INDIANA DMV TEST - FAQ

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Who is required to have a driver's license in Indiana?

Anyone who operates a motor vehicle on public roadways in Indiana.

Which tests do I have to pass to obtain an Indiana driver's license?

  • Vision Screening;
  • Knowledge Exam;
  • Driving Skills Exam.
  • What is the age requirement to apply for an Indiana driver's license?

  • 16 years and 90 days of age with completion of a BMV-approved driver education program;
  • 16 years and 270 days of age without completion of a BMV-approved driver education program.
  • What do I need to apply for an Indiana driver's license?

  • Meet the age requirements;
  • Provide proof of identity, lawful presence in the US, SSN and Indiana residency;
  • Pass the vision screening and the knowledge exam.
  • Can I obtain an IN learner's permit if I am 15 years of age?

    Yes, but only if you are enrolled in a BMV-approved driver education program. You must provide a Certificate of Driver Education Enrollment.

    What does the driver education program consist of?

  • 30 hours of classroom training;
  • 6 hours of behind the wheel training.
  • What is the BMV knowledge exam about?

  • Indiana traffic laws;
  • Defensive driving practices;
  • Regulatory, warning and traffic signs and signals.
  • I failed my knowledge exam, what can I do?

    You can retake the text on the next business day. Study the driver's manual and practice on DMV Permit Test before retaking the exam.

    I am 15 years of age and I hold an IN learner's permit. Can I practice driving?

    Yes, only if you are enrolled in a BMV-approved driver education program. You must get at least 50 hours of behind the wheel training with:
  • A licensed driving instructor or;
  • A licensed driver of at least 25 years of age, who is related to you by blood and sits beside you in the car.
  • At least 10 hours of supervised driving must be completed at night.

    I am between 16 and 18 years of age and I hold an IN learner's permit. Can I practice driving?

    Yes, you must get at least 50 hours of behind the wheel training with:
  • A licensed driver of at least 25 years of age, who is related to you by blood and sits in the front passenger seat, or;
  • A driver education instructor.
  • At least 10 hours of supervised driving must be completed at night.

    I am 18 years old or older and I hold an IN learner's permit. Can I practice driving?

    Yes, you must complete at least 50 hours of behind the wheel training (including 10 hours at night) with a licensed relative of at least 25 years of age sitting beside you in the car.

    How long is my Indiana learner's permit valid?

    2 years.

    Where can I take my driving skills exam?

    At the driver education school where you completed the driver education program or at a BMV license branch.

    Do I have to schedule an appointment for my driving skills exam?

    Yes. Call the BMV Contact Center or visit myBMV.com.

    Do I have to provide a vehicle for the driving skills exam in Indiana?

    Yes.

    I successfully completed my Indiana BMV driver education program. Do I have to take the driving skills exam?

    No, if you have a skills exam waiver.

    Can a relative or a friend ride in the car with me during the driving skills exam?

    No. No one besides you and examiner is allowed in the car during the exam.

    What is evaluated during the driving skills exam in Indiana?

  • Ability to follow the examiner's instructions;
  • Proper use of lanes;
  • Use of safe following distances;
  • Obeying speed limits;
  • Parallel parking;
  • Backing;
  • Use of intersections.
  • Which can make me fail my IN driving test?

  • Failing to hold the wheel with both hands;
  • Selecting the wrong gear;
  • Failing to check your blind spot;
  • Driving too slowly or too close to the vehicle ahead;
  • Overrunning a crosswalk, stop line or stop sign.
  • Which actions will make me automatically fail the driving skills exam in Indiana?

  • Disobeying a yield, stop, school zone or traffic signal;
  • Backing over a curb while parallel parking;
  • Driving into a parked vehicle while parallel parking;
  • Failure to follow instructions or to use a seat belt;
  • Driving too fast for the conditions;
  • Turning into or using the wrong lane;
  • Passing in a no passing zone or otherwise crossing a solid yellow line;
  • Driving left of the center of the street;
  • Driving too close to pedestrians or bicycles;
  • Failure to pull over and stop for emergency vehicles or school buses;
  • Causing an accident during the driving skills exam;
  • Failure to yield the right of way.
  • When can I retake my driving skills exam in Indiana if I fail?

    You must wait at least 14 days.

    I passed my driving test, can I obtain my IN driver's license?

    Yes. If you are younger than 21 years of age you will be issued a probationary driver's license which will be valid until you turn 21 years and 30 days of age.

    Do I have any restriction when driving with my Indiana probationary driver's license?

    Yes, for the first 180 days after obtaining your license you:
  • may not drive with any passengers, except relatives or if accompanied by a driver education instructor or a licensed driver of at least 25 years of age;
  • may not drive between 10pm and 5am.
  • After the first 180 days you may not drive between Sunday and Thursday after 11 pm, between Monday and Friday before 5 am and on Saturday and Sunday between 1 am and 5 am.