To turn your permit into a license you must meet the age and practice-hour rules and pass your exams. If you're under 18, an adult must also accept financial liability for your driving.
To get a driver's license you must:
- Meet the age requirements
- Hold a valid Indiana permit for the required time, unless you hold an unexpired license from elsewhere
- Present Appendix A documents: identity, lawful status, Social Security number, Indiana residency
- Pass a standard vision screening
- Pass the knowledge exam (must be done before the skills exam)
- Pass a driving skills exam with a BMV examiner or an approved driver training school
Minimum age to apply for a license
| Situation | Minimum age |
|---|---|
| Completed BMV-licensed driver education | 16 years and 90 days |
| No BMV-licensed driver education | 16 years and 270 days |
| Documented disability + driver rehab training | 18 years |
Know the rule
You must hold a valid (not expired, suspended, or revoked) Indiana learner's permit for at least 180 days.
Handbook p. 14 ↗Know the rule
If you are under 21, your driver's license is a probationary driver's license.
Handbook p. 13 ↗Supervised driving practice required before a license (at least 10 of them at night)
Handbook p. 14 ↗Know the rule
If you're 18 or older, log the hours with a licensed driver 25+ or your spouse 21+ with valid privileges. At least 10 hours must be at night unless you have restriction G (daylight only), but you still need all 50.
Handbook p. 14 ↗Know the rule
Turn in State Form 54706, the Log of Supervised Driving Practice, with your application. You may use more than one log. A parent or legal guardian must sign if you're under 18.
Handbook p. 14 ↗Driver's license validity
| Driver | Valid for |
|---|---|
| Younger than 75 | Six years |
| Aged 75 through 84 | Three years |
| 85 or older | Two years |
| Commercial driver's license (CDL) | Four years |
If you're under 18, an adult must sign a sworn or affirmed statement of financial liability in person at a branch. They share responsibility with you for damage your driving causes.
Who signs, in the legal order of preference (IC 9-24-9-3):
- 1. The parent with custody, or that parent's designee
- 2. The noncustodial parent, or that parent's designee
- 3. The guardian with custody
- 4. If none of these, any other adult willing to assume the obligations
Know the rule
The co-signer is jointly and severally responsible with the minor for all damage from operating a motor vehicle, and must show valid ID from the BMV's identity document list.
Handbook p. 13 ↗Know the rule
A co-signer can withdraw by filing State Form 55834 (Written Request to Cancel Financial Liability). Doing so cancels the minor's permit or license.
Handbook p. 13 ↗Know the rule
A minor in Department of Child Services (DCS) care needs no adult signature but must show a motor vehicle insurance policy meeting Indiana's minimum liability standards.
Handbook p. 13 ↗Put it into practice
You're 16 years and 100 days old, finished BMV-licensed driver ed, and have held your permit for 185 days. You logged 50 hours, 12 of them at night, and your parent signed the log. You meet the age and holding rules and can apply.