How to Renew Your Indiana Driver's License

Where to renew and what you need to bring

You can renew your Indiana driver's license at any Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) branch, or you can renew by mail if you meet certain conditions. The BMV has about 140 branches across the state, and you can find the one nearest you on the BMV website by entering your county or city.

Before you go to a branch or submit anything by mail, gather these documents: your current driver's license, proof of your Social Security number (your Social Security card, W-2, or 1099 form), and proof of your current Indiana address (a utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days). If your name has changed since your last license, bring a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order showing the change.

If you are renewing in person, you will also need to pass a vision test at the BMV. The test is quick — the staff member will check whether you can read a chart from a standard distance. If you wear glasses or contacts, bring them with you.

Key Takeaways

You can renew in person at any BMV branch or by mail if your license is not suspended, you have no medical restrictions, and you are not required to take a new photo.
Bring your current license, proof of your Social Security number, and proof of your current address dated within the last 60 days.
In-person renewal takes about 15 to 30 minutes at most branches, and your new license arrives by mail within one to two weeks.
Mail renewal costs the same as in-person renewal but takes two to four weeks from when the BMV receives your documents.
Your renewed license is valid for eight years if you are under 75, or four years if you are 75 or older.

Renewing in person at a BMV branch

Walk into any BMV branch during their posted hours — most are open Monday through Friday, with some Saturday hours. You do not need an appointment at most branches, but some branches in larger cities now use an online reservation system. Check the BMV website for your specific branch to see whether you can reserve a time slot or whether it is first-come, first-served.

When you arrive, take a number or check in at the counter. A staff member will review your documents, confirm your information, and take a new photo for your license (unless you are renewing by mail). You will then take the vision test. The whole process usually takes 15 to 30 minutes, depending on how busy the branch is.

You will pay the renewal fee at the counter. The cost is $28 for an eight-year license if you are under 75, or $14 for a four-year license if you are 75 or older. You can pay with cash, debit, or credit card. The BMV will mail your new license to the address on file, and it should arrive within one to two weeks.

Renewing by mail

Mail renewal is an option only if your current license is not suspended or revoked, you have no medical restrictions listed on your license, and you do not need a new photo. You also cannot renew by mail if your name has changed or if your license has been lost or stolen.

To renew by mail, read the process for Renewal of Driver's License or Identification Card (Form DL 44) from the BMV website, or call the BMV at 317-615-7293 to request a form be mailed to you. Fill out the form completely, sign it, and include a copy of your proof of address. Do not send your original documents — send copies only.

Mail your completed form and copies to the address listed on the form. Include a check or money order for the renewal fee (do not send cash). The BMV will process your renewal and mail your new license to you within two to four weeks. This method costs the same as in-person renewal.

What happens if your license has expired

If your license expired more than a year ago, you cannot renew by mail — you must renew in person at a BMV branch. You will still need the same documents (current license, proof of Social Security number, proof of address), and you will take the vision test again.

If your license expired less than a year ago, you can still renew using either method. The BMV considers a license expired within one year to be a standard renewal rather than a reissue, so the process and cost are the same.

Understanding the new license validity period

Your renewed license will be valid for eight years if you are under 75 years old. If you are 75 or older, your renewed license is valid for four years, and you will need to renew again sooner.

The expiration date is printed on the front of your license. Mark it on your calendar or set a phone reminder a few months before it expires so you do not accidentally let it lapse. Driving on an expired license is illegal in Indiana, even if you have already submitted a renewal process.

Renewing a license with a different name or address

If your name has changed since your last license was issued, you must renew in person and bring documentation of the change — a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. The BMV will take a new photo and issue a license with your updated name.

If you have moved and your address on file is no longer current, you can update it during renewal. Bring proof of your new address (a utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days). If you are renewing by mail, include a copy of your new address proof with your process.

What to do if you cannot find your current license

If your license is lost or stolen, you cannot renew by mail — you must go to a BMV branch in person. Tell the staff member that your license is lost or stolen. You will still need proof of your Social Security number and proof of your address, but you will not need to bring the physical license itself.

The BMV will issue you a replacement license with the same number as your lost license. The cost is the same as a standard renewal. If you later find your old license, do not use it — it is no longer valid once a replacement has been issued.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my license online?

Indiana does not currently offer online renewal for driver's licenses. You must renew either in person at a BMV branch or by mail. The BMV website has information about both methods, but the actual renewal must happen through one of these two channels.

How long does it take to get my new license after I renew?

If you renew in person at a BMV branch, your new license is mailed to you within one to two weeks. If you renew by mail, the entire process takes two to four weeks from the time the BMV receives your process. You cannot pick up your license at the branch — it must be mailed to your address on file.

What if I need to drive before my new license arrives?

Your current license remains valid until it expires, even after you have submitted a renewal process. You can continue to drive on your current license while you wait for the new one to arrive in the mail. Once your new license arrives, destroy your old one or turn it in at a BMV branch.

Do I have to take a new photo when I renew?

If you renew in person at a BMV branch, yes — the BMV will take a new photo for your license. If you renew by mail, you do not need a new photo, which is one reason mail renewal is faster and simpler. However, mail renewal is only an option if you meet all the other conditions (no suspension, no medical restrictions, no name change).

What if my vision test fails at the BMV?

If you do not pass the vision test, the BMV staff member will tell you that you need to see an eye doctor. You can schedule a follow-up appointment at the BMV once you have had your eyes checked and have a corrective lens prescription if needed. Bring documentation from your eye doctor, and you can complete your renewal at that time.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.