What comes to your mind when you think of Indiana roads? Driving through these roads is an enjoyable experience, thanks to all the scenic beauty! So, all set to explore the scenic beauty of ‘The Hoosier State? Hold on, though? Before you hit the road, have you got an Indiana driver’s license?
If not, get one and then hit the road. Driving without a driver’s license in Indiana can earn you hefty fines and jail time. But, of course, anyone would want to avoid that while enjoying the state’s scenic beauty. But the fact is, every Indiana citizen, regardless of age, must get and hold a learner’s permit for around 180 days before applying for a driver’s license. So, is it hard to get an Indiana driver’s license?
No, if you know how to do it! How can you get an Indiana driver’s license? How much does it cost? We’ll give you the complete info!
What documents are needed to get a driver’s license in Indiana?
First, you must receive and hold a learner’s permit for 180 days. In addition, you must get all of your required identity documents before visiting an Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) facility.
- Identity proof: It can be a US birth certificate, an active US passport, a foreign passport, or a consular report of birth abroad.
- Legal status proof: It can be a US birth certificate, unexpired US passport, a passport from another country, or a consular report of birth abroad.
- Proof of Social Security Number (SSN): It can be a pay stub that includes your name and SSN, your Social Security card, a W-2 form, an SSA-1099 form, a non-SSA-1099 form, or other documents from the Social Security Administration.
- Indiana residency proof: It can be a computer-generated bill with your name and address, a bank statement, an already printed pay stub, or a Medicaid or Medicare benefit statement.
List of documents to submit if you changed your name recently
You must provide legal proof if your current legal name, birth date, or gender differs from those shown on your document proving your legal status.
Your name: It can be a certified copy of an amended birth certificate, a marriage license, a divorce decree, adoption papers, or a marriage license.
Birth date: A court order, an original or a certified copy of the birth certificate.
Gender: A certified, updated birth certificate, a doctor’s signed and dated letterhead, or a physician’s statement of gender change.
Tip: For the complete list of all acceptable documents, visit the Indiana BMV website.
How to get a driver’s license in Indiana
Teenagers in Indiana must follow the Graduated Drivers License (GDL) program, which intends to help new, younger drivers gradually get used to driving. There are three main stages that you must follow to get an Indiana driver’s license.
- Indiana Learner’s Permit
- Indiana Probationary Driver’s License
- Unrestricted Indiana Driver’s License
How to get a Learner’s Permit
Irrespective of the age, all Indiana residents must obtain and keep a learner’s permit for 180 days before applying for a driver’s license. You can get this permit when you turn 15. With this permit, you can practice driving under the supervision of a driving instructor or licensed adult in the passenger seat next to you.
Requirements
- Pass the Indiana Knowledge Exam. You must pass a two-part multiple-choice written exam to prove that you are knowledgeable about traffic laws and safe driving practices. To pass, you must rightly answer at least 40 (80%) questions.
- Do a vision test. In Indiana, drivers who read without glasses must have a vision in each eye between 20/40 and 20/20. If you wear contacts or glasses, each eye’s vision must be 20/50. There will be driving restrictions on your license, depending on your vision. You must see a specialist if your vision falls short of state requirements. Also, you must still pass your vision screening even if you get a doctor’s certification that your vision got repaired to meet the state requirements.
- If you’re below 16 years old, submit proof that you’ve finished a course on driver’s education.
How to get a Probationary Driver’s License
Before getting your Indiana probationary driver’s license, you must hold your permit for 180 days. This period helps get used to driving and training for the driving test.
Another important step is to complete the driver’s education program. As a probationary driver, you will get to decide whether or not you want to sign up for driver education. You can fulfil this need by choosing from a list of state-approved courses provided by the Indiana BMV. If you decide not to, you will have to wait an additional 180 days before applying for a license.
Tip: After you turn 21, your probationary license will expire within 30 days. You will be able to obtain your full, unrestricted driver’s license the next day on turning 21.
Steps to follow
- Visit a nearby BMV to apply for a probationary license.
- Submit a log of supervised driving. You must possess 50 hours of supervised driving with a legal parent or guardian, 10 of which must be at night. A signed log must be given to the clerk when making an application.
- Then submit your application.
- Also, submit the documents proving your name, birth date, SSN, residency, and US citizenship or lawful status.
- Pass the driving skills test. It covers vital driving techniques you’ll need to use on the road. Your test instructor will also assess your general comfort level and decision-making abilities while operating a car. Online scheduling is available for the driving test. If you don’t pass the test, you must wait two weeks before trying again.
- Pay the license application fee.
- You must also take a driver’s license photo and surrender the permit to get your probationary license.
How to get an Unrestricted Driver’s License
Suppose you are under 21 and already hold a probationary license. In that case, all you need to do is update your documentation at your local BMV. If you are above 21, you have 180 days from the time you apply for your learner’s permit to get your Indiana driver’s license.
