How To Apply For Indiana Drivers License As A Teen (Over 18)

If you are ready to apply for your driver's license in Indiana and are over the age of 18, you may be wondering what that process will look like for you. While the process for applying when under 18 is more intense, there are still strict guidelines you must follow. If you follow the steps below, you will get behind the wheel and gain that freedom you are looking for with your driver's license.

First Step: Learner's Permit

The first thing you will need to do is go to your local BMV office and complete/provide the following to get your learner's permit if you are 18, but under the age of 21, and have never held a license before:

• Present documents proving identity, residency (two unique documents with the address and name of person), and social security number
• Pass a vision screening test
• Pass the written test

If you happen to fail the written test, you must wait until the next business day before taking another written test.

Second Step: Practice Your Driving Skills

Once you have your learner's permit, you are required to complete 50 hours of driving practice with a licensed driving instructor, a certified driver rehabilitation specialist, or a licensed driver who is at least 25 years of age and who is related to you by marriage, blood, or legal status. If the licensed driver is your spouse, they have to be at least 21 years of age. Of those 50 hours, 10 of them have to be completed at night. The minimum amount of time these hours can be completed is in 30 days.

While there are no required driving lessons with a professional driving instructor, we highly recommend it. This can only help prepare you more for the behind-the-wheel road test at the BMV office and Coastline Academy does offer these lessons. Before you can move to the next step, you must hold the learner's permit for a minimum of 180 days (6 months).

Third Step: Behind-The-Wheel Test

Once you have held the permit for at least 180 days and you finished the 50 hours of driving practice, then you are eligible to take the behind-the-wheel driving test. To take the behind-the-wheel test, you must have/complete the following:

• Provide proof of identity, date of birth, as well as physical address and mailing address
• Provide proof of a valid social security number
• Provide a completed supervised driving log
• Provide proof of citizenship or lawful residency status
• Surrender your currently valid state-issued ID card
• Pass a vision screening test
• Pass the road test

For the behind-the-wheel test, you have three attempts to pass. When you pass, you will receive your probationary driver's license. If you happen to fail, you must wait 14 days before you can make your next attempt. If you do not pass within three tries, you are required to wait two months from the date of the last failed attempt before you can attempt the test again.

Restrictions on a Probationary Driver's License

When you do obtain your probationary driver's license, there will be restrictions that come along with it. Those restrictions are:

Telecommunication Devices

You may not use any type of telecommunication device while driving except to make emergency 911 calls.

Driving Restrictions

For 180 days after getting your license, you may not drive between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. However, you may drive at any time if you are traveling to or from work, a school-sanctioned activity, or a religious event; or if you are accompanied by an individual in the front seat of the vehicle with valid driving privileges who is at least 25 years of age or a spouse with valid driving privileges at least 21 years of age. After those 180 days, the license will have no driving restrictions.

Driving With Passengers

For 180 days after getting your probationary driver's license, you may not drive with any passengers unless you are accompanied in the front seat by a licensed instructor, an individual with a valid driver’s license who is at least 25 years of age, or a spouse who is at least 21 years of age. You may transport your child, stepchild, sibling, step- or half-sibling, or spouse during the hours allowed by law without another accompanying individual.

Drivers With Disabilities

If you are at least 18 years of age, disabled, and have successfully completed driver rehabilitation training conducted by a certified driver rehabilitation specialist recognized by the BMV, you may apply for a driver’s license without a learner’s permit on your record or a completed Log of Supervised Driving.

You will be required to provide the BMV branch with a report of the training received from the driver rehabilitation specialist.

Drivers Over 21

If you are 21 years of age or older, and you are applying for a license for the first time, you must complete the following steps:

• Pass a vision test
• Pass the written test
• Pass the behind-the-wheel test

While no learner's permit is required, if you want to practice your driving before taking the road test, then you MUST obtain your learner's permit. This permit allows you to practice driving with anyone at least 25 years of age or a spouse with valid driving privileges at least 21 years of age. The learner's permit is also required if you are looking to take driving lessons with a professional driving instructor, which Coastline Academy offers.

Please note that there is no probationary period for a license if the person receiving it is 21 years of age or older.

Driver Had Out Of State License Already

If you had a license in another state and are applying for a driver's license in Indiana now, you must surrender your previous license, take the written exam, pass a vision test, and provide proof of residency as well as proof of identity.

It may take some time, but it is a process designed to make sure safe drivers are getting behind the wheel of cars in Indiana, which is what we all want.

**Click here to learn how to apply for your driver's license in Indiana when under 18**

As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to our friendly support staff. If you want to start your driver's license journey with Coastline Academy, make sure to sign up for Drivers Ed and book your driving lesson today.