Indiana Driver Ed Rules
Students must be at least 15 years of age to participate in a state-approved driver education program.
Instructions for Obtaining a Permit
Students may apply for a permit up to three weeks prior to the start of a traditional classroom course. Students doing an online course must complete the online portion of the course BEFORE they are eligible for a permit.
The State of Indiana requires that all licensed drivers take and pass the written exam prior to the issue of a license or permit. This includes a driver education permit, learner permit, and operator license. After passing an eye exam and written exam, the student will be issued a paper permit. The plastic permits will be sent in the mail and will arrive 7-10 days later. If you have not received your permit within two weeks, please contact the BMV.
Full payment must be received before we will issue a Certificate of Driver's Education form which verifies that the student is enrolled in a driver education course, and is needed to obtain the permit. The form must be taken to the BMV with an original or certified copy of the birth certificate and the student's social security card (which must be signed). The proper documents are listed on the BMV website, and we also have a copy of that information in our office. If you have questions or trouble when collecting your documents, you can call the BMV toll-free at 1-888-692-6841 and speak with a customer service representative for help or visit any Indiana license branch for assistance.
A parent or legal guardian will need to go to the license branch with a student under the age of eighteen in order to sign a financial responsibility statement.
LOST PERMITS: You will need to contact the BMV to obtain a new permit.
EXPIRED PERMITS: The BMV does not renew permits. If the student lets the Driver Education permit expire, he/she must then return to the BMV, take the written exam, and apply for a learner permit. Students who let their permit expire will not be eligible to take the road test at the driving school.