What you need to do to get your license back in Indiana
To restore a suspended Indiana driver's license, you must first find out why it was suspended, then complete the specific steps that reason requires. The Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) suspends licenses for different causes — unpaid traffic fines, failure to appear in court, child support arrears, drug convictions, medical conditions, or accumulation of points — and each has its own path to reinstatement. You cannot straightforward pay a fee and drive again; you must resolve the underlying issue, then request reinstatement through the BMV.
The fastest way to learn your suspension reason is to contact the BMV directly at 317-615-7293 or visit your local BMV branch in person. You can also check online through the BMV's driver license status tool at in.gov/bmv, though the phone call usually gives you clearer next steps. Once you know the reason, the timeline to reinstatement ranges from when ready (if you pay a reinstatement fee) to several months (if you must complete a court-ordered program or wait out a mandatory suspension period).
Key Takeaways
- Contact the BMV at 317-615-7293 or visit in.gov/bmv to find out exactly why your license was suspended, because the reason determines what you must do to restore it.
- Most suspensions require you to resolve the underlying issue — paying fines, appearing in court, settling child support, or completing a substance abuse program — before the BMV will reinstate you.
- After resolving the cause, you must request reinstatement by mail, online, or in person at a BMV branch and pay a reinstatement fee, which varies by suspension type.
- Some suspensions are mandatory for a set period (such as drug convictions); you cannot shorten these by paying, but you can prepare your reinstatement request to submit on the first may be able to access day.
Finding out why your license was suspended
The BMV will not reinstate your license until you understand the suspension reason, because different reasons require different actions. Call 317-615-7293 and have your driver's license number ready. The BMV staff will tell you the specific reason — for example, "failure to pay a traffic fine ordered by Marion County Superior Court" or "accumulation of 12 points in 24 months" — and whether any action on your part is still required.
If you prefer to check online first, go to in.gov/bmv, select "Check Driver License Status," and enter your license number and date of birth. The online tool shows whether your license is suspended and sometimes lists the reason, but it does not always provide enough detail to know your next step. A phone call to the BMV clarifies what you must do and how long it typically takes.
Write down the exact reason and any case or citation number the BMV gives you. You will need this information when you contact the court, the prosecutor's office, or the child support enforcement agency — whichever body is responsible for your suspension.
Suspensions for unpaid fines or court costs
If your license was suspended because you did not pay a traffic fine, parking fine, or court costs, you must pay the full amount owed before the BMV will reinstate you. The BMV does not collect the payment itself; you pay the court or municipality that issued the fine. Call the court listed on your citation or contact the prosecutor's office in the county where you received the ticket.
Once you have paid, ask the court or prosecutor for written confirmation that the debt is satisfied. Take this confirmation to your local BMV branch or mail it with a reinstatement request form (Form BMV 44105, available at in.gov/bmv). The BMV will then process your reinstatement, usually within one to two weeks. You will also owe a reinstatement fee; as of 2024, this is typically $25 to $50 depending on the suspension type, though you should confirm the current amount with the BMV.
If you cannot pay the full amount at once, contact the court about a payment plan. Some courts allow installment payments, and once you have a signed agreement in place, the court may ask the BMV to lift the suspension while you pay. This is not automatic, so ask the court specifically whether they will request a stay of suspension.
Suspensions for failure to appear in court
A failure-to-appear suspension means you missed a court date for a traffic or criminal matter. To clear this suspension, you must go back to court, explain your absence, and resolve the underlying case. Contact the court that issued the summons — the citation or court notice will show which court — and ask how to reschedule. Many courts allow you to call ahead and request a new date rather than appearing in person when ready.
Bring proof of your identity and the original citation or court notice. The judge may impose a fine for missing the first appearance, but once you appear and the case is resolved (whether by paying a fine, pleading guilty, or going to trial), the court will notify the BMV. The BMV typically lifts the suspension within one to two weeks of receiving notice from the court. You will still owe the reinstatement fee.
If you cannot locate the court or do not remember which court issued the summons, call the BMV and provide the citation number. The BMV can tell you which court has jurisdiction and provide contact information.
Suspensions for child support arrears
The Indiana Child Support Enforcement Division can request a license suspension if you are behind on court-ordered child support payments. To restore your license, you must bring your child support account current or enter into a payment agreement with the enforcement division. Contact the Indiana Child Support Enforcement Division at 1-800-840-8757 or visit in.gov/fssa/dcs to find your local office.
