Indiana’s Application For 30 Day Hunter’s Permit (State Form 56624) is a specialized temporary permit application designed exclusively for owner-operators of commercial motor vehicles who need limited authorization to move their vehicle at unladen (empty) weight while searching for employment opportunities. The permit carries a ten-dollar fee and is valid for thirty days from the date specified on the application. This is not a general operating permit—it serves a very specific and restricted purpose under Indiana motor carrier regulations. The Hunter’s permit is issued only to individuals who are simultaneously both the owner and the operator of the vehicle being permitted, meaning you cannot obtain this permit if you are leasing your vehicle to another operator, or if you are merely an operator of someone else’s vehicle. The Indiana Department of Revenue, through its Motor Carrier Services division, issues these permits strictly to qualified owner-operators who need temporary movement authority while actively seeking work, hauling contracts, or employment that will require full registration and permitting. Violating the limited authorization granted by this permit—such as using it to haul cargo, operate outside the owner-operator restriction, or use the vehicle for purposes other than seeking employment at unladen weight—can result in significant penalties including monetary fines, impoundment of all vehicles found in violation, and revocation of any and all operating permits the Department has issued to you. Understanding these restrictions is critical before you complete the application, because signing the form constitutes a legal declaration under penalty of perjury that you will use the permit only as authorized.
How To File The Indiana 30 Day Hunter’s Permit Application
You have two options for submitting your completed application: online submission or mail submission. Both methods require payment of the ten-dollar permit fee. For online submission, visit the Indiana Department of Revenue’s Motor Carrier Services portal and follow the electronic filing instructions. For mail submission, send your completed application form along with a check or money order made payable to the Indiana Department of Revenue to the following address: Indiana Department of Revenue, Motor Carrier Services – Attn: IRP Unit, 7811 Milhouse Road, Suite M, Indianapolis, IN 46241-9612. Do not send cash through the mail. If you have questions about the application process, eligibility requirements, or permit restrictions, contact Motor Carrier Services by calling 317-615-7200 during business hours.
How to Complete Indiana Application For 30 Day Hunter’s Permit
Begin Date
Enter the date you want the thirty-day permit period to start. Use a standard date format such as MM/DD/YYYY or spell out the month to avoid confusion. This is the first day your permit will be valid, so choose a date that makes sense for your employment-seeking timeline. The permit will expire exactly thirty days from this begin date, so plan accordingly. You cannot backdate this permit—choose a begin date that is either today’s date or a future date when you actually need the permit to be active.
Owner/Lessor Name
Enter the full legal name of the person or entity that owns the vehicle. If you are an individual owner-operator, enter your full legal name exactly as it appears on your driver’s license or other legal identification. If the vehicle is owned by a business entity such as a corporation or LLC, enter the complete legal business name. Do not use nicknames, shortened names, or informal business names. If you are leasing the vehicle from someone else (meaning you do not own it), you are not eligible for the Hunter’s permit because the permit is issued only to individuals who are both owner and operator.
Lessee (If Applicable)
This field should remain blank for Hunter’s permit applications. The Hunter’s permit is designed specifically for owner-operators, which means the person who owns the vehicle must also be the person operating it. If there is a lessee—someone leasing the vehicle from the owner—then the applicant is not both owner and operator, and therefore does not qualify for this permit. Leave this field empty unless instructed otherwise by Motor Carrier Services.
Address
Enter the complete street address where the owner/lessor is located. This should be a physical street address, not a post office box. Include the street number, street name, and any apartment, suite, or unit number if applicable. This address should match the address on file with your vehicle registration and other Department of Revenue records.
City
Enter the city name that corresponds to the address you provided in the previous field. Spell out the city name completely and correctly.
State
Enter the two-letter abbreviation for the state where the address is located. For Indiana addresses, enter “IN.” If the owner lives outside Indiana but is registering a vehicle for Indiana operation, enter the appropriate state abbreviation.
ZIP Code
Enter the five-digit ZIP code for the address you provided. If you know the ZIP+4 (nine-digit) code, you may include it, but the five-digit code is sufficient. Make sure the ZIP code matches the city and state you entered.
Contact Name
Enter the full name of the person who should be contacted if the Department has questions about this application or needs to communicate about the permit. This may be the same person listed as the owner, or it may be an authorized agent, office manager, or other representative. Use the person’s full legal name for clarity.
Contact Address
Enter the complete mailing address where the contact person can receive correspondence. If this is the same as the owner’s address, you may write “Same as above” or re-enter the full address. If different, provide the complete street address, including any suite or unit numbers.
Contact City
Enter the city name for the contact address. If the contact address is the same as the owner address, this will be the same city you already entered.
Contact State
Enter the two-letter state abbreviation for the contact address.
Contact ZIP Code
Enter the five-digit ZIP code (or nine-digit ZIP+4 if known) for the contact address.
Contact Telephone Number
Enter a telephone number where the contact person can be reached during business hours. Include the area code and use a format like (317) 555-1234 or 317-555-1234. Provide a number that is actively monitored, as the Department may call with questions or updates about your permit application.
Contact Email Address
Enter a valid, actively monitored email address for the contact person. The Department may use this email address to communicate about your application or send permit-related information. Make sure the email address is spelled correctly and that you check it regularly.
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
Enter the complete 17-character Vehicle Identification Number for the vehicle you want to operate under the Hunter’s permit. The VIN is typically found on the vehicle’s title, registration card, insurance documents, or on a metal plate on the dashboard visible through the windshield. Enter all 17 characters exactly as they appear, with no spaces or dashes. The VIN uniquely identifies your specific vehicle, so accuracy is critical.
