Indiana suspends your license when you reach 15 points within a two-year period

Indiana's Bureau of Motor Vehicles tracks violations on your driving record using a point system. Each type of violation carries a set number of points. When your total reaches 15 points in any two-year rolling window, the BMV will suspend your license automatically. The suspension is not optional — it happens by law once you hit that threshold.

The two-year window means the BMV looks back 24 months from today. If you got a violation 25 months ago, it no longer counts toward your total. This matters because you might be close to 15 points, but an older violation might drop off soon and lower your total below the suspension threshold.

You can check your current point total by visiting the BMV website, calling your local BMV branch, or going in person with your driver's license. Knowing your points now means you can see how close you are and understand what another violation would trigger.

Key Takeaways

  • Your license suspends automatically when you accumulate 15 points within a two-year period — there is no warning or chance to avoid it once you hit that number.
  • Different violations carry different point values: a speeding ticket might be 2 to 6 points, while reckless driving is 8 points, and a DUI is 6 points.
  • Points drop off your record two years after the violation date, so an older ticket stops counting once it passes the two-year mark.
  • You can see your current point total through the BMV website, by phone, or in person at any BMV branch.
  • If your license is suspended, you must wait out the suspension period and then pay a reinstatement fee before you can drive legally again.

What each type of violation costs in points

Indiana assigns points based on how serious the violation is. A minor speeding ticket — say, 1 to 15 miles per hour over the limit — costs 2 points. Speeding 16 to 25 miles per hour over the limit costs 4 points. Going 26 miles per hour or faster over the limit costs 6 points. These are the violations most drivers encounter.

More serious violations carry higher points. Reckless driving is 8 points. A DUI (driving under the influence) is 6 points. Driving with a suspended or revoked license is 6 points. Leaving the scene of an accident is 8 points. Unsafe lane changes, improper passing, and following too closely are each 4 points. Running a red light or stop sign is 4 points.

Some violations do not add points but still affect your record. Parking tickets, for example, do not count toward suspension. Neither do violations that happen on private property. The BMV only counts moving violations and certain criminal driving offenses.

How the two-year rolling window works

The two-year window is not a calendar year — it is a rolling 24-month period. If you got a ticket on March 15, 2023, that violation stops counting on March 15, 2025. Until that date passes, those points are part of your total. After that date, the BMV removes them from the calculation.

This means your point total can go down without you doing anything, straightforward because time passes. If you have 14 points and an 8-point violation from two years ago is about to drop off, you will fall back below the suspension threshold once that date arrives. However, if you get another ticket before that older violation drops off, you could when ready hit 15 points and trigger a suspension.

You can use this timing to your advantage by checking when your oldest violations will age off your record. If you are at 12 points and a 4-point violation will drop off in three months, you know you have a narrow window to avoid new violations.

What happens when you reach 15 points

The BMV does not send you a warning when you are close to 15 points. The suspension happens automatically once the BMV processes your violation and your total reaches 15. Depending on how the violation was reported, this could take days or weeks after you received the ticket.

Once your license is suspended, you will receive a notice in the mail from the BMV. This notice tells you the suspension start date, how long it will last, and what you must do to get your license back. For a first suspension due to points, the suspension typically lasts 30 days, though this can vary based on your driving history.

During the suspension, you cannot legally drive. Driving on a suspended license is itself a violation that adds 6 points to your record and can result in criminal charges. This is why it is critical to stop driving once you know your license is suspended.

How long your license stays suspended

A first suspension for accumulating 15 points usually lasts 30 days. However, if you have been suspended before, the length increases. A second suspension within five years is typically 60 days. A third suspension within five years is typically 180 days. These timeframes are set by Indiana law and do not change based on your circumstances.

The suspension period begins on the date the BMV says it begins, which is stated in your suspension notice. You cannot shorten this period by paying a fine or taking a driving course. You must wait the full suspension period to pass before you are may be able to access to drive again.

After the suspension period ends, your license does not automatically come back. You must pay a reinstatement fee to the BMV — the amount varies but is typically between $75 and $150 — and you may need to provide proof of financial responsibility (usually an SR-22 form from your insurance company). Only after you pay the fee and meet any other requirements can you legally drive again.

Steps to check your points and understand your status

The fastest way to check your points is through the BMV website at in.gov/bmv. You can create an account, log in, and view your driving record when ready. The record shows every violation on your history, the date it occurred, the points assigned, and when it will drop off your record.

If you do not want to use the website, you can call your local BMV branch and ask them to read your record to you over the phone. You will need to provide your driver's license number and date of birth. You can also visit any BMV branch in person and ask to see your record — they will print it for you at no cost.

When you look at your record, write down the date each violation occurred and the points it carries. Add them up to see your current total. Then look at the oldest violation and count forward 24 months — that is when it will drop off. This gives you a clear picture of where you stand and how much room you have for error.

What you can do if you are close to suspension

If you are at 10 or more points, the most important step is to avoid new violations. Even a minor speeding ticket could push you over 15 points. This means following speed limits strictly, coming to complete stops, and avoiding aggressive driving.

Some violations can be contested in traffic court. If you received a ticket you believe was issued in error, you can request a court date and present your side. If the court finds in your favor, the violation is dismissed and the points are removed from your record. However, contesting a ticket requires going to court and possibly hiring an attorney, so weigh the cost against the points at stake.

Indiana does not offer a point reduction program or defensive driving course that lowers your points after the fact. Some states do, but Indiana does not. Your only options are to wait for violations to age off your record or to contest violations in court.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get my points reduced by taking a defensive driving course?

Indiana does not have a point reduction program tied to defensive driving courses. Taking a course may help with insurance rates, but it will not lower the points on your BMV record. Your points only decrease when violations age off after two years or when a violation is dismissed in court.

What is the difference between suspension and revocation?

A suspension is temporary — your license comes back after you serve the suspension period and pay the reinstatement fee. A revocation is permanent or long-term and usually results from serious violations like multiple DUIs. Revocation requires you to reapply for a license and may involve additional requirements like an ignition interlock device.

If I move out of Indiana, do my points still count?

Yes. Indiana shares driving records with other states through the National Driver Register. If you move and get a license in another state, that state can see your Indiana violations. However, the new state applies its own point system to your record, so the points may not transfer directly — but the violations themselves are visible.

Can I get a hardship license while my license is suspended?

Indiana does allow hardship licenses in some cases, but only for certain reasons like work, school, or medical treatment. You must petition the BMV and show that the suspension causes genuine hardship. A hardship license is not automatic and requires approval. Contact your local BMV branch to learn whether your situation qualifies.

What happens if I get a violation while my license is already suspended?

Getting a violation while suspended adds points to your record and creates a separate criminal charge for driving with a suspended license. This makes your situation worse because you now have both the new violation's points and a criminal record. Once your suspension ends and you get your license back, those new points count toward a future suspension.