Explain your situation and ask whether you can set up a payment plan. If you are facing hardship, the enforcement division may agree to a reduced payment while you catch up. Once you are current or have a signed agreement in place, the division will send a release to the BMV. The BMV will reinstate your license, usually within one to two weeks, and you will owe the reinstatement fee.
If you are unable to pay because of job loss or other emergency, tell the enforcement division when ready. Waiting until you receive a suspension notice makes the process longer and more expensive.
Suspensions for drug convictions and mandatory waiting periods
Indiana law requires a mandatory license suspension for drug-related convictions. The length of suspension depends on the offense and whether it is a first or repeat conviction. For a first drug conviction, the suspension is typically one year; for a second, it is five years; for a third or later, it is ten years. You cannot shorten this suspension by paying a fee or completing a program — you must wait out the full period.
However, you can prepare your reinstatement request in advance. On the first day you become may be able to access (one year after conviction, for example), you can submit your reinstatement request to the BMV by mail or in person. Include the reinstatement fee and proof that the mandatory period has passed. The BMV will process your request and restore your license, usually within one to two weeks.
Some drug convictions also require you to complete a substance abuse assessment or treatment program before reinstatement. The court will tell you at sentencing whether this applies to you. If it does, you must complete the program and obtain a certificate of completion before the BMV will reinstate your license, even after the mandatory waiting period ends.
Suspensions for accumulation of points
Indiana uses a point system: traffic violations add points to your record, and if you accumulate too many points in a set time, your license is suspended. Accumulating 12 points in 24 months, 18 points in 36 months, or 24 points in 60 months triggers a suspension. Unlike fines or court cases, you cannot "clear" points by paying; the suspension is automatic.
The suspension period depends on how many points you have. A first suspension is usually 30 days; a second is 60 days; a third is 90 days; a fourth or later is one year. You must wait out this period, then request reinstatement. On the first day after the suspension period ends, submit a reinstatement request to the BMV with the reinstatement fee. The BMV will restore your license within one to two weeks.
To avoid another suspension after reinstatement, drive safely and avoid traffic violations. Points stay on your record for two years from the violation date, so even after reinstatement, new violations can quickly add up.
How to request reinstatement from the BMV
Once you have resolved the reason for your suspension, you can request reinstatement through the BMV. You have three options: mail, online, or in person at a BMV branch.
By mail: Complete Form BMV 44105 (Reinstatement of Driving Privileges), available at in.gov/bmv. Include the reinstatement fee (typically $25 to $50, depending on suspension type), proof that you have resolved the underlying issue (such as a court receipt, child support agreement, or certificate of completion), and your driver's license number. Mail to the BMV at the address listed on the form. Processing takes one to two weeks.
Online: Visit in.gov/bmv and select "Reinstate Your License." You can pay the reinstatement fee online and upload proof of resolution. This is the fastest option and usually processes within three to five business days.
In person: Visit your local BMV branch with your driver's license, proof of resolution, and the reinstatement fee. The BMV will process your request on the spot, and you can receive a temporary driving permit to use while your new license is mailed to you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drive while my reinstatement request is being processed?
No, you cannot legally drive until the BMV officially restores your license. If you visit a BMV branch in person, you may receive a temporary permit valid for a few days while your new license is printed and mailed. Driving without a valid license, even while your reinstatement is pending, is illegal and can result in additional fines and criminal charges.
What if I cannot afford the reinstatement fee?
Contact your local BMV branch and ask whether a fee waiver or payment plan is available. Some branches may waive or reduce the fee if you demonstrate financial hardship. You can also ask whether the court or child support enforcement division can help with the fee as part of resolving your underlying case.
How long does reinstatement usually take?
If you submit by mail, expect one to two weeks. Online submission usually takes three to five business days. In-person requests at a BMV branch are processed when ready, though your new physical license will be mailed to you and may take another week to arrive. You will receive a temporary permit to drive while you wait.
What if my suspension was due to a medical condition?
Medical suspensions (for conditions like seizures or vision loss) require you to obtain medical clearance from your doctor and submit it to the BMV. Contact your local BMV branch for the specific form your doctor must complete. Once the BMV receives the clearance, you can request reinstatement. The process typically takes two to four weeks.
Can I get a hardship license while my suspension is active?
Indiana does not issue hardship or restricted licenses during most suspensions. However, if your suspension is for accumulation of points or certain traffic violations, you may be able to request a work permit that allows you to drive only to and from work. Contact the BMV to ask whether a work permit is available for your suspension type.