A hardship license lets you drive for specific purposes when your regular license is suspended
A hardship license in Indiana is a restricted driving permit that allows you to operate a vehicle for essential activities — like getting to work, school, medical appointments, or court-ordered programs — even though your regular license has been suspended. You cannot use it for any other reason. The state issues it only after your license suspension has already taken effect, and only if you meet specific conditions set by Indiana's Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV).
The hardship license is not a way to avoid a suspension. It is a limited permission to drive during a suspension that has already begun. You still have a suspended license; the hardship license straightforward carves out narrow exceptions to that suspension.
Key Takeaways
- A hardship license allows driving only for work, school, medical care, court programs, or alcohol treatment — not for any other purpose.
- You can only request a hardship license after your suspension has already started, not before it takes effect.
- You must show the BMV that you have a genuine need to drive and that you have no other reasonable way to meet that need.
- The BMV may require you to install an ignition interlock device on your vehicle if your suspension was alcohol-related.
- Driving outside the permitted purposes, or driving without the hardship license document in your vehicle, can result in criminal charges.
Why suspensions happen and when a hardship license becomes an option
Indiana suspends licenses for several reasons: multiple traffic violations, driving with a suspended license, DUI or OWI (operating while intoxicated) convictions, failure to pay traffic fines, failure to appear in court, or accumulating too many points on your driving record. The length of suspension varies depending on the reason.
Once your suspension is in place, you become ineligible to drive for any reason — even to the grocery store. A hardship license does not erase the suspension; instead, it creates narrow exceptions. You can request one only after the suspension has already begun, and only if you can demonstrate to the BMV that you have a legitimate need to drive for one of the permitted purposes and that you have no other practical way to meet that need.
What you can and cannot do with a hardship license
The BMV will specify exactly which purposes you are permitted to drive for. These typically include commuting to and from work, attending school or a vocational program, attending medical or dental appointments, attending court-ordered counseling or treatment programs (such as alcohol education classes), and transporting a minor to school or medical care if you are the sole caregiver.
You cannot use a hardship license to run errands, visit friends or family, go to restaurants, shop for groceries, or drive for any purpose other than those the BMV has approved. If you are caught driving for an unapproved reason, you can be charged with driving with a suspended license, which is a criminal offense in Indiana. The hardship license must be in your vehicle at all times when you are driving, and you must produce it when ready if stopped by police.
How to request a hardship license from the BMV
You must appear in person at a BMV branch office. You cannot request a hardship license by mail or online. Bring your current identification, proof of your suspension (usually a letter from the BMV), and documentation showing your need to drive — such as a letter from your employer stating your job duties and work schedule, a school enrollment letter, medical appointment records, or court documents showing you are required to attend a program.
The BMV will ask you to explain why you need to drive and what other transportation options you have considered. Be specific and honest. If you say you need to drive to work, bring a letter from your employer. If you say public transportation is not available, be prepared to explain why. The BMV staff member will decide whether to issue the hardship license based on whether your need is genuine and whether you have exhausted other options.
There is a fee for a hardship license, though the amount varies. Contact your local BMV branch for the current cost. Some branches may require you to schedule an appointment; others operate on a walk-in basis. Check the BMV website or call ahead to confirm the process at your location.
Ignition interlock devices and alcohol-related suspensions
If your suspension resulted from a DUI or OWI conviction, the BMV may require you to install an ignition interlock device (IID) in any vehicle you drive. This device measures your breath alcohol level before the engine will start. If alcohol is detected, the vehicle will not start. You must pay for the device installation and monthly monitoring fees yourself — typically $60 to $100 per month, depending on the provider.
If an IID is required, you cannot drive any vehicle without one, even with a hardship license. The BMV will provide you with a list of approved vendors. You must have the device installed before you can use your hardship license, and you must keep it installed for the entire period specified by the court or BMV.
How long a hardship license lasts
A hardship license is valid only for the duration of your suspension. Once your suspension period ends and your regular license is reinstated, the hardship license expires automatically. If your suspension is for a set period — for example, 90 days or one year — your hardship license will end on the same date your suspension ends.
If you are unsure when your suspension ends, contact the BMV directly. You can check your driving record online through the BMV website or by visiting a branch office. Continuing to drive after your hardship license expires is the same as driving with a suspended license and is a criminal offense.
What happens if you violate the terms of your hardship license
Driving for a purpose not approved by the BMV, driving without the hardship license document in your vehicle, or driving after it has expired are all treated as driving with a suspended license under Indiana law. This is a criminal misdemeanor. Penalties include fines, jail time, and an additional license suspension on top of your existing one.
If you are stopped by police and cannot produce your hardship license, you will likely be cited. Even if you were driving for a permitted purpose, not having the document with you is a violation. Keep your hardship license in your vehicle at all times, just as you would your regular license.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a hardship license before my suspension starts?
No. The BMV will only issue a hardship license after your suspension has already taken effect. You cannot request one in advance. If you know your license will be suspended, you should plan your transportation needs before the suspension date.
What if I need to drive for a purpose not on the approved list?
You cannot drive for that purpose with a hardship license. If your circumstances change — for example, you lose your job and need to drive to look for work — you can return to the BMV and request that your hardship license be modified to include additional purposes. The BMV will review your new situation and decide whether to expand your permissions.
Do I have to install an ignition interlock device if I get a hardship license?
Only if your suspension was alcohol-related and the BMV or court has ordered it. If your suspension was for points, unpaid fines, or other reasons, an IID is not required. The BMV will tell you at the time you request the hardship license whether an IID is mandatory.
Can I drive someone else's car with my hardship license?
A hardship license is tied to you as a driver, not to a specific vehicle. However, if an ignition interlock device is required, you can only drive vehicles that have one installed. If no IID is required, you can drive any vehicle for your approved purposes, but you must have your hardship license document with you.
What if the BMV denies my hardship license request?
The BMV can deny a hardship license if it determines your need is not genuine or if you have other reasonable transportation options available. If denied, you can request reconsideration by providing additional documentation or by waiting and reapplying later if your circumstances change. You have the right to ask the BMV to explain the reason for the denial.