RoadVisa Beta

How to get a driving licence in Indiana

Getting a car licence from scratch, country by country.

Car licence

Getting your licence in Indiana

Pass mark on each part of the knowledge test80%
A passed knowledge test stays valid180 days
Knowledge test languages, with English19

No appointment for the knowledge test: arrive 30 minutes before the branch closes.

Before you start driving

2
Learner's permitYes. Hold it 180 days before the licence if you've never been licensed in another state.
Medical checkNo doctor's exam. The BMV tests your vision.

Required lessons

2
Supervised practice50 hours, 10 at night, logged on the permit.
Driver educationOptional. With it you can start at 15 and get the licence earlier.

Good to know

7
Minimum ageLearner's permit from 15 with driver education, or from 16 without. Probationary licence from 16, or 16 years 270 days without driver education.
Licence validityUnder 21: a probationary licence that expires 30 days after your 21st birthday.
Exam languagesKnowledge test in English and 18 other languages, including Arabic, Croatian, French, German, Japanese, Korean, Mandarin, Polish, Russian, Serbian and Spanish.
If you failKnowledge test: next business day. Driving test: wait 7 days. After 3 failed driving tests on a permit, wait 2 months.
Automatic or manualNo restriction. A licence earned in an automatic covers manual cars too.
New driversUnder 21: a probationary licence with restrictions until your 21st birthday.
Already have a licence from abroad?Japanese and Taiwanese licences skip the driving test. Others take the knowledge and driving tests. See the Abroad tab.

Step by step

  1. Knowledge and vision testAt a BMV branch, no appointment needed.
  2. Learner's permitPractise with a licensed driver aged 25+ (a spouse 21+).
  3. Driving testAt a branch or with your driving school.
  4. LicenceAn interim licence for 30 days while documents are checked.

Tips

  • A foreign licence doesn't count as ID: bring your passport and immigration documents.
  • Many driving schools give the driving test as part of their course.

Official links

Indiana BMV: Knowledge exam ↗Indiana BMV: New Indiana residents ↗Last checked 20 Oct 2026
Wrong information? Help us fix itTell us what's incorrect and we'll check it against the official sources.

About: This page

Frequently asked questionsCoverage, sources and how RoadVisa works.

Why isn't my country listed?

RoadVisa is still growing. It covers 42 countries and all 50 US states plus Washington, D.C. so far, and more are added step by step. Each country is checked against its own official sources, in its own language, before it goes live.

Why isn't Africa covered?

Many African licensing authorities publish little detail about their driving rules online, so we can't yet check the answers against official sources. We'll add African countries as official information becomes available.

Where does the information come from?

From official sources only: licensing authorities, ministries, police and government websites, read in each country's own language. Every answer links to its sources and shows when it was last checked.

What's the difference between Visiting and Moving?

Visiting covers short stays such as holidays and business trips, when you keep your home licence. Moving covers becoming a resident, when most countries want you to exchange your licence or take tests by a deadline.

What is an International Driving Permit?

A translation of your licence in a standard format. It's only valid together with your own licence, and you get it in the country that issued your licence, usually from a motoring club or the licensing authority. RoadVisa tells you when a country expects one.

Does RoadVisa cover motorcycles or trucks?

Not yet. The answers are about car licences: category B in Europe, and the local equivalent elsewhere, such as Class C or D in most US states. Other licences may follow later.

Is RoadVisa official?

No. RoadVisa is an independent guide and isn't linked to any government or licensing authority. The authority that handles your application always has the final word.

Is RoadVisa free?

Yes, RoadVisa is free to use.

I found a mistake. What should I do?

Use "Wrong information? Help us fix it" above. We check every report against the official sources and correct the answer.

About RoadVisa and disclaimerWho we are, and how to use this information.

An independent guide. RoadVisa is a private project. It is not run by, linked to or approved by any government, licensing authority (such as a national road traffic agency or a US DMV), embassy or driving school.

Information only, not legal advice. RoadVisa sums up official rules in plain English. It does not replace the official rules, and it is not a decision about your case. Only the authority that handles your application can decide that.

Rules change. Every answer shows when it was last checked and links to the official source. Check that source before you drive, book a test, move or apply. If RoadVisa and the official source differ, follow the official source.

Your situation matters. The answer can depend on your residence status, licence category, age and when your licence was issued. If you're unsure, ask the licensing authority or your embassy.

Car hire and insurance. Car hire companies and insurers can set their own rules, for example asking for an International Driving Permit even where it isn't required. Check with them too.

Our responsibility. We work hard to keep RoadVisa correct, but we can't promise it is complete or up to date. As far as the law allows, we are not responsible for fines, refused applications, costs or other losses that come from relying on it.

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