Indiana Probationary License: Rules for New Drivers

If you get your driver’s license before you turn 21 in Indiana, it comes with extra rules. The manual calls it a probationary driver’s license. This guide explains what those rules are, how long they last, and what happens if you break the school-related rule. It uses the July 2026 Indiana Driver’s Manual only, and each fact has a “Manual p.” link so you can check the wording.

What a probationary license is

Under the manual, if you are under age 21, your driver’s license is considered a “probationary” driver’s license (Manual p. 8). What sets it apart is a set of limits on passengers and late-night driving, and those limits are what this guide covers.

How you qualify

For a standard first-license application, the manual lists age and experience rules, documents, a vision screening, a knowledge exam, and a driving skills exam. The knowledge exam has to be complete before the skills exam (Manual p. 8). A BMV examiner can give the skills exam, or an approved driver training school can (Manual p. 8). The manual lists separate paths for applicants who hold an unexpired license from another jurisdiction and for adults with a documented disability who complete driver rehabilitation training (Manual p. 8, Manual p. 9).

On age and experience, the manual says (Manual p. 9):

• You must be at least 16 with completion of a BMV licensed driver education program, or at least 16 years and 270 days old without one.
• On the usual first-license path, you must hold a valid Indiana learner’s permit for at least 180 days; the adult disability rehabilitation path has no holding period.
• If you are under 18, you must complete at least 50 hours of supervised driving practice and log them. A parent or legal guardian signs the log.

Your practice hours are with a licensed driver who is at least 25 and related to you by blood, marriage, or legal status, or with your spouse who is at least 21, or with a licensed driver training school instructor, or with a certified driver rehabilitation specialist (Manual p. 10).

If you are under 18, a qualifying adult usually has to sign a sworn statement of financial liability in person at a BMV branch (Manual p. 7). The manual waives that signature for an applicant under Department of Child Services care who provides the required proof of insurance (Manual p. 8). For the permit part of the path, see our learner’s permit guide.

Passenger rules for the first 180 days

For the first 180 days after you get your probationary license, you may not drive with any passengers unless one of these people sits in the front passenger seat (Manual p. 10):

• A licensed individual with valid driving privileges who is 25 or older
• Your spouse, with valid driving privileges, who is 21 or older
• A person who holds a driver training school instructor license

There is an exception. You may drive with your child, stepchild, sibling, step or half-sibling, or spouse without another accompanying individual during those first 180 days (Manual p. 10).

Why such a strict rule? The manual’s teen-driver section says the chance of a crash doubles with each passenger in the vehicle when teens drive together (Manual p. 71).

Driving-hour limits

There are two stages of driving-hour limits.

First 180 days. You may not drive between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. (Manual p. 10).

After 180 days, if you are under 18. The manual sets these hours when you may not drive (Manual p. 10):

Days	Not allowed
Sunday through Thursday	After 11 p.m.
Monday through Friday	Before 5 a.m.
Saturday and Sunday	Between 1 a.m. and 5 a.m.

The manual ties the later limits to drivers under 18; the first 180-day limit applies to probationary license holders regardless of age (Manual p. 10).

Exceptions. You may drive during these restricted hours if you are participating in, going to, or returning from lawful employment, a school-sanctioned activity, or a religious event. You may also drive if you are accompanied by a licensed driver with valid privileges who is at least 25, or by your licensed spouse who is at least 21 (Manual p. 10).

Phone and seat belt rules

The manual’s probationary-license section says not to operate a motor vehicle while using any form of telecommunications device, such as a wireless phone, pager, or text messaging device, unless it is being used for a 911 emergency call (Manual p. 10). Treat that as a no-phone rule behind the wheel while you hold a probationary license.

Seat belts are not optional either. The law requires all occupants of a motor vehicle with factory-installed seat belts to wear them any time the vehicle is in motion (Manual p. 11).

School and your license

This is the rule many people do not expect. Indiana law requires the BMV to suspend the driving privileges of a juvenile when a school administrator or principal reports that the juvenile (Manual p. 10, Manual p. 11):

• is under an expulsion, exclusion, or a second or later suspension from school in one school year,
• has been determined to be a habitual truant, or
• has withdrawn from school.

So staying enrolled and attending school are tied to keeping your license.

When the restrictions end

Your license stays probationary until you turn 21. It is valid until you are 21 years and 30 days old, and you cannot renew it until you are 21 years and one day old (Manual p. 10). The manual repeats that a probationary license expires at 21 years and 30 days (Manual p. 19).

When you renew after turning 21, you receive an unrestricted driver’s license, which removes the probationary restrictions described above (Manual p. 11). The general seat-belt rule still applies; the manual’s general text-and-email rule includes hands-free, voice-operated, and 911 exceptions (Manual p. 11).

For more, see our lessons on probationary passengers, probationary hours, and phone use and school suspension. Check IN.gov/BMV for current costs.