How to Renew Your Indiana Driver's License at the BMV

How to renew your Indiana driver's license through the BMV

You can renew your Indiana driver's license in person at any BMV branch, by mail if you meet certain conditions, or online through the Indiana BMV website. The in-person route takes about 30 minutes and requires your current license, proof of residency, and a fee. Mail renewal works only if your license is not expired and you have not had certain violations in the past five years. Online renewal is the fastest option but has the most restrictions — you can only use it if your license is not expired, you have not changed your name, and your vision has not changed significantly since your last exam.

Which method works for you depends on your current license status and how much time you have. If your license expired more than six months ago, you must renew in person. If it is still valid or expired less than six months ago, you have all three options available.

Key Takeaways

In-person renewal at any BMV branch requires your current license, proof of residency, and a fee, and takes about 30 minutes.
Mail renewal is available only if your license is not expired and you have no disqualifying violations on your record in the past five years.
Online renewal through the Indiana BMV website is fastest but only works if your license is current, your name has not changed, and your vision has not changed.
Expired licenses more than six months old must be renewed in person, not by mail or online.
Your new license arrives by mail within 7 to 10 business days for in-person renewal, or 2 to 3 weeks for mail renewal.

Renewing in person at a BMV branch

Walk into any BMV branch with your current license, proof of residency, and your fee. Proof of residency means a utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, or bank statement with your current address — it must be dated within the last 60 days. The fee is $24 for a four-year license or $36 for an eight-year license. You will be called to a window, hand over your documents, have your photo taken, and sign your new license process. The whole process takes 20 to 30 minutes unless the branch is very busy.

You will receive a temporary paper license on the spot that is valid for 30 days. Your permanent plastic license arrives by mail in 7 to 10 business days. If you need to drive before the plastic arrives, the paper license is your proof of a valid license.

Find your nearest BMV branch and check its hours on the Indiana BMV website. Some branches are busier than others — branches in smaller towns often have shorter wait times. You do not need an appointment for renewal, but you can schedule one online to skip the walk-in line.

Renewing by mail

Mail renewal is available only if your current license is not expired and you have not been convicted of certain violations in the past five years. Those violations include driving without a license, driving with a suspended or revoked license, and certain drug or alcohol offenses. If you are unsure whether you may have access to, call the BMV at 317-615-7293 before sending anything.

To renew by mail, read the renewal form from the Indiana BMV website or request one by calling 317-615-7293. Fill out the form, include a copy of your current license, and mail it with your fee ($24 for four years or $36 for eight years) to the address on the form. Do not send cash — use a check or money order. Your new license arrives in 2 to 3 weeks.

Mail renewal is slower than in-person renewal, so do not wait until your license is about to expire. Start the process at least three weeks before your expiration date to be safe.

Renewing online

Online renewal through the Indiana BMV website is the fastest method, but it has the strictest rules. You can only renew online if all of the following are true: your license is not expired, your name has not changed since your last renewal, your address has not changed, and your vision has not changed significantly. If any of those conditions do not explore to you, you must renew in person.

Go to the Indiana BMV website, select "Online License Renewal," and follow the prompts. You will need your current license number, your Social Security number, and a valid payment method (debit or credit card). The fee is the same as in-person renewal: $24 for four years or $36 for eight years. Your new license arrives by mail in 7 to 10 business days.

Online renewal takes about 10 minutes. You will receive a confirmation number when ready, and you can print a temporary license from the website that is valid for 30 days while you wait for your permanent license to arrive.

What documents and fees you need

For in-person renewal, bring your current license and proof of residency dated within the last 60 days. Proof of residency can be a utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, bank statement, or government document with your address. You also need the renewal fee: $24 for a four-year license or $36 for an eight-year license. You can pay with cash, check, debit card, or credit card at the BMV branch.

For mail renewal, you need a copy of your current license, the completed renewal form, and your fee as a check or money order. Do not include cash in the mail.

For online renewal, you need your license number, Social Security number, and a debit or credit card for the fee. You do not need to mail anything.

When your new license arrives and what to do if it does not

After in-person or online renewal, your new license arrives by mail in 7 to 10 business days. After mail renewal, it takes 2 to 3 weeks. You will receive it at the address you provided on your renewal form. If you did not receive it after the expected time, call the BMV at 317-615-7293 with your confirmation number or license number. They can tell you whether it was mailed and help you track it down.

If your license is lost or stolen in the mail, report it to the BMV when ready. You may be able to get a replacement faster than waiting for the original to arrive. If your address changes after you renew but before your license arrives, contact the BMV to update your mailing address.

Renewing when your license is expired or your name has changed

If your license expired more than six months ago, you cannot renew by mail or online — you must go to a BMV branch in person. Bring the same documents you would for a standard renewal: your expired license, proof of residency, and your fee.

If your name has changed since your last renewal (through marriage, divorce, or legal name change), you must renew in person. Bring your current or expired license, a document proving your name change (marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order), proof of residency, and your fee. The BMV will issue a new license with your updated name.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my license before it expires?

Yes. Indiana allows you to renew your license up to 180 days before it expires. This is useful if you are planning a trip or want to avoid the rush near your expiration date. The new license will have a new expiration date 4 or 8 years from the date you renew, not from your old expiration date.

What if I lost my current license?

You cannot renew a lost license by mail or online. Go to a BMV branch in person and ask for a replacement license. Bring proof of residency and your fee. The BMV will issue a new license with the same expiration date as your old one, so you do not lose time on your renewal cycle.

Do I need an appointment to renew in person?

No, but you can schedule one online through the Indiana BMV website to skip the walk-in line. Walk-ins are always accepted, but appointment holders are served first. If the branch is busy, an appointment can save you 20 to 30 minutes of waiting.

Can I renew my license if I have an outstanding ticket or fine?

Yes. Outstanding tickets or fines do not prevent you from renewing your license. However, if your license is suspended or revoked due to unpaid fines or other violations, you cannot renew until the suspension or revocation is lifted. Contact the BMV to find out whether your license is suspended.

What happens if I drive with an expired license while waiting for my new one?

If you renewed in person or online, your temporary paper license is valid for 30 days and counts as proof of a valid license. If you renewed by mail and your license expired before your new one arrived, you are driving with an expired license and could be stopped by police. Mail renewal should be started at least three weeks before your expiration date to avoid this.

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.