What the 2021 Indiana law changed about suspended licenses

Indiana's 2021 license suspension law made it easier to get your driving privileges back in certain situations, but the rules depend on why your license was suspended in the first place. The main change was that Indiana expanded the hardship license program — a restricted license that lets you drive to work, school, medical appointments, and court-ordered programs even while your license is suspended. Before 2021, fewer people could get one. After 2021, more suspension reasons may have access to you for a hardship license, though not all of them do.

The law also changed how long you have to wait before you can request a license reinstatement in some cases. If your suspension was for certain traffic violations or administrative reasons, the waiting period shifted. However, if your suspension was for a serious offense like a DUI conviction, the rules stayed stricter and the hardship license may not be available at all.

Key Takeaways

  • A hardship license lets you drive to work, school, medical visits, and court programs while your regular license is suspended, and more people became may be able to access for one under the 2021 law.
  • You must request a hardship license from the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles — it is not automatic, and you need to show proof of why you need to drive.
  • The waiting period before you can request reinstatement varies by the reason for your suspension, and some serious offenses like DUI have longer or different rules.
  • If your suspension was for unpaid traffic fines or child support, you must pay what you owe before your license can be reinstated, regardless of the 2021 changes.

Who qualifies for a hardship license under the 2021 rules

A hardship license is available if your suspension was for certain reasons, but not all. The 2021 law expanded the list to include suspensions for accumulating too many points on your driving record, failing to maintain insurance, or failing to pay a traffic fine or court cost. You may also get one if your license was suspended for failing to appear in court or for unpaid child support, though you will still need to show financial hardship.

You do not may have access to for a hardship license if your suspension was for a DUI or OWI (operating while intoxicated) conviction, a reckless driving conviction, or a suspension ordered by the court as part of a criminal sentence. You also cannot get one if your license was suspended for refusing a chemical test after a DUI arrest. In those cases, you must wait out the full suspension period before you can request reinstatement.

To request a hardship license, you will need to show the Bureau of Motor Vehicles that you have a genuine need to drive — typically a job offer letter, school enrollment, or medical appointment documentation. You will also need to show that you have no other way to get to these places. The bureau will review your request and decide whether to grant it.

How to request a hardship license from the BMV

Start by contacting your local Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles branch in person or by phone. You can find the nearest branch on the BMV website (in.gov/bmv). Tell them your license is suspended and ask whether you meet the requirements for a hardship license under the 2021 law. They will tell you whether your suspension reason qualifies.

Gather the documents that prove your need to drive. Bring a job offer letter or recent pay stub if you are driving to work, a school enrollment letter if you are driving to school, or an appointment confirmation if you are driving to medical treatment. Bring your current ID and your Social Security number. If you are requesting a hardship license for a court-ordered program, bring proof of enrollment or the court order itself.

Fill out the hardship license request form at the BMV office. The form asks you to describe why you need to drive and what destinations you will travel to. Be specific — the more detail you provide about your job location, work hours, or school schedule, the stronger your request. The BMV will issue the hardship license on the spot if you meet the requirements, or they will tell you what additional information they need.

Waiting periods before you can request full reinstatement

The length of time you must wait before requesting full reinstatement depends on why your license was suspended. For suspensions due to accumulating points or failing to maintain insurance, you may request reinstatement after the suspension period ends — typically 30 to 90 days, depending on how many violations led to the suspension. For suspensions due to unpaid fines or child support, you must pay the full amount owed before the BMV will reinstate your license, regardless of how much time has passed.

For DUI or OWI suspensions, the waiting period is much longer. A first-time DUI suspension typically lasts one year, and you cannot request reinstatement until that year is complete. A second DUI suspension lasts five years, and a third or subsequent suspension lasts ten years. During this time, you cannot get a hardship license, so you will have no legal way to drive.

If your suspension was ordered by a court as part of a criminal sentence, the waiting period is whatever the court ordered. You must complete that sentence before the BMV can reinstate your license. Contact the court that issued the suspension to confirm the exact end date.

What happens when you request reinstatement

Once your waiting period is over, contact the BMV to request reinstatement. You can do this in person at any BMV branch, by mail, or through the BMV website. You will need to pay a reinstatement fee — the amount varies depending on the reason for your suspension, but it is typically between $50 and $150. Bring proof that you have paid any outstanding fines, child support, or court costs related to your suspension.

The BMV will review your request and your driving record. If everything is in order and your waiting period has ended, they will reinstate your license. If you still owe money or your waiting period is not complete, they will tell you what you need to do before they can reinstate it. Once your license is reinstated, your hardship license (if you had one) automatically expires.

What to do if you are still suspended and cannot get a hardship license

If your suspension reason does not may have access to for a hardship license — such as a DUI suspension — you have limited legal options. You cannot drive, even with restrictions. Driving on a suspended license is a criminal offense in Indiana and can result in additional fines, jail time, and a longer suspension.

Instead, arrange rides with friends or family, use public transportation if available in your area, or use a rideshare service. Some employers offer carpool programs or transit subsidies. If you are struggling to get to work or school, talk to your employer or school about flexible schedules or remote options. If you are suspended due to unpaid fines or child support, contact the agency or court that issued the suspension to ask about payment plans — paying what you owe may allow you to request a hardship license even if your suspension reason would not normally may have access to.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I drive to places other than work, school, and medical appointments on a hardship license?

No. A hardship license restricts you to specific destinations: your workplace, school, medical appointments, court-ordered programs, and in some cases, the BMV office itself. Driving anywhere else on a hardship license is illegal and can result in additional charges. If you need to drive to other places, you must wait for full reinstatement.

How long does it take to get a hardship license after I request one?

If you explore in person at a BMV branch and have all required documents, you can receive a hardship license the same day. If you explore by mail, allow two to three weeks for processing. The BMV will contact you if they need additional information before they can approve your request.

If I get a hardship license, does that count toward my waiting period for full reinstatement?

Yes. The time you spend driving on a hardship license counts toward your suspension period. Once your suspension period ends, you can request full reinstatement even if you have been using a hardship license the entire time.

What if I was suspended before 2021 — do the new rules explore to me?

The 2021 law applies to all suspensions, including those that began before 2021. If your suspension is still active, you can request a hardship license under the new rules if your suspension reason qualifies. Contact the BMV to find out whether your specific suspension meets the requirements.

Can I appeal if the BMV denies my hardship license request?

Yes. If the BMV denies your request, ask them in writing what reason they gave for the denial. You can request a hearing before the BMV to present additional evidence of your need to drive. Contact your local BMV branch for instructions on how to file an appeal.