Indiana driver's license
Get your first license in Indiana after moving to the US.
The short answer
Indiana asks you to pass a written knowledge exam and a driving skills exam before it issues a driver's license.1, 2 The BMV charges nothing for the driving skills exam.3 If you fail the knowledge exam, you must wait until the next business day to retake it.4 You provide your own vehicle for the skills exam, and someone with a valid driver's license must come with you.5, 6
How it goes
- 1You arriveYou have moved to Indiana and you want to drive here.
- 2Your permitYou practice on the road with a learner permit.
- 3The written testYou take the written test.
- 4Behind the wheelYou take the drive test behind the wheel.
- 5Your licenseYou pass the tests, and the license is yours.
If you just arrived in the US
Your immigration status
With verified temporary lawful status, a Restriction 9 is placed on your credential and on your driver record, and it may not reflect the standard period of validity.7
Documents you need
- Documents that are still validIdentity documents presented to the BMV — U.S. passports, foreign passports, permanent resident cards, employment authorization documents, and Indiana REAL ID credentials — must be unexpired.8
Tests you take
Drive test
New residents who hold an out-of-country driver's license must pass the driving skills exam.2
You must take the driving skills test if your out-of-state license has been expired for more than five years or if you have held a valid out-of-state license for less than one year.9
Tries you get on the written test
If you fail the knowledge exam, you wait until the next business day to retake it.4
Practice questions for the written test
The driver's knowledge exam is a multiple-choice exam based on Indiana law, defensive driving practices, and information contained in the driver's manual.1
Practising with your permit
Who can sit with you while you practise
Only a licensed driver with valid driving privileges who is at least 25 years old may accompany you — or your spouse, if they are licensed and at least 21 years of age.10
What to bring to the drive test
Who comes with you
You must be accompanied by an individual who has a valid driver's license.6
The car and its insurance
You provide your own vehicle, and it must be properly registered, legally equipped, in safe and clean condition, insured to state minimum standards, pass a pre-exam inspection, and have all driver assistance technology turned off.5
Where to go
Who gives the tests
The driving skills exam is run by the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles, and there is no charge for it.3
Booking an appointment
You can book an appointment at telegov.egov.com/bmvappointments.11
Office locations
Indiana's BMV branches and kiosk locations are listed at https://www.in.gov/bmv/branch-locations-and-hours/bmv-branch-map/branch-location-list.12
Other states
U
Sources
Every numbered fact above is quoted from the page that publishes it, in the words it uses.
- 1
“The driver’s knowledge exam is a multiple-choice exam based on Indiana law, defensive driving practices, and information contained in this driver’s manual.”
in.gov/dA/113b5fcd2d/Drivers_Manual_Chapter_1.pdfChecked July 26, 2026
- 2
“Pass the driving skills exam.”
in.gov/…/out-of-country-licensesChecked July 28, 2026
- 3
“There is no charge for the driving skills exam administered by the BMV.”
in.gov/dA/113b5fcd2d/Drivers_Manual_Chapter_1.pdfChecked August 1, 2026
- 4
“If you fail the knowledge exam, you must wait until the next business day to retake it.”
in.gov/dA/113b5fcd2d/Drivers_Manual_Chapter_1.pdfChecked August 1, 2026
- 5
“You must provide your own vehicle for the driving skills exam.”
in.gov/dA/113b5fcd2d/Drivers_Manual_Chapter_1.pdfChecked August 1, 2026
- 6
“You must be accompanied by an individual who has a valid driver's license.”
in.gov/…/driving-skill-examinationChecked August 1, 2026
- 7
“If you present an acceptable document for proof of temporary lawful status and your lawful status can be verified through the SAVE program, a Restriction 9 will be placed on your credential and driver record.”
in.gov/…/systematic-alien-verification-for-entitlements-save-programChecked July 28, 2026
- 8
“u.s. passport or passport card. the passport cannot be expired.”
in.gov/dA/6b032a550d/Drivers_Manual_Appendix.pdfChecked August 1, 2026
- 9
“If it's been expired for more than five years, or if you’ve had a valid out-of-state license for less than one year, you must also pass a driving skills test .”
in.gov/bmv/licenses-permits-ids/new-indiana-residentsChecked August 1, 2026
- 10
“You may practice driving with a learner's permit only when accompanied by a licensed driver with valid (not expired, suspended, or revoked) driving privileges who is at least 25 years of age, or with your spouse provided he or she is licensed and at least 21 years of age or older.”
in.gov/dA/113b5fcd2d/Drivers_Manual_Chapter_1.pdfChecked July 31, 2026
- 11
“href="https://telegov.egov.com/bmvappointments"”
in.gov/…/preparing-for-branch-visitsChecked August 1, 2026
- 12
“Text-Only List of Branches and Kiosk Locations -> https://www.in.gov/bmv/branch-locations-and-hours/bmv-branch-map/branch-location-list”
in.gov/bmv/branch-locations-and-hours/bmv-branch-mapChecked July 26, 2026
Applying for a driver's license in Indiana?
Answer a few questions and see the steps that apply to you.