In Indiana, you must pass three official tests for a driver’s license (and meet some other requirements): a visual screening, a knowledge test on driving theory, and a driving skills (road) test. If you’re under 18, you must obtain an instruction permit to practice driving under supervision before applying for a license. If you’re 18 or older, a permit is not required but is recommended if you need more driving experience. The vision and knowledge (permit) tests are also required for an instruction permit.
If you’re under 18, you must also provide proof of attendance at or graduation from high school or the equivalent and have a parent or guardian sign a Parental Consent Affidavit. In Indiana, you’re not required to take a driver’s education course even if you’re under 18. However, if you’re under 18, enrolling in a BMV-approved course will let you apply for a permit as early as age 15 instead of 16. And successfully completing the course will let you apply for a probationary license at age 16 years and 90 days instead of 16 years and 270 days.
The official knowledge test covers traffic signs and signals, Indiana traffic laws, and safe driving practices. All questions on the knowledge test are based on information in the official Indiana BMV driver’s 2025 handbook (Indiana BMV Handbook (IN Driver's Manual) 2025). The BMV currently publishes versions of this manual in eleven languages, of which we currently offer two for your convenience: English and Spanish. These versions of the manual can be easily downloaded from this webpage in PDF format.
To prepare to pass the official knowledge test, you should start by studying this manual. However, this step alone may not be enough. (In 2020 – 2023, 57.0% – more than half – of applicants failed the BMV knowledge test on their first attempt.) Please follow our entire test preparation program, including our graduated series of practice tests accompanied by our AI assistant. We guarantee our program works!
We have also created an audiobook of the English version of the official driver’s handbook. It’s formatted as a downloadable series of eleven MP3 files, one for each chapter and appendix of the manual: obtaining a new credential, restrictions and endorsements, indicators and parking placards, and so on. The longest chapter is Chapter 7: Safe Vehicle Operation, whose running time is 1 hour, 4 minutes, and 16 seconds. The total running time of this audiobook is approximately 3 hours, 22 minutes, and 22 seconds, so you can go through it once in a couple of days.
In addition to the official handbook, we also offer our own permit test study guide to help you prepare for the day of the Indiana knowledge test. It covers what documents to take to the BMV, frequently missed knowledge test questions, and other last-minute knowledge test tips.