Indiana Licensing Procedures and Indiana Online Driver Education

On behalf of the State of Indiana, we welcome you to the world of driving! The process of applying for your Indiana learner’s permit or first Indiana driver license can be as confusing as it is exciting, and so we have put together this informative guide to help you through the process.

Indiana has a three-stage Graduated Driver License Program for Indiana that is especially designed for newer driver, and there are a few things to keep in mind to make sure that you run into as few problems as possible. So let’s get started

Indiana Instructional Permit or Indiana Learner Permit

When you’re 15 years and 180 days old, you can apply for an Indiana learner’s permit, as long as you are enrolled in an Indiana approved driver education program. In order to apply for your Indiana learner’s permit, you’ll need to make an appointment at your local Indiana BMV and then bring the following:

• Social Security number
• valid “Indiana identification documents()”:https://myweb.in.gov/BMV/mybmvportal/LinkClick.aspx?link=162&tabid=139
• Indiana residency documents
• Proof of lawful status
• certificate of enrollment for your driver education program (if you’re under 16)

Along with presenting all of these application materials, you must also take a written examination and a vision screening test.

Congratulations for making it this far! You just earned your Indiana learners license, which is valid for 2 years. If you are enrolled in an approved Indiana driver education program, you may practice with a certified driving instructor, as well as members of your family over 21. However, if you are not enrolled in an approved Indiana online driver education program, you may only drive with a member of your family. After you’ve had your Indiana learner’s permit for 1 year, you’ll be ready to apply for your Indiana intermediate license.

Your First Indiana Driver’s License

In order to apply for your first Indiana driver’s license, you’ll need to make sure you follow a few State of Indiana requirements:

• you must be 16 years and 180 days old
• keep your Indiana learner’s permit for at least 180 days in good standing
• complete at least 50 hours of supervised driving practice
• at least 10 hours must be at night

At the Indiana BMV, you’ll present:

• Your Indiana learner’s license
• the required “identification materials()”:https://myweb.in.gov/BMV/mybmvportal/LinkClick.aspx?link=162&tabid=139
• A signed agreement of “financial liability()”:https://myweb.in.gov/BMV/mybmvportal/LinkClick.aspx?link=143&tabid=140

Then you’ll take the following Indiana driver’s license tests:

• “Vision test()”:https://myweb.in.gov/BMV/mybmvportal/LicensesAndIDCards/GettingADriversLicense/TheVisionScreeningTest.aspx
  Written test
• “The dreaded road test()”:ttps://myweb.in.gov/BMV/mybmvportal/LicensesAndIDCards/GettingADriversLicense/TheDrivingSkillsTest.aspx!

You must provide your own vehicle for the Indiana road test. Remember, the vehicle must be properly insured, and car registration must be presented. If you survive, then congratulations—you’ve just earned your first true Indiana driver license! However, until you’re 18, there are still a few restrictions you’ll have to accept.

Indiana Teen Driver License Restrictions and Penalties

Until you turn 18, there are several restrictions you need to keep in mind regarding your Indiana driver’s license.If you can handle restricted driving for just a little bit longer, you will graduate to full driving privileges!

• For the first 180 days, you may not drive between 10PM and 5AM
• After 180 days, you may not drive during the following hours: Saturday and Sunday between 1AM and 5AM; Sunday through Thursday after 11PM; and Monday through Friday, before 5AM

Of course, there are exceptions—if you’re driving to or from a school, civil, or religious activity. When you turn 18, all of these restrictions are removed, and you will receive your Class C Indiana driver’s license, provided you haven’t had any major traffic violations in the last year. Congratulations!

Indiana Auto Insurance Indiana Financial Responsibility Laws

Once you receive your Indiana drivers license, you’re ready to drive, right? Wrong. You also need to make sure to get your vehicle insured. In Indiana, any registered vehicle must be covered by liability insurance.

The minimum coverage is:

$25,000/50,00 for bodily injury
$10,000 for property damage
$50,000 for under insured motorists.

If you are found to be driving without Indiana mandatory liability insurance, your Indiana provisional license could be suspended, and if you’re caught driving with a suspended license, you could be fined $150 to $300. Accidents are an unhappy fact of life, and can happen to even the most seasoned drivers. Therefore, do NOT get on Indiana roads in an uninsured vehicle!

Indiana Drunk Driving, Cell Phone, and Text Messaging Laws

As a new Indiana driver, we value your safety above all else, so we consider it vital that you learn the Indiana drunk driving, cell phone, and text messaging laws.

Upon your first conviction of a Indiana DUI (0.08), you will face the following penalties:

• Jail sentence from 30 days to 60 days
• Indiana license suspension up to 2 years
• Court fees of at least $300
• Up to $500 fine
• Probation up to 2 years

And of course, further Indiana DUI convictions will result in increased jail time, community service, fines, and Indiana license suspension or even Indiana license revocation.

If you are an Indiana teen driver under 18 years old, you are prohibited from using an electronic device while driving, which of course includes texting while driving!

Indiana Online Driver Education

For more information about approved Indiana driver education courses, head over the “Indiana BMV website()”:http://www.in.gov/bmv/.