Getting a Driver’s License in Indiana

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When do I apply for an Indiana license?

You can apply for an Indiana license anytime after you arrive.  However, if you are driving on your foreign license, you should begin the process of getting an Indiana license no more than seven months after you arrive.  You must be at least 16 years of age to get a learner’s permit and 16 years of age plus 6 months in order to get a driver’s license.

You may obtain an operator license without first getting a learner permit, if you hold a translated Out of Country License or an International Driver’s License and pass the written, vision, and drive tests.

Where do I apply for an Indiana driver’s license?

You apply at the local branch of the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV).  That address is: 1612 S. Liberty Drive, Suite A., Bloomington.  That office is about half a mile from Wal-mart and Sam’s Club.  Their telephone number is: 812-336-3018.  Visit the BMV website for their hours.

What do I do first?

Get a copy of the Indiana Driver Manual.  BMV provides copies for free.  You can print out an electronic version by going to the BMV website.  The driver manual has information about traffic laws, traffic signs, and other regulations that affect driving and owning a car in Indiana.  When you apply for a license, you must take a written test.  To pass the written test, you have to know the information in the driver’s manual.  After you have studied and understood the rules in the manual, you are ready to take the written test.

When I am ready for the written test, what do I have to take to the BMV?

When you have studied the Indiana Driver Manual thoroughly, take the following items to the BMV:

1. Proof of Identity and Proof of Legal Status:

   Valid Passport with Visa information and I-94 card attached.

2. Proof of Social Security Number:*

   Social Security Card

3. Proof of a mailing address in Bloomington:

   1. Bank statement that shows name and mailing address
   2. Bill containing your name and address from a utility company, credit card company, doctor, or hospital, issued within the past 60 days.
   3. Pay stub

* If you are eligible for a social security number, then you cannot apply for driver’s license until you have your social security card.  The Office of International Services’ staff can help you determine whether you are eligible for a social security number, and we can explain what you have to do to get that number.  You get your social security number from the Social Security Administration, not from the BMV.

If you are not eligible to receive a social security number, you must provide a “letter of ineligibility” from the Social Security Office.

What will happen at the BMV?

You will be checked in at the Information area and asked to take a seat to wait for the next available associate.  It is usually faster to go on a Wednesday or Thursday, rather than other days, when the office can be very busy.

When your name is called, a staff member will look over your documents.  If you do not have a social security number, you will be required to provide a “letter of ineligibility” from the Social Security Administration.  If you have brought all the documents you need, you will then take a written test that requires you to answer fifty questions.  Each question will provide four possible answers; you must select the correct one.

If you pass the written test, then you will take a vision test.  If you need to wear glasses or contact lenses to pass the vision test, then your license will require that you wear these whenever you are driving.

If you have completed all the steps, the BMV will issue the learner’s permit.  You will be charged $9 for this permit.  You will receive your learner permit in the mail.

What do I do with a Learner’s Permit?

The learner’s permit allows you to drive a car as long as an adult, 21 years old or older, with a valid driver’s license, is in the front seat of the car with you.

I have obtained my learner’s permit.  When can I get my license?

You must wait for 60 days after you get your learner’s permit before you can apply for your permanent license.

After 60 days, you may contact the BMV if you are ready to take a road test to show how well you drive.  The BMV will work with you to schedule the road test.  Once the road test is passed, the BMV will process the license transaction.  Once identity and lawful status is again verified by DHS, the BMV will mail the credential to the address provided.

Effective July 1, 2010,

you must be at least 16 years, 270 days of age and hold a learner permit for a period of 180 days before you may apply for a driver’s license.

In addition, if you are applying for a driver’s license on or after July 1, 2010, you must complete at least 50 hours of supervised driving practice with a licensed instructor, a licensed driver who is at least 25 years old, or a spouse who is at least 21 years old.  At least 10 hours of supervised driving practice must be nighttime driving.

What does one do for a driving test?

Go to the BMV at your appointment time.  Be on time or you may have to make another appointment.  You must have a car with a valid license plate to drive for the test (The BMV does not provide a vehicle for the test).  An official licensed driving examiner will sit in the passenger seat for the test.  He or she will ask you to drive and tell you in which direction to go, where to turn, park, etc.  The examiner will decide if you can operate the car safely (including parking), and if you know and obey traffic laws.  The driver manual describes this test.  The driving test usually lasts for only 10 to 15 minutes.

If you pass the driver’s test, you may apply for your driver’s license.  You will be required to provide your identification documentation.