What you need to do to get your Indiana license back
A suspended license in Indiana means the state has temporarily taken away your driving privilege, but you can restore it by addressing the reason for the suspension and paying any required fees. The steps depend on why your license was suspended — whether it was for unpaid traffic fines, failure to appear in court, unpaid child support, medical reasons, or a conviction-related suspension. Indiana does not have a single reinstatement process; each suspension type has its own requirements and fee structure.
The first step is finding out exactly why your license was suspended. You can check your suspension status through the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) online portal or by calling the BMV at 317-615-7293. Once you know the reason, you can take the specific actions needed to clear it.
Key Takeaways
- You must contact the Indiana BMV or the agency that issued the suspension to learn the exact reason your license was suspended.
- Different suspension reasons — traffic fines, child support, medical holds, or DUI convictions — each require different steps to clear.
- Most suspensions require you to pay a reinstatement fee to the BMV, typically between $50 and $150, after the underlying issue is resolved.
- You may need to provide proof that you have resolved the issue (paid fines, completed court requirements, or obtained medical clearance) before the BMV will reinstate your license.
How to check your suspension status with the BMV
The Indiana BMV maintains a record of all active suspensions. You can look up your status online through the BMV's License Status Check tool on their website, or you can call the BMV directly. Have your driver's license number or Social Security number ready when you contact them.
When you check your status, the BMV will tell you the suspension code — a number that corresponds to the reason for the suspension. Common codes include suspension for unpaid traffic violations, failure to appear in court, unpaid child support, medical reasons, or conviction-related suspensions (such as those following a DUI). Write down this code and the date the suspension began, as you will need this information to move forward.
Clearing suspensions for unpaid traffic fines or court failures
If your license was suspended because you did not pay a traffic fine or failed to appear for a court date, you must resolve the underlying traffic case first. Contact the court that issued the ticket or the traffic violation bureau in the county where the violation occurred. You can find the correct court by searching the Indiana court system website or calling the county clerk's office.
Once you contact the court, you have several options: pay the fine in full, set up a payment plan, request a hearing to contest the ticket, or ask about traffic school or other alternatives. Some courts allow you to pay online, by phone, or by mail. After the court confirms that the case is resolved — either by payment, dismissal, or completion of court-ordered requirements — the court will notify the BMV to lift the suspension.
If the suspension was for failure to appear, you may also need to appear in court to resolve the original case before the suspension can be lifted. Contact the court when ready to reschedule your appearance.
Clearing suspensions for unpaid child support
Child support suspensions are issued by the Indiana Department of Child Services or the court handling your child support case. To clear this suspension, you must bring your child support account current or reach an agreement with the child support enforcement office.
Contact the Indiana Child Support Enforcement Division at 1-800-840-8757 or visit your local child support office. They will review your account and tell you exactly what amount is owed. You can then pay the full amount, set up a payment plan, or request a modification of your support order if your circumstances have changed. Once the child support office confirms that your account is current or that a payment plan is in place, they will notify the BMV to lift the suspension.
Clearing medical or administrative suspensions
Medical suspensions occur when the BMV has concerns about your ability to drive safely due to a medical condition or when you failed to renew your license with required medical documentation. If your suspension is medical-related, you will need to provide proof from a licensed physician that you are medically fit to drive.
Contact the BMV's Medical Review Section to learn what documentation is required. This typically includes a completed medical form signed by your doctor. Once you submit the required medical clearance, the BMV will review it and reinstate your license if the documentation supports safe driving.
Administrative suspensions — such as those for failure to maintain insurance or failure to pay vehicle registration fees — require you to resolve the underlying issue (obtain insurance, pay registration fees) and provide proof to the BMV before reinstatement.
Paying the reinstatement fee and completing the process
After you have resolved the reason for your suspension, you must pay a reinstatement fee to the BMV. The fee varies depending on the type of suspension: most reinstatement fees range from $50 to $150. Some suspension types, such as those related to DUI convictions, may have higher fees or additional requirements.
You can pay the reinstatement fee online through the BMV website, by mail, or in person at a BMV branch. When you pay, have your driver's license number and the suspension code ready. The BMV will process your payment and, once confirmed, will reinstate your license. You should receive written confirmation within one to two weeks, though in some cases reinstatement is when ready.
If you need to drive before your physical license arrives in the mail, you can request a temporary driving permit from the BMV after your license is reinstated. This permit is valid for a limited time and allows you to drive legally while you wait for your new license card.
What to do if your suspension is related to a DUI or criminal conviction
Suspensions following a DUI conviction or other criminal traffic offense have stricter requirements. In addition to paying the reinstatement fee, you may need to complete an alcohol or drug education program, install an ignition interlock device on your vehicle, or meet other court-ordered conditions before the BMV will reinstate your license.
Contact the court that handled your case to learn what conditions must be met. Some courts require proof of program completion before notifying the BMV to lift the suspension. Once all court-ordered requirements are satisfied and the reinstatement fee is paid, the BMV will restore your driving privilege. The timeline for this process can be several months, depending on the specific requirements of your case.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to reinstate a suspended license in Indiana?
The timeline depends on the suspension reason and how quickly you resolve the underlying issue. Once you have cleared the suspension cause and paid the reinstatement fee, the BMV typically processes reinstatement within one to two weeks. If your suspension is related to a court case or requires completion of a program, the process may take longer.
Can I drive with a suspended license if I have paid the reinstatement fee?
No. You cannot legally drive until the BMV has processed your reinstatement and your license status has been updated in their system. Driving with a suspended license is a criminal offense in Indiana and can result in additional fines and jail time. Wait for written confirmation from the BMV before driving.
What if I cannot afford to pay the full reinstatement fee?
Contact the BMV to ask about payment plan options. Some BMV branches may allow you to pay the reinstatement fee in installments. You should also contact the agency responsible for your suspension (the court, child support office, or medical review section) to discuss your financial situation, as they may have options to help you resolve the underlying issue.
Do I need to retake the written or driving test to reinstate my license?
In most cases, no. Reinstatement does not require retesting unless your license has expired or the BMV has specific concerns about your driving ability. However, if your suspension was medical-related, the BMV may require a road test to confirm you can drive safely.
What happens if I ignore a suspension notice?
Ignoring a suspension does not make it go away. Driving with a suspended license is illegal and can result in criminal charges, additional fines, vehicle impoundment, and further license suspension. The longer you wait to address the suspension, the more complicated and costly the situation becomes.