Minimum age for a car driving licence in Indiana (2026)
Last reviewed: 9 October 2026
In short: A learner's permit is available from 15 for a student enrolled in a behind-the-wheel course. A probationary licence needs 180 days on the permit; official BMV sources differ on the exact age with driver education.
| Rule | What applies |
|---|---|
| Minimum age for a car licenceCar (category B) driving licence | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Earliest age to drive a car supervisedCar (category B) driving licence | 15 years [1] |
| Driving before the minimum ageCar (category B) driving licence | A probationary licence requires 180 days (about six months) on a learner's permit. The BMV licence page requires an age of at least 16 with driver education, or at least 16 years 270 days without it; the BMV quick-reference guide of 9 July 2025 gives 16 years 90 days with driver education and 16 years 270 days without. A signed log of supervised driving is required. [2] |
| Visitors on a foreign licence: ageCar (category B) driving licence | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Learner's permit from ageCar (category B) driving licence | 15 years [1] |
| Night-time limit for new driversCar (category B) driving licence | For 180 days after getting a probationary licence the holder may not drive between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m.; after that, until 18, not after 11 p.m. Sunday to Thursday, not before 5 a.m. Monday to Friday, and not between 1 a.m. and 5 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Exceptions: work, school-sanctioned activities, religious events, or with a licensed person aged 25 or over (or spouse 21 or over) in the front seat. [2] |
| Passenger limit for new driversCar (category B) driving licence | For 180 days after getting a probationary licence, no passengers unless a licensed instructor, a licensed driver aged 25 or over or a spouse aged 21 or over is in the front seat; the holder's child, stepchild, sibling, step- or half-sibling or spouse may ride along. [2] |
Notes
- The BMV probationary licence page gives a minimum age of 16 with driver education, but the BMV quick-reference guide (9 July 2025) gives 16 years 90 days. Both give 16 years 270 days without driver education.
- The pages read for Indiana state no age rule for visitors holding a licence from another state or country.
Sources
- Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles: Driver's Licenses, Permits & IDs: Learner's Permit (consulted 9 October 2026) · all sources
- Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles: Driver's Licenses, Permits & IDs: Probationary Driver's License (consulted 9 October 2026) · all sources
Indiana and neighbouring states
| State | Minimum age for a car licence | Earliest age to drive a car supervised | Driving before the minimum age | Visitors on a foreign licence: age |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Indiana | ⚠ Not yet verified | 15 (enrolled in driver education) | 180 days on permit; 16y 90d/270d (sources differ) | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Illinois | 16 (initial licensing phase) | 15 (permit, enrolled in driver education) | 9 months on permit; licence at 16; full at 18 | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Kentucky | 16 (intermediate licence) | 15 (instruction permit) | Intermediate at 16; full licence after 180 days | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Michigan | ⚠ Not yet verified | 14 years 9 months (level 1) | Level 1 from 14 y 9 m; level 2 after 6 months, 50 hours | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Ohio | 16 (probationary licence; full at 18) | 15 yrs 6 mths (temporary permit) | Probationary licence at 16 with night and passenger limits | Home-state rules apply; no Ohio age stated |
More rules in Indiana
- CannabisPossession for personal use: Criminal offence (Class B misdemeanour) · Growing at home: No (criminal offence)
- Car speed limitsBuilt-up areas: 30 mph (urban residential)
- E-bikes and speed pedelecsLegal class: Three classes · Minimum age: Class 3: 15
- FireworksConsumers may buy and use category F2 fireworks: Yes (sold by certified retailers)
- Knives and pepper sprayFolding pocket knives: No general ban; school property barred · Locking or one-handed knives: No separate rule
- Statutory minimum wageNational statutory minimum wage: Yes · Current adult minimum wage (gross): $7.25 per hour
- Using a mobile phone while drivingHolding a phone while driving banned: Banned · Hands-free use: Hands-free allowed
- Seat belts and child seatsSeat belt compulsory in front seats: Yes, all seats · Seat belt compulsory in rear seats: Yes, all seats
- Tobacco and nicotine age limitsMinimum age to buy tobacco: 21 · Minimum age to buy e-cigarettes: 21
Related pages
General information, not legal advice. Rules change: check the official source before you fly or ride.