1. (a) The bureau shall issue a learner's permit to an individual who satisfies the following conditions:

   1. (1) Makes a proper application in the form and manner prescribed by the bureau.
   2. (2) Except as provided in subsection (d), pays a fee under subsection (b) or (c), as applicable.

   3. (3) If less than eighteen (18) years of age:

      1. (A) is not ineligible under IC 9-24-2-1 ; and
      2. (B) provides the bureau with an emergency contact person (as defined by IC 9-26-2-5 ) who is not the individual who holds the learner's permit to be listed in the Indiana emergency contact data base described in IC 9-26-10-1 for the individual who holds the learner's permit.
   4. (4) Has passed a written examination as required under IC 9-24-10 .

   5. (5) Either:

      1. (A) is at least sixteen (16) years of age; or
      2. (B) if at least fifteen (15) years of age but less than sixteen (16) years of age, is enrolled in an approved driver education course.

2. (b) The fee for a learner's permit issued before January 1, 2017, is nine dollars and fifty cents ($9.50). The fee shall be distributed as follows:

   1. (1) Fifty cents ($0.50) to the motor vehicle highway account.
   2. (2) Fifty cents ($0.50) to the state motor vehicle technology fund.
   3. (3) Two dollars ($2) to the crossroads 2000 fund.
   4. (4) One dollar and seventy-five cents ($1.75) to the emergency communications fund.
   5. (5) Four dollars and seventy-five cents ($4.75) to the commission fund.

3. (c) The fee for a learner's permit issued after December 31, 2016, is nine dollars ($9). The fee shall be distributed as follows:

   1. (1) Twenty-five cents ($0.25) to the motor vehicle highway account.
   2. (2) Fifty cents ($0.50) to the state motor vehicle technology fund.
   3. (3) Two dollars ($2) to the crossroads 2000 fund.
   4. (4) One dollar and twenty-five cents ($1.25) to the emergency communications fund.
   5. (5) Five dollars ($5) to the commission fund.

4. (d) A fee described in subsection (a) may not be charged to an individual who:

   1. (1) is under the care and supervision of the department of child services; or

   2. (2) represents, pursuant to IC 31-36-3-4 (b), a homeless youth (as defined in IC 31-36-3-4 ) and presents a fee and consent waiver affidavit described in IC 31-36-3-4 (c);

      and meets all other requirements for a learner's permit under IC 9-24 .

      [Pre-1991 Recodification Citations: 9-1-4-29(a) part; 9-1-4-29(d); 9-1-4-33(b); Pre-2016 Revision Citation: 9-29-9-1.]

As added by P.L.2-1991, SEC.12. Amended by P.L.101-2009, SEC.6; P.L.145-2011, SEC.15; P.L.125-2012, SEC.196; P.L.198-2016, SEC.454; P.L.116-2017, SEC.3; P.L.256-2017, SEC.168; P.L.155-2019, SEC.2; P.L.174-2023, SEC.1; P.L.152-2026, SEC.124.