How to Get a Hardship License in Indiana

What a hardship license is and who can get one

A hardship license in Indiana is a restricted driving permit that lets you drive during a suspension when you have a genuine need — usually work, school, medical treatment, or court-ordered obligations. It is not a full license, and it comes with strict limits on when, where, and why you can drive.

You can request a hardship license if your driver's license has been suspended by the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV). The suspension might be due to a DUI conviction, accumulating too many points, failing to pay traffic fines, or other violations. A hardship license does not erase the suspension; it creates a narrow window to drive during it.

Indiana courts and the BMV decide whether to grant a hardship license based on whether you can show genuine hardship and whether you have met certain conditions — usually a waiting period and proof of insurance.

Key Takeaways

You must wait a set period after your suspension begins before you can request a hardship license; for most suspensions this is 30 days, but DUI suspensions often require longer.
You will need proof of financial responsibility (car insurance) and a written statement explaining your hardship and how you will limit your driving.
You request a hardship license through the court that handled your case or, in some cases, directly through the BMV — the route depends on why your license was suspended.
If approved, your hardship license will list specific purposes you are permitted to drive for, and driving outside those purposes can result in arrest and additional charges.
The entire process typically takes two to four weeks from submission to approval, though this varies by court and county.

Determine why your license was suspended

Before you request anything, you need to know the reason for your suspension. Different suspension types have different waiting periods and different approval routes. Call the BMV at 317-615-7293 or visit a BMV branch in person with your driver's license or ID to confirm the suspension reason and the date it began.

Write down the suspension reason and the start date. Common reasons include: DUI or OWI (operating while intoxicated), accumulating 12 or more points in two years, failure to pay a traffic fine or court cost, failure to appear in court, or driving with a suspended license. Each has its own rules about when you can request a hardship license.

If you were convicted of a DUI or OWI, your suspension is longer and the waiting period is stricter. If your suspension is for points or unpaid fines, the waiting period is usually shorter. Knowing which applies to you determines your next step.

Meet the waiting period requirement

Indiana requires you to wait before you can request a hardship license. For most suspensions (points, unpaid fines, failure to appear), the waiting period is 30 days from the start of the suspension. For a first-time DUI or OWI suspension, the waiting period is typically 90 days. For a second or subsequent DUI or OWI, the waiting period is often one year or longer.

Mark the date on a calendar. You cannot submit a hardship license request before this waiting period ends, and doing so will result in when ready denial. If you are unsure of your exact waiting period, ask the BMV or the court that handled your case.

Once the waiting period has passed, you are may be able to access to request a hardship license. You do not have to wait until the end of the full suspension period — you can request it as soon as the waiting period is over.

Gather required documents and information

You will need to provide proof that you have a genuine hardship and that you can drive safely. Start by collecting these items:

Proof of financial responsibility: a current auto insurance policy in your name or a named driver on the policy. The policy must be active and cover the vehicle you will drive.
A written statement describing your hardship. This should explain why you need to drive (work address and hours, school schedule, medical appointments, court-ordered obligations), how often you need to drive, and what route you will take. Be specific and honest.
Your driver's license or state ID.
The court case number or BMV suspension notice, if you have it.
A list of the specific purposes you are requesting permission to drive for (for example: "work at 123 Main Street, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m." or "medical treatment at Indiana University Hospital, one appointment per week").

The written statement is the most important document. Judges and BMV staff read dozens of these, and vague or exaggerated claims hurt your chances. Stick to facts: your job title and address, your work hours, the distance from your home, whether public transportation is available, and why you cannot use it. If you have a medical condition that requires treatment, include the doctor's name and appointment frequency.

Submit your request through the correct channel

Where you submit your hardship license request depends on the reason for your suspension. If your suspension resulted from a court case (DUI, reckless driving, driving with a suspended license), you request the hardship license from the court that handled your case, not the BMV. Contact the clerk of that court and ask for the hardship license petition form or instructions.

If your suspension resulted from BMV action alone (points accumulation, unpaid fines, failure to renew), you can request a hardship license directly from the BMV. Visit a local BMV branch or call 317-615-7293 to ask whether you can submit by mail or must appear in person. Some counties allow mail submission; others require you to appear.

When you submit, include all documents listed above plus a completed petition form (the court or BMV will provide this). Keep copies of everything you submit. If submitting by mail, use certified mail with return receipt so you have proof of delivery.

What happens after you submit

After you submit your request, the court or BMV will review it. This typically takes two to four weeks, though some courts move faster and some slower. You may receive a decision by mail, or you may be scheduled for a hearing where you can speak in person.

If the court or BMV approves your request, you will receive a hardship license document in the mail. This document lists the specific purposes you are permitted to drive for, the hours or days you can drive, and any other restrictions. Read it carefully. You are only permitted to drive for the listed purposes and during the listed times. Driving outside these limits is a violation and can result in arrest.

If your request is denied, you will receive a written explanation. You may be able to resubmit after addressing the reason for denial — for example, by obtaining insurance if you lacked it, or by providing more detail about your hardship. Some courts allow you to request a hearing to argue your case in person.

Understand the restrictions on your hardship license

A hardship license is not a regular license. It comes with strict conditions, and violating them can result in criminal charges. Your hardship license document will specify exactly when and where you can drive. Common restrictions include:

You can only drive to and from specific locations (your workplace, school, medical facility, or court).
You can only drive during specific hours or days (for example, Monday through Friday, 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.).
You cannot drive for any other purpose, including errands, socializing, or pleasure.
You must carry the hardship license document with you at all times while driving.
You must obey all traffic laws. A traffic violation while driving on a hardship license can result in additional charges.

If you are stopped by police while driving outside the permitted purposes or times, you can be arrested for driving with a suspended license. This is a separate criminal charge and can result in jail time, fines, and a longer suspension. Stick to the terms of your hardship license exactly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I drive to the grocery store or run errands on a hardship license?

No. A hardship license permits only the specific purposes listed on the document — typically work, school, medical treatment, or court-ordered obligations. Grocery shopping, running errands, or any other driving outside those purposes is a violation. If you are stopped and cannot show you were driving for a permitted purpose, you can be arrested.

What if I get a new job while my hardship license is active?

You must request a modification to your hardship license to add the new job address and hours. Contact the court or BMV that issued your hardship license and submit an updated petition with the new work information. Do not drive to the new job until your hardship license is modified to include it.

How long does a hardship license last?

A hardship license lasts for the duration of your suspension, unless it is revoked earlier. When your suspension period ends, your hardship license ends as well. If your suspension is lifted before the hardship license expires, the hardship license is no longer valid.

Can I get a hardship license if I owe unpaid fines or court costs?

It depends on the court or BMV handling your case. Some will grant a hardship license even if fines are unpaid, while others require you to set up a payment plan first. Ask the court or BMV directly whether unpaid fines will block your request, and if so, what payment arrangement they will accept.

What if my hardship license request is denied?

You will receive a written explanation of the denial. Common reasons include lack of insurance, an insufficient hardship statement, or not meeting the waiting period. You can usually resubmit after addressing the reason for denial. Some courts allow you to request a hearing to argue your case in front of a judge.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.