Obtaining a Permit

Instructions for Obtaining a Permit:

1. Students may apply for a permit up to three (3) weeks before the start of class. Students must be at least fifteen (15) years of age to apply for a driver education permit. (As of July 01, 2010 students must be at least 15 and 6 months to apply for a driver education permit.) A parent or legal guardian must bring full payment and the student's birth certificate, or passport to the driving school.
   
   
2. When we see the birth certificate we will issue a C.D.E. form (Certificate of Driver’s Education) which verifies that the student is enrolled in a driver education course.
   
   
3. Take the C.D.E. form to the BMV with an original or certified copy of the birth certificate, the student’s social security card (which must be signed), and 2 proofs of student's address (class schedule, report card, bank statement). (There are other forms of acceptable identification.)
   If you have questions or trouble when collecting your documents, you can call the BMV toll-free at 1-888-myBMV-411 (1-888-692-6841) and speak with a customer service representative for help, or visit any Indiana license branch for assistance.
   
   Note: The BMV makes all decisions pertaining to acceptable identification, not the driving school.
   
   
4. A parent or legal guardian will need to go to the license branch with a student under the age of eighteen in order to sign a financial responsibility statement.
   
   
5. After passing an eye exam, the student will be issued two paper permits; one with a grid on the back for us to fill out when the student completes, and one with the student's picture on the front. The plastic permits are now sent in the mail, and once it arrives, it must be kept together with the paper copies. Students will need both copies of the permit to apply at the BMV for a drivers license. Driver Education Permits are NOT VALID until the student completes the first day of class at the driving school.
   
   
6. Once the student starts the driver education class, he/she will be allowed to drive only with the school or parent until the student has completed both the 30 hours of classroom and the 6 hours of in-car instruction. When both have been completed, we will sign the paper permit which will allow the student to drive with a relative who is at least 25 years old and holds a driver’s license.

LOST PERMITS: As per step 5 under "Instructions for Obtaining a Permit," students must have both the paper and plastic copies of the permit to apply for a driver's license. The plastic and paper permits are number coded and must always match, therefore, should a student lose either copy of the permit, the student must return to the BMV to have another permit issued. If both of the permits are missing, the student must take along birth certificate and social security card to the BMV in order to have the permits replaced. Once the student obtains the new permit, the student must return to the driving school to have the paper permit filled out and signed by an instructor. Please call our office ahead of time to be sure a licensed instructor is available to sign the permit.

EXPIRED PERMITS: The BMV will does not renew permits. If the student lets the driver education permit expire, he/she must then return to the BMV, take the written exam, and apply for a learners permit. Note: Students who let their permit expire will not be eligible to take the road test at the driving school.