Driver training rules in Indiana

✓ Checked against official sources · 2026-10-18

Driver training rules in Indiana for teen and adult driver's education, CDL schools, carriers that train their own drivers and school bus drivers, each with a link to the official source. Federal ELDT rules (49 CFR Part 380) apply in every state on top of these.

Driver education (teens)	Not required. Optional course (30 hours classroom + 6 hours behind the wheel at a BMV-licensed school) allows license at 16; without it, 16 years 270 days.source 1 · source 2
Supervised practice (teens)	50 hours supervised practice, 10 at night, logged; hold learner's permit 180 days.source 2
New adult drivers	No course required; applicants 18+ must complete 50 hours supervised practice with a licensed driver at least 25.source 1
Who licenses driving schools	Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) certifies driver training schools and instructors.source 1
CDL training: state rules beyond federal ELDT	No state hours; before a CDL, BMV requires federal ELDT, a human trafficking video, and a CLP knowledge exam.source 3
CDL schools: state license	Approval, not a license: BMV treats any CMV training business as approved if it is TPR-listed (140 IAC 7-5-0.5, filed Feb. 2024); the old truck-school rules 140 IAC 7-5-1 to 7-5-11 were repealed. Since 2026, a training business faces a $50,000 civil penalty per violation for training someone it knew or should have known is ineligible for a CDL, or for substantial noncompliance with federal or state CDL training standards (IC 9-24-6.1-3.4, HEA 1200-2026). DWD career-school law (IC 22-4.1-21-9(3)) leaves out schools approved or regulated by another state agency, and BMV's rule approves TPR-listed CMV training businesses. DWD's authorized-school list has no truck-driving category.source 4 · source 5 · source 6 · source 7 · source 8
CDL schools: state hours or curriculum	No state school hours; the old truck-school rules were repealed. BMV requires CDL applicants to watch a human trafficking video and complete ELDT.source 9 · source 3
CDL schools: instructor rules	No state CDL instructor license found; the old truck-school rules were repealed in the 2023 rulemaking. Federal 380.713 applies.source 9
Carriers training their own drivers: license	Same as schools: the BMV rule covers any business that trains CMV operators and is met by TPR listing (140 IAC 7-5-0.5, filed Feb. 2024). Since 2026, any person or entity training CMV drivers faces a $50,000 civil penalty per violation for training someone it knew or should have known is ineligible for a CDL, or for substantial noncompliance with CDL training standards (IC 9-24-6.1-3.4, HEA 1200-2026).source 4 · source 5
Carriers: hours or curriculum	No state hours. The BMV trafficking video is required of every CDL applicant, so carrier-trained drivers must watch it too.source 3
Carriers: instructor rules	No state CDL instructor license for anyone; federal 380.713 applies.source 9
New school bus drivers	DOE preservice safety education course (up to 40 hours) plus at least 4 hours on-bus observation and 8 hours on-bus driving.source 10 · source 11
School bus refresher	Annual safety meeting or workshop required (no more than 2 days a year); minimum hours not stated.source 10

Driving manuals and handbooks

Official publications from Indiana, checked 2026-10-19. Read them here or download them; the state's own copy is always linked.

Driving jobs in Indiana

Rules change. Always confirm with the state agency before you rely on a rule. Something out of date? Email terry@eldt.courses.

Federal rules in every state

CDL entry-level driver training must come from a provider listed on FMCSA's Training Provider Registry, for a first Class A or B CDL, an upgrade to Class A or B, or a first P, S or H endorsement (49 CFR 380.609). See ELDT record keeping under 49 CFR 380.

Sources

1. https://www.in.gov/bmv/licenses-permits-ids/driver-education
2. https://www.in.gov/bmv/licenses-permits-ids/learners-permits-and-drivers-licenses-overview/drivers-license/
3. https://www.in.gov/bmv/3346.htm
4. https://iar.iga.in.gov/code/current/140/7
5. https://iga.in.gov/pdf-documents/124/2026/house/bills/HB1200/HB1200.06.ENRS.pdf
6. https://www.in.gov/bmv/licenses-permits-ids/commercial-drivers-license-overview/obtaining-a-commercial-drivers-license
7. https://iga.in.gov/ic/2025/Title_22.pdf
8. https://www.in.gov/dwd/files/OCTS-Authorized-Institutions-List.pdf
9. https://www.in.gov/bmv/resources/files/lsa23-734-regulatory-analysis.pdf
10. https://www.in.gov/doe/files/Statutes-for-Preservice-July-1-2025.pdf
11. https://www.in.gov/doe/files/observation-and-driving-hours-log.pdf

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