Indiana Lost Permit Replacement: $9 Fee, Available on myBMV

To replace a lost Indiana learner's permit, request a duplicate online at myBMV.com or in person at a BMV branch. The fee is $9. You cannot legally drive until you have the physical permit or a temporary paper permit with you.

What's Indiana BMV's $9 Process to Replace a Lost Learner's Permit?

The replacement fee is $9.00. The route depends on your situation.

Update your mailing address with the BMV before completing an eligible online replacement so the new credential is not sent to an old address.

How Do I Replace a Damaged Indiana Learner's Permit?

If the card is damaged and you need another copy, use the BMV replacement process. Eligible customers can request an exact duplicate through myBMV; otherwise, visit a branch. If information on the permit also needs to change, handle it as an amendment rather than a simple duplicate.

Do I Need a Police Report If My Indiana Learner's Permit Was Stolen?

Indiana BMV's published replacement requirements do not list a police report as a condition for replacing a stolen learner's permit. You may still choose to report a theft if other identification or personal information was taken.

In-Person Permit Replacement Requirements for Minors

Bring originals for identity, SSN, lawful status, and two Indiana residency documents. A parent or guardian must be present to sign the application with their own valid photo ID. If upgrading to a Real ID at the same time, also bring a certified birth certificate and Social Security proof.

For an in-person duplicate, bring proofs of identity, Social Security number, lawful status, and Indiana residency. Review full document requirements before your visit.

• If you are not Real ID-compliant, bring two separate Indiana residency documents.
• Minors under 18 must have a parent, guardian, or financially liable adult sign the application in person. The parent must also bring their own valid ID.
• Upgrading to a Real ID requires a certified birth certificate, Social Security proof, and two residency documents.

A 16-year-old in Indianapolis needed a reissued instruction permit. Their mother brought her own driver's license, a utility bill, and the teen's birth certificate to the BMV on Michigan Road to sign the financial liability form.

Can You Drive Legally With a Temporary Indiana BMV Permit?

Yes, but only if you physically have the paper interim permit with you and a qualified supervisor is present. Under Indiana Code 9-24-14, driving without any permit is a Class C infraction with fines up to $500. A phone screenshot of your paid receipt is not a legal substitute.

1. At a branch, you receive an interim paper permit on the spot after paying.
2. Online replacements let you print the interim permit from your myBMV account immediately after payment.
3. The plastic card arrives by mail within 10-14 business days.
4. The paper permit stays valid for 30 days.

At the Evansville BMV, a parent's attempt to handle the replacement application by phone was declined, Indiana requires the minor's in-person presence and the parent's physical signature at the branch. No proxy arrangements exist for permit replacements involving minors. Both parties must appear together.

After completing an online replacement, print two copies of your temporary permit. Keep one in your car and one at home. If you're caught driving without a physical permit, the officer won't accept "I paid for it online" as an excuse.

Does a Replacement Reset Indiana BMV's Permit Expiration Date?

No. A duplicate keeps the existing permit's expiration date and restrictions. Replacing a lost card does not create a new permit term or restart the 180-day holding period.

If the permit itself has expired, it must be renewed rather than simply replaced. If it has been expired for more than 180 days, Indiana requires another knowledge exam before a renewed learner's permit can be issued.

What If I Find My Old Permit After the Replacement Has Been Issued?

Use the newest credential issued by the BMV. Indiana does not publish a separate process that reactivates a previously replaced card, so do not switch back to the old card simply because you found it.

Will Indiana BMV take a new photo when I replace a lost permit? A routine replacement is described by the BMV as an exact duplicate of the most recently issued card, so the existing credential information and photo are normally reused. If you need to change information, you may need a branch amendment instead.