Identification cards and vision screening

Explanation

An identification card is available to an Indiana resident of any age who doesn’t hold a driver’s license. It can also carry an MDC (Motor Driven Cycle) endorsement: at least 15 years old and passing the MDC knowledge exam adds that endorsement to the card, giving MDC operating authority. A standard identification card, with or without the MDC endorsement, is valid for six years — except for lawful temporary residents, whose card instead expires on their end-of-stay date and may not follow the standard six-year period.

Separately, every learner’s permit or driver’s license applicant — including most people renewing an existing one — must pass a vision screening. The only exception is an applicant who qualifies for online renewal.

Example

A 15-year-old who doesn’t yet have a driver’s license gets an Indiana identification card and passes the MDC knowledge exam, so an MDC endorsement is added to their card, letting them operate a Motor Driven Cycle.

Common mistake

Assuming a renewal never requires a new vision screening. The manual requires it for renewals too, unless the applicant is eligible for online renewal.

What the manual says

Identification cards may be issued to an Indiana resident of any age who does not have a driver’s license.

An identification card and an MDC endorsement are valid for six years

All Indiana learner’s permit or driver’s license applicants are required to pass a vision screening, even if the applicant is renewing an existing learner’s permit or driver’s license, unless the applicant is eligible for online renewal.