You cannot get a license at just 16 years of age in Indiana; you must first have a learner's permit. Once you have carried the permit for a certain amount of time he can apply for a driver's license. If your son carries only a learner's permit then he would have to wait until he is at least 16 years and 180 days old to get a driver's license. If he would have started with an education learner's permit then he could apply for a driver's license when he was at least 16 years and 30 days old.

The Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) issues two different types of learner's permits to individuals who are in the process of learning to drive, one referred to as just the learner's permit and then the driver education learner's permit. The following is information the BMV gives regarding permits and how to apply for a license as a minor in Indiana.

The first learner's permit is for Indiana residents who would like to obtain a driver's license without taking a driver education course. The driver education learner's permit is a limited learner's permit that allows a student driver to enroll in a BMV-approved driver education course.

A learner's permit allows an Indiana resident to practice driving to qualify for an driver's license. To obtain a learner's permit, an applicant must meet the following requirements:

• Be at least 16 years old;
• Present documents of identification proving his or her identity, residency status and Social Security number;
• Pass a written examination based on information contained in the Indiana driver manual; and
• Pass the standard vision screening test.

If you hold a learner's permit, you may not drive alone under any circumstances. If you are younger than 18 years of age, you may practice driving only when a relative with a valid driver's license is seated in your vehicle's front passenger seat. If you are older than 18 years of age, an individual with a valid driver's license must be seated in your vehicle's front passenger seat; however, this individual does not need to be a relative.

A driver education learner's permit is a limited learner's permit that allows a student driver to enroll in a BMV-approved driver education course. To obtain a driver education learner's permit, an applicant must meet the following requirements:

• Be at least 15 years of age;
• Present documents of identification proving his or her identity, residency status and Social Security number;
• Show proof of enrollment in a BMV-approved driver education program by providing the certificate of driver education provided by the school; and
• Pass the standard vision screening test.

If you hold a driver education learner's permit, you may not drive alone under any circumstances. You may practice driving only after you have begun a BMV-approved driver education program. You must be accompanied either by a certified driving instructor in the front passenger seat of a vehicle equipped with a dual brake, or by a parent or guardian with a valid driver's license seated in the front passenger seat of your vehicle.

Once the holder of a driver education learner's permit has successfully completed the driver education program and the driver education instructor validates the permit, the holder may participate in practice driving if a relative with a valid driver's license is seated in the front passenger seat.

A driver education learner's permit is not valid if you do not complete the driver education course or if you do not meet all course requirements. After your 16th birthday, one must visit a license branch to apply for a learner's permit. When your driver education learner's permit expires, all driving privileges expire with it.

To obtain an Indiana driver's license if you hold a learner's permit, you must meet the following requirements:

• Be at least 16 years and 180 days old;
• Hold a valid Indiana learner's permit for 60 days;
• Pass a standard vision screening test;
• Pass a written examination; and
• Pass a roadway skills test (unless you qualify for a roadway skills test waiver).

If you are less than 18 years of age when you apply for a driver's license, you must have a parent or guardian sign the financial responsibility agreement portion of the driver's license application.

To obtain an Indiana driver's license if you hold a driver education learner's permit, you must meet the following requirements:

• Be at least 16 years and 30 days old;
• Hold a valid Indiana driver education learner's permit for 60 days;
• Complete a BMV-approved driver education course;
• Pass a standard vision screening test;
• Pass a written examination; and
• Pass a roadway skills test (unless you qualify for a roadway skills test waiver).

If you are less than 18 years of age when you apply for a driver's license, you must have a parent or guardian sign the financial responsibility agreement portion of the driver's license application. In addition to presenting a valid driver education learner's permit when applying for a driver's license, you must also present certain documents of identification proving your identity, residency status and Social Security number.

So if you son did not enroll in a BMV-approved driver education course and apply for the education learner's permit when he was 15 then it would appear that he would now at age 16 need to apply for the normal learner's permit. He then would practice driving with a relative with a valid driver's license seated next to him in the vehicle's front passenger seat. One must hold a learner's permit for at least 60 days and be 16 years and 180 days old to then apply for a driver's license.

If you have more questions about the licensing process in Indiana contact the BMV. Make sure when your son does start driving with a permit that you inform your insurance company. Many will allow you to wait until he is fully licensed to add him as a driver to the policy however insurance guidelines vary and you will want to make sure he is covered by your car insurance when driving.