Indiana teens can get a driver's license at 16 flat under new BMV law

Indiana drops the minimum age for a driver's license from 16 years and 90 days to a clean 16, under a Bureau of Motor Vehicles omnibus (HB1200) signed by the governor on March 11 as Public Law 156. The bill also lets applicants take the written knowledge test online if the BMV approves the platform.

Commercial drivers face new scrutiny. Applicants must demonstrate sufficient English-language proficiency to operate a commercial vehicle, and presenting a fake commercial driver's license or driving on an out-of-country CDL without proper documentation becomes a Level 6 felony. Driving schools are barred from training certain individuals to operate commercial vehicles, and the BMV gets new authority to revoke nondomiciled CDLs.

The bill also blocks the Indiana Department of Transportation from rolling out variable speed limits or electronic variable speed limit signs. It allows a working rear-view camera that displays at least 200 feet behind the vehicle to substitute for a traditional rearview mirror. Drivers 75 and older renewing a physical credential get 60 days, up from 30, to provide proof of an eyesight exam.

Rep. Pressel carried the bill. The House passed it 90-3 on February 2 and the Senate 48-0 on February 24. The conference report cleared the Senate 49-1 and the House 92-3 on February 27. Eight additional legislators signed on as sponsors.