Indiana driver license and state ID — guide for immigrants

Indiana requires lawful presence for every driver license and state ID applicant, and it has no program for undocumented residents. But lawfully-present non-citizens can get an Indiana license or identification card — the Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) verifies your status on every application through the federal SAVE system, issues a short-term interim license while it does, and ties a temporary-status holder’s card to the end date of their lawful stay.

Quick answer

  • Undocumented DL access: NO — lawful status is required and verified on every application
  • Lawfully-present non-citizens: YES — green card, EAD holders, and valid-visa-plus-I-94 holders qualify
  • Interim credential: a 30-day interim license is issued while SAVE authenticates your documents
  • Temporary status: the card expires on the end date of your authorized stay
  • State ID fee: $9.00 (non-voter ID card) · voter ID card is free · learner’s permit $9.00
  • DL fee: $17.50 (under 75) · $11.00 (75–84) · $7.00 (85+)
  • REAL ID: offered (federal enforcement since May 7, 2025)
  • Agency: Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV)
  • Website: www.in.gov/bmv
  • Phone: (888) 692-6841

Which immigration statuses qualify in Indiana

Indiana issues a license or ID to lawfully-present non-citizens whose status DHS can confirm. Acceptable lawful-status documents include:

  • An unexpired Permanent Resident Card (Form I-551 / green card)
  • An unexpired Employment Authorization Card (Form I-766 / EAD)
  • An unexpired U.S. Passport or Passport Card
  • An unexpired foreign passport in your name (with English subtitles or a certified translation) plus an unexpired U.S. visa and an approved I-94 — or a foreign passport without a visa if DHS can verify your authorized admittance

The foreign-passport route typically requires additional documents (the I-94 arrival record, your U.S. visa, and supporting forms such as a DS-2019 or I-20). Other USCIS documents that let DHS confirm lawful status may also be accepted.

The SAVE check and the 30-day interim license

This is the rule that trips up most newcomers. Indiana verifies lawful status through the federal SAVE program on every application, and that check can take up to two weeks. To keep you driving in the meantime, the BMV issues an interim license valid 30 days while your documents are authenticated.

  • If your status is verified, you receive your permanent credential within 14 days.
  • If your status cannot be verified, no credential is issued and you get a denial letter.

For non-citizens with temporary status, the credential expires on the end date of your lawful stay — not on the standard six-year cycle. You can only renew up to 30 days before expiration, and the renewal length follows your new lawful-status end date.

The Social Security number rule

Indiana requires you to document your Social Security number where you have one — with a Social Security card, a W-2, or a pay stub showing your name and full SSN. If you are unable to document eligibility for an SSN, Indiana accepts a letter from the Social Security Administration showing you are ineligible for a number. That SSA ineligibility letter is the path many lawfully-present non-citizens use when they have not been assigned an SSN.

What is REAL ID?

REAL ID is a federal standard for state-issued IDs. A REAL ID-compliant card (gold star) can be used to board domestic flights (enforced since May 7, 2025), enter federal buildings, and access secure federal facilities. Indiana offers REAL ID credentials. To get one you must bring federal-grade identity, lawful-status, SSN (or SSA ineligibility letter), and Indiana-residency documents to your appointment.

How to apply in Indiana

  1. Gather your documents using the BMV documentation list — proof of identity and lawful status, your SSN (or SSA ineligibility letter), and proof of Indiana residency.
  2. Bring originals — copies are generally not accepted.
  3. Visit an Indiana BMV branch and submit your application; first-time driver-license applicants take the knowledge, vision, and skills tests.
  4. Receive your 30-day interim license while SAVE verifies your lawful status.
  5. Pay the fee — $17.50 for a driver license (under 75), $9.00 for a non-voter state ID (voter ID free).
  6. Wait for the mailed card — issued within 14 days of successful verification.

If you are undocumented or cannot get an SSN

Indiana has no driver-privilege card for undocumented residents. Practical alternatives:

  • Use your foreign passport as primary ID for banking, employment (with an EAD), and federal flights.
  • Get a matrícula consular from your home-country consulate (see Consulates in Indiana).
  • Use an International Driving Permit (IDP) obtained in your home country before travel.
  • Open an ITIN-friendly bank account to bank without an SSN.
  • Consider an AB60-equivalent state if you must drive regularly (CA, CO, CT, DC, DE, HI, IL, MD, MA, MN, NV, NJ, NM, NY, OR, RI, UT, VA, VT, WA).

Last verified: 2026-06-29. Sources: Indiana BMV — New Indiana Residents, the BMV Documentation List, and the BMV Fee Chart.

General procedural information. BMV policies, fees, and document requirements change frequently — verify with the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles before visiting. Not legal or immigration advice. For case-specific guidance, consult a licensed immigration attorney.