Indiana Defensive Driving Course

Receiving a traffic violation in the State of Indiana or having your license suspended can be a confusing process. Whether your driver's license is suspended or you have a traffic citation that you want to have cleared, you may be able to participate in a defensive driving Indiana program.

Traffic Violations

Each moving violation you receive in the State of Indiana will result in points on your driving record. Each violation is worth between two (2) and eight (8) points and will stay on your Indiana driving record for two (2) years starting from the date of the citation. If you happen to accumulate too many points, your license may be suspended or revoked by the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV). The most commonly issued citations and their point value are as follows:

Speeding

  • 1-15 MPH over the posted speed limit = 2 points
  • 16-25 MPH over the posted speed limit = 4 points
  • 26+ MPH over the posted speed limit = 6 points

Other Common Citations

  • Failure to use headlights = 2 points
  • No brake or signal light = 2 points
  • Improper U-turn = 4 points
  • Unsafe lane movement = 4 points
  • Improper motorcycle headgear = 4 points
  • Improper motorcycle passenger = 4points
  • Disregard stop/yield sign = 6 points
  • Following too closely = 6 points
  • Failure to yield = 6 points
  • Failure to yield to emergency vehicle = 8 points
  • Speed contest on road = 8 points
  • Driving while suspended = 8 points

If you have received an Indiana traffic citation, you may be able to take an Indiana defensive driving course to clear your citation and stop possible points from reaching your driving record. You are able to participate in a defensive driving Indiana program once every 3 years to dismiss a traffic citation. However, if the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) sends you a notice in the mail, you will be required to take a defensive driving program. Please contact your court for further information about requesting to take a driver improvement course and your eligibility.

Suspended Licenses

There are various reasons why the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) can suspend your driver's license. Listed below are some reasons your driver's license may get suspended:

  • Failing to yield to an emergency vehicle
  • Operating a vehicle while intoxicated
  • The act of graffiti
  • Failing to meet insurance or other financial responsibility requirements
  • Refusing a breathalyzer or chemical test
  • Accumulating too many points on your driving record
  • Failing a breathalyzer or chemical test
  • Driving on a suspended driver's license
  • Miscellaneous criminal acts while in a vehicle
  • Failing to appear for or pay for traffic offenses
  • Dropping out or being expelled from school
  • Failing to complete a mandatory driver improvement course
  • Failing to pay child support
  • Writing a bad check to the Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV)

If your driver's license has already been suspended, you must participate in an Indiana Defensive Driving Course in order to have it reinstated. Once you have completed the defensive driving Indiana program, you will be notified by mail when your suspension is lifted. All mail from the BMV will be sent to the address that is listed on your driver's license. If you have an address change, please notify the BMV (required by Indiana Code 9-24-13-4).

Indiana Defensive Driving Courses

Taking an Indiana Defensive Driving Course is very simple. Indiana Driver Improvement is an approved driving course by the Bureau of Motor Vehicles. All our courses offer:

  • 24/7 live customer support
  • Electronic delivery of your completion certificate to the Indiana BMV
  • And more!

For more information on the driver improvement course, please visit our Introduction to Indiana Defensive Driving resource page or Contact Us 24/7. One of our friendly and staff members will be able to assist you with any question or comment.