Residents of Indianapolis must follow Indiana's rules about getting a driver's license. Depending on your age, there are two types of Indiana driver's licenses:
Drivers 16 to 17 years old: Probationary license
Drivers over the age of 18: Unrestricted drivers license
We'll go over how you can get both types of Indiana licenses below.
First Steps in Getting Your License in Indianapolis
You'll start by visiting a Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) branch in Indianapolis. Luckily, you'll have plenty of locations to choose from:
Ameriplex: 7811 Milhouse Rd, Ameriplex Pkwy Suite B
Beech Grove: 3841 S Emerson Ave Ste B
Lawrence: 7857 East 42nd St
Indianapolis West: 5620 Crawfordsville Rd
Michigan Road: 8330 Michigan Rd
Midtown: 4050 Meadows Pkwy
Madison Ave: 1440 Madison Ave
North Meridian: 9245 N Meridian St Suite 110
South Meridian: 5155 S Meridian St
Hours vary slightly between locations, but all BMV branches are closed on Sunday and Monday.
If you don't already have a myBMV account, but you have an Indiana driver's permit, create one now. You'll need the last four digits of your driver's license number, the last four digits of your Social Security number, and your zip code. The number on your driver's permit is your driver's license number.
How to Get a Probationary Driver's License in Indianapolis
If you are under the age of 18, there are a few things you must do to get your probationary license in Indianapolis. Indianapolis drivers who have held a learner's permit for at least six months and are at least 16 years and three months old with successful driver's ed completion or who are 16 years and nine months old may apply for an Indiana probationary driver's license.
At the BMV, you'll have to pass a vision screening test. You may have to take a driving test, as well. If your driver education provider offers a skills test waiver, you may be able to skip the driving test at the BMV.
The adult accompanying you to the BMV must agree to assume financial responsibility and present documents showing their age and identity.
How to Get an Indianapolis Drivers License If You Are Over 18
New residents of Indianapolis have 60 days to get an Indiana driver's license with a valid driver's license issued in another state. It's also necessary to transfer your vehicle's registrations and titles to Indiana.
At the Indianapolis BMV, you'll have to take and pass a vision screening. If your out-of-state license is expired, you must take the Indiana knowledge exam. If it expired more than three years ago, you must also take and pass the Indiana driving skills exam.
What to Bring to the Indianapolis BMV
You can't make an appointment to get a driver's license, which means you'll have to wait at the Indianapolis BMV. Wait times can be long, so it's wise to be at the BMV when they open and avoid busy times like the end of the month.
What to bring when it's time to get your Indiana driver's license:
Current license: Issued by another state or Indiana driver's permit
Proof of identity: Original or certified copy of a birth certificate or unexpired U.S. Passport
Social Security card
Two original documents that prove that you are a resident of Indiana: Change of address confirmation from the U.S. Postal Service and a bill from a utility company, doctor, or credit card issued in the past 60 days
If you are applying for your probationary driver's license, bring a signed log of supervised driving and proof that you passed a state-accredited driver's education course.
The Indiana teen driver's ed course is a BMV-approved online course for drivers who are at least 15 years old. Before you can sign up for behind-the-wheel training, you'll need to pass the BMV permit test. Study online anytime and get the support you need to ace the Indiana BMV permit test.