Applying for a New Driver's License in Indiana (Age 18+)

Applying for a new Indiana driver's license requires that you visit a BMV office and successfully pass a vision and driver test. Various documents will be required with your visit along with the mandatory licensing fee. If you have never had a license previously, you must first get a learner's permit and keep it in good standing for a set amount of time before you are eligible to apply for the real driver's license.

Keep reading to figure out how you can get your first IN driver's license from the Indiana BMV.

Note: Before you apply for your driver's license, you must first receive your learner's permit. Check out our Driver's Prep section for further instructions.

Just Moved to Indiana?

If you have recently moved to Indiana with a valid driver's license in a previous state, you have a 60-day period to switch over.

Take a look at the steps below before applying for your full IN driver's license. Some other things you may have to do first include:

  • Surrendering the license of your previous state.
    • Giving up a driver's license in a different country is not necessary.
  • Submitting a duplicate of your driving record.
  • OR
  • Sending in a verification letter.

The driving test can be waived for the following reasons:

  • You are 18 or older and possess a valid driver's license or a license that expired less than three years ago.
  • OR
  • You are not yet 18 but older than 16 and a half and have had a driver's license from a different state for at least 180 days.

You must apply for a driver's permit under the following circumstances:

  • You are not yet 18 and have not had a driver's license issued by another state for 180 or more days.
  • OR
  • You've never had a drivers license before (from any state).

Indiana Driver's License Types

At the Indiana BMV, you will find the following licenses being offered:

  • A full driver's license.
  • A learners permit, which is a requirement towards attaining the full driver's license.
  • A probationary driver's license, which is a driver's license given to those under the age of 18.
  • A commercial driver's license (CDL).
  • A motorcycle license.

Requirements to Apply for Driver's License

To qualify for applying for an IN driver's license, you have to:

  • Hold a learner's permit for 180 or more days.
  • Be at least 16 and 3/4 years old, OR 16 and a half with completion of driver's ed.

AND

Check out the Indiana BMV calendar to see if you meet the eligibility requirements.

Applying for the IN Driver's License

When you meet the requirements for applying for a full driver's license, take a trip to your closest Indiana BMV office to:

  • Submit:
    • Proof of identity. (U.S. birth certificate, U.S. passport, or a foreign passport with visa and 1-94 document printed out)
    • Proof of Social Security Number (SSN) (Can be found on Social Security card, W-2 form, or check stubs.)
    • Proof of valid U.S. citizenship (Proof may be U.S. birth certificate, U.S. passport, or a foreign passport with visa and printed out 1-94 document.)
    • Proof of being an Indiana resident. (You will need to bring two of the following documents: a utility bill from the past few months, recent bank statement, or IN voter registration card.)
  • Pass the following tests:
    • Driving skills test (can be waived if taken with driver's ed course.)
    • Vision test.
  • Turn in your signed and completed Log of Supervised Driving.
  • Pay the mandatory fee:
    • Under 75 years old: $17.50 (valid six years).
    • Between 75 and 84 years old: $11 (valid three years).
    • 85+ years old: $7 (valid two years).

To see a complete list of acceptable documents, kindly refer to the IN BMV website.
NOTE: You will need to pass a written driving test in order to get your learner's permit.

Driving Skills Test

In order to take your official road test, you will need to schedule an appointment. You should arrive 15 minutes before your scheduled time. You need to bring your own safe and registered vehicle.

Your ability to practice safe driving on public roads will be tested. Here is a list of possible maneuvers you may have to do:

  • Backing up.
  • Handling intersection situations.
  • Parallel parking.
  • Using the blinker properly.

Failing the road test means there will be a 14-day waiting period until you are able to retake it. Failure of the test three times means you must wait two months after your last try before scheduling another one.
For further details, please refer to the Indiana BMV website.