Indiana suspends your license when you reach 15 points within two years

Indiana's Bureau of Motor Vehicles tracks violations on your driving record using a point system. When your points total 15 or more within a two-year period, the BMV will suspend your license automatically. The suspension lasts at least 90 days for a first suspension, though it can be longer depending on how many points you accumulated and whether you have prior suspensions.

Points stay on your record for two years from the date of the violation, not from when you paid the ticket or went to court. This means a violation from January 2023 will drop off in January 2025, even if you didn't resolve it until months later. Understanding which violations carry how many points helps you see how close you are to suspension.

Key Takeaways

  • Your license suspends automatically when you reach 15 points within two years; you do not have to receive a warning first.
  • A single serious violation like reckless driving (6 points) or DUI (8 points) can push you close to suspension on its own.
  • Points expire two years from the violation date, not from when you paid the ticket, so timing matters for how many points you currently carry.
  • You can request a hearing before the BMV within 10 days of receiving a suspension notice, and you may be able to reduce points through traffic school.

Common violations and their point values

Minor violations like speeding carry 2 to 4 points depending on how far over the limit you were driving. Speeding 1 to 15 miles per hour over the limit is 2 points; 16 to 25 mph over is 4 points; 26 mph or more over is 6 points. A single speeding ticket will not suspend your license, but multiple violations within two years add up quickly.

More serious violations jump to 4 to 8 points. Unsafe lane change, following too closely, and running a red light are each 4 points. Reckless driving is 6 points. Driving under the influence (DUI) is 8 points and also triggers a separate license suspension through the criminal court system, independent of the point system. Hit-and-run and driving with a suspended license are each 6 points.

The BMV publishes a full point chart on its website, but the violations you are most likely to encounter fall into these ranges. If you received a ticket, the citation itself should list the points for that specific violation. You can also call the BMV at 317-615-7293 to ask how many points a particular violation carries.

How to check your current point total

You can check your driving record through the BMV's online portal at myBMV.com. Create an account, log in, and select "View Your Driving Record." The record shows every violation on file, the date it occurred, and the points assigned. This is the same record the BMV uses to calculate whether you have reached 15 points.

If you do not have internet access or prefer to check in person, visit any BMV branch with your driver's license. Staff can print your record on the spot. There is a small fee for an official copy, though viewing your record at the counter is usually free. Bring your license and be prepared to wait, as BMV branches can have long lines.

What happens when you reach 15 points

The BMV sends you a suspension notice by mail once your points reach 15. The notice tells you the suspension start date, how long it will last, and your right to request a hearing. For a first suspension, the minimum is 90 days. If you have been suspended before, the suspension can last 180 days or longer.

Your license becomes invalid on the date stated in the notice. Driving on a suspended license is a separate criminal offense in Indiana and carries its own penalties, including fines and potential jail time. If you are stopped by police, you will be cited for driving with a suspended license in addition to whatever traffic stop prompted the interaction.

The suspension remains in effect until you complete the suspension period and then request reinstatement from the BMV. Reinstatement requires paying a fee (currently $50 for a standard reinstatement) and submitting the request in person, by mail, or online through myBMV.com. You cannot drive legally until reinstatement is complete.

Requesting a hearing before suspension takes effect

You have 10 days from the date on the suspension notice to request a hearing before the BMV. This hearing gives you a chance to present your side of the story, though the BMV will not overturn the suspension unless there is an error in the record itself — such as a violation that was dismissed in court but still appears on your driving record.

Request the hearing by mail, phone, or in person at any BMV branch. Include your name, driver's license number, and the date of the suspension notice. The BMV will schedule a hearing date and send you a confirmation. Bring any documentation that supports your case, such as court records showing a ticket was dismissed or proof that a violation was paid and resolved.

If you do not request a hearing within 10 days, you lose the right to one and the suspension takes effect as scheduled. Even if you miss the important date, you can still request reinstatement once the suspension period ends.

Reducing points through traffic school

Indiana allows you to remove up to 4 points from your record by completing an approved defensive driving course. You can take the course once every 24 months, so it is useful for keeping your point total down but will not prevent suspension if you have already accumulated many violations.

The course must be BMV-approved; taking a random online driving course will not count. The BMV maintains a list of approved providers on its website. Most courses take 4 to 8 hours to complete and cost between $20 and $50. Some are offered in person at community centers or driving schools; others are online.

After you complete the course, the provider sends your completion certificate to the BMV. The BMV then removes 4 points from your record. This reduction takes effect once the BMV processes the certificate, which typically takes 2 to 4 weeks. If you are close to 15 points, taking a course before you reach that threshold can prevent suspension.

What to do if your license is already suspended

If your suspension has already taken effect, you cannot legally drive until the suspension period ends and you request reinstatement. During the suspension, you cannot obtain a hardship license or conditional license in Indiana — the state does not offer these options for point-based suspensions.

Once the suspension period ends (90 days minimum for a first suspension), you can request reinstatement online through myBMV.com, by mail, or in person at any BMV branch. You will need to pay the reinstatement fee and provide your driver's license number. After the BMV processes your request, you will receive a new license in the mail or can pick one up at a branch.

If you accumulate 15 points again within the next two years, you will face another suspension. The second suspension lasts at least 180 days. A third suspension within five years can result in a one-year suspension. Keeping your point total below 15 by avoiding violations or taking a defensive driving course is the only way to prevent future suspensions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do points from out-of-state violations count toward my Indiana suspension?

Yes. Indiana's BMV receives reports of violations you receive in other states and adds them to your Indiana driving record with the same point values. A speeding ticket from Ohio or Kentucky will count the same as an Indiana speeding ticket. This is why checking your record regularly is important — you may not realize an out-of-state violation has been added.

Can I get points removed if I pay the ticket or go to traffic court?

Paying the ticket does not remove points; it only settles the financial penalty. If you go to traffic court and the judge dismisses the charge, the violation should be removed from your record, which also removes the points. If you plead guilty or are found guilty, the points remain. Ask the court clerk to send proof of dismissal to the BMV so the violation is removed from your record.

What if I was not the one driving when the violation occurred?

The violation is attached to the license holder, not the driver. If someone else was driving your car, you are still responsible for the points on your record. You can pursue a civil claim against the driver, but the BMV will not remove the points based on who was actually behind the wheel. This is why it is important to know who is driving your vehicle.

How long does a suspension stay on my record after it ends?

The suspension itself remains on your driving record permanently, but it does not add points. The individual violations that caused the suspension will drop off your record two years from their violation dates. A future employer or insurance company can see that you were suspended, but after the violations age off, the suspension will have less impact on your driving record.

Can I drive to work or school during a suspension?

No. Indiana does not issue hardship licenses or work permits for point-based suspensions. You cannot drive for any reason during the suspension period, even if you have a job that requires driving. Your only legal option is to use public transportation, ride-sharing, or ask someone else to drive you until the suspension ends and you request reinstatement.