In Indiana, the Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) issues various types of licenses, permits, and endorsements depending on the driver’s age and the type of vehicle being operated. Options range from standard permits for new drivers to commercial licenses for professional drivers.
Standard driver’s permits and licenses
- Learner’s permit: Allows new drivers to practice operating a vehicle under supervision. An applicant must be at least 15 years old and enrolled in a driver’s education program, or at least 16 years old without a program.
- Probationary driver’s license: Issued to individuals under 18 years old who have held a learner’s permit for a certain amount of time and completed other requirements. This license comes with specific restrictions, such as curfews and limits on passengers.
- Operator’s license: A standard, full-privilege license for drivers 18 years of age and older. It allows the holder to operate most passenger vehicles.
- Indiana identification card: A photo identification card available to any Indiana resident who does not have a driver’s license. You cannot hold both an ID card and a driver’s license at the same time.
Commercial driver’s licenses (CDLs)
Indiana offers several classes of CDLs, which are required for operating commercial motor vehicles, such as large trucks and buses.
- Class A: Allows operation of any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 pounds or more, including a towed vehicle that weighs more than 10,000 pounds. This is needed for operating large semi-trucks.
- Class B: Allows operation of a single vehicle with a GCWR of 26,001 pounds or more, or towing a vehicle that is up to 10,000 pounds. This includes vehicles like box trucks and city buses.
- Class C: Permits operation of vehicles with a GCWR of less than 26,001 pounds that are used to transport hazardous materials or more than 15 passengers.
Endorsements and restrictions
Endorsements are certifications added to a license that grant specific operational authority, while restrictions limit certain driving privileges.
Common endorsements
- For-Hire (Endorsement 2): Required for drivers who transport people for hire.
- Motorcycle (Endorsement L): Allows operation of a motorcycle. A person can earn this by passing a knowledge and skills exam or by completing a certified safety course.
- Tank Vehicle (N): Allows operation of vehicles with a tank for transporting liquids or gases.
- Hazardous Materials (H): Allows transportation of hazardous materials.
- Passenger (P): Required for operating a vehicle that transports 16 or more passengers.
- School Bus (S): Required for operating a school bus and includes a background check.
Common restrictions
- Automatic Transmission (E): Prohibits the driver from operating a commercial motor vehicle with a manual transmission.
- Air Brakes (L): Prohibits the driver from operating a commercial motor vehicle equipped with air brakes.
REAL ID
Indiana issues both Real ID-compliant and non-compliant credentials.
- Real ID-compliant: Indicated by a star on the card, this credential can be used for federal identification purposes, such as boarding commercial flights.
- Non-compliant: This credential is not accepted for federal identification. It is marked with “NOT FOR REAL ID PURPOSES”.