Laws

Indiana Laws

Students may begin Drivers Education as soon as they are 15 years of age. To obtain a permit under 16 you will need a Proof of Enrollment. Please register with Certified Driving to receive your Proof of Enrollment.

If you are 16 or 17 years old when you get your driver's license, your license is considered probationary until you turn 18 years old. You may amend your license after you turn 18 years old to remove the probationary driver designation from your license, although if you are 18 years old the probationary driver restrictions will not apply to you even if your license still shows the probationary designation.

If you have a probationary driver's license every passenger in the vehicle that you are driving must wear a seat belt even if the vehicle is a truck or a sport utility vehicle. For more information visit: www.in.gov

Probationary drivers will no longer qualify for court diversion programs.

Probationary License | Issued July 2009 & After

Cell Phones/Texting:

Prohibits persons under age 18 from using any type of telecommunications device while operating a vehicle except for making emergency 911 calls.

Nighttime Driving Prohibited:

10 p.m. to 5 a.m. for first 180 days of driving. After first 180 days: Sun. - Thurs., 11 p.m. to 5 a.m the following morning: Sat. and Sun. mornings, 1 a.m. to 5 a.m.

Exemption: Work, school or church related functions or if accompanied by a licensed driver 25 years or older.

Restrictions on Passengers:

No passengers for the first 180 days unless accompanied by a licensed instructor or licensed driver 25 years or older.

Exemptions: a sibling and/or a child of the driver OR a spouse and/or child of the driver. (Allows for an unlicensed parent, guardian or stepparent who is at least 21 year of age and in the front seat)

At-fault Crashes or Moving Traffic Violations:

Probationary drivers will no longer qualify for court diversion programs.

Learner Permit | Supervised Driving Only | Effective January 1, 2012

Minimum Age:

  • A student may obtain a permit at 15 years of age if they are enrolled in Drivers Education. Students who do not take Drivers Education may obtain a permit at 16 years of age.
  • After completing Drivers Education students may obtain their driver's license at 16 years & 3 months. Permits must still be held for a minimum of 6 months.

Minimum Supervised Driving:

  • 50 hours of supervised practice driving with a licensed instructor or a licensed driver at least 25 year old or a spouse that is at least 21 year old (10 hour shall be nighttime driving) Applies to ALL new drivers.

Probationary License | Unsupervised Driving | Effective July 1, 2010

Minimum Age:

  • With Drivers Education - 16 years & 3 months
  • Without Drivers Education - 16 years & 9 months
  • Once you obtain your license, there is a 6 month period that you cannot have passengers other than siblings, unless accompanied by a 25 year old in the front seat.