Indiana hardship license fees and what they cover

A hardship license in Indiana costs $20 for the license itself, plus a $15 reinstatement fee if your license was suspended. That $35 total is what you pay to the Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) when you receive approval. You do not pay anything to explore — the fees only come due if the BMV grants your request.

The $20 covers the physical hardship license document itself. The $15 reinstatement fee applies only if your license was suspended (not if it was straightforward expired or never issued). If your license was revoked rather than suspended, you may face different fees when you eventually restore full driving privileges — that process is separate from getting a hardship license and costs more.

These are the only fees the BMV charges. You will not owe money to the court, the BMV, or any state agency beyond this amount if your hardship request is approved. However, if you had to pay a fine related to the suspension (for example, a traffic ticket fine), that is separate and would have been due before or during your suspension, not as part of the hardship license process.

Key Takeaways

  • The hardship license itself costs $20, and if your license was suspended you also pay a $15 reinstatement fee, for a total of $35.
  • You pay these fees only after the BMV approves your hardship request — there is no upfront cost to request one.
  • If your license was revoked (not suspended), the hardship license process and fees may differ, and full restoration later will cost more.
  • Any fines related to the original suspension are separate from the hardship license fee and would have been due independently.

When you pay the fee and where to pay it

You pay the $20 and $15 fee at an Indiana BMV branch after your hardship request has been approved. You cannot pay in advance. The BMV will notify you of approval, and then you go to any BMV branch with your approval notice and payment method to receive the physical license.

You can pay by cash, check, or debit card at the branch. Some branches may accept credit cards, but this varies by location, so call ahead if you prefer to use a credit card. Bring your approval letter and a valid form of identification to the BMV branch.

How a hardship license differs from a regular license in cost

A regular Indiana driver's license costs $20 for a four-year license or $30 for an eight-year license. A hardship license costs only $20 regardless of how long you hold it. Hardship licenses are typically issued for the duration of your suspension or until you become may be able to access for full license restoration, whichever comes first — they are not renewed in the traditional sense.

Because a hardship license is temporary and tied to your suspension period, you do not renew it like a regular license. Once your suspension ends and you become may be able to access for full driving privileges again, you will need to explore for a regular license at that time, which will have its own fee.

What happens if you cannot afford the fee

The BMV does not waive or reduce the hardship license fee based on financial hardship. The $35 total is a fixed cost. If you cannot pay at the time of approval, you can ask the BMV branch whether you can return on a later date to pay and receive the license — some branches may hold your approval for a short period, but this is not may provide and varies by location.

Contact your local BMV branch directly to ask about payment timing options. The branch phone number is on the BMV website under "Locations." Explain your situation and ask whether they can give you a few days or weeks to gather the funds. There is no formal hardship waiver process for the fee itself.

Other costs related to suspension and hardship licenses

Beyond the $20 and $15 BMV fee, you may face other costs depending on why your license was suspended. If the suspension was due to unpaid traffic fines, you must pay those fines before the BMV will consider a hardship request. If it was due to unpaid child support or other court-ordered debt, you must resolve that debt first.

If you had to install an ignition interlock device (a breathalyzer for your vehicle) as part of a DUI suspension, that device has a monthly rental fee, typically $60 to $100 per month depending on the vendor. This fee is separate from the hardship license fee and continues for as long as the device is required. Some hardship licenses in Indiana do not require an interlock, depending on the reason for suspension, so check with the BMV about your specific situation.

If you had to attend a driver safety course or substance abuse program as a condition of your suspension, those programs charge their own fees, which are also separate from the hardship license cost.

How to learn about you owe money before explore

Before you request a hardship license, contact the BMV or the court that issued your suspension to find out whether you have outstanding fines or other debts that must be paid first. You can call the BMV at 317-615-7293 or visit any BMV branch with your driver's license number.

If your suspension was related to a traffic ticket, call the court listed on the ticket to ask about any unpaid fines. If it was related to child support, contact the Indiana Child Support Bureau. If it was a DUI, the court that handled your case can tell you what conditions must be met before a hardship license is possible.

Getting this information before you formally request a hardship license saves time and prevents rejection due to unpaid debts you did not know about.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I pay the hardship license fee online?

No. You must pay the $20 and $15 fee in person at an Indiana BMV branch after your hardship request is approved. The BMV does not accept payment by mail or online for hardship licenses.

What if I lose my hardship license after I pay for it?

If you lose the physical license, you can request a replacement at any BMV branch. Replacement licenses typically cost $10 to $15, though fees may vary. Bring your ID and explain that you need a replacement hardship license.

Do I have to pay the fee again if my hardship request is denied?

No. You only pay the fee if your request is approved. If the BMV denies your hardship request, you owe nothing to the BMV.

Is the $35 fee the same in every Indiana county?

Yes. The $20 hardship license fee and $15 reinstatement fee are set by the state and are the same across all Indiana counties and all BMV branches.

Can I get a refund if my hardship license is no longer needed?

The BMV does not refund hardship license fees. Once you pay and receive the license, the fee is not returned, even if your suspension ends early or circumstances change.