Renewing, amending and replacing your license

Key points

1. U.S. citizens and permanent residents may renew a license up to 24 months before it expires.

   Source: Handbook p. 19

   “A driver’s license or identification card may be renewed by U.S. citizens or individuals with permanent lawful status up to 24 months before the credential expiration.”
   Indiana Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 19

2. A probationary license expires at 21 years and 30 days of age.

   Source: Handbook p. 19

   “A probationary driver’s license expires when the card holder is 21 years and 30 days of age.”
   Indiana Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 19

3. A license expired at least 180 days but not more than 5 years requires a knowledge exam and vision screening to renew.

   Source: Handbook p. 19

   “If you are renewing a driver’s license that has been expired for at least 180 days but not more than five years, you must pay an administrative penalty, pass a knowledge exam, and pass a standard vision screening.”
   Indiana Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 19

4. A license expired 5 years or more also requires a driving skills exam.

   Source: Handbook p. 19

   “If you are renewing a driver’s license that has been expired for five years or more, you must pay an administrative penalty, pass a knowledge exam, a driving skills exam, and a standard vision screening.”
   Indiana Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 19

5. Drivers 21 or older with 6 or more active points must take the knowledge exam to renew.

   Source: Handbook p. 19

   “If you are at least 21 years of age and have six or more active points on your driving record, you must take the knowledge exam to renew your driver’s license.”
   Indiana Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 19

6. Report a change of principal address and get an amended credential within 30 days.

   Source: Handbook p. 20

   “you must notify the BMV of a change of your principal (legal) address and apply for an amended credential within 30 days of the address change.”
   Indiana Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 20

7. Apply for an amended credential within 30 days of a name change.

   Source: Handbook p. 20

   “You will need to visit a BMV branch to apply for an amended credential within 30 days of a name change.”
   Indiana Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 20

8. A learner's permit may be renewed up to 30 days before it expires.

   Source: Handbook p. 19

   “A learner’s permit may be renewed up to 30 days before it expires.”
   Indiana Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 19

Numbers to know

3 questions from the Indiana practice test

1. 1. How early may a U.S. citizen renew an Indiana driver's license?

   1. Only in the final 30 days
   2. Up to 6 months before
   3. Up to 24 months before it expires
   4. Only after it expires
   Show answer

   Up to 24 months before it expires. A driver's license or identification card may be renewed by U.S. citizens or individuals with permanent lawful status up to 24 months before the credential expiration. Individuals with lawful temporary status can renew only up to 30 days before expiration, and a learner's permit may be renewed up to 30 days before it expires. Renewal includes a standard vision screening unless online renewal applies.

2. 2. After a change to personal information other than address, how soon must an Indiana credential be amended?

   1. Within 10 days, online
   2. Within 30 days, at a BMV branch with documents
   3. Within one year
   4. At the next renewal
   Show answer

   Within 30 days, at a BMV branch with documents. If any information other than the address has changed, you cannot order a replacement online and must visit a BMV branch to amend your credential within 30 days of the change, presenting the documents listed in Appendix A. Name changes must first be made with the Social Security Administration, allowing at least one business day before visiting the branch. Address changes also require branch documents.

3. 3. An Indiana driver age 21 or older has six or more active points at renewal. What must the driver do?

   1. Complete only a vision screening
   2. Retake the road skills exam automatically
   3. Take the knowledge exam to renew the license
   4. Wait until all points disappear before applying
   Show answer

   Take the knowledge exam to renew the license. At age 21 or older, six or more active points on the driving record trigger the knowledge exam at license renewal. The manual does not make a road-skills exam automatic for this condition, and a vision screening alone is insufficient. The driver also does not have to wait for every point to disappear before applying. Review the active point total at renewal and distinguish this knowledge-test requirement from separate testing rules based on an expired credential or another circumstance.

Source: the Indiana Driver's Manual, Chapter 4: Renewing, Amending, or Replacing a 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.