Driving on a suspended license in Indiana is a criminal offense with when ready and lasting consequences

If your license is suspended in Indiana, driving any vehicle on a public road is illegal, even if you own the car and even if you're driving to the DMV to resolve the suspension. The moment a police officer stops you and discovers your license is suspended, you face arrest, vehicle impound, and criminal charges. The penalties depend on why your license was suspended and how many times you've been caught driving while suspended.

Indiana treats this as a separate crime from whatever caused the suspension in the first place. A first offense is a Class B misdemeanor; a second or subsequent offense within five years becomes a Class A misdemeanor. Both carry jail time, fines, and a longer suspension period added on top of your original one.

Key Takeaways

  • Driving on a suspended license in Indiana is a criminal offense that results in arrest, vehicle impound, and jail time even on a first offense.
  • A first violation is a Class B misdemeanor with up to 180 days in jail and fines up to $1,000; a second violation within five years is a Class A misdemeanor with up to one year in jail.
  • Your vehicle will be impounded when ready, and you'll pay towing and storage fees on top of criminal penalties.
  • The suspension period on your license will be extended beyond the original suspension date, making it harder to regain driving privileges.
  • You can check your suspension status through the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles website or by calling their customer service line before you drive.

Why your license gets suspended in Indiana

Indiana suspends licenses for specific reasons, and understanding which one applies to you matters because it determines how you get the suspension lifted. The most common reasons are unpaid traffic fines, failure to appear in court, DUI convictions, accumulating too many points from traffic violations, failure to maintain auto insurance, and unpaid child support.

Some suspensions are automatic—for example, a DUI conviction triggers a mandatory suspension period set by state law. Others happen because you didn't respond to a court notice or didn't pay a fine by the important date. The Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) maintains the suspension, and you cannot drive legally until the BMV removes it from your record.

Penalties for a first offense

A first conviction for driving on a suspended license in Indiana is a Class B misdemeanor. You face up to 180 days in jail, a fine up to $1,000, or both. The court has discretion on the exact sentence, so a judge might impose jail time, a fine, or a combination depending on the circumstances and your driving history.

In addition to the criminal penalty, your vehicle is impounded when ready. You'll pay towing fees (typically $150 to $300) and daily storage fees (usually $25 to $50 per day) to retrieve it. These costs add up quickly, especially if your case takes weeks to resolve. You're also responsible for any parking tickets or additional violations that occur while the vehicle is in impound.

Penalties for a second or subsequent offense

If you're convicted of driving on a suspended license a second time within five years, the charge becomes a Class A misdemeanor. This carries up to one year in jail and fines up to $5,000. A third or later offense within the five-year window carries the same Class A penalty but judges typically impose harsher sentences because you've already been warned.

Each new violation also extends your suspension period. If your original suspension was for six months, a conviction for driving while suspended might add another year or more to that period. This creates a cycle where one mistake compounds into years without legal driving privileges.

What happens when you're stopped

When a police officer runs your license during a traffic stop and discovers it's suspended, you will be arrested. You don't have to be speeding or breaking any other law—the suspension itself is the violation. The officer will issue you a citation for driving on a suspended license and may issue additional citations for whatever traffic violation prompted the stop in the first place.

Your vehicle will be towed to an impound lot. You cannot retrieve it without paying towing and storage fees, and in some cases you may need to show proof that your license has been reinstated or that you have permission to drive the vehicle. If you're unable to pay the impound fees, your car may be sold at auction after a set period (usually 30 to 90 days depending on the impound facility).

You'll be taken to the police station for booking and processing. Depending on the circumstances and your criminal history, you may be released on your own recognizance, held on bail, or held without bail. A bail hearing will be scheduled within 24 to 72 hours if you're held.

How to check if your license is suspended

Before you drive, you can verify your license status through the Indiana BMV website. Go to in.gov/bmv and select "License Status Inquiry." You'll need your driver's license number and date of birth. The system will tell you when ready whether your license is valid, suspended, or revoked.

You can also call the BMV customer service line at 317-615-7571 during business hours (Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Eastern time). Have your driver's license number ready. The representative will confirm your status and explain what you need to do to have the suspension lifted.

If your license is suspended, do not drive. The only legal exception is a hardship license, which is a restricted permit that allows you to drive to work, school, medical appointments, or court-ordered programs. You must request a hardship license through the BMV, and approval is not may provide.

Steps to get your license reinstated

The process to reinstate your license depends on why it was suspended. If it was suspended for unpaid fines, you must pay the fines in full to the court that issued them. If it was suspended for failure to appear in court, you must appear in court and resolve the underlying case. If it was suspended for a DUI, you must complete a substance abuse program and meet other requirements set by the court.

Once you've satisfied the reason for the suspension, contact the BMV to request reinstatement. You may need to pay a reinstatement fee (typically $25 to $50). The BMV will update your record, and you can then legally drive again. If you were convicted of driving on a suspended license during the suspension period, that conviction will remain on your criminal record even after your license is reinstated.

If you received a hardship license while your main license was suspended, that hardship license becomes invalid once your full license is reinstated. You'll receive a new license in the mail or can pick one up at a BMV branch.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a hardship license if my license is suspended?

You can request a hardship license from the Indiana BMV, but approval depends on the reason for your suspension and your circumstances. Hardship licenses are typically granted for suspensions related to unpaid fines or points, but not for DUI-related suspensions. You must show that you have a legitimate need to drive—such as work, school, or medical treatment—and that no reasonable alternative transportation exists.

What if I didn't know my license was suspended?

Lack of knowledge is not a legal defense. Indiana law requires you to know the status of your license. The BMV sends suspension notices by mail to your address on file, and you can check your status online anytime. If you claim you didn't receive notice, the court may consider it, but it won't automatically dismiss the charge.

Will a conviction for driving on a suspended license affect my insurance?

Yes. A conviction will appear on your driving record and your insurance company will see it. Most insurers will raise your rates significantly or may cancel your policy. You may be required to obtain high-risk auto insurance, which costs substantially more than standard coverage.

Can I drive someone else's car if my license is suspended?

No. The suspension applies to you as a driver, not to a specific vehicle. You cannot legally operate any motor vehicle on a public road in Indiana while your license is suspended, regardless of who owns the car.

How long does a suspension stay on my record?

The suspension itself is removed once you satisfy the reason for it and pay any reinstatement fees. However, if you were convicted of driving on a suspended license, that criminal conviction stays on your record permanently unless you later have it expunged. Expungement is possible in some cases but requires a separate legal process.