Credential types and design

Explanation

The Indiana BMV issues three categories of credentials: identification cards; learner’s permits, which cover the driver learner’s permit, the motorcycle learner’s permit, and the commercial learner’s permit; and driver’s licenses, which cover the standard driver’s license and the commercial driver’s license (CDL).

Credentials issued to residents under 21 use a vertical format and display the dates the holder turns 18 and 21. Any credential — vertical or not — shows a star in the upper right-hand corner if it is Real ID-compliant.

Since 2019, Indiana credentials have used a new design with embedded security features that let law enforcement verify authenticity; a credential issued before then stays valid until the expiration date printed on its face. Every application goes through intensive security checks to prevent identity theft and fraud. If those checks turn up a credential already issued by another state, territory, the District of Columbia or Puerto Rico, the applicant must surrender that credential before the BMV will process the Indiana one.

Example

A 19-year-old’s Indiana credential is printed in a vertical layout showing when they turn 21, with a star in the corner because it is Real ID-compliant. Their older sibling’s horizontal license, issued before 2019, still uses the older design and remains valid until its own printed expiration date.

Common mistake

Assuming a credential from another state is automatically canceled once an Indiana one is issued. The manual requires the applicant to surrender it first — the BMV won’t process the Indiana application until that happens.

What the manual says

The Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) issues three types of credentials, as outlined below:

All credentials issued to Indiana residents who are under 21 years of age have a vertical format and display the dates the cardholder turns 18 and 21 years of age.

If during verification, the BMV discovers another credential has been issued to an applicant in another state, territory, or possession of the United States, the District of Columbia, or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the applicant will be required to surrender the out-of-state credential before the BMV will process an application for an Indiana credential.