You must obtain an Indiana driver’s license and carry it with you if you plan to operate a motor vehicle in the state. Therefore, understanding IN driver’s license information such as where and how to apply for a driving credential is important for all potential motorists who wish to obtain a license.

If you are younger than 21 years of age, you must follow certain steps and requirements in order to obtain a graduated driver’s license. Generally, you can get a new driver’s license as long as you are 16 years of age, but only if you have followed the licensing regulations set in place by the state. On the other hand, if you are 21 years of age or older, the process is much more straightforward, with fewer eligibility requirements for applicants to meet. If you want to learn more about these varying requirements, which are based on how old you are, continue reading the sections below.

How to Apply for a Drivers License in Indiana (21 or Older)

There are two different types of non-commercial Indiana DMV licenses that can be obtained based on your age. These include:

• Probationary driver’s license – Issued to motorists who are younger than 21 years of age.
• Operator’s driving license – Issued to drivers who are 21 years of age or older.

The first step towards getting either of these BMV licenses is to apply for a learner’s permit. Then, you may need to comply with other established regulations, such as enrolling in a driver’s education course and/or accumulating practice driving hours. To learn more about applying for an operator’s driver’s license as a motorist who is 21 years of age or older, read the sections below.

In order to apply for an operator’s BMV drivers license, you must be 21 years of age or older. Additionally, you must hold a valid learner’s permit first. Then, you must pass a vision screening, a knowledge exam and a road skills exam. Nonetheless, you will also be required to present documents that identify your name and date of birth.

As a general rule, you must be a legal IN resident in order to apply for a driver’s license in the state. Residency requirements include maintaining an in-state residential address, being registered to vote, holding lawful stewardship of a juvenile who is enrolled in an IN elementary or secondary school, or having more than half of your gross income derived from sources in Indiana.

Steps to Get a New Drivers License in Indiana (21 or Older)

When applying for a new driving license in Indiana, you will be required to visit a state Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) office in person. Generally, you are not able to get a new drivers license online in the state. The steps for obtaining an IN driver’s license include:

1. Visit your local Indiana BMV office.
2. Present documents that verify your identity, Social Security Number (or ineligibility for an SSN), legal status and Indiana residency.
3. Pass a vision screening.
4. Take the knowledge exam, if you have not already passed one.
5. Pass a road skills exam.
6. Pay the applicable BMV licensing fee.

Getting an Indiana Drivers License as a New Resident

After becoming a new resident in Indiana, you will be asked to obtain a new Indiana drivers license within 60 days of moving. To do so, you must surrender your out-of-state license to a BMV office and provide proof of your identity, Social Security Number, legal U.S. status and state residency.

Moreover, if your out-of-state license has expired, you will be required to take a vision and knowledge written test. In special circumstances, the BMV will also ask you to pass a road skills test.

How to Apply for a Drivers License in Indiana (Younger Than 21)

If you are younger than 21 years of age when you complete a driving license application, you will be given a probationary credential to drive that comes with certain restrictions attached to it. In general, the first step that you must take before you apply for this license is to obtain a learner’s permit and, depending on your age, enroll in a driver’s education course.

Once you have met all of the requirements set in place by the state’s Graduated Licensing Program, you can successfully apply for a BMV driver’s license with full privileges. There are certain driver’s license requirements that you need to meet in order to get a probationary driving credential in Indiana. These requirements include:

• You must be at least 16 years and 90 days of age and have completed a BMV-approved driver’s education program. If you are 16 years and 270 days of age, you do not have to complete such courses.
• You must have held a valid learner’s permit for at least 180 days.
• You must have completed 50 hours of practice driving, 10 hours of which must have taken place at night.

Drivers Ed Requirements to Get a Learners Permit in Indiana

Completing a driver’s education course may be a driving license eligibility requirement depending on your age. For instance, you will be required to undergo a driver’s ed program if you wish to get your learner’s permit when you are younger than 16 years of age. You will also need to enroll and complete this program if you wish to obtain a probationary license while being younger than 16 years and nine months of age.

In general, training programs for new driver’s licenses consist of 30 hours of classroom training and six hours of behind-the-wheel training with a BMV-licensed driver’s ed school. These courses are designed to help young drivers gain the experience and knowledge they need to be prepared for getting a license and operating a motor vehicle on their own.

Steps to Get a New Drivers License in Indiana (21 or Younger)

If you are wondering how to get a driver’s license, be mindful that getting a learner’s permit is an important first step. To do so, you must be at least 15 years of age and do the following:

1. Show proof of enrollment in a driver’s education course, if younger than 16.
2. Provide documents that prove your name, date of birth, SSN, legal status in the country and established residency in the state.
3. Pass a vision screening.
4. Pass a knowledge test.
5. Pay any applicable fees.

Once you have held your permit BMV license for 180 days and have met the aforementioned requirements, you can obtain a provisionary license with full privileges. To do so, you must follow similar steps to the ones listed above, as well as passing a road skills exam and presenting a log of 50 hours of practice driving (form 54706), which has to be signed by a parent/legal guardian or certified driving instructor.

Indiana Drivers License Costs

Below you will find the driver’s license cost that you must pay when you apply for a license or permit:

• Learner’s permit – $9
• Operator’s license for motorists who are under 75 years of age – $17.50
• Operator’s license for drivers who are between 75 and 85 years of age – $11
• Operator’s license for motorists who are 85 years of age or older – $7

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