on why your license was suspended. For most suspensions, the basic steps are the same: wait out the suspension period, pay the reinstatement fee, and complete any additional requirements.

For unpaid fines: Pay the full amount owed to the court that issued the ticket. Once the court reports payment to the BMV, your suspension will be lifted. You do not need to visit the BMV or pay a separate reinstatement fee in this case.

For insurance-related suspensions: Purchase auto insurance and file an SR22 form with the BMV. The SR22 is a certificate of financial responsibility that proves you have insurance. Your insurance company will file it for you when you buy a policy. After filing, you must pay the BMV a $50 reinstatement fee. Your license will be reinstated once the BMV receives the SR22 and the fee is processed.

For points-based suspensions: Wait out the suspension period (30, 60, or 90 days depending on how many times you have been suspended). On the day your suspension ends, you can drive legally again — no fee or additional paperwork is required. However, if you were also cited for driving with a suspended license, you may have additional fines or court requirements.

For child support arrears: Contact the Indiana Child Support Enforcement office and arrange a payment plan or lump-sum payment. Once you have made satisfactory arrangements or paid in full, the enforcement office will notify the BMV, and your suspension will be lifted.

After any suspension ends, your license is automatically reinstated if all requirements are met. You do not need to reapply or take a new test. However, if you have multiple suspensions or other violations on your record, you may be required to take a written exam or attend a driver safety course before reinstatement.

What Happens If You Drive While Suspended

Driving with a suspended license in Indiana is a criminal offense, not just a traffic violation. A first offense is a Class B misdemeanor, which carries up to 180 days in jail and a fine up to $1,000. A second offense within five years is a Class A misdemeanor, with up to one year in jail and fines up to $5,000. A third or subsequent offense within ten years is a felony.

Beyond criminal penalties, driving while suspended will result in additional suspension time added to your existing suspension. If you are caught, the BMV will extend your suspension by at least 30 days. If you cause an accident while driving suspended, you may face civil liability for damages, and your insurance will likely deny your claim because you were breaking the law.

Police can stop you for any reason and check your license status. If your license is suspended and you are pulled over, be honest and cooperate. Lying about your status or providing false identification makes the situation worse and adds charges.

Insurance and Suspended License Requirements

If your license was suspended because of a lapse in insurance, you will need to file an SR22 form to reinstate it. An SR22 is not insurance itself — it is a certificate that your insurance company files with the BMV to prove you have coverage. Indiana requires this form for drivers who have been caught without insurance or who have had multiple violations.

You must purchase a standard auto insurance policy first. Once you have a policy, tell your insurance agent that you need an SR22 filed. Most companies file it electronically within one business day, though some may charge a small fee ($15 to $25). The BMV will receive the SR22 and process your reinstatement once you also pay the $50 reinstatement fee.

You must maintain continuous insurance coverage for the entire period the SR22 is active, typically three years. If your insurance lapses even for one day, your insurance company is required to notify the BMV, and your license will be suspended again. This is why it is critical to pay your insurance premiums on time and keep your policy active.

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 due to unpaid fines, you can sometimes negotiate a payment plan with the court, which may result in the suspension being lifted. Contact the court that issued the ticket to discuss your options.

How long does a suspension stay on my driving record?

Suspensions remain on your record for the duration of the suspension plus any additional time required by law. Points drop off after two years, but the suspension itself is a permanent part of your history. This affects your insurance rates and can be considered in future traffic cases.

What if I moved out of Indiana while my license was suspended?

Your Indiana suspension follows you. If you move to another state, that state's DMV can see your Indiana suspension history. You will need to resolve the suspension with Indiana before you can obtain a license in your new state. Contact the BMV to arrange payment or meet other requirements.

Do I have to go to the BMV in person to reinstate my license?

For most suspensions, you do not need to visit the BMV in person. You can pay fines by mail or online, and insurance companies can file SR22 forms electronically. However, if you have multiple suspensions, were cited for driving while suspended, or have other complications, you may need to visit a branch or appear in court.

Will my insurance rates go up after my license is reinstated?

Yes. A suspension, especially one related to insurance or traffic violations, will increase your insurance rates significantly. Rates typically stay elevated for three to five years. Shopping around for quotes from different insurers may help you find lower rates, as some companies are more forgiving of suspensions than others.