Indiana Hardship Licenses,
Specialized Driving Privileges, and
Refusal Suspensions

If you are having problems with your driver’s license and have questions about hardship licenses, specialized driving privileges, or refusal suspensions, call me at 317-695-7700 or email me for a free consultation. I have been a criminal attorney in Indiana for my entire legal career, have almost two decades of experience, and taught criminal law at the IU School of Law.  

• Indiana Driver’s License Suspensions
• Indiana Hardship Licenses and Specialized Driving Privileges
• Factors Considered by Indiana Courts for Hardship Licenses
• Applying for an Indiana Hardship License
• Limitations and Exceptions for Indiana Specialized Driving Privileges
• Contact My Office for a Free Consultation

Indiana Driver’s License Suspensions

Your Indiana driver’s license can be suspended for various reasons, including:

• Conviction for a crime (e.g., DUI, OVWI, drunk driving)
• Accumulating excessive traffic tickets
• Failing to maintain insurance
• Driving on a suspended license
• Being classified as a habitual traffic violator
• Falling behind on child support
• Refusing to submit to a breathalyzer test

Indiana Hardship Licenses and Specialized Driving Privileges

In Indiana, a hardship license, legally referred to as “specialized driving privileges,” is a restricted driver’s license that allows individuals whose driving privileges have been suspended or revoked to drive under specific circumstances. Historically, obtaining a hardship license was challenging, and permitted driving was limited to work-related travel. Recent changes in Indiana law have made specialized driving privileges more accessible, allowing driving for a broader range of purposes, such as:

• Travel to and from work
• Attending school
• Caring for a child or elderly parent
• Visiting the doctor or grocery store
• Attending religious services

To be eligible, your license must have been suspended for reasons such as a DUI conviction, multiple traffic violations, or failure to pay child support, and you must demonstrate a significant hardship requiring driving, such as for employment, childcare, education, or medical needs.

Factors Considered by Indiana Courts for Hardship Licenses

Indiana Courts grant hardship licenses based on several factors, including:

• The reason for the license suspension
• The impact of the suspension on the individual’s life
• The individual’s driving record
• Willingness to obtain insurance (many courts require SR22 $100K/300K insurance)

Your ability to obtain specialized driving privileges depends on your criminal record and case specifics. In most cases I handle, we successfully secure these privileges.

Applying for an Indiana Hardship License

To apply for a hardship license, you must submit a petition to the court in the county where you reside or where your license was suspended. The petition should detail your hardship and reasons for needing the license, supported by documentation such as employment verification or medical records. If approved, the court will issue a hardship license specifying permitted driving purposes, such as work, school, medical appointments, or dependent care.

Note that a hardship license is not guaranteed, and the court may deny your petition if eligibility requirements are not met. Violating the terms of the license can lead to further revocation and penalties.

Limitations and Exceptions for Indiana Specialized Driving Privileges

There are specific limitations to specialized driving privileges:

• Specialized driving privileges cannot be obtained for a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL). There are no exceptions to this rule.
• Indiana courts lack jurisdiction over other states, meaning a specialized driving permit is valid only within Indiana. There are no exceptions to this rule.
• If your license is suspended for refusing a breathalyzer test, obtaining specialized driving privileges is generally not allowed, although there are exceptions to this rule.