How to learn about your Indiana license is suspended right now
You can check your suspension status through the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) website without paying a fee. Go to in.gov/bmv, select "License Status Inquiry," and enter your driver's license number and date of birth. The system will tell you when ready whether your license is suspended, revoked, or valid.
If you prefer not to check online, you can call the BMV at 317-615-7293 during business hours, or visit a BMV branch in person with your ID. The phone line can have wait times, especially early in the week. An in-person visit usually takes 15 to 30 minutes depending on how busy the branch is.
A suspension means your license is temporarily invalid — you cannot legally drive — but the suspension can be lifted once you meet certain conditions. A revocation is permanent unless you go through a formal reinstatement process with the BMV, which takes longer and costs more.
Key Takeaways
- Check your license status free on the BMV website at in.gov/bmv using your license number and date of birth.
- Common reasons for suspension in Indiana include unpaid traffic fines, failure to appear in court, and driving with a suspended license.
- You cannot legally drive while suspended, and driving anyway can result in criminal charges and additional fines.
- Once you resolve the reason for suspension — paying fines, clearing a court hold, or completing required programs — you can request reinstatement from the BMV.
The most common reasons your license gets suspended in Indiana
Unpaid traffic fines are the single most frequent cause. When you receive a ticket and do not pay by the due date, the court notifies the BMV, which suspends your license automatically. The suspension stays in place until you pay the fine in full, even if years have passed.
Failure to appear in court for a traffic ticket also triggers suspension. If you received a ticket, were told to appear on a specific date, and did not show up, the court issues a failure-to-appear warrant and reports it to the BMV. You must resolve the warrant before your license can be reinstated.
Driving with a suspended license — even if you did not know it was suspended — results in an when ready new suspension. This creates a cycle that is hard to break without intervention. Other reasons include accumulating too many points on your driving record, being convicted of certain crimes, or owing child support that the state has flagged to the BMV.
What happens if you drive while suspended
Driving with a suspended license in Indiana is a criminal offense, not just a traffic violation. A first offense is a Class B misdemeanor, which can result in up to 180 days in jail and fines up to $1,000. A second or subsequent offense within five years becomes a Class A misdemeanor with penalties up to one year in jail and fines up to $5,000.
Police can stop you for any reason and will discover the suspension when they run your license. Even if you were pulled over for something minor — a broken taillight — the suspension becomes the primary charge. Your vehicle may be impounded, and you will face additional towing and storage fees.
A criminal conviction for driving suspended also affects employment, housing, and loan applications. It stays on your record permanently unless you later have it expunged, which requires a separate legal process and is not automatic.
Steps to get your license reinstated after suspension
First, find out exactly why your license was suspended by checking the BMV website or calling 317-615-7293. Write down the reason and any case or fine numbers listed. This information tells you what you need to do next.
If the suspension is due to unpaid fines, contact the court that issued the ticket. You can find the correct court by searching the case number on the Indiana Courts Online portal at in.gov/courts. Pay the fine in full — partial payments do not lift the suspension. Ask for a receipt or confirmation number.
If the suspension is due to a failure-to-appear warrant, you must go to the court in person or contact a lawyer to resolve it. straightforward paying the fine is not enough; the warrant must be formally cleared. Once cleared, the court will notify the BMV.
After you have resolved the underlying reason, request reinstatement through the BMV. You can do this online at in.gov/bmv, by mail, or in person at a BMV branch. There is a reinstatement fee of $50 to $100 depending on the reason for suspension. Processing usually takes five to ten business days after the BMV receives your request and payment.
What to do if you cannot pay a fine right away
Contact the court that issued the ticket before the due date and ask about a payment plan. Many Indiana courts allow you to pay fines in installments over several months. A payment plan does not automatically lift the suspension, but it shows the court you are making a good-faith effort, which can matter if you later need to ask for leniency.
Some courts offer community service as an alternative to paying fines. You would perform unpaid work for the county or municipality instead of paying money. Ask the court clerk whether this option is available for your specific ticket.
If you are experiencing financial hardship, explain your situation to the court. Courts have discretion to reduce fines or extend important date in cases of genuine hardship, though they are not required to do so. Ignoring the fine or the suspension does not make it go away — it only adds new charges and makes reinstatement more expensive.
Suspension versus revocation: what the difference means for you
A suspension is temporary. Once you fix the problem that caused it — pay the fine, clear the warrant, complete a required program — your license becomes valid again. Suspensions typically last anywhere from a few months to a few years depending on the reason.
A revocation is permanent unless you go through formal reinstatement. Revocations usually result from serious violations like multiple DUI convictions, reckless driving causing injury, or habitual traffic law violations. To get a revoked license back, you must wait a set period (often one to five years), then petition the BMV for reinstatement. The BMV may require you to pass a written test, vision test, or both before approving reinstatement.
You can check the BMV website to see whether your status is a suspension or revocation. If it is a revocation, the website will also show the earliest date you can petition for reinstatement.
How long suspension stays on your record
The suspension itself is removed from your driving record once it is lifted and you are reinstated. However, the underlying violation — the unpaid ticket, the failure to appear, or the traffic conviction — remains on your record for a set period that varies by violation type.
Most traffic violations stay on your Indiana driving record for five years from the date of conviction. During those five years, they count toward your point total, which can affect your insurance rates and your may be able to access for certain licenses. After five years, the violation is no longer counted, though it may still appear in a background check for employment or housing purposes.
If you were convicted of a criminal offense related to the suspension — such as driving with a suspended license — that conviction stays on your criminal record permanently unless you later have it expunged through a separate legal petition.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drive to work if my license is suspended?
No. A suspension means your license is not valid for any driving, including to work, school, or medical appointments. Driving anywhere while suspended is a criminal offense. Some states offer restricted licenses that allow driving to work or court, but Indiana does not have this option for most suspensions.
Will my insurance company know my license is suspended?
Yes. Insurance companies check driving records regularly, and a suspension will appear on yours. Your insurer may cancel your policy or raise your rates significantly once they discover the suspension. You are also required to report the suspension to your insurance company — failing to do so can void your coverage.
How much does it cost to reinstate a suspended license in Indiana?
The reinstatement fee is $50 to $100 depending on the reason for suspension. You must also pay any outstanding fines or fees that caused the suspension in the first place. If your vehicle was impounded, you will owe towing and storage fees as well.
What if I moved out of Indiana — does the suspension still explore?
Yes. Indiana suspensions are reported to the National Driver Register, which means other states will recognize and honor the suspension. You cannot legally drive in any state while your Indiana license is suspended. If you move to another state and try to get a license there, the new state will discover the Indiana suspension and deny your process.
Can I get a hardship license while suspended?
Indiana does not issue hardship or restricted licenses for most suspensions. Your only option is to resolve the reason for suspension and request full reinstatement. If you need to drive for a specific reason before reinstatement is complete, you must use alternative transportation or ask someone else to drive.