indiana driver information
Did you know Indiana has the highest ratio of licensed drivers in the nation? Whether you're new to Indiana or curious about the most stolen cars, you're in the right place for info on motoring in the Hoosier State.
Indiana driver information
Number of licensed drivers: 5,550,000
Registered vehicles: 5,848,000
Licensing and registration authority: Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV)
Driver-population density
According to data from the Bureau of Transportation Statistics, Indiana has the country's highest ratio of licensed drivers per every 1,000 driving-aged residents.
Guzzling gas
Indiana drivers used over 3.1 billion gallons of fuel in 2010, which was in the top 15 nationwide.
The points system and Indiana traffic violations
Speeding tickets and other moving violations can add 2–6 points on your driving record. Some of the more serious traffic violations, like driving with a suspended license, can add as many as 8 points.
Points stay on your driving record for 2 years. Your license may be suspended or you may be placed on probation for up to one year if you accumulate 18 or more active points within 2 years.
Reporting car accidents to Indiana police
We suggest calling the police to the scene of any car accident. But you're legally required to report an accident if anyone was injured or there was at least $1,000 in property damage. In either case, you have 10 days to report the incident to the BMV.
Contact your insurer and have them fill out the Indiana Operator's Proof of Insurance Crash Report (SR-21).
Drivers in the military
Once you're discharged from your deployment, your IN license will remain valid for an additional 90 days.
If your license expires while you're serving outside the state, you may be eligible for a military extension letter. Keep a copy of the letter in your glove box along with proof of your service.
DUIs in Indiana
Drivers convicted of a DUI (driving with a blood alcohol content [BAC] of .08 or more) will have their drivers licenses suspended for at least 90 days — longer for repeat offenders.
SR-22
An SR-22 is a document certifying you have the required amount of car insurance. If you're convicted of a major offense like a DUI or driving without insurance, the state may require you to file this form through your insurer.
Stolen cars in Indiana
Like the rest of the nation, Indiana has its share of auto theft. According to a recent National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) report, the most stolen cars in the state were:
- 1994 Chevrolet Pickup (full size)
- 1999 Ford Pickup (full size)
- 1995 Oldsmobile Cutlass/Supreme/Ciera
- 1996 Buick Century
- 1997 Chevrolet Pickup (small size)
- 2003 Chevrolet Impala
- 2003 Ford Taurus
- 1997 Dodge Pickup (full size)
- 1991 Buick LeSabre
- 1997 Pontiac Grand Prix
Registering your vehicle and getting your Indiana drivers license
After moving to Indiana, you have 60 days to apply for a new license and register your car with the state BMV.
Graduated license program for young drivers
If you're under 18, you'll need to complete the state's graduated licensing program before you get your first unrestricted Indiana drivers license.
Minimum permit age: 15 years old with a completed drivers education course; otherwise, 16 years old
Minimum permit holding period: 180 days
Minimum probationary license age: 16 years, 180 days with a completed drivers education course; 16 years, 270 days without
Minimum age restrictions lifted: 18 years old
Eye-catching Indiana driving trends
Hoosier motorists are diligent about seat belt safety. A recent report from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration found that 92 percent of front-seat occupants use safety restraints — well above the national average of 85 percent.
Truck-related accidents
Take caution when sharing a road with trucks. In 2009, 11.1 percent of Indiana's fatal car accidents involved large trucks, the 4th-highest frequency of such incidents in the country.
Related links
Indiana car insurance
Your guide to car insurance in Indiana from legal requirements to Esurance discounts.
Indiana's Bureau of Motor Vehicles
Head to the state's BMV website to handle your license, title, and registration needs.
Indiana's Department of Transportation
Check up on major highway projects that could throw a wrench into your commute.
Indiana driver's manual
Have a road-rules question we didn't answer? Here you can link to all the chapters of the official IN driving handbook.