Indiana Teen License (Probationary)

Indiana's probationary driver's license is the middle stage between a learner's permit and a full unrestricted license. Issued by the Indiana BMV to teens who have completed driver education and a 180-day permit period, the probationary license carries passenger and nighttime restrictions that apply until age 18 or until the holder has driven probationary for 12 months.

Eligibility

An Indiana probationary license can be issued at:

• 16 years 90 days with a state-approved driver education course completed and 50 supervised driving hours (including 10 night hours) logged.
• 16 years 270 days without driver education, but still requiring 50 supervised hours and a passing road test.

Both paths require the applicant to have held an Indiana learner's permit for at least 180 days, to pass the road skills exam at a BMV branch, and to submit the supervised-hours logbook signed by a parent or legal guardian.

Application steps

To apply for a probationary license, visit any BMV branch with:

• The current Indiana learner's permit.
• Proof of driver education completion — certificate or transcript from the state-approved provider.
• The completed supervised-hours logbook signed by the parent.
• The parent or legal guardian present to sign the financial responsibility statement (if the applicant is under 18).
• Form 39530 if the applicant is upgrading from a permit issued before age 16.

The road skills exam is the same one used for the full license. The probationary license fee is $9 and is paid at the branch. The card is mailed within 14 to 21 days; a paper interim license is issued on the spot.

Probationary restrictions

An Indiana probationary license imposes these restrictions until the driver turns 18 or has held the probationary license for 12 months:

• Passenger limit: for the first 180 days of probationary driving, the holder may not transport any passenger under 21 unless the passenger is a sibling, child, spouse, or accompanied by a licensed adult age 25 or older.
• Nighttime curfew: driving is prohibited between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. on Sunday-Friday, and between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. on Saturday, except when going to or from work, school, or a religious service.
• Cell phone ban: use of any handheld or hands-free telecommunications device is prohibited for any driver under 21, including probationary license holders.
• Zero tolerance: a BAC of 0.02% or higher results in an automatic license suspension for any driver under 21.

Graduating to a full license

The probationary license converts automatically to a full unrestricted license when the holder turns 18, provided the license is current and not under suspension. No new application is required at age 18 — the existing card is honored as a full license until its 6-year expiration date. If the holder accumulates points or sustains an OWI arrest while on probationary status, the BMV may extend the probationary period or impose a separate suspension.

Penalties for restriction violations

Violations of probationary license restrictions carry separate penalties beyond the underlying traffic offense:

• A first violation: 90-day extension of the probationary period.
• A second violation: 6-month license suspension.
• An OWI under probationary status: minimum 1-year license suspension and mandatory ignition interlock for any reinstatement before age 21.

Parents who signed the financial responsibility statement for the probationary license can withdraw consent at any time by submitting a written request to the BMV. Withdrawal of consent suspends the probationary license until the teen turns 18 or until a new financial responsibility sponsor signs. See the Indiana car insurance page for the liability rules that apply to a household with a teen driver.