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Indiana BMV guide · Michigan City Ford · Michigan City, IN
Indiana Probationary Driver's License Rules
Getting your first Indiana license, or helping a teen get theirs? Here is what the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) says about probationary licenses: who qualifies, how to apply and the restrictions until 21.
Under 21who gets a probationary license
180 dayspermit hold before applying
10 p.m.-5 a.m.no driving, first 180 days
911 onlyphone use until 21
The short answer
Indiana issues a probationary license to drivers under 21. You must hold a learner's permit 180 days and be 16 with driver education, or 16 years and 270 days without it. For the first 180 days there is no driving from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. and no passengers without a qualifying adult, and until 21 no phone use except 911.
What a probationary license is
The Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) says a probationary driver's license is the term for licenses issued to applicants younger than 21. Certain restrictions apply at various times until the driver's 21st birthday.
A probationary license expires 30 days after your 21st birthday. You may renew it after your 21st birthday, but not before.
From the BMV's Probationary Driver's License page, read November 10, 2026.
Who can get one
To get a probationary driver's license you must have held an Indiana learner's permit for 180 days (about six months) and meet one of these age requirements:
| Path | Minimum age |
|---|---|
| Completed a Driver's Education program | 16 years old |
| Without completing Driver's Education | 16 years and 270 days old (about 16 years and nine months) |
From the BMV's Probationary Driver's License page, read November 10, 2026. The BMV also offers a birthday chart to check your eligible date.
How to apply
- Visit a license branch with a signed Log of Supervised Driving and, if applicable, proof that you completed a driver education course (classroom instruction and behind-the-wheel training).
- Pass a vision screening and a driving test, unless your driver education provider offers a skills test waiver.
- Knowledge test: a written test is also required if you have any points on your driver record.
- Under 18: a parent, legal guardian or other adult willing to assume the obligations must sign an agreement of financial liability and show identification proving identity and age.
If you are enrolled in an approved driver education program, you may take the driving test with your behind-the-wheel provider. You must take it at a branch instead if you score 79 percent or below in classroom or behind-the-wheel training, or if your provider cannot give the test under the BMV's skills test waiver program.
From the BMV's Probationary Driver's License page, read November 10, 2026.
Probationary license restrictions
| When | Restriction |
|---|---|
| Until age 21 | No telecommunication device of any kind while driving, except to make emergency 911 calls |
| First 180 days | No driving between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. |
| First 180 days | No passengers unless also accompanied in the front seat by a licensed instructor, a licensed driver at least 25, or a licensed spouse at least 21 (exceptions below) |
| After 180 days, until age 18 | No driving Saturday and Sunday between 1 a.m. and 5 a.m., Sunday through Thursday after 11 p.m., or Monday through Friday before 5 a.m. |
| Until age 21 | Not eligible for court diversion programs |
Hour exceptions: you may drive at any time if you are traveling to or from work, a school-sanctioned activity or a religious event, or if a licensed driver at least 25, or a licensed spouse at least 21, is in the front seat.
Passenger exceptions: during the hours allowed by law, you may transport your child, stepchild, sibling, step or half sibling, or spouse without another accompanying person.
From the BMV's Probationary Driver's License page, read November 10, 2026.
License fee
| Item | Fee |
|---|---|
| Driver's license under 75 | $17.50 |
| Learner's permit (driver's or motorcycle) | $9.00 |
From the BMV Fee Chart (revised 1/1/26), read November 10, 2026. These are state fees, not dealer prices.
A safe first car starts 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. Before a new driver takes the wheel, our technicians can check the vehicle they will be driving.
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 probationary license FAQ
What is a probationary license in Indiana?
The BMV uses the term for driver's licenses issued to applicants younger than 21. Restrictions apply at various times until the driver turns 21.
How long do you have to have your permit before getting a license in Indiana?
The BMV says you must have held an Indiana learner's permit for 180 days, about six months.
Can a 16-year-old drive at night in Indiana?
Not during the first 180 days of a probationary license: no driving between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. After that, until 18, curfews still apply (weekends 1 a.m.-5 a.m., Sunday-Thursday after 11 p.m., weekdays before 5 a.m.), with exceptions for work, school-sanctioned activities, religious events, or a licensed driver 25 or older (or licensed spouse 21 or older) in the front seat.
Can I drive my friends with a probationary license?
Not for the first 180 days unless a licensed instructor, a licensed driver at least 25, or a licensed spouse at least 21 is also in the front seat. Your child, stepchild, sibling, step or half sibling, or spouse are allowed during legal hours.
Can I use my phone with a probationary license?
No. Until 21, you may not use any type of telecommunication device while driving except to make emergency 911 calls.
When does an Indiana probationary license expire?
30 days after your 21st birthday. You may renew it after your 21st birthday, but not before.
More Indiana driving guides
See our Indiana hands-free driving law, seat belt law and speed limits guides, or schedule service at Michigan City Ford.
Sources
Eligibility, application steps, restrictions and expiration are from the Indiana BMV Probationary Driver's License page, and fees are from the BMV Fee Chart (revised 1/1/26), both read November 10, 2026. Service details, address and hours are from Michigan City Ford's own website, checked the same day. Photo is illustrative.
- Probationary Driver's License, Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV), read November 10, 2026
- BMV Fee Chart (revised 1/1/26), 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