How an Indiana license suspension works
When the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) suspends your license, you lose the legal right to drive in Indiana when ready. A suspension is temporary — your license will be reinstated once you meet specific conditions — but you cannot legally operate a vehicle until that happens. The BMV does not send a warning first; suspension takes effect on the date the BMV records it in their system.
Indiana suspends licenses for several reasons: unpaid traffic fines, failure to appear in court, unpaid child support, medical conditions reported to the BMV, accumulating too many traffic violations in a short period, or driving with a suspended license. Each reason has different reinstatement steps. The BMV website lists your suspension reason in your driving record, which you can view online through the BMV's License Status Check tool.
You will need to know your suspension reason before you can fix it. If you are unsure why your license was suspended, you can call the BMV at 317-615-7293 (Indianapolis area) or find your local BMV branch phone number on the BMV website. Have your driver's license number ready when you call.
Key Takeaways
- Your suspension reason determines what you must do to reinstate your license — unpaid fines, court appearances, and child support each require different steps.
- You can check your suspension reason and status through the BMV's License Status Check tool on their website without paying a fee.
- Most reinstatement processes require you to visit an Indiana BMV branch in person and pay a reinstatement fee, which varies by suspension reason.
- Driving with a suspended license is a separate criminal offense in Indiana and can result in arrest, fines, and jail time.
- Some suspensions lift automatically once you meet the condition (like paying a fine), but others require you to request reinstatement through the BMV.
Suspension reasons and what each one requires
If you did not pay a traffic fine or court-ordered fee, you must pay the full amount owed plus any collection costs before the BMV will reinstate your license. Contact the court that issued the ticket or fine to confirm the exact amount. Once you pay, the court notifies the BMV, but reinstatement is not automatic — you will still need to visit a BMV branch and pay the reinstatement fee.
If you failed to appear in court for a traffic violation, you must resolve the failure to appear with the court first. This usually means contacting the court, explaining your absence, and either appearing before a judge or paying a failure-to-appear fee. The court then notifies the BMV that the matter is resolved. Again, you will then need to visit the BMV in person.
If you owe unpaid child support, the Indiana Child Support Enforcement office suspends your license. You must contact the child support agency or the court handling your case to arrange payment or a payment plan. Once child support is current or a payment arrangement is in place, the agency notifies the BMV, but you still must visit a BMV branch for reinstatement.
If your suspension is medical — because you reported a condition to the BMV or a doctor reported it — you must provide medical clearance from a licensed physician before reinstatement. The BMV will tell you what form the doctor must complete. This is the only suspension type that does not require a reinstatement fee.
The reinstatement process at the BMV
Once you have resolved the underlying reason for your suspension, you must visit an Indiana BMV branch in person to complete reinstatement. You cannot reinstate online or by mail. Bring your current photo ID and your driver's license (even though it is suspended). The BMV branch will verify that your suspension reason has been cleared in their system.
You will pay a reinstatement fee at the branch. The fee amount depends on your suspension reason and ranges from $25 to $100 or more in some cases. Ask the BMV branch what the exact fee is for your situation when you call to confirm your suspension reason. Some branches accept cash, debit, and credit cards; call ahead to confirm payment methods.
After you pay the fee and the BMV confirms your suspension is cleared, your license is reinstated when ready. You will receive a receipt showing reinstatement. You can then legally drive. If your license has expired, you will need to renew it at the same visit or schedule a separate renewal appointment.
Finding your local BMV branch and hours
The BMV operates branches throughout Indiana. You can find the branch nearest you, hours, and phone number on the official BMV website under "Locations." Some branches are open Monday through Friday only; others have Saturday hours. Call ahead before you visit to confirm current hours, because hours change seasonally and some branches have reduced schedules.
Larger cities like Indianapolis, Fort Wayne, and Evansville have multiple branches. If one branch is closed or has a long wait, you can visit another branch in the same area. All branches can process reinstatement for any suspension reason, so you do not have to visit a specific location.
What happens if you drive with a suspended license
Driving with a suspended license in Indiana is a separate criminal offense. If you are stopped by police, you can be arrested, fined, and charged with a misdemeanor. A first offense carries a fine of $250 to $500 and up to 60 days in jail. A second offense within five years carries a fine of $500 to $1,000 and up to 180 days in jail. A third or subsequent offense is a felony.
Beyond criminal penalties, driving with a suspended license extends your suspension. The BMV will add additional time to your suspension period, and you will face another reinstatement fee. Your insurance company may also drop your coverage if they learn you drove illegally, leaving you uninsured and liable for any accidents.
If you need to drive before your reinstatement is complete, ask the court or the agency handling your case whether a restricted license or hardship license is available. Some suspensions allow limited driving for work or medical appointments while the suspension is in effect. The court or agency can explain whether this option applies to your situation.
Checking your license status online
The BMV's License Status Check tool lets you view your driving record and suspension status without visiting a branch or calling. Go to the BMV website, select "License Status Check," and enter your driver's license number and date of birth. The tool shows whether your license is suspended, the reason, and any fines or fees owed.
This tool is free and available 24 hours a day. You can check your status as many times as you need. If your suspension reason is unpaid fines or court fees, the tool will show the amount owed and which court issued it. Use this information to contact the court and confirm payment details before you visit the BMV.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a suspension last if I do not fix it?
A suspension remains in effect indefinitely until you resolve the underlying reason and complete reinstatement at the BMV. There is no automatic expiration date. The longer you wait, the more likely additional penalties will accumulate — for example, unpaid fines may accrue collection costs, or child support arrears will grow.
Can I get a temporary license while my suspension is being resolved?
Indiana does not issue temporary licenses during a suspension. However, some courts can issue a restricted or hardship license that allows limited driving for work or medical purposes while your suspension is active. Contact the court that suspended your license or the agency handling your case to ask whether this option is available for your situation.
What if I moved out of Indiana — does my suspension still explore?
Yes. Indiana suspensions are reported to the National Driver Register, which other states can access. If you move to another state and try to get a license there, the new state will see your Indiana suspension and may refuse to issue a license until you resolve it. You can reinstate your Indiana license from out of state by mail for some suspension reasons — call the BMV to ask whether mail reinstatement is an option for you.
Do I have to pay the reinstatement fee if I was suspended by mistake?
If you believe your suspension was issued in error, contact the BMV or the court that issued it to request a review. If the suspension is overturned, you will not owe a reinstatement fee. However, you will still need to visit the BMV to have your license status corrected in their system. Bring documentation of the error or the court's decision to overturn the suspension.
Can I reinstate my license online or by mail?
You must visit an Indiana BMV branch in person to complete reinstatement. The BMV does not process reinstatement by mail or online. However, you can check your suspension status online, pay fines to courts online (if the court accepts online payment), and call the BMV to confirm what you need to bring before you visit.