The 10 Most Common Ways to Get a Suspended License in Indiana

Whether by way of traffic violations or intoxicated driving, these 10 offenses all lead to the same place—a suspended driver’s license in Indiana.
Written by Jasmine Kanter
Reviewed by Kathleen Flear
You could face serious consequences in
Indiana
for carrying insufficient car insurance, driving intoxicated, failing a safety course, or disregarding traffic laws—and your driver’s license could be suspended or revoked as a result.
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What’s the difference between a license suspension and revocation?

Reading about a suspended or revoked
Indiana driver’s license
might make you equally nervous, but there’s an important distinction. Legally speaking, here’s what they mean:
  • Anyone possessing a
    suspended driver’s license
    is temporarily barred from driving for a specific amount of time.
  • Anyone possessing a revoked driver’s license is barred from driving permanently. In certain situations, they might be able to apply for a new license and regain their driving privileges.
The Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) might suspend or revoke your driver’s license for a variety of reasons, ranging from repeated
traffic citations
to serious criminal convictions.

What can your license be suspended for in Indiana? 

There are many reasons for which your license could be suspended, but here are some of the most common ones:

1. You failed to heed a court of law

Regardless of how you landed in hot water in the first place, the demands from a court of law in Indiana are not optional. Ignoring fines, restrictions, or requests to appear in court could lead to a driver’s license suspension, at least until you comply.

2. You drove while intoxicated

Getting
a DUI in Indiana
has immediate and serious consequences. Law enforcement officers who suspect you’re intoxicated have the right to ask you to complete a chemical test. Fail and your license could be suspended for up to 180 days. Refuse and your license could be suspended for up to two years.

3. You failed to complete a Driver Safety Program

If you’re convicted of two or more traffic offenses within a year (or while you’re under the age of 21), the Indiana BMV might ask you to complete a
Driver Safety Program
. If they do, you’ll be mailed a notice with instructions. Failing to complete the program within 90 days can result in driver’s license suspension.

4. You repeatedly violated traffic laws

Accumulating repeated traffic citations in 10 years could lead to your designation as a Habitual Traffic Violator, or HTV. HTVs can be subject to penalties ranging in severity from a five-year license suspension to a lifelong ban on driving. The BMV defines three categories of HTVs and the criteria for each section
on its website
.

5. You drove recklessly

Reckless driving in Indiana
can encompass quite a few behaviors, like driving too quickly, too slowly, too close to other drivers, or outside your lane. The common feature is a disregard for the safety of others while driving. A single offense will earn you a license suspension; two offenses (that each result in death) could lead to a lifetime ban.

6. You failed to remain at the scene of an accident

If you’re in an accident, it’s your duty per
Indiana car accident laws
to remain at the scene to provide assistance to the other driver(s) and exchange insurance details. Collisions can be shocking enough to activate your fight or flight instincts, but try and remain calm. If you flee the scene, not only will you probably be caught, but you’ll also face a driver’s license suspension.

7. You raced illegally

Besides posing a serious threat to people going about their daily business, illegal races can also be a hazard to drivers who lose control of their vehicles at high speeds. If you get caught, your only prize will be a license suspension.

8. You drove without a driver’s license

Patience is a virtue—perhaps the most difficult one there is. While you might be eager to get on the road, ignoring Indiana’s license requirements could result in an even longer wait. Anyone who
drives without a license
could face a lengthy delay in earning a license.

9. You drove with a suspended license

If your license is suspended for any of the offenses on this list, it’s not a good idea to keep driving. Besides increasing the duration of your license suspension, if you’ve already accumulated nine traffic violations in the past 10 years, your next penalty will be a five-year loss of driving privileges.

10. You failed to meet minimum car insurance requirements

Indiana's minimum car insurance laws
require you to purchase a policy with 25/50/25
liability coverage
—that’s $25,000 of
property damage liability
per accident, $50,000 of bodily injury liability per accident, and $25,000 of
bodily injury liability
per person.
Following an accident, a traffic citation, or a car-related criminal conviction, you might be asked to submit
proof of your policy
to the BMV. If you don’t oblige within 90 days, you’ll probably face a license suspension and fines.

How to save money on car insurance in Indiana

Any infraction on your
driving record
will increase your premiums. To keep your
car insurance
on the cheaper side of things, let the insurance comparison app
Jerry
find the coverage you need at a price you can afford.
It takes only 45 seconds to sign up! After providing you with a comprehensive analysis of the best policies from over 50 top insurance companies, Jerry will handle the phone calls, paperwork, and renewals so you don’t have to. As a
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“I recently started looking for insurance. With my past ticket, I got rejected from several companies while others charged me extreme prices. My friend referred me to
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and their amazing customer service helped me get the lowest insurance rate.” —Christina H.
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