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Indiana driver guide · Michigan City Ford · Michigan City, IN
The Indiana Driving Test: How to Prepare
Getting ready for the road test? Here is what the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) says about booking the driving skills exam, what to bring, the car you test in, and what can cost you points or end the test.
48 hoursminimum notice to book
15 minarrive early
7 dayswait after a failed test
2 yearsa passed test stays valid
The short answer
Book an Indiana driving test in myBMV 48 hours to 3 weeks ahead, arrive 15 minutes early with your permit and Supervised Driving Log, and bring an insured, registered car with working lights and signals. Driver assistance must be off for the exam.
Scheduling your Indiana driving test
The Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) requires an appointment for a driving skills test. Appointments must be made at least 48 hours and no more than 3 weeks in advance, and you can schedule and confirm yours in your myBMV account.
The BMV says you cannot schedule online if you are a foreign national without a Social Security number, if your learner's permit has expired, or if you renewed your learner's permit in the last 6 months; in those cases, the BMV contact center can help you book.
From the BMV's Driving (Skills) Test page, read November 10, 2026.
What to bring and what to expect
- Arrive at least 15 minutes before your appointment, and tell the nearest associate that you are there for a skills exam.
- Bring a valid Indiana learner's permit, an out-of-country license, or a driver's license or ID card expired more than 5 years with proof of driving record.
- Bring your completed Supervised Driving Log and, if it applies, proof that you completed driver education.
- Everyone must come with someone who holds a valid driver's license. If you are under 18, a parent or guardian who can sign for financial responsibility must be at the appointment. If you are 18 or older, bring a licensed driver.
- No one but the BMV examiner may ride with you during the test.
A passed driving test is valid for two years or until your learner's permit expires, whichever comes first.
From the BMV's Driving (Skills) Test page, read November 10, 2026.
Vehicle requirements for the test
You supply the test vehicle, and it must pass an inspection right before the exam. The BMV lists these requirements:
| Requirement | What the BMV says |
|---|---|
| Insurance | Insured to Indiana's minimum liability insurance standard |
| Registration | Properly registered |
| Lights and signals | For example, both brake lights and all four turn signals working |
| Doors and glass | Doors operational; no cracked windshield or anything blocking the line of sight |
| Tires | No spare tires |
| Driver assistance | Any driver assistance technology must be turned off for the exam |
| Condition | Legally equipped, safe and clean |
If the examiner decides the vehicle is unsafe, the BMV says the test is canceled, and you can come back for another test when you have a vehicle in safe operating condition.
From the BMV's Driving (Skills) Test page, read November 10, 2026.
What the examiner watches
The BMV asks you to pay particular attention to lane use and signaling, following distance, speed control, defensive driving, intersections, backing out of parking spaces, and parking. These mistakes can lower your score:
Controls
Not using the defroster or wipers when needed, not keeping both hands on the wheel, or selecting the wrong gear.
Signals
Failing to signal, or leaving the turn signal on after a lane change.
Speed
Driving too slowly for conditions, stopping unnecessarily, slowing when changing lanes, or reversing too fast.
Space
Overrunning a crosswalk, stop line or stop sign, skipping a blind-spot check, or following too closely.
From the BMV's Driving (Skills) Test page, read November 10, 2026.
Automatic failures
The BMV lists actions that end in an automatic failure, including:
- Disobeying a yield, stop, school zone or no-turn-on-red sign, or a traffic signal
- Not stopping completely at a stop sign or stoplight
- Exceeding the posted speed limit, or driving too fast for conditions
- Not wearing a seat belt, or not following instructions
- Backing over a curb, driving into a parked vehicle, or causing an accident
- Passing in a no-passing zone, crossing a solid yellow line, or using the wrong lane
- Driving too close to pedestrians or bicycles
- Passing a school bus with its stop arm out, or not pulling over for emergency vehicles
- Failing to yield the right-of-way, or to obey railroad crossing laws
From the BMV's Driving (Skills) Test page, read November 10, 2026. See our guides to Indiana speed limits and the Indiana school bus law.
If you do not pass
| Situation | Wait before retesting |
|---|---|
| Failed a driving test | 7 days |
| Failed three driving tests | Two months after the last failed skills exam |
| Failed a knowledge exam | Until the next business day |
If your learner's permit expires before you are eligible to test again, you must renew it, and you will also have to retake the knowledge exam to renew.
Driver training option: if you have a learner's permit, finished driver training with an Indiana licensed provider, and are at least 16 years and 90 days old, you may take the driving test with your provider if it takes part in the BMV's skills test program. You can also test at a branch, and you must if your permit expires, your provider does not take part, or you do not complete driver training.
From the BMV's Driving (Skills) Test page, read November 10, 2026.
Get the test car ready at Michigan City Ford
The Works® at Michigan City Ford includes a synthetic blend oil change, tire rotation and pressure check, brake inspection, Multi-Point Inspection, fluid top-off, battery test, and a filter, belts and hoses check. Brake lights, turn signals and a clear windshield are part of the BMV vehicle check. Our technicians can look them over before test day.
Schedule service online and see our service specials first. Michigan City Ford is at 3930 Franklin St. in Michigan City. Get directions.
Michigan City Ford service hours
| Days | Hours |
|---|---|
| Mon-Fri | 7:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. |
| Sat | 8 a.m.-3 p.m. |
| Sun | closed |
From Michigan City Ford's website, November 10, 2026. Holiday hours can differ.
Indiana driving test FAQ
Do I need an appointment for the Indiana driving test?
Yes. The Indiana BMV requires an appointment for a driving skills test, made at least 48 hours and no more than 3 weeks in advance.
What do I need to bring to my Indiana driving test?
Bring a valid learner's permit (or another accepted credential), your completed Supervised Driving Log, driver education proof if it applies, and a parent or guardian if you are under 18, or a licensed driver if you are 18 or older.
Can I use a car with lane keeping or parking assist?
The BMV says any driver assistance technology must be turned off for the skills exam.
What is an automatic fail on the Indiana driving test?
The BMV lists many, including running a stop sign or red light, speeding, not wearing a seat belt, crossing a solid yellow line, backing over a curb and failing to yield.
How long do I wait to retake the Indiana driving test?
Seven days after a failed test. After three failed tests, you wait two months from the last one, according to the BMV.
How long is a passed Indiana driving test good for?
Two years or until your learner's permit expires, whichever comes first, according to the BMV.
Getting a new driver on the road?
Read up on Indiana speed limits and the seat belt law, or schedule service at Michigan City Ford.
Sources
Scheduling, requirements, scoring, automatic failures and retest rules are from the Indiana BMV Driving (Skills) Test page, read November 10, 2026. Service details, address and hours are from Michigan City Ford's own website, checked the same day. Photo is illustrative.
- Driving (Skills) Test, Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV), read November 10, 2026
- General service: The Works, Michigan City Ford, November 10, 2026
- Address and service hours (structured data), Michigan City Ford, November 10, 2026