The main Indiana probationary license restrictions are a first-180-days passenger limit, a nighttime curfew, a total ban on electronic devices behind the wheel, and a zero-tolerance alcohol standard. Some of these ease as you gain experience or turn 18. Others hold until you turn 21 and the probationary classification comes off your license.
The First 180 Days
The first six months after your probationary license is issued are the most restricted stretch. Three rules apply at once.
Passengers are limited. You generally cannot carry anyone in the vehicle during this window. Two exceptions exist. A licensed driver at least 25 years old can ride in the front passenger seat and supervise, and your spouse qualifies as a supervisor if they are at least 21 and licensed. You may also transport certain family members without a supervisor: your children or stepchildren, siblings (including step and half siblings), your spouse, a parent or legal guardian, and grandparents.1Indiana General Assembly. Indiana Code 9-24-11-3.5 – Operation of Vehicle During Probationary Period
The nighttime curfew is at its strictest. You cannot drive between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. on any night of the week. Weekends get no exception during this phase.2Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles. Probationary Driver’s License
Electronic devices are off-limits, which is covered in more detail below because that rule outlasts the 180-day window.
After 180 Days, Until You Turn 18
Once six months on the probationary license have passed, the passenger restriction ends. The curfew loosens but stays in place, and it splits by day of the week.
- Sunday through Thursday nights: no driving after 11 p.m.
- Friday and Saturday nights: no driving between 1 a.m. and 5 a.m.
School nights end earlier; weekend nights give a later cutoff.2Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles. Probationary Driver’s License When you turn 18, the curfew drops entirely.
Curfew Exceptions
You may drive during restricted hours if you are traveling to or from work, a school-sanctioned activity, or a religious event.2Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles. Probationary Driver’s License Keep proof in the car — a work schedule, a school letter, or a church bulletin. An officer can ask for documentation during a stop.
No Electronic Devices, at Any Point
Indiana’s general hands-free law lets adults 21 and older use Bluetooth, speakerphone, and other hands-free options while driving.3Indiana Department of Transportation. Hands-Free Indiana Probationary drivers get no such carve-out. If you hold a probationary license, you cannot use any type of telecommunication device while driving. That covers hands-free calls, texting, and interacting with apps. The only exception is dialing 911 to report an emergency.2Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles. Probationary Driver’s License
This catches some drivers off guard, particularly those who assume a paired Bluetooth connection is legal. Set your GPS destination before you start driving. An officer does not need to observe another traffic violation first to pull you over for device use.
Zero-Tolerance Alcohol Rule
Every probationary driver is under 21, so Indiana’s zero-tolerance standard applies. The adult legal limit is 0.08%, but a driver under 21 can be charged for operating a vehicle with a BAC of 0.02% or higher — roughly one drink.4Indiana General Assembly. Indiana Code 9-30-5-8.5 – Class C Infraction Person Less Than 21 Penalties scale with BAC:
- BAC of 0.02% to under 0.08%: Class C infraction, fine of up to $500, license suspension of up to one year.
- BAC of 0.08% to under 0.15%: Class C misdemeanor, up to 60 days in jail, $500 fine.
- BAC of 0.15% or higher: Class A misdemeanor, up to one year in jail, $5,000 fine.
An underage conviction at any level triggers a license suspension. For a first-time offender with a BAC in the 0.02% to 0.08% range, suspensions typically run at least 90 days. Refusing a chemical test after being informed of the consequences brings an automatic one-year suspension under Indiana’s implied consent law.
When Probationary Status Ends
Your license carries the probationary label from the day it is issued until your 21st birthday. The passenger limit expires at 180 days. The nighttime curfew expires at 18. The electronic device ban and the zero-tolerance alcohol rule stay in place until 21. The vertical card format itself is a visual signal that you are under 21, with the dates you turn 18 and 21 highlighted in color.5State of Indiana. Indiana Launches More Secure Driver License
A probationary license cannot be renewed early. Once you turn 21, you have a 30-day window to visit a BMV branch and swap it for a standard (horizontal) license before the BMV charges an administrative penalty for late renewal.6Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles. Driver’s License