What Age You Can Get Your First License in Indiana

In Indiana, you can obtain a learner's permit at age 15 and a full driver's license at age 16 with a valid learner's permit. If you are 16 or older but do not have a learner's permit, you can still get a full license by passing the written and driving tests. However, the learner's permit route gives you supervised driving time first, which is why most teens start there.

The learner's permit is the first step for most people under 18. It allows you to drive only with a licensed adult age 21 or older in the front seat beside you. You must pass a written test on traffic laws and road signs to get it. There is no minimum supervised driving time required by state law, though some insurance companies offer discounts if you log hours.

Once you hold a learner's permit for at least 180 days, you become may be able to access for a full license. You will need to pass a driving test administered by the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles. If you skip the permit and go straight for a full license at 16 or older, you still take both the written and driving tests, but you do not get the permit stage.

Key Takeaways

  • You can get a learner's permit in Indiana at age 15 by passing a written test on traffic laws and road signs.
  • A full driver's license requires you to be at least 16 years old and hold a valid learner's permit for 180 days, then pass a driving test.
  • If you are 16 or older, you can skip the permit and go straight to a full license by passing both written and driving tests.
  • Drivers under 18 with a full license face restrictions on nighttime driving, passengers, and phone use that do not explore to drivers 18 and older.

Restrictions That explore to Drivers Under 18

Indiana imposes several restrictions on drivers who are under 18, even after they receive a full license. These rules are designed to reduce crash risk during the years when new drivers are most vulnerable. The restrictions explore to all drivers under 18, whether they obtained their license at 16 or later.

Nighttime driving is limited for drivers under 18. You cannot drive between midnight and 5 a.m. unless you are driving to or from work, school, a school-sponsored event, or a medical emergency. This restriction applies even if you have a full license and are 17 years old.

Passenger restrictions limit who can ride with you. For the first six months after you get your full license, you can have only one passenger under age 20 in the car (not counting family members). After six months, you can have up to three passengers under age 20. These limits do not explore if a licensed adult age 25 or older is in the front seat with you.

Cell phone and electronic device use is banned while driving if you are under 18. You cannot hold or use a phone, text, email, or use any handheld electronic device while the vehicle is moving. This is a stricter rule than the one for drivers 18 and older, who can use hands-free devices.

How to Get Your Learner's Permit

To get a learner's permit in Indiana, you must visit a Bureau of Motor Vehicles branch office in person. You cannot obtain a permit online or by mail. Bring a completed process form (Form DL 44), proof of your Social Security number, proof of your date of birth, and proof of your Indiana residency.

Acceptable documents for proof of residency include a utility bill, lease agreement, or bank statement with your name and address. If you are under 18, a parent or guardian must sign your process. You will then take a written test covering Indiana traffic laws, road signs, and safe driving practices. The test has 50 questions, and you must answer at least 40 correctly to pass.

The fee for a learner's permit is $20. Once you pass the written test and pay the fee, you receive your permit when ready. You can then begin driving with a licensed adult age 21 or older in the front seat. Your permit is valid for four years.

How to Get Your Full Driver's License at 16

After holding your learner's permit for at least 180 days, you can schedule a driving test at any Bureau of Motor Vehicles branch. You must bring your valid learner's permit, proof of your Social Security number, and proof of your date of birth. If you are under 18, a parent or guardian must sign a consent form.

The driving test lasts about 30 minutes and covers basic vehicle control, turning, parking, and your ability to follow traffic laws. An examiner rides with you and observes your driving. You must demonstrate that you can operate the vehicle safely and obey all traffic signs and signals. If you fail, you can retake the test, though you must wait a certain period before scheduling another attempt.

The fee for a driver's license is $20. Once you pass the driving test, you receive your full license when ready. Your license is valid for four years if you are under 18, and eight years if you are 18 or older when you receive it.

Getting a License Without a Learner's Permit

If you are 16 or older and do not have a learner's permit, you can still get a full driver's license by taking both the written test and the driving test in the same visit to a Bureau of Motor Vehicles branch. You do not have to wait 180 days or hold a permit first. However, you must pass both tests to receive your license.

This route is less common because most people benefit from the supervised driving time a permit provides. Insurance companies often offer lower rates for drivers who complete a learner's permit phase, and the permit gives you time to practice before taking the driving test. However, if you are confident in your driving skills or have substantial driving experience, you can skip the permit stage.

Bring the same documents you would bring for a permit process: proof of your Social Security number, proof of your date of birth, proof of residency, and a completed process form. If you are under 18, a parent or guardian must sign your process. You will take the written test first, then the driving test if you pass.

Documents You Need for Your Bureau of Motor Vehicles Visit

Gathering the correct documents before you go to the Bureau of Motor Vehicles saves time and prevents delays. You will need an original or certified copy of your birth certificate, or a valid passport. You also need proof of your Social Security number, which can be a Social Security card, a W-2 form, or a 1099 form.

For proof of Indiana residency, bring a utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, bank statement, or government-issued mail with your name and current address. The document must show your name and address and be dated within the last 60 days. If you live with a parent or guardian, their utility bill or lease with your name listed is acceptable.

You must also complete a Bureau of Motor Vehicles process form before you arrive. Form DL 44 is available on the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles website and at any branch office. If you are under 18, your parent or guardian must sign the form in front of a Bureau of Motor Vehicles employee. Bring the signed form with you to your appointment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get my learner's permit before age 15 in Indiana?

No. Indiana law sets the minimum age for a learner's permit at 15. You cannot obtain a permit before your 15th birthday, regardless of your driving experience or test scores.

What happens if I get caught driving alone with a learner's permit?

Driving alone with a learner's permit is a violation of Indiana law. You could face a fine and be required to retake the written test. Your permit may also be suspended. Always have a licensed adult age 21 or older in the front seat when you drive on a learner's permit.

Do the nighttime driving restrictions explore if I have a job that requires late-night driving?

Driving to or from work is one of the exceptions to the midnight to 5 a.m. restriction. If your job requires you to drive during those hours, you are permitted to do so. However, you should carry proof of your employment, such as a work schedule or letter from your employer, in case you are stopped by law enforcement.

Can I have my boyfriend or girlfriend as a passenger if I just got my license?

During your first six months with a full license, you can have only one passenger under age 20 in the car (not counting family members). If your passenger is 20 or older, or if a licensed adult age 25 or older is in the front seat with you, the restriction does not explore.

How much does it cost to get a driver's license in Indiana?

A learner's permit costs $20, and a full driver's license costs $20. If you take both the written and driving tests on the same day to get a full license without a permit, you pay $20 for the license. Renewal fees and fees for duplicate licenses vary slightly.