Sec. 3.5. (a) If a court imposes a suspension of driving privileges under IC 9-21-5-11(f), the court may stay the suspension and grant a specialized driving privilege as set forth in this section.

     (b) Except as provided in subsection (g), specialized driving privileges granted under this section shall be granted for a period of time as determined by the court. A court, at its discretion, may set periodic review hearings to review an individual’s specialized driving privileges.

Terms Used In Indiana Code 9-30-16-3.5

  • Attorney: includes a counselor or other person authorized to appear and represent a party in an action or special proceeding. See Indiana Code 1-1-4-5
  • Conviction: A judgement of guilt against a criminal defendant.
  • Judgment: means all final orders, decrees, and determinations in an action and all orders upon which executions may issue. See Indiana Code 1-1-4-5
  • Verified: when applied to pleadings, means supported by oath or affirmation in writing. See Indiana Code 1-1-4-5
     (c) Specialized driving privileges granted under this section:

(1) must be determined by a court; and

(2) are limited to restricting the individual to being allowed to operate a motor vehicle between the place of employment of the individual and the individual’s residence.

     (d) An individual who has been granted specialized driving privileges under this section shall:

(1) maintain proof of future financial responsibility insurance during the period of specialized driving privileges;

(2) carry a copy of the order granting specialized driving privileges or have the order in the vehicle being operated by the individual;

(3) produce the copy of the order granting specialized driving privileges upon the request of a police officer; and

(4) carry a validly issued driver’s license.

     (e) An individual who holds a commercial driver’s license and has been granted specialized driving privileges under this chapter may not, for the duration of the suspension for which the specialized driving privileges are sought, operate a motor vehicle that requires the individual to hold a commercial driver’s license to operate the motor vehicle.

     (f) An individual who seeks specialized driving privileges must file a petition for specialized driving privileges in each court that has ordered or imposed a suspension of the individual’s driving privileges. Each petition must:

(1) be verified by the petitioner;

(2) state the petitioner’s age, date of birth, and address;

(3) state the grounds for relief and the relief sought;

(4) be filed in the court that ordered or imposed the suspension; and

(5) be served on the bureau and the prosecuting attorney.

A prosecuting attorney shall appear on behalf of the bureau to respond to a petition filed under this subsection.

     (g) Whenever a suspension of an individual’s driving privileges under this chapter is terminated because:

(1) the underlying conviction, judgment, or finding that forms the basis of the suspension is reversed, vacated, or dismissed; or

(2) the individual is acquitted of, found not liable for, or otherwise found not to have committed the underlying act or offense that forms the basis of the suspension;

the individual’s specialized driving privileges expire at the time the suspension of the individual’s driving privileges is terminated.

     (h) The court shall inform the bureau of a termination of a suspension of driving privileges and expiration of specialized driving privileges as described under subsection (g) in a format designated by the bureau.

As added by P.L.41-2016, SEC.5. Amended by P.L.85-2017, SEC.41; P.L.46-2018, SEC.4; P.L.29-2020, SEC.3.