If you’re planning to start online driver’s ed in Indiana, you may be wondering how long you have to finish your driver’s ed course. And, just as importantly, how soon can you finish your driver’s ed course and get behind the wheel?

Let’s take a look at the time frames around:

• Completing driver’s ed.

• Getting your learner’s permit.

• And getting your driver’s license.

How Long Do You Have to Complete Driver’s Ed in Indiana?

The Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) doesn’t require you to complete your online driver’s ed course within a certain time frame. In fact, you aren’t technically required to complete driver’s ed to get your learner’s permit in Indiana. But completing an Indiana driver’s ed course comes with big benefits.

First, taking driver’s ed gives you a strong foundation in the rules of the road so you can be a safer driver. Safety is obviously the most important thing for new drivers.

Secondly, taking online driver’s ed in Indiana also allows you to get your learner’s permit and driver’s license much earlier than if you were to skip this step. With driver’s ed, you can get your learner’s permit at 15 years old and get your driver’s license as soon as you’re 16 years and 90 days old. Without driver’s ed, you have to wait until 16 to even get your learner’s permit, and you can’t get a license until you’re at least 16 years and 270 days old.

And finally, taking driver’s ed might help you qualify for a discount on your car insurance. Contact your insurance company to ask if they offer a discount for drivers who complete driver’s ed.

How Long Does It Take to Complete Online Driver’s Ed in Indiana?

All BMV-approved driver’s ed classes consist of two parts: a 30-hour classroom/online portion to teach you the theories and concepts behind driving, and a six-hour behind-the-wheel portion to help you get comfortable driving. 

If you take a classroom class, you have to move at the pace of the class, possibly completing only a few of your 30 hours each week. But if you take Indiana driver’s ed online, you can work at a faster pace and get your learner’s permit sooner. You’re allowed to complete up to three course hours per day, meaning you could have this portion of your driver’s ed done in just 10 days!

How Long Does It Take to Get a Learner’s Permit in Indiana?

Once you’ve completed the classroom/online portion of your driver’s ed in Indiana, you can enroll in your behind-the-wheel portion. When you enroll, you’ll get a Certificate of Driver’s Education (CDE), which you can take to your local BMV branch to apply for your learner’s permit. You’ll just need to pass a written test and provide proof of ID with your learner’s permit application.

So if you’re serious about getting your learner’s permit as soon as possible, you can qualify for your learner's permit at 15 years old in under two weeks.

How Long Does It Take to Get a Driver’s License in Indiana?

Whether or not you take driver’s ed, all new teen drivers are required to complete at least 50 hours of driving practice with a parent or guardian before they can qualify for an Indiana driver’s license.

This is why you have to wait until you’re 16 years and 90 days to get your driver’s license (or 16 years and 270 days if you decide not to complete driver’s ed in Indiana); the state wants to make sure you have enough time to complete your practice hours.

But is there a time limit on how long you have to complete those hours? "You can hold a learner’s permit for two years, and if you don’t feel ready for your driver’s license by them, you can renew your learner’s permit," said Kim, a customer service representative at the BMV.

So there’s no need to rush through your 50 hours of supervised driving. Take as much time as you need to feel comfortable in the driver’s seat.