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

Indiana's Bureau of Motor Vehicles tracks violations on your driving record using a point system. When your points reach 15 within any two-year period, the BMV will automatically suspend your license. The suspension lasts until you complete a driver improvement course and pay a reinstatement fee — straightforward waiting out the time does not restore your driving privileges.

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 drops off in January 2025, even if you paid the fine in March 2023. Understanding which violations carry which point values helps you see how quickly you might approach suspension.

Key Takeaways

  • Indiana suspends your license when you accumulate 15 points within a two-year period, and points remain on your record for exactly two years from the violation date.
  • Minor violations like speeding 1–15 mph over the limit carry 2 points, while more serious violations like reckless driving carry 6 points or more.
  • To reinstate your license after suspension, you must complete an approved driver improvement course and pay the reinstatement fee to the BMV.
  • You can check your current point total by contacting the Indiana BMV or viewing your driving record online through their website.

Common violations and their point values in Indiana

Speeding violations make up the majority of points on Indiana driving records. Driving 1–15 mph over the posted limit costs 2 points. Driving 16–25 mph over the limit costs 4 points. Driving 26 mph or more over the limit costs 6 points. A single speeding ticket for 26 mph over the limit puts you two-fifths of the way to suspension.

Other common violations carry different point values. Running a red light or stop sign is 4 points. Improper lane change is 3 points. Following too closely is 4 points. Unsafe passing is 4 points. Driving without a valid license is 6 points. Reckless driving is 6 points. Leaving the scene of an accident is 8 points. Driving under the influence (DUI) is 8 points, and a second DUI within five years is 8 points plus a mandatory one-year license suspension on top of the point suspension.

The BMV publishes the complete point schedule on its website. If you received a ticket and are unsure of the point value, you can look up the specific violation code or contact the BMV directly.

How to check your current point total

You can view your driving record and current point total through the Indiana BMV's online portal. Visit the BMV website, select "Check Your Driving Record," and enter your name, date of birth, and driver's license number. The system will show every violation on your record, the date it occurred, and the points assigned.

If you do not have internet access or prefer to speak with someone, you can visit a local BMV branch in person or call the BMV customer service line. Have your driver's license number ready. The staff can tell you exactly how many points you currently have and when each violation will drop off your record.

Checking your record regularly is useful because it lets you see how close you are to 15 points. If you are at 10 points and receive a 6-point violation, you will be suspended. Knowing this in advance helps you understand the stakes of traffic decisions.

What happens when you reach 15 points

When the BMV determines that you have reached 15 points within a two-year period, they will mail you a notice of suspension to the address on file with your license. The notice will tell you the suspension effective date, which is usually 10 days after the notice is mailed. You cannot drive legally after that date.

The suspension is automatic — you do not have to do anything to trigger it, and you cannot appeal it based on hardship. The BMV's role is to count points and suspend when the threshold is reached. However, you can take action to end the suspension sooner by completing the required steps.

How to reinstate your license after suspension

Reinstating your license requires two steps: completing an approved driver improvement course and paying the reinstatement fee. You must complete the course before you can reinstate, not after.

The driver improvement course is typically a four-hour classroom or online program offered by approved providers throughout Indiana. The course covers traffic laws, hazard recognition, and safe driving practices. You will receive a certificate of completion when you finish. This certificate is your proof that you completed the requirement.

Once you have the certificate, contact the BMV to pay the reinstatement fee. The fee amount varies depending on how many times you have been suspended, but it is typically between $50 and $150. You can pay in person at a BMV branch, by mail, or online through the BMV website. After payment is processed, your license will be reinstated and you can drive again.

The entire process usually takes one to two weeks from the time you complete the course to the time your license is active again, depending on how quickly you submit payment and whether you pay in person or by mail.

How points drop off your record

Points automatically fall off your driving record two years after the violation date. You do not have to request removal or do anything to make it happen — the BMV removes them automatically when the two-year period ends.

This is why the suspension threshold is based on a two-year window rather than a lifetime total. A violation from three years ago does not count toward your current point total, even if you were suspended in the past. However, if you received multiple violations within a short period, they can all still be active at the same time and add up quickly.

For example, if you received a 4-point violation in January 2024 and a 6-point violation in March 2024, both violations are active until January 2026 and March 2026 respectively. If you receive a 5-point violation in April 2024, you now have 15 points and will be suspended. The January 2024 violation will drop off in January 2026, bringing you down to 11 points, but you are still suspended until you complete the reinstatement process.

Reducing points through traffic school

Indiana does not offer a point reduction program through traffic school the way some states do. You cannot take a defensive driving course to remove points from your record before suspension occurs. However, you can take a driver improvement course to satisfy the reinstatement requirement after suspension.

Some people confuse these two courses. The driver improvement course is mandatory after suspension and is part of reinstatement. A defensive driving course taken before suspension does not reduce your points or prevent suspension — it is purely educational.

If you are concerned about approaching suspension, your only option is to avoid further violations until older violations drop off your record after two years.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a hardship license while suspended?

Indiana does not issue hardship or work licenses for point-based suspensions. You must complete the driver improvement course and pay the reinstatement fee to restore full driving privileges. If you have a commercial driver's license (CDL), different rules may explore — contact the BMV for your specific situation.

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

Yes. Indiana counts violations from other states on your driving record if you were driving in Indiana at the time, or if the violation was reported to Indiana through the Interstate Compact. Out-of-state violations carry the same point values as Indiana violations.

What if I was found not guilty of a traffic violation?

If you were acquitted or the charge was dismissed, the violation should not appear on your driving record and should not add points. If it still appears, contact the court that handled the case and ask them to send a certified copy of the dismissal to the BMV. The BMV will remove it from your record once they receive official documentation.

How long does suspension last if I do not complete the driver improvement course?

Your license remains suspended indefinitely until you complete the course and pay the reinstatement fee. There is no automatic end date. Some people remain suspended for months or years because they have not taken the required steps to reinstate.

Can I drive to the driver improvement course if my license is suspended?

No. Driving with a suspended license is a separate criminal offense in Indiana. You must arrange transportation through someone else, use public transit, or take a rideshare service to reach the course location.