Getting an Indiana Learners Permit

In Indiana, a learners permit is a chance for teens 15 and older to start practicing their driving under the supervision of an older licensed driver. After enough practice, you will be able to take the Indiana license test and get on the road by yourself for the very first time.

How to Apply for Your Indiana Learners Permit

To apply for a learners permit, teens only need to be enrolled in a driver education course, present valid government identification, and pass a vision test and knowledge exam. Driver education programs are completed through attending a classroom or online course, and finishing six hours of behind-the-wheel training. However, teens 16 or older can forego enrollment in the driver education program before applying for their Indiana learners permit.

You’ll need to bring several documents with you to the BMV when you apply for your learner’s permit:

• Proof of identity (such as a certified birth certificate or U.S. passport)
• Proof of social security number (such as your Social Security card, W-2 form, or 1099 form)
• Proof of Indiana residency (or parent/guardian’s proof of residency plus a signed Indiana Residency Affidavit).
• Indiana Agreement of Financial Responsibility signed by parent or guardian
• Certificate of driver education enrollment (if you are between the ages of 15 and 16)

For complete details on how to get your Indiana learners permit, visit the Indiana BMV website.

Restrictions and Requirements While You Have Your Learners Permit

Teenagers with a learners permit can only drive while accompanied by a licensed Indiana driver who is 25 or older. Together, they must log at least 50 hours of driving time, 10 of which must be completed e at night. When these hours are complete, they must be written in a BMV log of supervised driving and signed by a parent or guardian.

The age restrictions for getting your permit, probationary license, or unrestricted license are as follows:

• At age 15, you can get your learners permit if you are enrolled in a driver education program.
• At age 16, you can get your learners permit even if you are not enrolled in a driver education program (though it is still highly recommended).
• At age 16 and six months, you can get your probationary license if you have completed a driver education program.
• At age 16 and nine months, you can get your probationary license even if you have not completed a driver education program.
• At age 18, you are eligible to apply for an unrestricted license.

Please remember that while your age determines your driving restrictions, you must always exercise caution and safety from the moment you first sit down behind the wheel to when you finally can drive by yourself. A single mistake can cost you your life and the lives of others, and nothing prepares you quite like experience. An approved driver education program combined with abundant controlled practice is the best way to make sure you will always be safe on the road.