Indiana statute

Ind. Code § 9-24-18-1 — Driving without a license

Current through 2026 Regular Session

Part of Chapter 18: General Penalty Provisions, Indiana Code.

Criminal charges under this statute

Driving without a license

Full text of Ind. Code § 9-24-18-1

Statutory text current through the 2026 Regular Session. This publication reproduces the official statutory text; it is not the official statutes of the State of Indiana.

Ind. Code § 9-24-18-1Primary source, current through the 2026 Regular Session

Sec. 1. (a) An individual, except an individual exempted under IC 9-24-1-7 , who knowingly or intentionally operates a motor vehicle upon a highway and has never received a valid driver's license commits a Class C misdemeanor. However, the offense is a: (1) Class A misdemeanor if the individual has a prior unrelated conviction under this section; (2) Class A misdemeanor if the operation of the motor vehicle results in bodily injury; (3) Level 6 felony if the operation of the motor vehicle results in serious bodily injury; or (4) Level 5 felony if the operation of the motor vehicle results in the death or catastrophic injury of another person. (b) In a prosecution under this section, the burden is on the defendant to prove by a preponderance of the evidence that the defendant: (1) had been issued a driver's license or permit that was valid; or (2) was operating a motor driven cycle; at the time of the alleged offense. However, it is not a defense under subdivision (2) if the defendant was operating the motor driven cycle in violation of IC 9-21-11-12 . [Pre-1991 Recodification Citation: 9-1-4-26.5.]

Official sources

Legal terms used in this section

Questions this section answers

Is driving without a license a felony or a misdemeanor in Indiana?

It depends on the circumstances: driving without a license ranges from a Class C Misdemeanor to a Level 5 Felony in Indiana under Ind. Code § 9-24-18-1.

Base offense - never licensed: Class C Misdemeanor (Ind. Code § 9-24-18-1(a)) · Prior unrelated conviction: Class A Misdemeanor (Ind. Code § 9-24-18-1(a)) · Operation results in bodily injury: Class A Misdemeanor (Ind. Code § 9-24-18-1(a)) · Operation results in serious bodily injury: Level 6 Felony (Ind. Code § 9-24-18-1(a)) · Operation results in death or catastrophic injury: Level 5 Felony (Ind. Code § 9-24-18-1(a))

Which Indiana statute covers driving without a license?

Driving without a license is governed by Ind. Code § 9-24-18-1 (Driving without a license).

This reference is informational and is not legal advice.