Schedule Your Appointment – Indiana BMV
The Indiana BMV can be a place of extraordinarily long wait times and huge crowds of impatient people. It doesn’t always have to be this way, though: in many cases, you can actually schedule an appointment, which means you can bypass all the unnecessary waiting. All you need is a computer with Internet access and a good idea of what your schedule will be like on the day that you plan to visit the BMV. This feature can make your visit easy and straightforward, even during the busiest hours.
How Do I Book an Appointment?
Currently, 73 of Indiana’s BMV branch offices offer patrons the option to book appointments for many of the services they offer. The bookings can be done in minutes online, and you will be emailed a confirmation which you need to print out and bring with you to the BMV. By showing this confirmation at the BMV, you will not have to take a number and wait in line like everyone else. These appointments can be made anywhere from two days to two weeks in advance, so you can plan around your busy schedule well ahead of time.
For What Services Can I Book an Appointment?
While making an appointment is an extremely convenient option, not all BMV services can be scheduled ahead of time. At the moment, participating branches will allow you to book appointments for any of the following services:
- Renewing or changing an existing driver’s license
- Renewing or changing an existing ID card
- Registering your Indiana vehicle (or up to three vehicles)
- Titling an Indiana vehicle or watercraft
It’s important to note that, you can only perform up to five of the above services in a single appointment, so plan accordingly.
This means that you cannot make an appointment for things like applying for a new driver’s license, getting your license reinstated, taking a written exam, or handling an out-of-state registration. Regardless, a lot of time is saved by using the appointment services available to you here.
Scheduling a road test has its own process, and must be done on a separate part of the Indiana BMV website.
What Do I Do for Services I Can’t Schedule in Advance?
If you can’t book an appointment, it is recommended that you try to schedule your visit to the BMV at a time when it is less likely to be crowded with people. Statistically, the BMV is most busy during:
- The beginning and end of the week or month
- Right before or after a holiday
- Lunch hour, around noon
Your smartest option is to go during:
- The morning hours, as close to opening hour as possible
- The middle of the week, Tuesday to Thursday
- The middle of the month
You’ll save a considerable amount of time if you make these smart decisions and plan accordingly.
Or, if you’re able, you can eschew all the branch offices entirely and complete your services online. The BMV offers a large amount of online services. You can renew your important documents, and even update your legal name or address directly on the BMV website, so you might not even have to go to the office at all!
