Behind The Wheel Driving Academy

06/22/2026

Our hearts go out to everyone in our service area impacted by last night's severe weather; the National Weather Service offers the following tips if you are caught in a tornado while driving:

The least desirable place to be during a tornado is in a motor vehicle. Cars, buses, and trucks are easily tossed by tornado winds.

DO NOT TRY TO OUTRUN A TORNADO IN YOUR CAR. If you see a tornado, stop your vehicle and get out. Do not get under your vehicle. Follow the directions for seeking shelter outdoors, which are:

Avoid areas with many trees.
Avoid vehicles.
Lie down flat in a gully, ditch, or low spot on the ground.
Protect your head with an object or with your arms.

Flooding

Fill your vehicle’s gas tank and make sure the emergency kit for your car is ready in case you need to evacuate during a flood. As a reminder, a vehicle is not a safe place during flooding. Seek higher ground. Moving water can and will float a vehicle.

Also, remind teen drivers to stay aware of potential severe weather and have a secure way of receiving alerts before starting out!

06/15/2026

⚠️📄 In case you missed our blast email several days ago, just a reminder that if you go to the BMV WITHOUT the required paperwork for your license, you WILL NOT receive your license! BTW students, you can find all the details of what is required to get your license--and how to receive your final paperwork--under the "Program Info" link in your online portal; please read it carefully and be sure you have everything you need BEFORE you go‼️

06/04/2026

🤹‍♂️➡️ Between sports, activities, jobs, etc., teens today "juggle" a lot of commitments, which often leaves them little time to complete driver's ed requirements. While all of these things are important, it's also important to remember that driving is a skill that lasts a lifetime; and getting your license can actually help you better manage everything you're involved in. We encourage all of our students to take this program as seriously as your other commitments...the result will benefit you for many years to come! 🚗💨

05/21/2026

The BTW office will be closed Monday, May 25 for the Memorial Day holiday and will reopen at 9 am (Central time) on Tuesday, May 26. Weekend drives will continue as scheduled; if you need to cancel a scheduled drive, please leave a voicemail message at 812-402-7058. When the office is closed, voicemail is monitored for drive cancelations only; for all other needs, please call back during office hours, thanks!

04/30/2026

👉🗣️ With all the chatter about the new license age in Indiana right now, here's some throwback Thursday facts on the history of getting a license:

🔑Key Milestones:
1903: Massachusetts and Missouri were the first to require licenses, though no exam was needed.
1908: Rhode Island became the first state to require a driver’s exam.
1913: New Jersey became the first state to require both a written exam and a road test.
1930s: By 1930, only 24 states required a license, and only 15 required exams.
1954: South Dakota was the final state to implement mandatory licensing.
1959: All states officially required a driver’s exam prior to licensing. 🚗💨

04/23/2026

📲🚘 We have been receiving more calls lately from students/parents enrolled with other driving schools, asking if they can do their drive sessions with us to complete them sooner. While we would love to accommodate everyone, we are busy and booked every day of the year with our own students and cannot take on anyone already enrolled with a different school that provides drives. Please feel free to call our office if you have any questions about this policy! ✅

04/16/2026

🚫🚘 With all the excitement about Indiana teens being able to get a license at age 16 starting July 1, 2026, it's important to remember that there are still several restrictions for those with a probationary license, including (from the Indiana BMV website):

* You may not use any type of telecommunication device while driving except to make emergency 911 calls.

* You may not drive between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. for 180 days after getting your license. After you have driven for 180 days, and until you become 18 years of age, you may not drive during the following hours: Saturday and Sunday, between 1 a.m. and 5 a.m.;
Sunday through Thursday, after 11 p.m.; Monday through Friday, before 5 a.m. (You may drive at any time if you are traveling to or from work, a school-sanctioned activity, or a religious event; or if you are accompanied by an individual in the front seat of the vehicle with valid driving privileges who is at least 25 years of age or a spouse with valid driving privileges at least 21 years of age.)

* You may not drive with passengers for 180 days after getting your probationary license, unless you are also accompanied in the front seat by a licensed instructor, an individual with a valid driver’s license who is at least 25 years of age or a spouse who is at least 21 years of age. You may transport your child, stepchild, sibling, step or half sibling or spouse during the hours allowed by law without another accompanying individual.

Violating any of these restrictions could result in the license being revoked. Be smart and be safe! ✅

04/08/2026

‼️🆕 A new law has been signed lowering the age for an Indiana driver's license to 16, EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2026 (no one can get a license at age 16 before July 1.) You must have completed a FULL program of driver education, held your permit for at least 180 days, and have documented 40 hours of daytime driving and 10 hours of nighttime driving (and you must turn in proof to the BMV when you go to get your license.) If you choose not to complete these requirements, you are not eligible until age 16 and 270 days.

While we realize that students are excited about driving sooner, it's important that parents understand that the age was originally raised to provide additional practice time for students to become safe and confident drivers, resulting in fewer teen accidents and fatalities. Before your child rushes to get their license, be sure they have the emotional maturity and ability to drive alone, and will take this significant responsibility seriously. Safety has always been Behind The Wheel's number one priority and that will never change, regardless of the license eligibility age! 🚘

04/02/2026

03/26/2026

❓Regarding the new proposed license age in Indiana (and nothing is official until it's signed into law by the Governor): unfortunately, we have not yet received any information from the BMV explaining if the new eligible age will be exactly 16, 16 and one month, etc. We also have no clue as to whether this will apply retroactively to current students, or will only apply to those starting driver's ed on July 1, 2026.

We promise to share all the details just as soon as the State shares them with us ✅ Stay tuned!