Driver Education
Learning to drive can be a fun and exciting time in life! Driving is a complex skill that is developed over time with practice and requires the basic knowledge of operating a motor vehicle. Below you will find information for parents and teens regarding driver education, obtaining a learner’s permit, and Indiana’s Driver’s License System.
The Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles certifies driver training schools and instructors who demonstrate knowledge of the laws and regulations about driving in Indiana. In the sections below, you will find a list of licensed driver training schools, as well as information on the requirements and instructions to become a licensed driver training school or instructor.
Info for New Drivers and Parents
A driver training program consists of 30 hours of classroom training and six hours of behind-the-wheel training with a BMV-licensed driver training school.
Online training is available as an alternative to classroom training, but students will still be responsible for the six behind-the-wheel hours. You may complete online training before enrolling at a licensed driver training school for behind-the-wheel training, but you should first confirm that your preferred driver training school will accept the online training program you have selected. See the below for a list of licensed driver training schools and information on course offerings.
The BMV provides the following resources for teen drivers and their parents to help prepare for how to obtain an Indiana driver’s license:
DID YOU KNOW?
BMV licensed driver training schools can now administer the driving skills test to any individual that is 16 years old and over with a valid learner's permit.
Frequently Asked Questions
For Parents...
- Does my child need to still complete the 50-hour driving log, even if they have completed a driver education course?
Yes. All new drivers (18 years old or younger) must complete the 50-hour drive log, even if they have completed a driver education course.
If the applicant is under the age of 18, they must complete 50 hours of supervised practice driving with:
- a valid licensed driver training school instructor who is working under the discretion of a driver training school, or
- a valid licensed driver who is at least 25 years old and related to the applicant by blood, marriage, or legal status, or
- a valid licensed spouse who is at least 21 years old, or
- a certified driver rehabilitation specialist recognized by the BMV and employed through a driver rehabilitation program.
If the applicant is 18 years or older, they must complete 50 hours of supervised practice driving with:
- a valid licensed driver who is at least 25 years old, or
- a spouse who is at least 21 years old.
- Where can I find information on driver education schools in my area?
A list of driver education schools is available here. All driver education providers licensed to conduct courses in the state are listed, and are searchable by county.
- Is driver education required to get a license?
Requirements for licensing without taking driver’s education are as follows:
- You must be 16 years and 270 days.
- You must have a valid learner’s permit for 180 days.
- You must complete 50 hours of logged drive time; 10 hours must be nighttime driving.
- What is the earliest age that my child can take driver education?
Your child must be 15 years of age before they can enroll in either theoretical or behind-the-wheel phase of driver education.
For Students...
- When can I start driving in the car with my parents?
- You must be 15 years of age.
- You must have completed 30 hours of theoretical or online portion of driver education.
- You must have a learner’s permit.
- You must be enrolled in a BMV licensed behind-the-wheel program.
Students 16 and over must have valid learner’s permit
- If I start a driver education course with one school, then decide to switch to another school, can I transfer the work I have completed or do I have to start over?
In most cases transferring from one school to another the during driver education process is possible. However, both schools must support the facilitation of the transfer.
How Do I Become a Driver Training Instructor?
You must complete 10 hours of classroom training and complete 20 hours of behind-the-wheel training instruction to be licensed as a driver training school instructor.
The following programs are approved by the BMV to provide instructor training:
Bureau Approved Instructor Training Programs
Upon completion of instructor training...
The 20 hours of behind-the-wheel training will be provided by an Indiana licensed Driver Training School and must provide training pertaining to 140 IAC 4-4-1.2. Once the trainee has completed the program, the Driver Training School must provide the trainee with proof of completion on school’s letterhead containing the following information:
- Name of Indiana licensed Driver Training School; and
- Statement of training completion:
“The trainee has completed the 20 hours of behind-the-wheel training instruction that meets the standards sets forth in 140 IAC 4-4-1.2.” - Full name of trainee
- Driver’s license number of trainee
- Date training completed
- Name of each Driver Training Instructor that participated in training
- Signature of school owner or instructor
Information may be submitted to the Bureau at DriverEducation@bmv.IN.gov.
How Can I Become a Bureau Approved Instructor Training Program?
You must submit the following to become an approved instructor training program:
- A fingerprint-based full national criminal background check dated within ninety (90) days of the application.
- If not currently holding an Indiana issued driver’s license, a certified copy of the driver record from the state that issued your current driver’s license.
- Completed Driver Training School Instructor Physical Examination – State Form 53312 dated within ninety (90) days of application.
- Name and address of each employer for the past five (5) years.
- Educations requirements:
- Proof you have earned fifty-one (51) semester hours at a postsecondary educational institution and nine (9) credit hours of driver education training that included theoretical and behind-the-wheel training consistent with nationally accepted standards in traffic safety and was part of a curriculum approved by the commission for higher education,
-OR - - Proof you have completed a bureau approved instructor training program and completed twenty (20) hours of behind-the-wheel training instruction that meet the standards set forth in 140 IAC 4-4-1.2.
- Proof you have earned fifty-one (51) semester hours at a postsecondary educational institution and nine (9) credit hours of driver education training that included theoretical and behind-the-wheel training consistent with nationally accepted standards in traffic safety and was part of a curriculum approved by the commission for higher education,
The application for the program will be processed within 60 days of the Bureau receiving the completed application. Approvals for Instructor Training Programs shall remain valid for a period of four years.
How to Renew Your Driver Training Instructor License?
The following items are required for renewing your driver training school instructor license:
- A fingerprint-based full national criminal background check dated within ninety (90) days of the application.
- Completed Driver Training School Instructor Physical Examination – State Form 53312 dated within ninety (90) days of application.
How to Renew Your Driver Training School License?
The following items are required for renewing your driver training school instructor license:
- You must first register your business with the Secretary of State and provide paperwork to show registration of the business, not required for public/private schools.
- Complete a Driver Training School Application - State Form 51567 by logging on to myBMV.com.
- A fingerprint-based full national criminal background check of each of the school's owners/ administrators dated within ninety (90) days of the application.
- Copies of contracts or agreements with any person who conducts business with the school related to courses.
- A schedule of all tuition, fees, and charges to be made by the school.
- Samples of student contracts and registration forms to be used by the school.
- A certificate of insurance demonstrating the minimum insurance coverage set forth in 140 IAC 4-4-1.2.
- A copy of Course Curriculum/ Syllabus and name of textbook being used.
- The fee for an application for a driver training school license is one hundred dollars ($100) per location. School corporations as defined in IC 36-1-2-17 and state educational institutions as defined in IC 21-7-13-32 are exempt from the driver training school license, renewal, and amendment fees.