Learners permit — Indiana Permit Test

With a learner's permit, an Indiana driver under 18 may practice with a licensed relative who is 25 or older, seated in the front passenger seat.

A grown relative beside you can grab the wheel or warn you in time. A younger driver has too little experience to help.

You may practice driving with a licensed driver who has valid (not expired, suspended, or revoked) driving privileges and is 25 years of age or older.

A permit driver may also practice with a spouse who is licensed and at least 21 years old.

A spouse is allowed as a supervisor, but only once they are old enough to have some years of driving behind them.

You may also choose to practice driving with your spouse, who must be licensed and at least 21 years of age.

A permit driver who is 18 or older may drive only with a licensed driver at least 25 years old, or a licensed spouse at least 21.

An adult learner still needs an experienced driver beside them. Being 18 does not make up for having no time behind the wheel.

You may practice driving with a learner’s permit only when accompanied by a licensed driver with valid (not expired, suspended, or revoked) driving privileges who is at least 25 years of age, or with your spouse provided he or she is licensed and at least 21 years of age or older.

To get a learner's permit before turning 16, you must be at least 15 and enrolled with a BMV-licensed driver training school.

Starting younger is allowed only when a trained instructor is part of your learning from the start.

Be at least 15 years of age and show proof of your enrollment in a BMV licensed behind-the-wheel training provider by presenting a Certificate of Driver Education Enrollment from the driver training school.

A permit driver under 16 in driver education may drive with a licensed driver training instructor seated in the front passenger seat.

An instructor is trained to coach and correct a new driver, which is why they may ride with the youngest learners.

You may drive only when you are accompanied by a licensed driver training instructor or a certified driver rehabilitation specialist who is both recognized by the BMV and employed through a driver rehabilitation program.

An Indiana learner's permit is valid for two years from the day it is issued.

A permit is for learning, not for driving on forever. After two years you must renew it.

Learner’s permits are valid for two years from the date of issuance.

If your learner's permit has been expired for more than 180 days, you must retake the knowledge exam to renew it.

After a long gap you may have forgotten the rules, so the state checks your knowledge again.

If you are visiting a BMV branch to renew your learner’s permit and it has been expired more than 180 days, you are required to retest.

Who may supervise a permit driver under 18 who is not in driver education?

A licensed relative 25 or older in the front seat. A grown relative beside you can grab the wheel or warn you in time. A younger driver has too little experience to help. Indiana Driver's Manual, p.4: “You may practice driving with a licensed driver who has valid (not expired, suspended, or revoked) driving privileges and is 25 years of age or older.”