Probationary Driver's License
To obtain a probationary driver's license, you must meet the age requirements and have held an Indiana learner's permit for 180 days (approximately six months).
If you have successfully completed an approved driver education program you must be at least 16 years and 180 days old (approximately 16 years and six months) to obtain a probationary driver's license.
If you have not successfully completed an approved driver education program you must be at least 16 years and 270 days old (approximately 16 years and nine months) to obtain a probationary driver’s license.
A driver education program consists of classroom/online instruction and six hours of behind-the-wheel instruction with an approved driver education provider.
To apply for a probationary driver’s license, you must visit a license branch and present documents of identification and provide a signed Log of Supervised Driving. In addition, you must pass a driving skills test, a knowledge examination, and a vision screening test.
If you are 16 or 17 years old when you apply for a driver's license you must have a parent or guardian sign an agreement of financial liability.
Documents of identification
When applying for a probationary driver's license, you must present documents of identification proving your identity, Social Security number, lawful status, and Indiana residency.
If you do not have two original documents proving your Indiana residency, you may instead submit an Indiana Residency Affidavit. The affidavit must be signed by an individual who is 18 years of age or older and with whom you reside. The individual signing an Indiana Residency Affidavit must present their unexpired Indiana driver’s license or identification card, one document proving their identity, and two documents proving their Indiana residency. It is not necessary for individuals with an unexpired SecureID driver’s license or identification card to provide these documents.
Driving skills test
You must arrive at least 15 minutes before your scheduled appointment time to take a driving skills test.
- Schedule a driving skills test as an Indiana resident
- Schedule a driving skills test if you are new to Indiana
- Learn more about the driving skills test
Knowledge examination
You do not need to schedule an appointment for a knowledge examination unless you need to have the test read to you. You must arrive at least one hour before a branch closes to take a knowledge examination.
Vision screening test
The vision screening test measures your visual ability. If your visual ability does not meet state standards you will be referred to an eye doctor for an eye examination.
Driver Education Waiver
If you have a learner’s permit and are enrolled in an approved driver education program, you may take the driving skills test after your driver education program or when you apply for a probationary driver’s license at a license branch. Only one skills test may be administered by a school. If a skills test was taken and failed at a license branch, you may not return to the school to complete a skills test.
You must take the driving skills test at a license branch if any of the following situations occur:
- Your driver education learner’s permit expires; or
- You receive a failing grade of 79 percent or below in either classroom instruction or behind-the-wheel training in your driver education program; or
- Your driver education program does not participate in the BMV’s driving skills test waiver program.
Driving With A Probationary Driver's License
If you are 16 or 17 years old when you obtain your driver's license, your license is considered probationary until you turn 18 years old. You may amend your license after you turn 18 years old to remove the probationary driver designation from your license, although if you are 18 years old the probationary driver restrictions will not apply to you even if your license still shows the probationary designation.
If you have a probationary driver's license every passenger in the vehicle that you are driving must wear a seat belt even if the vehicle is a truck or a sport utility vehicle.
Telecommunication devices
You may not use any type of telecommunication device while driving except to make emergency 911 calls.
Driving restrictions
You may not drive between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. for 180 days after getting your license.
After you have driven for 180 days, you may not drive during the following hours:
- Saturday and Sunday, between 1 a.m. and 5 a.m.
- Sunday through Thursday, after 11 p.m.
- Monday through Friday, before 5 a.m.
You may drive at any time if you are traveling to or from work, school, or a religious event, or if you are accompanied by an individual with a valid Indiana driver’s license who is 25 years or older.
Driving with passengers
You may not drive with passengers for 180 days after getting your license, unless you are also accompanied by a licensed instructor, an individual with a valid Indiana driver’s license who is 25 years or older, or a parent, guardian, or step-parent who is 21 years or older. You may drive with your child, sibling, or spouse during the hours allowed by law.
Court diversion programs
You will not qualify for court diversion programs.
