New to Indiana: Getting an Indiana Driver's License

Getting an Indiana license looks different depending on where you start. You might be a driver moving here from another state, a student or service member who is not sure whether Indiana counts as home, or an adult who has never been licensed anywhere. This guide covers what the July 2026 Indiana Driver’s Manual says for each case. Every fact has a “Manual p.” link. If your case is not covered here, ask a BMV branch or check IN.gov/BMV.

Are you an Indiana resident

You have to be a legal resident of Indiana to get an Indiana credential. Evidence of residency includes keeping a residential address in Indiana without claiming residency in another state, and being a registered voter in Indiana (Manual p. 2).

The manual also says some people are not considered Indiana residents when it comes to getting a credential. That includes students at a post-secondary school and active-duty military personnel who do not claim Indiana as their state of residence (Manual p. 2). If that sounds like you, it is worth asking the BMV before you apply.

How soon to get an Indiana license

When you become an Indiana resident, you have 60 days to get a new Indiana driver’s license (Manual p. 2). Indiana residents cannot hold more than one credential at the same time, even if one was issued by another state (Manual p. 2). If the BMV finds that you hold a credential in another state or territory, you will have to surrender it before the BMV processes an Indiana application (Manual p. 1).

Moving from another state at 18 or older

If you are at least 18 and hold a valid out-of-state driver’s license, you bring one of three things to the branch: your current out-of-state license, a copy of your official driving record, or a verification letter (Manual p. 2).

What tests you take depends on the license:

Your out-of-state license	What the manual says you must pass
Expired less than five years, or held unrevoked for less than one year	A knowledge exam
Expired more than five years	A knowledge exam and a driving skills test

You also have to pass a standard vision screening (Manual p. 2). The manual lists these situations. If yours is a different one, such as a license that is valid and has been held for more than a year, the page does not list a knowledge exam for that case, so confirm with the BMV.

Moving from another state under 18

Rules are different if you are under 18. If you are more than 16 years and 180 days old and have held a valid out-of-state driver’s license for at least 180 days, you visit a BMV branch with your current license or a copy of your official driving record. You also need your documents (Manual p. 3). The manual says applicants under 18 must pass a knowledge exam and a vision screening on top of the paperwork (Manual p. 3).

A new Indiana resident under 18 who has held an unrevoked out-of-state license for at least 180 days but less than one year also takes a driving skills exam with a BMV examiner (Manual p. 6). Remember that a driver’s license for anyone under 21 is probationary in Indiana (Manual p. 8). Our probationary license guide explains those limits.

Moving from another country

A new resident with a valid out-of-country license has to take the knowledge exam (Manual p. 5) and a driving skills exam with a BMV examiner (Manual p. 6). Your documents matter even more here. All documents must be in English or come with a verifiably accurate English translation (Manual p. 70).

Getting a first license as an adult

If you have never held a valid driver’s license anywhere, the manual’s rule for people who have never held one from another state calls for an Indiana learner’s permit held for 180 days before applying for a license (Manual p. 2). Adults with a documented disability who complete recognized driver rehabilitation training have no permit holding period (Manual p. 9). Start with our learner’s permit guide and prepare for the knowledge test.

On the usual path, an adult applying for a license completes at least 50 hours of supervised driving practice, with a licensed driver who is at least 25 or with a spouse who is at least 21. At least 10 of those hours must be at night, unless the permit has a daytime-only restriction (Restriction G). You turn in a State Form 54706 log of those hours when you apply (Manual p. 9). The manual waives that log for adults with a documented disability who complete recognized driver rehabilitation training (Manual p. 9), so ask the BMV if that applies to you.

On the usual path, after the permit period you pass a driving skills exam with a BMV examiner or an approved driver training school (Manual p. 8).

What to bring

For a new Indiana credential, the manual says to bring original documents or verifiable certified copies (Manual p. 68):

• One document proving your identity
• One document proving your lawful status in the United States
• One document proving your full Social Security number, or the alternative documentation the manual describes if you do not qualify for one (Manual p. 69)
• Two documents proving your Indiana residency

Post office boxes may not be used as a residential address, with one exception the manual names (Manual p. 69). Appendix A lists accepted documents, such as pay stubs, bank statements, and utility bills for proof of residency. Check the dates carefully: a computer-generated utility bill, for example, must be issued within 60 days of the application date (Manual p. 69). If you cannot give two residency documents, the manual describes an Indiana Residency Affidavit in some situations, such as living with a relative or friend (Manual p. 70).

You will also need a vision screening, and the manual says to tell branch staff and wear your glasses or contacts if you normally drive with them (Manual p. 4). Check IN.gov/BMV for current costs before you go. Ready to study? Try our practice questions for the knowledge exam.