How to Renew a Motorcycle License in Indiana
A motorcycle license renewal in Indiana must be completed before the license expires in order to avoid serious consequences. Operating a motorcycle with an expired license is illegal and it can cause you to receive a ticket from law enforcement. In Indiana, the motorcycle endorsement is added to your driver’s license, so the endorsement is valid for the same period as your driver’s license. Therefore, both are renewed at the same time.
There are two methods that you can use to renew your motorcycle license in IN. You can either renew online or in person at a local Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) office. It is crucial that you understand how long your license is valid for so that you renew it before it reaches the expiration date. If you are interested in learning more about how much it costs to renew a motorcycle endorsement and the steps you must follow, read the information below.
When to Renew a Motorcycle License in Indiana
The earliest that you can renew a bike license is up to two years before the expiration date. The expiration of your motorcycle endorsement is the same as the expiration of your regular driver’s license and you can find the date listed on your card. Your license will always expire at midnight on your birthday. If your birthday lands on a day when the BMV is not open, you can renew on the following business day.
It is your responsibility to be aware of how long your license is valid for so that you can renew it before the expiration. Keep in mind that the validity period for your license varies depending on your age.
Renewing a motorcycle license after the expiration date is possible. However, if the motorcycle license has been expired for more than three years, you must pay a penalty fee and take the knowledge, driving and vision exams again. Therefore, it is crucial that you renew as soon as you can in order to avoid those consequences.
Eligibility for Motorcycle License Renewal in Indiana
The most important motorcycle renewal requirements that you must meet in order to renew your license include that you have a valid license issued in Indiana and you are within the appropriate time period for renewing.
In addition, you must provide certain information when you renew. There are documents required to renew a motorcycle license and they include providing your full name, date of birth, residential address and Social Security number to the BMV.
Instances When You Cannot Renew Your Motorcycle License in Indiana
You cannot process a motorcycle endorsement renewal if your license has been revoked or suspended. Furthermore, you cannot renew if it is earlier than two years before your license expires, or if it is more than three years after your license expires. Lastly, if your license has been stolen, lost or damaged, you must request a replacement instead of a renewal.
How to Renew an Indiana Motorcycle License Online
If you have the question, “Can I renew my motorcycle license online?” you must understand that you can only renew online if you are eligible. A few of the eligibility requirements for renewing online include that you must:
- Be between the ages of 21 – 75.
- Be an Indiana resident and U.S. citizen.
- Have a license that expires within 24 months or that has been expired for less than 180 days.
- Have renewed your license in person last time.
- Not have six or more active points on your driving record.
- Not need to make changes to your personal information.
- Not have the restrictions J, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 or 9 on your license.
If you meet all of the requirements, you are eligible for online renewal. To complete this renewal, you must visit the appropriate BMV website and follow these steps:
- Provide your name, date of birth, Social Security number and residential address.
- Pay the renewal fee.
After you have provided the appropriate information and paid the applicable fees, you will be sent a new driver’s license with a renewed motorcycle endorsement. Ensure that you discard your old license as soon as you receive your new one.
How to Renew an Indiana Motorcycle License in Person
If you do not meet the motorcycle renewal requirements to renew online, or if you choose not to renew online, you can renew in person instead. To renew in person, you must visit your local BMV office and do the following:
- Surrender your expiring license.
- Provide proof of identity, residency and Social Security documentation (only if you are applying for a REAL ID license).
- Pass a vision exam.
- Pay the renewal fee.
After you have followed the correct renewal procedure, you will obtain a new license with a renewed motorcycle endorsement.
Indiana Motorcycle License Renewal Costs
There is not an additional motorcycle license renewal fee that you must pay when you renew. Instead, you are only responsible for paying the regular license renewal fees as long as the motorcycle endorsement stays valid on your license. The fees for renewing vary depending on your age:
- Older than 85 years of age: $7.00
- 75 – 84 years of age: $11.00
- Younger than 75 years of age: $17.50
- Penalty fee for renewing more than three years after expiration: $6.00
Illinois Motorcycle Renewal Forms
Note: DMV forms change regularly. The forms provided above are current based on the date of writing.
Sources
- Motorcycle Endorsement from IN.gov
- Renewing A Driver’s License or Identification Card from IN.gov
- Fee Chart from IN.gov