License Plate Number
Enter the current license plate number assigned to the vehicle. Include all letters and numbers exactly as they appear on the plate. If the vehicle does not currently have a plate because you are in the process of registering it, enter “NONE” or “N/A” and be prepared to explain this when submitting the application.
State Registered In
Enter the two-letter abbreviation for the state where the vehicle is currently registered or titled. If the vehicle is registered in Indiana, enter “IN.” If it is registered in another state but you are applying for Indiana operating authority, enter that state’s abbreviation.
Vehicle Year
Enter the model year of the vehicle as shown on the title or registration. Use a four-digit year format such as 2018, 2020, or 2024.
Make
Enter the manufacturer or make of the vehicle, such as Freightliner, Peterbilt, Kenworth, International, Volvo, Mack, or Ford. Spell the manufacturer name correctly and use the full name rather than abbreviations when possible.
Type
Enter the type or body style of the vehicle. Common entries include “Tractor,” “Straight Truck,” “Truck,” “Semi-Tractor,” or “Commercial Vehicle.” Be specific and accurate based on how the vehicle is classified on its title or registration.
Unit Number
If you assign fleet numbers or unit numbers to your vehicles for internal tracking purposes, enter that number here. If you only own one vehicle or do not use a unit numbering system, you may leave this field blank or enter “N/A.”
Insurance Company Name
Enter the full legal name of the insurance company that provides liability coverage for the vehicle. This should match the name shown on your insurance policy documents. Do not use agent names or agency names—use the actual insurance carrier name such as “Progressive Commercial,” “State Farm,” or “The Hartford.”
Policy Number
Enter the policy number exactly as it appears on your insurance policy or certificate of insurance. This is typically an alphanumeric string that uniquely identifies your insurance policy. Double-check for accuracy, as the Department may verify your insurance information.
Declaration And Signature Section
This section contains a legal declaration you must read carefully before signing. The declaration states that under penalty of perjury, you declare that you have examined this thirty-day Hunter’s permit application and that to the best of your knowledge and belief it is true, correct, and complete. You are also declaring that you will distribute (use) the thirty-day Hunter’s permit issued to you by the Indiana Department of Revenue only in vehicles that you are personally operating or causing to be operated. This means you cannot transfer the permit to another driver or use it in a vehicle you are not operating yourself. Violating this declaration can result in perjury charges in addition to permit revocation and fines.
Taxpayer Or Authorized Agent Signature
Sign your full legal signature on this line. If you are the owner-operator applying for the permit, you should sign here. If you are an authorized agent acting on behalf of the owner-operator (such as a legal representative or someone with power of attorney), you may sign, but you must have proper legal authorization to do so. The signature certifies that all information on the application is true and complete.
Date
Enter the date you are signing the application. Use a consistent date format such as MM/DD/YYYY or spell out the month. This date may be the same as or different from the “Begin Date” you entered at the top of the form—the signature date is when you completed and signed the application, while the begin date is when you want the permit to become active.
Typed Or Printed Name
Print or type your full legal name clearly and legibly. This should match the signature you provided and should be the name of the person who signed the application. If you are an authorized agent, enter your name, not the owner’s name (the owner’s name is already listed in the Owner/Lessor field).
Title
Enter your title or role in relation to this application. If you are the owner-operator, you may enter “Owner-Operator,” “Owner,” or “Operator.” If you are an authorized agent, enter your title such as “Agent,” “Attorney,” “Fleet Manager,” or “Authorized Representative.”
Telephone Number
Enter a telephone number where you (the person signing the application) can be reached. This may be the same as the contact telephone number you entered earlier, or it may be a different number if you are an agent or representative. Include the area code and use a standard format.
Important Restrictions And Warnings
The thirty-day Hunter’s permit is a limited permit that authorizes you only to move your vehicle at unladen weight (empty, with no cargo) while searching for employment. You cannot use this permit to haul freight, transport goods, or conduct regular business operations. The permit is strictly for owner-operators—you must be both the owner and the operator of the vehicle. You cannot obtain this permit if you are leasing your vehicle to someone else or if you are operating someone else’s vehicle. Any violation of these strict authorization limits may subject you to fines, impoundment of all vehicles in violation, and revocation of all operating permits issued by the Department. Make your check or money order payable to the Indiana Department of Revenue—do not make it payable to any individual or other entity.
What Happens After You Submit Your Application
Once the Department receives your completed application and payment, they will process your request and issue the thirty-day Hunter’s permit if you meet all eligibility requirements. The permit will be valid for exactly thirty days from the begin date you specified. You must keep the permit in the vehicle at all times while operating under its authority, and you must comply with all restrictions. If you are stopped by law enforcement or inspected by motor carrier enforcement officials, you must be able to present the valid Hunter’s permit and demonstrate that you are operating within its restrictions (unladen weight, owner-operator status, seeking employment). If your situation changes and you obtain employment or need to haul cargo, you must immediately cease using the Hunter’s permit and obtain proper full-registration and operating authority.
Who Qualifies For The 30 Day Hunter’s Permit
To qualify for the thirty-day Hunter’s permit, you must meet all of the following requirements: you must be both the owner and operator of the vehicle (owner-operator status), you must be actively seeking employment for yourself and your vehicle, you must operate the vehicle only at unladen (empty) weight with no cargo, and you must not have any disqualifying violations or revoked permits. If you do not meet all of these requirements, you are not eligible for the Hunter’s permit and should not submit this application. Contact Motor Carrier Services at 317-615-7200 if you have questions about whether you qualify.