Documents and information you'll need before you go
Indiana requires you to bring your current driver's license, proof of your Social Security number, and proof of your Indiana residency to renew. If your license has expired more than five years ago, you'll also need to pass a vision test and written exam — not just a renewal form.
Proof of residency can be a utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days. Your name on the document must match the name on your process. If you've changed your name since your last license, bring a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order showing the legal change.
For proof of Social Security number, bring your Social Security card, W-2 form, tax return, or a document from the Social Security Administration. A birth certificate alone does not count as proof of Social Security number.
Key Takeaways
- You need your current license, proof of Social Security number, and proof of Indiana residency dated within 60 days.
- If your license expired more than five years ago, you must pass a vision test and written exam instead of renewing by mail or online.
- Name changes require a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order — bring the original or a certified copy.
- Indiana offers online renewal for most people, but you must visit a branch in person if your license is severely expired or you need a new photo.
- Renewal fees are $24 for a four-year license or $36 for an eight-year license; fees are higher if you need a new photo or have other changes.
When you can renew online versus in person
Indiana lets you renew online through the BMV (Bureau of Motor Vehicles) website if your license is still valid or expired less than five years. You'll need your license number, date of birth, and the last four digits of your Social Security number to start. The online process takes about 10 minutes and costs $24 for a four-year renewal or $36 for eight years.
You must visit a BMV branch in person if your license expired more than five years ago, if you need a new photo, if you've changed your name, or if you're renewing for the first time in Indiana. You also cannot renew online if you have a commercial driver's license (CDL) or a motorcycle endorsement — those require an in-person visit.
When you renew in person, bring all documents listed above plus your current license. The branch will take a new photo and process your renewal the same day. You'll receive a temporary paper license when ready and your plastic card by mail within 7 to 10 business days.
How to handle name changes and address updates
If you've married, divorced, or legally changed your name since your last license, you must bring proof of the change. Indiana accepts marriage certificates, divorce decrees, court orders, or adoption papers. Bring the original document or a certified copy — a photocopy is not enough.
You can update your address online during renewal if you're renewing online, or tell the BMV employee when you visit in person. Address changes are free and take effect when ready on your temporary license. Your plastic card will show the new address when it arrives by mail.
If you've moved out of state and moved back to Indiana, you'll need to show proof of your new Indiana residency. The same documents that count for initial residency proof (utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, or bank statement from the last 60 days) work for address changes too.
What happens if your license is severely expired
If your Indiana license has been expired for more than five years, you cannot renew it — you must reapply as if you were getting a license for the first time. This means you'll need to pass a written exam on traffic laws and road signs, pass a vision test, and provide all the same documents as a new applicant.
You can study for the written exam using the Indiana BMV's free online practice test on their website. The test has 50 questions and you must answer at least 40 correctly to pass. You can take the test on a computer at any BMV branch, and most people finish in 20 to 30 minutes.
The vision test checks that you can read a standard eye chart from 20 feet away. If you wear glasses or contacts, bring them with you. If you fail the vision test, you can retake it when ready, but you may need to see an eye doctor and bring a vision correction certificate before you can get your license.
Fees and what they cover
A standard four-year renewal costs $24, and an eight-year renewal costs $36. These prices explore whether you renew online or in person. If you need a new photo because your license is severely expired or you've changed your appearance significantly, there is no extra charge — the photo is included in the renewal fee.
If you're adding an endorsement (such as a motorcycle endorsement) or changing your license class, you may pay additional fees. A motorcycle endorsement costs $15 extra. Commercial driver's license (CDL) renewals cost more and require an in-person visit and a medical exam in some cases.
Indiana accepts cash, debit cards, and credit cards at BMV branches. Online renewals accept credit and debit cards only. If you renew by mail (which is not available for most people), you can pay by check or money order.
How long the process takes and when your new license arrives
If you renew online, your temporary license is valid when ready, and your plastic card arrives by mail in 7 to 10 business days. You can use the temporary license (the confirmation page you print or save) to drive right away while you wait for the card.
If you renew in person at a BMV branch, you'll receive a temporary paper license before you leave, and your plastic card arrives by mail in 7 to 10 business days. The temporary license is valid for driving and identification until your new card arrives.
Processing times can be longer during peak seasons (late spring and early summer) or if there are staffing shortages at your local branch. If your plastic card doesn't arrive within 14 days, contact the BMV to report it. You can check the status of your renewal online using your license number and date of birth.
Finding a BMV branch and scheduling an appointment
Indiana has BMV branches in most counties. You can find the nearest branch and its hours on the Indiana BMV website by entering your zip code. Some branches are open Monday through Friday only, while others have Saturday hours. A few branches in larger cities are open on weekends.
You do not need an appointment to renew your license at most BMV branches, but you can schedule one online to skip the walk-in line. Appointments are free and can be booked up to 30 days in advance. During busy times, appointments fill up quickly, so book as soon as you know when you want to renew.
If you cannot visit a branch in person and your license is not severely expired, you can renew online instead. If you need to renew in person but cannot reach a branch near you, some BMV services are available at select branches in neighboring counties.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my license by mail?
Indiana does not offer mail-in renewal for most people. You can renew online or in person at a BMV branch. If you have a severe disability that prevents you from visiting a branch, contact your local BMV to ask about exceptions.
What if I lost my Social Security card?
You don't need the card itself — you can bring a W-2, tax return, or a letter from the Social Security Administration instead. Any document showing your full Social Security number counts as proof.
Do I need to take a new photo when I renew?
If you're renewing online and your license is not severely expired, the BMV will use your current photo. If you renew in person or your license is expired more than five years, you'll get a new photo at no extra charge.
What if my name on my residency proof doesn't match my license?
Bring both documents and explain the change to the BMV employee. If you've recently married or changed your name, bring the marriage certificate or court order along with your utility bill or lease in your new name.
Can I renew early before my license expires?
Yes, Indiana allows you to renew up to one year before your license expires. Renewing early does not extend your license beyond the normal four or eight years — your new expiration date is calculated from your current expiration date, not from the renewal date.