Indiana driver's license fees by document type

An Indiana driver's license costs $20 for a four-year license or $30 for an eight-year license. The eight-year option is available only to drivers aged 21 and older. If you're under 21, you must purchase the four-year license, which renews when you turn 21.

A learner's permit costs $20 and is valid for one year. You can renew it once for another $20 before you must take the full driving test again. An Indiana ID card (non-driver identification) costs $15 for a four-year card or $22.50 for an eight-year card, and serves the same purpose as a driver's license for identification but does not permit you to drive.

These fees cover the cost of the document itself and the processing of your process at the Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV). The BMV does not charge separate process or processing fees beyond the license cost.

Key Takeaways

  • A four-year Indiana driver's license costs $20; an eight-year license costs $30 and is available only to drivers 21 and older.
  • A learner's permit costs $20 and lasts one year, with one renewal available for another $20.
  • An Indiana ID card (non-driver) costs $15 for four years or $22.50 for eight years.
  • You pay the full fee at the BMV when you explore; there are no separate processing or process charges.

When you renew your license

Renewal costs the same as an initial license: $20 for four years or $30 for eight years. You can renew your license up to one year before it expires, which means you can pay the renewal fee early if you want to avoid a gap in your driving privileges.

If your license has been expired for more than two years, the BMV treats your renewal as a new process rather than a renewal. This means you may need to retake the written test and vision test, though you will not need to retake the driving test. The fee remains the same, but the process takes longer.

Replacement licenses and corrections

If your license is lost, stolen, or damaged, a replacement costs $10. This is less than a new license because you are not renewing your driving privileges—you are straightforward getting a new card with the same information.

If you need to correct information on your license (such as a legal name change or address update), the cost depends on what you are changing. A name change or address change costs $10 if done by mail or in person at a BMV branch. Some changes, such as correcting a mistake the BMV made on your original license, may be free; contact your local BMV branch to confirm.

How to pay and accepted payment methods

The BMV accepts cash, check, debit card, and credit card at all branch locations. Online renewals (available for certain drivers) accept debit and credit cards only. If you renew by mail, you can pay by check or money order.

Some BMV branches offer appointment scheduling through the Indiana BMV website, which can reduce wait times but does not change the fee. Walk-in service is also available at all branches, though wait times vary by location and time of day.

Additional costs you may encounter

If you need to take a driving test (either for a learner's permit or because your license has expired for more than two years), there is no separate test fee—the cost is included in the license or permit fee. However, if you fail the driving test, you must pay the full license fee again to retake it.

If you need to take a vision test at the BMV (rather than bringing a vision test result from an eye doctor), the BMV does not charge a separate fee for the test itself. However, if you fail the vision test and need to see an eye doctor before you can be licensed, that eye exam is your own cost.

Some BMV branches are located inside other facilities (such as a grocery store or pharmacy) and may charge a small facility fee in addition to the license fee. This varies by location. Call ahead to your local branch to confirm whether a facility fee applies.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I pay for my license online?

You can renew your license online if you meet certain conditions: your license must not be expired, you must be at least 21 years old, and you must not need to change your address or name. Online renewal costs the same as in-person renewal. New licenses and learner's permits must be obtained in person at a BMV branch.

What if I'm a military member stationed out of state?

Indiana allows military members to renew by mail without the usual restrictions on online renewal. You will need to provide proof of military status and a current address. The fee is the same, and you can pay by check or money order. Contact the BMV to request a mail renewal form.

Do I have to pay the full fee if I'm renewing early?

Yes, you pay the full renewal fee even if you renew up to one year early. The fee does not change based on how much time remains on your current license. Your new license will be valid for four or eight years from the date you renew, not from the expiration date of your old license.

What happens if I don't pay the fee?

If you do not pay the fee, the BMV will not issue your license or permit. You cannot drive legally without a valid license. If your license has expired and you have not renewed it, you are driving without a valid license, which is a traffic violation in Indiana.