Renewing your Indiana driver's license online, by mail, or in person
You can renew your Indiana driver's license through three routes: online at the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles website, by mail if you meet certain conditions, or in person at a BMV branch. The online method is fastest and available to most drivers whose licenses are not expired more than five years. If you cannot renew online, the BMV will tell you why and direct you to the next available option.
Your renewal notice arrives in the mail about 60 days before your license expires. That notice contains a code you will need for online renewal. If you have lost the notice, you can still renew online by entering your driver's license number and date of birth instead.
Key Takeaways
- Online renewal through the Indiana BMV website takes about 10 minutes and costs $24 for a four-year license or $36 for an eight-year license.
- Your new license arrives by mail within 7 to 10 business days after you complete the online process.
- Mail renewal is available only if your license is not expired and you have not had certain violations or address changes in the past four years.
- In-person renewal at a BMV branch is required if you are renewing after your license has expired more than five years or if you need to update your photo.
- You will need your current driver's license number, Social Security number, and a valid payment method to renew online.
Renewing online through the Indiana BMV website
Go to in.gov/bmv and select "Renew Your License" from the homepage. You will be asked to enter your driver's license number and date of birth, or use the renewal code from your notice. The system will confirm your identity and show you the renewal fee based on whether you want a four-year or eight-year license.
Review your current address and personal information on the screen. If anything is incorrect, you can update it before you pay. Once you submit payment by debit card or credit card, your renewal is complete. The BMV will mail your new license to the address on file.
If the system tells you that you cannot renew online, it will explain why — usually because your license has been expired too long, you have had a suspension, or you need to update your photo. In that case, follow the instructions on the screen to renew by mail or in person instead.
Renewing by mail
Mail renewal is an option only if your current license is not expired, you have not had any traffic violations or suspensions in the past four years, and your address has not changed since your last renewal. The BMV will include a mail renewal form in your renewal notice if you are may be able to access.
Complete the form, sign it, and mail it with a check or money order for the renewal fee ($24 for four years or $36 for eight years) to the address printed on the form. Do not send cash. Your new license will arrive by mail within 7 to 10 business days after the BMV receives and processes your form.
If you did not receive a renewal notice or are unsure whether you are may be able to access for mail renewal, contact the BMV at 317-615-7293 before you mail anything. Processing a form that does not meet the requirements will delay your renewal.
Renewing in person at a BMV branch
You must renew in person if your license has been expired more than five years, if you need to update your photo, or if you have had a suspension or revocation. Bring your current driver's license (or state ID if your license is expired), proof of your Social Security number (such as a Social Security card or W-2), and proof of your current address (such as a utility bill or lease dated within the past 60 days).
Find your nearest BMV branch at in.gov/bmv and check the hours before you go. Many branches operate by appointment only. The renewal fee is $24 for four years or $36 for eight years, payable by cash, check, debit card, or credit card. You will receive your new license on the spot.
What happens if your license has already expired
If your license expired more than five years ago, you cannot renew it — you must explore for a new license instead. This requires an in-person visit to a BMV branch with proof of identity, proof of Social Security number, and proof of residence. The process is more involved than renewal because the BMV treats it as a new process.
If your license expired fewer than five years ago, you can still renew online or by mail using the same process described above. The BMV does not charge a penalty for renewing a license that is expired, as long as you renew before it has been expired five years.
Understanding the renewal fee and license validity period
Indiana offers two renewal periods: four years for $24 or eight years for $36. You choose which period you want when you renew online or in person. The longer period costs more upfront but means you will not need to renew again for eight years. The shorter period is less expensive but requires renewal sooner.
Your new license will be valid starting on the date you renew, not on the date your old license expired. If you renew before your current license expires, your new license will straightforward replace it when it arrives.
What to do if you have not received your new license
If you renewed online or by mail and your new license has not arrived within 10 business days, contact the BMV at 317-615-7293 with your driver's license number and the date you submitted your renewal. The BMV can check the status of your license and remail it if it was lost in transit.
If you renewed in person, you received your new license when ready at the branch, so there is no waiting period. If you lost that license after receiving it, you will need to report it lost and request a replacement at a BMV branch.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my license if I have an outstanding traffic ticket or fine?
No. The BMV will not renew your license if you have an unpaid traffic violation or court-ordered fine. You must resolve the ticket or fine first. Contact the court listed on your ticket to find out how to pay or dispute it, then try to renew again.
Do I need to take a new photo when I renew?
Not if you renew online or by mail — the BMV will use your current photo from your existing license. If you renew in person, the BMV will take a new photo as part of the in-person process. You cannot request a photo update online or by mail.
What if my address has changed since my last renewal?
You can update your address online during the renewal process or in person at a BMV branch. If you are renewing by mail, you cannot change your address — you must renew in person or online instead. Your new license will be mailed to whatever address you provide during renewal.
Can I renew my license if I am out of state?
Yes, if you renew online. The BMV will mail your new license to any address you provide, whether in Indiana or elsewhere. If you need to renew in person or by mail, you will need to do so before you leave Indiana or wait until you return.
What if I want to change my name on my license during renewal?
You cannot change your name during a standard renewal online or by mail. You must visit a BMV branch in person with legal documentation of your name change (such as a marriage certificate or court order). The BMV will process the name change and issue a new license at that time.