Points, tickets and licence suspension in Indiana

By the end of this topic you can

• You can give the point values for common speeding and moving violations.
• You can explain how long points stay active.
• You can describe the Driver Safety Program and its four-point credit.
• You can name common reasons for a license suspension in Indiana.
• You can check your own driver record.

What you need to know and understand

• Speeding 1 to 15 mph over: 2 points. 16 to 25 mph over: 4 points. 26 mph or more over: 6 points.
• Running a stop or yield sign, unsafe lane movement and a hand-held phone violation are 4 points each.
• Following too closely and failing to yield to an emergency vehicle are 6 points each. Driving while suspended is 8 points.
• Points stay active for two years from the conviction date.
• A BMV-approved Driver Safety Program course earns a four-point credit, once every three years.
• Drivers under 21 convicted of two or more traffic offenses must complete a Driver Safety Program course.
• Six or more active points means you must pass the knowledge exam when you renew your license, including when a probationary license is renewed at 21.

The Driver Safety Program

A Driver Safety Program (DSP) is a BMV-approved defensive driving course offered in a classroom, online or on DVD. Any Indiana driver can take one voluntarily for a four-point credit, limited to one credit in any three-year period.

The BMV can also order you to complete a DSP. For drivers 21 and older this can follow two or more convictions within 12 months; for drivers under 21, two or more convictions is enough. If you are ordered to take the course, you have 90 days from the date of the BMV notice. Miss the deadline and your license is suspended until you finish and the BMV processes it.

Common reasons for suspension

• Failing to appear in court or pay a traffic ticket after judgment.
• Driving without the required insurance, or not sending proof of insurance when the BMV asks.
• Failing or refusing a chemical test for alcohol or drugs.
• Not completing a required Driver Safety Program within 90 days.
• For juveniles: expulsion, a second suspension from school in a school year, habitual truancy, or dropping out.
• Unpaid child support, or paying the BMV with a payment that bounces.

Habitual Traffic Violators

Indiana treats repeat offenders very seriously. Ten or more traffic violations within 10 years, including at least one major offense, can bring a five-year suspension as a Habitual Traffic Violator. Three major offenses, such as OWI, reckless driving or leaving the scene of a crash, within 10 years bring a 10-year suspension. Two offenses causing death or injury within 10 years bring 10 years or, for some fatal OWI offenses, life.

Checking and fixing your record

You can view your driver record free on myBMV.com, including any reinstatement steps you owe. An official copy costs $4. Driving while suspended is a serious offense that can become a misdemeanor or felony, so never drive until the BMV confirms your privileges are back. Our separate guide to the Indiana points system goes further into suspensions.

Common mistakes

• Ignoring a ticket. Not appearing or paying leads to a suspension on top of the original penalty.
• Assuming a court-ordered course gives the four-point credit. Only a BMV-approved DSP does.
• Ignoring a BMV letter asking for proof of insurance. After 90 days without a filing, your license is suspended.
• Thinking a dropped-out teen keeps their license. The school must notify the BMV, which suspends it.

Test yourself: Points, tickets and licence suspension in Indiana

Answer each question, then read the explanation. Questions come in a random order each time.

Go deeper

• Indiana BMV Points System and License Suspension
• Indiana Bioptic Driver Program
• Indiana Permit Test