Are you a teen ready to get behind the wheel in Indiana? You can start the process as early as your 15th birthday with a learner's permit. While you can get your license when you're 16, you'll still have restrictions until your 21st birthday. Here's all you need to know about Indiana's driver's license restrictions for teens.
Indiana's Path to Driving for Teens
First, let's take a look at the path to driving in your state.
Learner's Permit
If you want to start driving in Indiana before you turn 16, you can do so by getting your learner's permit. To get it, you will need to enroll in a behind-the-wheel training course, pass a vision test, and pass a knowledge exam. With a learner's permit, you can drive with a licensed driving instructor, a certified driver rehabilitation specialist, or a licensed driver who is at least 25 and who is related to you by marriage, blood, or legal status.
Probationary Driver's License
The next step is to get a probationary driver's license. You can apply once you've had your learner's permit for 180 days and meet one of the following age requirements:
You are 16 years and three months old and have successfully completed an approved driver's education program.
You are 16 years and nine months old (without a successfully completed driver's education program).
To apply, you will need to visit a license branch and submit a log that shows your supervised driving time, show proof of driver's education (if applicable), pass a vision test, and pass a driving test. A parent will also have to sign to take financial liability for you if you are under 18 years old.
If you happen to have any points on your driving record, you will also have to take and pass the written knowledge test again.
Regular Driver's License
Your probationary driver's license will expire at midnight 30 days after your 21st birthday. Once you turn 21, you can go into any Indiana BMV branch or online to renew and get your non-probationary license.
Restrictions
Now, let's take a look at the restrictions you'll face on the path to your driver's license.
Learner's Permit Restrictions in Indiana
When you are driving with a learner's permit, you can never drive alone. You will need to be accompanied (in the front seat) by one of the following:
A licensed driving instructor.
A certified driver rehabilitation specialist.
A licensed driver 25 or older related toy ou by blood, legal status, or blood.
Probationary Driver's License Restrictions in Indiana
What restrictions come along with a probationary driver's license for drivers under 21? Here's what you need to know:
- You can't use a phone or other telecommunication device while driving, except to call 911 in the case of an emergency.
You don't qualify for court diversion programs.
For the first 180 days of holding a probationary license, you can't drive with passengers unless one of the following is also in the vehicle:
A licensed instructor.
A licensed individual 25 or older.
A licensed spouse who is at least 21.
Exceptions include transporting your child, sibling, stepchild, step-sibling, or spouse without an accompanying individual.
For the first 180 days of having your license, you can't drive between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m.
After you've driven for 180 days with your license but before you've turned 18, you can not drive:
Weekends between 1 a.m. and 5 a.m.
Sunday to Thursday after 11 p.m.
Monday to Friday before 5 a.m.
You're excepted from driving time restrictions if you are driving to or from a school-sanctioned activity, religious event, or work.
Additionally, you can do so if you have a qualifying person in the front seat (someone with driving privileges who is 25 or older, or 21 or older if they are your spouse).
Start Driving as a Teen in Indiana
Ready to expedite your journey to driving in Indiana? You can do so from the comfort of your couch with DriversEd.com's BMV-approved driver's education program for teens. Learn all you need to know online when it's convenient for you.