Skip to content
Get the App

Indiana Teen Driving Guide

What parents need to know about the learn-to-drive process in Indiana: six steps, from the first class to the insurance call.

Requirements checked: October 2026, against official state licensing sources: Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV).

or browse all 101 city guides ↓
  1. 1

    Driver’s ed in Indiana

    Requirement
    Not mandatory, but it shortens the wait to license. Approved programs have 30 hours of classroom instruction (online is allowed as an alternative) plus 6 hours of behind-the-wheel training with a BMV-licensed school.

    Online driver’s ed for Indiana

    DriversEd.com offers state-certified online courses your teen can complete at home.

    DRVN may earn a referral fee if you enroll through this link.

    Find an online driver’s ed course
  2. 2

    Get an Indiana learner’s permit

    Minimum age
    15 if enrolled in an approved driver education course; 16 without driver education
    The test
    Vision screening and a knowledge exam (no appointment needed unless the exam must be read aloud).
    What to bring
    Documents proving identity, Social Security number, lawful status, and Indiana residency (two documents, or an Indiana Residency Affidavit signed by an adult household member).
  3. 3

    Practice driving with a parent

    Supervised hours
    50 hours, including 10 at night, logged on the Log of Supervised Driving (required even after driver education)
    Time on the permit
    180 days

    Track every practice hour with DRVN

    Log hours and routes as you drive, follow lesson plans for each stage, and check off skills. Free.

    Get the app
  4. 4

    Pass the road test

    Minimum age
    16 with completed driver education; 16 years 270 days without driver education
    The road test
    Driving skills test with the behind-the-wheel driver ed provider under the skills test waiver program, or at a BMV branch when applying (branch testing is required if the student scored 79% or below in driver ed or the provider cannot test); bring the signed supervised driving log.
  5. 5

    Know the rules for new drivers

    Restrictions
    First 180 days: no driving 10 p.m.-5 a.m. and no passengers unless a qualifying adult is in the front seat (own child, sibling, or spouse excepted); after 180 days and until 18: no driving after 11 p.m. Sunday-Thursday, 1-5 a.m. Saturday-Sunday, or before 5 a.m. Monday-Friday, with exceptions for work, school, and religious activities.
  6. 6

    Add your teen to your car insurance

    When
    Call your insurer as soon as your teen gets a permit. Some policies cover permit drivers automatically and others need them listed; rates usually rise once your teen is licensed.
    Save money
    Ask about good-student and driver-training discounts, and compare quotes before your teen gets the first license.

Checked October 2026 against official Indiana sources

Rules change. Confirm the details with Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) before you go.

Meeting the requirements is only the beginning.

Your state determines when your teen is legally eligible to drive. Readiness depends on the experience, judgment, and independence they demonstrate before they drive alone.

See how to evaluate readiness

Turn the required hours into useful practice.

DRVN helps parents plan practice, track driving experience, and see what their teen still needs to work on before driving alone.

See how DRVN works

Indiana city guides

Guides for the most popular Indiana cities.

Guides for other states