Are you asked to submit your Indiana driving record to an auto insurance company?
Maybe you’re applying for a CDL and need to present your driving record.
Or, maybe you’re just interested to see how many points you’ve accumulated.
Whatever the case, you’ll need to get hold of your Indiana driving record.
But how do you do that?
That’s what we’re here for.
Today, we’ll give you a complete guide on how to get an Indiana driving record. We’ll include all the ways you can get it, all the steps, as well as all the details.
This way, you’ll know exactly what you need to do.
Plus, we’ll look at ways to improve it if it is less than ideal.
So let’s begin.
Types of Driving Records in Indiana
There are 2 types of driving records available at the BMV — the VDR and the ODR. Knowing which one you need is crucial because both are used for different purposes.
Let’s see the difference between these 2 types of Indiana driving records.
The VDR
The Viewable Driver Record (VDR) is a copy that you can view for FREE. It’s what you get if you want to check your record from time to time.
The ODR
If an employer, company, BMV, court, etc., requests a copy of your driving record, you should get an Official Driving Record (ODR). It’s a certified copy released by the BMV and comes with a certification letter.
Unlike the VDR, it’s for official use. You must purchase an ODR from the BMV.
How to Get Your Driving Record in Indiana
Good news Hoosiers!
You can get a copy of your driving record through several channels — online, by mail, or in person.
Now, we’re going to detail the steps to getting your Indiana driving record through all 3 channels.
Getting Your Indiana Driving Record Online
As with most things, the online option is always the most convenient.
And, you’ll be happy to know that you can get both a VDR and ODR through this channel.
Here are the steps to do that:
- Log onto your myBMV account. You can easily create one if you don’t have one yet.
- For a VDR, you can simply view it for FREE.
- For an ODR, you must purchase it for $4. Simply click “Purchase, Download, and Print Your ODR” and follow the online prompts.
As easy and convenient as that!
However, you should note that the site isn’t available 24/7. It undergoes regular maintenance from 5 am to 10 pm EDT every Sunday.
So if you need a copy of your driving record during the weekend, it’s best to do it on a Saturday. Otherwise, you’ll have to wait until Monday (or late Sunday night) to complete your transaction.
Getting Your Indiana Driving Record By Mail
If you don’t have access to the internet or your driver’s license number (a requirement for online requests), an alternative method is by mail.
Sure, it might not be as convenient as online requests, but it’s still less hassle than going to a BMV office.
Also, for mail requests, you can only get your ODR.
That said, here are the steps to getting your Indiana driving record by mail:
- Download and complete the Request for Certified Records (Form 53789)
- Make a cashier’s check, business check, or money order of $4
- Put the form and payment in an envelope and send it to:
Bureau of Motor Vehicles
Attn: Records Request
100 N. Senate Avenue, Rm N412
Indianapolis, IN 46204
- Wait 2 to 4 weeks for your Indiana driving record to arrive via mail
Now, when filling out the form, keep the following things in mind:
- You can only use blue or black ink.
- You must fill out all five sections of the form. Leaving any of them blank or incomplete may result in the BMV returning your request.
- The most common mode of payment is through money orders, cashiers, or business checks. Ensure these are payable to the Indiana BMV.
NOTE: Only requestors with an Indiana BMV record can use personal checks to pay.
Getting Your Indiana Driving Records In Person
Again, if you don’t have access to your driver’s license number or the internet, then you can get your Indiana driving record in person, too.
However, this channel is mostly used if you are getting someone else’s driving record.
The steps are similar to requesting by mail, but there are a few differences. Let’s see this:
- Make an appointment at a BMV office. You could also walk in. But to be extra sure, call the BMV office you plan to go to.
- Go to your selected BMV office
- Complete the Request for Certified Records (Form 53789)
- Submit the form, a valid ID, and the appropriate payment.
Even though we say it’s the most “hassle” channel, it’s still pretty easy.
How to Improve Your Indiana Driving Record
So you now have a copy of your driving record. You take a look at it and see that it isn’t the cleanest.
You’re in luck — there are several things you can do to improve it (or keep it as it is).
- Attend a Driver Safety Program. Indiana is one of the states with a point reduction program in place. The BMV applies a 4-point credit to your record upon completion of a Driver Safety Program.
However, the BMV can only apply credit once every 3 years. So you can’t rely on it solely to improve your records.
- Increase your awareness of traffic signs. These signs are present for a reason, and not complying with them will result in additional points.
- Avoid distracted driving. Taking your focus off the road to do other things while driving may not only earn you additional points, but it might also result in an accident.
- Practice defensive driving. You may be doing your best to follow Indiana’s road rules, but you can’t speak for other motorists on the road. The next best thing is to prevent accidents by spotting hazards early and taking precautions.
- Don’t drink and drive. A DUI doesn’t just give you 10 points on your record — it can also stay on your record for the next 5 to 10 years.
Want to improve your Indiana driving record? Then attend a Driver Safety Program.
Want to stop points from being added to your Indiana driving record? Then avoid everything else we mentioned above.
Understanding the Point System in Indiana
Point violations on your driving record don’t just cause higher insurance premiums — they may bring you closer to losing your driver’s license.
Each time you commit a traffic violation, you get a specific amount of points on your license. Unfortunately, when you hit 20 points, your license gets suspended for a month (and that’s the lowest penalty!)
To give you an idea of how many points you get for certain violations, here’s a quick guide.
2-Point Violations:
- Driving 1 to 15 mph over the speed limit
- Driving below the speed limit
- Not using your headlights
- Not dimming lights when approaching oncoming traffic
- Failure to signal
- Broken brake or signal lights
4-Point Violations:
- Driving 16 to 25 mph above the speed limit
- Making an illegal U-turn
- Making an unsafe maneuver across lanes
- Wearing improper motorcycle headgear
- Failure to stop or yield at corresponding signs
- Illegal passing
- Sending an email or text while driving
6-point Violations:
- BAC levels between 0.02% and 0.08% for drivers under 21
- Reckless driving
- Driving 25 mph or more above the speed limit
- Not yielding to an emergency vehicle
- Tailgating
- Disobeying a police officer
8-Point Violations:
- Damaging property due to reckless driving
- Reckless driving in a work zone
- Passing a school bus while it’s extending its stop sign or while its loading or unloaded
- Leaving the scene of an accident
- Driving with a suspended license
- Aggressive driving
- Drag racing
10-Point Violations:
- Causing injury due to reckless driving
- Causing injury (or a fatality) while driving with a suspended license
- Causing injury (or a fatality) while impaired
You’ll lose your driving privileges after accumulating 20 points. For each additional 2 points, you earn another month of suspension.
Worst-case scenario, you lose your license for one year if you have 42 points.
Wrapping Things Up
That was how to get your Indiana driving record.
As you can see, the Indiana BMV makes sure that it’s very easy to access this. You can even view it for FREE.
But if you need it for official use, then you will have to pay a fee. Still, though, it’s very easy to get your ODR, too.
So if you need your VDR or ODR, you now know what you need to do to get hold of it.
And if you see that your record isn’t as clean as you’d like, then you can start improving it or making sure it doesn’t get even worse.