It is vitally important for a teen driver to be well versed about driver education and proper driving techniques before being granted a license, which is why the state mandates that you first receive the proper instruction.
If you're younger than 16 and wish to start driving, you face the additional requirement of taking the driver's education program given by your high school.
If you don't want to take the class through your high school, however, you may fulfill this requirement instead by taking a program from one of the many approved driver education schools located throughout Indiana.
You'll need to have a minimum of 30 hours of classroom instruction and six hours of road experience.
As an incentive to excel in these education programs, if you receive at least a "B" in both the classroom and road segments, you will not have to take the road test that is normally required to obtain your license. This applies as long as your school participates in the waiver program.
Of course, you will need to pass the multiple-choice written test before you can get your regular permit. You will be quizzed on Indiana traffic laws and signs, driving maneuvers and safe driving techniques.
You can get the knowledge you'll need to pass the test by thoroughly studying the Indiana Driver Manual. Pick up a copy at any license agency, or just download it. It may not be the most exciting book you'll ever read, but it is loaded with vital information that you'll need to be familiar with for the rest of your life.