What you need to do to renew in Indiana
Indiana lets you renew your driver's license by mail, online, or in person at a Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) branch. Most people can use mail or online renewal if their license is not expired by more than five years and they have not had certain violations. If you cannot renew by mail or online, or if your license has been expired longer than five years, you will need to visit a BMV branch in person.
The method you choose depends on how much time you have and whether your situation qualifies for the faster routes. Online renewal is the quickest option when it is available to you — you can complete it from home in minutes. Mail renewal takes longer but requires no trip. In-person renewal at a BMV branch is necessary if the other routes are not open to you.
Key Takeaways
- Indiana offers online renewal for most drivers whose licenses expired within the last five years and who have no disqualifying violations or medical conditions.
- Mail renewal takes two to three weeks and costs the same as online renewal, but you must send original documents and cannot track the process as easily.
- In-person renewal at a BMV branch is required if your license expired more than five years ago or if you have certain violations, medical suspensions, or name changes.
- Your new license will arrive by mail within one to two weeks of approval, whether you renewed online, by mail, or in person.
- Indiana driver's licenses are valid for eight years, so plan your renewal before the expiration date on your current license to avoid driving on an expired license.
Online renewal: fastest option for most drivers
You can renew online through the Indiana BMV website if your current license is not expired by more than five years, you have no medical suspensions or disqualifying violations, and your address has not changed since your last renewal. The online system will tell you when ready whether you are able to proceed. You will need your current driver's license number, the last four digits of your Social Security number, and a valid payment method.
The online process takes about ten minutes. You will confirm your personal information, pay the renewal fee (which varies depending on how many years you are renewing for), and submit. Once approved, your new license will be mailed to the address on file. You should receive it within one to two weeks. You can continue to drive on your current license until the new one arrives.
If the online system tells you that you do not meet the requirements, it will explain why — for example, if your address changed or if a violation is on your record. In that case, you will need to renew by mail or in person instead.
Mail renewal: slower but no trip required
Mail renewal works for the same drivers who can renew online. You will need to request a renewal form from the Indiana BMV, fill it out, and mail it back with a copy of your current license and payment. The BMV website has the form available to print, or you can call the BMV to request one by mail.
Mail renewal takes longer than online — typically two to three weeks from the time the BMV receives your envelope. You will not know the status of your renewal while it is being processed, so there is no way to check on it. If something is missing or incorrect, the BMV may contact you, which adds more time. For this reason, online renewal is usually the better choice if you are may be able to access.
The renewal fee is the same whether you renew online or by mail. Make sure to include a check or money order — the BMV does not accept credit cards by mail. Keep a copy of what you send in case there are questions later.
In-person renewal at a BMV branch
You must renew in person if your license expired more than five years ago, if you have a medical suspension on your record, if you have certain violations, or if your name has changed since your last renewal. You will also need to renew in person if you want to change your address, add or remove organ donor status, or update your photograph.
To renew in person, visit any BMV branch with your current driver's license, proof of your Social Security number (such as a Social Security card or tax return), and proof of your current address (such as a utility bill or lease). Bring payment for the renewal fee. Some branches accept appointments through the BMV website, which can save you time waiting in line. Walk-ins are also accepted, but wait times vary by location and time of day.
The BMV will take a new photograph, verify your information, and process your renewal on the spot. Your new license will be mailed to you within one to two weeks. You can drive on your current license until the new one arrives, even if it is expired, because you have proof that you renewed in person.
What the renewal costs and how long it takes
Indiana driver's license renewal fees depend on how many years you are renewing for. A four-year renewal costs less than an eight-year renewal. You can choose either length when you renew, so the total cost depends on your choice. The BMV website lists the current fee amounts, which may change year to year.
The timeline differs by method. Online renewal is approved within minutes, and your license arrives in one to two weeks. Mail renewal takes two to three weeks for processing, plus mail delivery time. In-person renewal is processed when ready, and your license arrives in one to two weeks. In all cases, you can drive on your current license until the new one arrives.
When your license expires and how to plan ahead
Indiana driver's licenses are valid for eight years from the date they are issued. Your expiration date is printed on the front of your license. You can renew up to one year before your license expires, so you do not have to wait until the last moment.
Renewing early is a good idea because it gives you time to handle any problems that come up. If the BMV finds an issue with your process — for example, a name mismatch or a missing document — you will have time to fix it before your current license expires. If you wait until your license is expired, you cannot legally drive, even if you have submitted a renewal process.
What to do if your license is already expired
If your license expired less than five years ago, you can still renew by mail or online using the same process as above. The BMV does not penalize you for renewing after expiration, but you cannot legally drive until your new license arrives. Do not drive on an expired license, even if you have a renewal process pending.
If your license expired more than five years ago, you must renew in person at a BMV branch. Bring the same documents you would bring for any in-person renewal. The BMV may require additional steps if your license has been expired for a very long time, so call ahead or check the website to confirm what you need.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drive while my renewal is being processed?
Yes, you can drive on your current license until your new license arrives, as long as your current license is not expired. If your license is already expired when you submit your renewal, you cannot legally drive, even if you have proof that you applied. Renew before your expiration date to avoid this problem.
What if I moved to a different address since my last renewal?
If you moved, you cannot renew online or by mail. You must visit a BMV branch in person and bring proof of your new address, such as a utility bill, lease, or bank statement. The BMV will update your address and issue a new license with the correct information.
Do I need a new photo when I renew?
If you renew online or by mail, the BMV will use your photo from your current license. If you renew in person, the BMV will take a new photograph. You can only get a new photo by renewing in person.
What happens if I lose my renewal form or make a mistake on it?
If you are renewing by mail and make a mistake, contact the BMV before you mail it. If you already mailed it, call the BMV to explain the error. They may be able to correct it or ask you to resubmit. For online renewal, the system will not let you submit if required fields are missing, so mistakes are caught before you pay.
How do I know if my renewal was approved?
If you renewed online, you will see a confirmation message when ready. If you renewed by mail, you will not receive a confirmation — your new license will straightforward arrive in the mail. If you renewed in person, you will receive a receipt at the BMV. If your license does not arrive within three weeks, contact the BMV to check the status.