Habitual Traffic Violators

Explanation

Indiana law imposes serious penalties on drivers who repeatedly commit traffic offenses within a 10-year window, and the BMV uses statutory criteria to decide whether a driver has become a Habitual Traffic Violator (HTV). Under Section A, accumulating two judgments within 10 years for offenses resulting in injury or death — things like reckless homicide, manslaughter, a fatal hit-and-run, or OWI resulting in death — brings a 10-year suspension. But if those two judgments are specifically for OWI resulting in death, or for a BAC of .08% or more resulting in death, the suspension is for life instead of 10 years.

Section B covers a different pattern: three judgments within 10 years for driving while intoxicated, or with a BAC of .08% or more, also bring a 10-year suspension — even without any of those offenses resulting in injury or death.

Example

A driver accumulates two convictions for OWI resulting in death within a 9-year span. Because both judgments fall into that specific category, Indiana law suspends their driving privileges for life, not just the standard 10-year Section A suspension.

Common mistake

Assuming every two-judgment combination under Section A brings the same 10-year suspension. The manual carves out one specific pair — OWI resulting in death, or a BAC of .08%+ resulting in death — for a lifetime suspension instead.

What the manual says

An HTV is a person who, within a 10-year period, accumulates two judgments resulting in injury or death.

Drivers who accumulate two judgments within a 10-year period for operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated resulting in death or operating a motor vehicle with blood alcohol content of .08 percent or more resulting in death, will have their driving privileges suspended for life.

Drivers who, within a 10-year period, accumulate three judgments from the below list will have their driving privileges suspended for 10 years.