The probationary license for drivers under 21

Key points

1. You can get a license at 16 with driver education, or at 16 years and 270 days without it.

   Source: Handbook p. 9

   “You must be at least 16 years old with completion of a BMV licensed driver education program • You must be at least 16 years and 270 days of age without completion of a BMV licensed driver education program”
   Indiana Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 9

2. A license obtained before 21 is probationary until you turn 21.

   Source: Handbook p. 10

   “If you are younger than 21 years of age when you obtain a driver’s license, your driver’s license is considered probationary until you turn 21 years of age.”
   Indiana Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 10

3. For the first 180 days, you may not carry passengers unless an approved adult sits in the front passenger seat.

   Source: Handbook p. 10

   “You may not drive with any passengers for the first 180 days after obtaining your probationary driver’s license unless one of the following individuals is seated in your vehicle’s front passenger seat:”
   Indiana Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 10

4. You may carry your child, stepchild, sibling or spouse during the first 180 days without another adult.

   Source: Handbook p. 10

   “However, you may drive with your child, stepchild, sibling, step or half-sibling, or spouse without another accompanying individual during the first 180 days”
   Indiana Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 10

5. For the first 180 days, you may not drive between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m.

   Source: Handbook p. 10

   “For the first 180 days after obtaining your probationary driver’s license, you may not drive between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m.”
   Indiana Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 10

6. After 180 days and under 18, no driving after 11 p.m. Sunday to Thursday, before 5 a.m. weekdays, or 1 a.m. to 5 a.m. on weekends.

   Source: Handbook p. 10

   “After you have held a probationary driver’s license for 180 days and are less than 18 years of age, you may not drive during the following hours: • Sunday through Thursday after 11 p.m. • Monday through Friday before 5 a.m. • Saturday and Sunday between 1 a.m. and 5 a.m.”
   Indiana Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 10

7. All drivers are banned from using a telecommunications device while driving except for a 911 call.

   Source: Handbook p. 10

   “Indiana law prohibits all drivers, including probationary driver’s license holders, from operating a motor vehicle while using any form of telecommunications device, such as a wireless phone, personal digital assistant, pager, or text messaging device unless the device is being used to make a 911 emergency call.”
   Indiana Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 10

8. A license is valid for 6 years under 75, 3 years at 75 to 84, and 2 years at 85 and older.

   Source: Handbook p. 9

   “Six years if you are younger than 75 years of age • Three years if you are aged 75 through 84 • Two years if you are at least 85 years of age”
   Indiana Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 9

9. An adult who withdraws financial liability for a minor cancels the minor's permit or license.

   Source: Handbook p. 8

   “A written request to withdraw financial liability will cancel the minor’s learner’s permit or driver’s license”
   Indiana Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 8

Numbers to know

3 questions from the Indiana practice test

1. 1. A driver who receives an Indiana license before turning 21 keeps what license status until reaching that age?

   1. Probationary
   2. Commercial
   3. Learner's permit
   4. Unrestricted adult
   Show answer

   Probationary. An Indiana license issued to someone younger than 21 remains probationary until the holder turns 21. The status is tied to the holder's age, not to whether the person has already passed a skills test. It is not a commercial credential, and a full license does not become a learner's permit merely because restrictions apply. The unrestricted adult choice skips the probationary period. Check the driver's age at issuance and the age-based status before judging the credential's privileges.

2. 2. During the first 180 days of an Indiana probationary license, which person may ride with the driver without another accompanying adult?

   1. Any friend from school
   2. The driver's spouse
   3. A neighbor with a valid license
   4. A coworker of any age
   Show answer

   The driver's spouse. Indiana generally bars passengers during the first 180 days of a probationary license, but the manual specifically allows the driver's spouse without another accompanying individual. The same family exception includes a child, stepchild, sibling, or step or half-sibling. A school friend, coworker, or neighbor does not qualify merely because of that relationship or because the person may hold a license. Identify a listed family relationship before relying on the exception.

3. 3. For the first 180 days after receiving an Indiana probationary license, during what hours may the driver not drive?

   1. 10 p.m. to 5 a.m.
   2. 9 p.m. to 6 a.m.
   3. 11 p.m. to 4 a.m.
   4. Midnight to 6 a.m.
   Show answer

   10 p.m. to 5 a.m.. The initial probationary-license time restriction runs from 10 p.m. through 5 a.m. for the first 180 days. The later restrictions for an under-18 holder after that initial period have different weekday and weekend windows, so those times should not be substituted here. The other choices alter one or both endpoints. Start by identifying whether the driver is still within the first 180 days, then apply the 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. window unless a stated exception applies.

Source: the Indiana Driver's Manual, Chapter 1: Obtaining a New Credential. This lesson is a plain English summary, not the law itself; where it differs, the manual and the statute govern. Last checked 2026-09-27.