Requirements
- You must hold onto your learner’s permit for at least 180 days. During this period, you can practice driving and prepare for the driving skills exam.
- A new driver must have 50 hours of supervised driving practice, including ten at night, in their supervised driving log.
- Then visit the BMV in person to submit your driver’s license application.
- Visit BMV with documents proving your identity, Indiana residency, SSN, US citizenship, or lawful presence.
- Pass the vision and driving skills test.
- Pay the license fee.
How can out-of-state drivers get an Indiana driver’s license?
An out-of-state driver must get a driver’s license in Indiana within 60 days of moving into the state. Visit a BMV office with the following documents if you are at least 18 years old and have a current out-of-state driver’s license.
- Your current out-of-state driver’s license.
- A verification letter.
- A copy of your driving record.
- Documents proving your identity, SSN, Indiana residency, and lawful status.
- Pass a vision test.
How long does it take to get a driver’s license in Indiana?
On applying, it will take at least 14 days to get your full Indiana driver’s license.
How much is a driver’s license in Indiana?
Any resident aged below 75 needs to pay $17.50 for an Indiana driver’s license. Drivers aged 75 to 84 pay $11, and those aged 85 and above pay $7.
What class is a regular driver’s license in Indiana?
Class D is the regular Indiana driver’s license.
When can you get your driver’s license in Indiana?
You must be 16 years and 90 days old to get an Indiana driver’s license.
To apply for a driver’s license, you must be at least 16 years and 90 days old and have completed an approved driver’s education program. To be eligible for a driver’s license, you must be at least 16 years and 270 days old and have completed an approved driving education program.
You can’t drive between 10 pm-5 am for 180 days after receiving your license. Also, you may not drive a car during the following hours after 180 days of driving and before you turn 18 – between 1 am-5 am on Saturday and Sunday, and after 11 pm, Sunday through Thursday.
How old do you have to be to get your license in Indiana without driver’s ed?
Your child must be 16 years old and have finished a driver’s education program to be eligible for a permit. If your child is 16 years and 270 days old and has completed 50 hours of logged driving, they can apply for a driver’s license.
Do you need an appointment to get your driver’s license in Indiana?
The BMV driving skills test requires an appointment, which you must schedule online or by calling the BMV Contact Center at 888-692-6841. You can’t schedule not less than 48 business hours in advance and no more than 14 days.
Does Indiana have an enhanced driver’s license?
Yes. The BMV urges those seeking a new Indiana driver’s license, learner’s permit, or ID card to update to a REAL-ID. From October 2020, everyone must possess this ID.
How do I find my Indiana driver’s license number?
Follow these steps to find your driver’s license number.
- Take your driver’s license.
- Find the lines at the top that say, ‘Indiana Operator License.’ If you are under 21, a pink color will surround it.
- ‘DNL:’ will appear in the following line of text. Your license number is the series of numbers that come next.
How many numbers are on an Indiana driver’s license?
The driver’s license will have ten numbers in the format ####-##-####.
How many questions are on the Indiana driver’s license test?
The written exam will have 50 questions comprising two sections. To pass and get your permit, you must correctly answer at least 14 of the 16 questions on road signs and at least 28 of the 34 questions on road laws. If you need to retake your knowledge test, you must wait until the following business day. You can take the practice knowledge test here.
How many points can you have on your driver’s license in Indiana?
The BMV will often send a warning letter to drivers when they have accumulated 14 points outlining the penalties for further traffic offenses. A driver having 20 or more points will get a notice of suspension. The number of points a motorist has affects how long the driver’s license suspension will last.
Can undocumented immigrants get a driver’s license in Indiana?
Ideally, Indiana won’t provide a new Commercial Learner’s Permit (CLP) or Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) to any driver who is not a legal citizen. But, reports say that more than 100,000 illegal immigrants are operating vehicles without a license in the state.
Can I renew my Indiana driver’s license online?
Yes, if you have the eligibility for it. Our blog lets you know in detail about renewing your driver’s license in Indiana.
Does Indiana have a veteran’s driver’s license?
You can decide to have a ‘veteran’ indicator added to your driver’s license if you are a veteran. You must provide your DD-214 (long form) evidence of your release or separation to get the indication.
Getting auto insurance in Indiana
So, all set to buy a new car after getting your Indiana driver’s license? First, you must never forget the most crucial part – getting car insurance in Indiana. After all, driving without valid car insurance will result in license suspension and penalties. Ideally, the car insurance rate in Indiana is lower than the national average.
But, you will always search for cheap car insurance in the state. And, you know it isn’t easy to find one! But, don’t worry; that’s where Way.com becomes your guide. Visit Way or use our app to get quotes from various insurers, compare the rates, and buy the most affordable one. That’s the ideal method to get a cheap Indiana auto insurance quote. So, why wait for more?
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