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 Graduated 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.

Teen 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:

• Indiana’s Graduated Driver’s License System Information
• Driver’s Manual
• Driver's Manual in Spanish (Manual de Conductor)
• Supervised Driving Practice Log – State Form 54706
• Code of Responsibilities for Driver Education Students

• If my child completes an online driver education class, and then completes the 50 hours of driving required to be documented on the driving log, can he/she then get a license at 16 years and 90 days?

  No. To be eligible for a license at 16 years and 90 days, your child must complete both aspects of an approved driver education course: 30 classroom or online hours and six behind-the-wheel hours. The 50 hour driving log is required of all new drivers whether they take driver education or not.

• 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?

  No. Without completing a driver education course, your child must be 16 years of age to be eligible for a permit. Once completing 50 hours of logged drive time, your child can apply for a driver’s license if they are at least 16 years and 270 days.

• What is the earliest age that my child can take driver education?

  Your child must be at least 15 years of age before he or she can participate in either the classroom or behind-the-wheel phase of driver education.

• When can I start driving in the car with my parents?

  If you are at least 15 years of age, are enrolled in a behind-the-wheel training course, and pass a knowledge exam to obtain your learner’s permit, you can legally drive with your parent or guardian. If you have not enrolled or completed a driver education course, you must be at least 16 years of age to legally obtain a learner’s permit to drive with your parent or guardian.

• If I take an online driver education classroom course, can I drive with my parents once I start that course?

  Only behind-the-wheel training course providers may issue a Certificate of Driver Education enrollment (CDE) form. This means if you are under 16 years of age you must be enrolled in a behind-the-wheel training course to receive a CDE form and apply for your learner’s permit. Once you receive your permit, you will be able to start driving with your parent or guardian.

• 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?

  Current rules allow for the transfer of classroom instruction from one school to another where the behind-the-wheel phase will be completed. However, this is contingent upon the second school accepting the course work and records from the first school. The second school then becomes the school of record.

Driver Training Instructor Resources and Classes

All aspects of driver education instruction are outlined in the Indiana Administrative Code (IAC) 140 IAC 4. IAC sets the standards and requirements for all driver education training schools and instructors.

Indiana Administrative Code 140 IAC 4

Licensing and Forms

• Driver Training Instructor and School Licensing
• Driver Training School Instructor Physical Examination - State Form 53312
• Driver Training School Vehicle Inspection - State Form 55746

Driver Training School Instructor Classes

One education option to meet the requirements to be licensed as a driver training school instructor in Indiana is to complete 51 college credit hours and nine (9) college credit hours of approved driver education courses. Contact the following university to complete this instructor training requirement:

Indiana State University
Dr. Matt Hutchins
Associate Professor
Department of Applied Health Sciences
812-237-3108 or 812-237-3079
matt.hutchins@indstate.edu

Bureau Approved Instructor Training Program

The second education option available to meet the requirements to be licensed as a driver training school instructor in Indiana is to complete 10 hours of classroom training and complete 20 hours of behind-the-wheel training instruction.

The following programs are approved by the BMV to provide instructor training:

Bureau Approved Instructor Training Programs

Requests to become an approved instructor training program must submit the following:

1. Application for Instructor Training Program - State Form 56758
2. Detailed description of program and courses
3. Copy of all course materials that provide at least minimum standards for classroom training under 140 IAC 4-4-1.1
4. Sample copy of completion certificate that will be provided upon training completion containing the following information:
   • Name of Instructor Training Program
   • Statement of training completion:
     “The trainee has completed at least 10 hours of training that meets the standards set forth in 140 IAC 4-4-1.1.”
   • Full name of trainee
   • Driver’s license number of trainee
   • Date training completed
   • Signature of Instructor Training Program representative
5. Any other information requested by the bureau that is necessary to determine whether the applicant meets the requirements for approval.

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.

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:

1. Name of Indiana licensed Driver Training School; and
2. 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.”
3. Full name of trainee
4. Driver’s license number of trainee
5. Date training completed
6. Name of each Driver Training Instructor that participated in training
7. Signature of school owner or instructor

Information may be submitted to the Bureau at DriverEducation@bmv.IN.gov.