Driving with a suspended license in Indiana is a criminal offense that carries jail time, fines, and a longer suspension
If your license is suspended in Indiana, you cannot legally drive any vehicle on public roads. Driving anyway is not a traffic violation — it is a misdemeanor crime. The penalties depend on how many times you have been caught driving with a suspended license, but even a first offense can result in jail time, a fine of several hundred dollars, and an extension of your suspension period.
The reason matters less to the law than the fact of driving. Whether your license was suspended for unpaid traffic tickets, a DUI conviction, medical reasons, or failure to pay child support, the legal consequence of getting behind the wheel is the same: arrest and criminal charges.
Key Takeaways
- Driving with a suspended license in Indiana is a misdemeanor, not just a traffic ticket, and can result in jail time and criminal charges on your record.
- A first offense typically brings up to 60 days in jail, a fine between $250 and $500, and an additional six-month suspension added to your original one.
- A second or subsequent offense within five years increases penalties to up to 180 days in jail and fines up to $1,000, plus another year added to your suspension.
- You can request a work permit or a provisional license from the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles if you need to drive for employment or medical reasons during a suspension.
- The only legal way to drive during a suspension is to obtain written permission from the BMV in advance — driving without it, even once, creates a criminal record.
Penalties for a first offense
If you are stopped and found to be driving with a suspended license for the first time, Indiana law allows the court to impose up to 60 days in jail, a fine between $250 and $500, or both. You will also face an additional six-month suspension added to whatever time remains on your original suspension.
The charge goes on your criminal record, not just your driving record. This means it can show up on background checks for employment, housing, or loans. Even if you do not spend time in jail, the fine and the extended suspension create when ready financial and practical hardship.
Penalties for repeat offenses
If you are caught driving with a suspended license a second time within five years of the first offense, the penalties increase significantly. You face up to 180 days in jail, a fine up to $1,000, and an additional one-year suspension added to your current suspension period.
A third or subsequent offense within five years can result in up to one year in jail and fines up to $5,000. Each conviction also adds points to your driving record and makes it harder to ever have your license reinstated, because the BMV sees a pattern of disregard for the law.
Why your license gets suspended in Indiana
Indiana suspends licenses for many reasons. The most common are unpaid traffic fines or court costs, conviction of a DUI or reckless driving charge, accumulation of too many points from traffic violations, failure to pay child support, medical reasons (such as a seizure disorder), and failure to maintain car insurance. Some suspensions are mandatory; others are discretionary.
The reason your license was suspended matters because it determines how you get it back. If it was suspended for unpaid fines, you must pay those fines. If it was suspended for a DUI, you may need to complete a substance abuse program and install an ignition interlock device. If it was suspended for medical reasons, you may need a doctor's clearance. Driving during the suspension does not address the underlying reason — it only adds criminal charges on top of the original problem.
How to request a work permit or provisional license
Indiana allows you to request a work permit (also called a restricted driving permit) if your license is suspended and you need to drive for work, school, or medical treatment. You cannot use a work permit for any other purpose — no errands, no social trips, no driving anyone else around.
To request one, contact the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles in person or by mail. You will need to show proof of employment (a letter from your employer stating your job duties and work schedule), proof of enrollment if you are requesting the permit for school, or a medical appointment letter if you need it for treatment. The BMV will issue a written permit that you must carry with you at all times while driving. Driving outside the scope of that permit — for example, stopping at a store on the way home from work — is still a violation.
The BMV charges a fee for a work permit, which varies. You must also maintain proof of insurance and follow all traffic laws. A single violation while driving on a work permit can result in its when ready revocation and criminal charges.
What to do if you are stopped
If a police officer stops you and discovers your license is suspended, you will be arrested. Do not argue or try to explain — anything you say can be used against you in court. Ask to speak to a lawyer before answering questions. You will be taken to the police station for booking, and your vehicle will likely be impounded.
You will be given a court date. At that point, you can enter a plea or request a public defender if you cannot afford a lawyer. Some courts offer diversion programs for first-time offenders, which may allow you to avoid jail time if you complete certain conditions (such as paying fines, attending a driving safety course, or performing community service). Ask your lawyer or the prosecutor whether your case is may be able to access.
How to get your license reinstated
Reinstatement depends on why your license was suspended. If it was suspended for unpaid fines, you must pay them in full, plus any late fees or court costs. If it was suspended for a DUI, you must complete a substance abuse program, install an ignition interlock device (which prevents the car from starting if it detects alcohol on your breath), and pay a reinstatement fee. If it was suspended for medical reasons, you must provide a doctor's statement that the condition no longer poses a safety risk.
Once you have met all the conditions, you can request reinstatement through the BMV. There is a reinstatement fee, which varies depending on the reason for suspension. Processing typically takes one to two weeks. Until your license is officially reinstated, you cannot legally drive, even if you have completed all the requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drive to the BMV to handle my suspended license?
No. Driving to the BMV while your license is suspended is still a violation, even if you are going there to fix the problem. Have someone else drive you, use public transportation, or call the BMV to handle your business by mail or phone.
What if I did not know my license was suspended?
Lack of knowledge is not a legal defense in Indiana. The BMV sends suspension notices by mail to the address on file with your license. If you did not receive the notice, you are still responsible for knowing your license status. You can check your status anytime through the BMV website or by calling them.
Will a conviction for driving with a suspended license affect my insurance?
Yes. A misdemeanor conviction will cause your insurance rates to increase significantly, and some insurers may drop you entirely. You may have to switch to a high-risk insurance company, which charges much higher premiums.
Can I get the criminal charge dismissed if I get my license reinstated?
No. Reinstating your license does not erase the criminal charge or conviction. The two are separate — one is a licensing issue, the other is a criminal matter. You would need to work with a lawyer to explore options like expungement or a plea deal, which are handled through the court system, not the BMV.
What if I was driving someone else's car?
It does not matter whose car you were driving. The law prohibits you from driving any vehicle on public roads in Indiana while your license is suspended. You can be charged whether you own the car, borrowed it, or were driving a rental.