Indiana motorcycle permit test numbers to know

Distances, speeds, limits, fines and deadlines are the questions people miss most, because they have to be memorized. Here are 27 Indiana numbers, grouped and cited, with a free quiz and flashcards to lock them in.

Numbers quiz

12 questions a round from the 16 number questions in our Indiana bank. Questions you miss come back more often in later rounds.

Free and unlimited. Your answers count toward your readiness and mistake review.

Numbers flashcards

16 cards: the question on the front, the number and its source on the back. Swipe right if you knew it.

Each deck starts with 20 free cards. Swipe right if you knew it, left to see it again.

See 3 of the cards

Every Indiana motorcycle number, by topic

Official Indiana laws come first in each group, then the numbers from our handbook questions. Tap a source to read the exact words it comes from.

Alcohol & drugs

8 numbers
NumberWhat it’s aboutSource
0.08%Legal BAC limit for adult driversiga.in.gov
Quote
Sec. 1. (a) A person who operates a vehicle with an alcohol concentration equivalent to at least eight-hundredths (0.08) gram of alcohol but less than fifteen-hundredths (0.15) gram of alcohol per:
0.02%BAC limit for drivers under 21iga.in.gov
Quote
(1) is less than twenty-one (21) years of age; and (2) operates a vehicle with an alcohol concentration equivalent to at least two-hundredths (0.02) gram but less than eight-hundredths (0.08) gram of alcohol per:
0.04%BAC limit in a commercial vehicleiga.in.gov
Quote
Sec. 6. An individual may not operate a commercial motor vehicle with an alcohol concentration equivalent to at least four-hundredths (0.04) gram but less than eight-hundredths (0.08) gram of alcohol per:
180-dayDrunk driving (DUI)A failed chemical test brings a 180-day administrative suspension, and the court may also suspend the licenseiga.in.gov
Quote
(c) If the affidavit under section 8(b) of this chapter states that a chemical test resulted in prima facie evidence that a person was intoxicated, the bureau shall suspend the driving privileges of the person: (1) for one hundred eighty (180) days; or
Under 21, 1-yearDrunk driving (DUI)Under 21 at 0.02 to under 0.08: Class C infraction, and the court may recommend up to a 1-year suspensioniga.in.gov
Quote
(1) is less than twenty-one (21) years of age; and (2) operates a vehicle with an alcohol concentration equivalent to at least two-hundredths (0.02) gram but less than eight-hundredths (0.08) gram of alcohol per:
1 year, 2 yearsDrunk driving (DUI)The BMV suspends your driving privileges for 1 year, or 2 years if you have a previous operating-while-intoxicated convictioniga.in.gov
Quote
(b) A person who operates a vehicle with an alcohol concentration equivalent to at least fifteen-hundredths (0.15) gram of alcohol per: (1) one hundred (100) milliliters of the person's blood; or (2) two hundred ten (210) liters of the person's breath; commits a Class A misdemeanor.
Four hoursA rider has seven drinks over three hours. At least how many more hours should they wait before considering riding?Answer: Four hoursMotorcycle Operator Manual, 21st Edition (Train Smart. Ride Smart.), page 46
Quote
You would need at least another four hours to eliminate the alcohol from the four remaining drinks before you consider riding.
two hoursOn a long trip, how often should you stop and get off the motorcycle to fight fatigue?Answer: At least every two hoursMotorcycle Operator Manual, 21st Edition (Train Smart. Ride Smart.), page 49
Quote
Stop and get off the motorcycle at least every two hours.

Fines, points & penalties

1 number
NumberWhat it’s aboutSource
$19.00What does Indiana charge to add a motorcycle endorsement to your license?Answer: A one-time fee of $19.00Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles website
Quote
There is a one-time fee of $19.00 for motorcycle and for-hire endorsements.

Distances & following gaps

4 numbers
NumberWhat it’s aboutSource
Two secondsUnder normal conditions, what is the minimum following distance when riding behind another vehicle?Answer: Two secondsMotorcycle Operator Manual, 21st Edition (Train Smart. Ride Smart.), page 19
Quote
Normally, a minimum of two seconds distance should be maintained when following a vehicle.
Three secondsThe pavement is slippery and traffic is heavy. What following distance should you open up?Answer: Three seconds or moreMotorcycle Operator Manual, 21st Edition (Train Smart. Ride Smart.), page 20
Quote
If the pavement is slippery, if you cannot see through the vehicle ahead, or if traffic is heavy and someone may squeeze in front of you, open up a three-second or more following distance.
12 secondsHow far ahead should you search for hazards so you have time to prepare before a situation becomes urgent?Answer: About 12 seconds aheadMotorcycle Operator Manual, 21st Edition (Train Smart. Ride Smart.), page 23
Quote
looking ahead to an area it would take about 12 seconds to reach.
one secondIn a staggered group formation, how far behind the leader should the second rider stay?Answer: At least one second, in the right side of the laneMotorcycle Operator Manual, 21st Edition (Train Smart. Ride Smart.), page 42
Quote
the second rider stays at least one second back and rides in the right side of the lane.

Ages, permits & the test

10 numbers
NumberWhat it’s aboutSource
$9Feein.gov
Quote
Learner's permit (driver's or motorcycle) $9.00
16 years, 270 daysMotorcycle permitYou must hold a valid Indiana driver's license (earliest 16 with driver education, or 16 years 270 days without)iga.in.gov
Quote
(A) sixteen (16) years and ninety (90) days of age and has completed a motorcycle operator safety education course approved by the bureau under IC 9-27-7; or (B) sixteen (16) years and two hundred seventy (270) days of age.
5 yearsMotorcycle permitBy law the BMV may not issue more than 3 motorcycle learner's permits to one person within 5 yearsiga.in.gov
Quote
(b) A motorcycle learner's permit expires one (1) year after the date of issuance. The bureau may not issue more than three (3) motorcycle learner's permits to an individual within a five (5) year period.
one yearMotorcycle permitIf the renewed permit expires without an endorsement, you must wait one year before applying for a new permitiga.in.gov
Quote
Sec. 3. (a) The bureau shall issue a motorcycle learner's permit to an individual who meets the following conditions: (1) The individual holds a valid driver's license issued under this article.
one-half hourMotorcycle permitRide only from one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunsetiga.in.gov
Quote
(2) The motorcycle is operated only during the period from one-half (1/2) hour before sunrise to one-half (1/2) hour after sunset. (3) The motorcycle does not carry passengers other than the operator.
One yearHow long is an Indiana motorcycle learner's permit valid?Answer: One yearMotorcycle Operator Manual, 21st Edition (Train Smart. Ride Smart.), page 4
Quote
May operate a motorcycle on public roads for the duration of the one-year permit, under the following restrictions:
Two monthsAfter failing the Indiana motorcycle skills exam three times, how long must you wait before testing again?Answer: Two months from the last failed examMotorcycle Operator Manual, 21st Edition (Train Smart. Ride Smart.), page 5
Quote
After the third failed attempt, the applicant must wait two months from the date of the last failed skills exam before taking another skills exam.
Five hours, 10 hoursWhat does a Ride Safe Indiana basic motorcycle course include?Answer: Five hours of classroom instruction and 10 hours of riding exercisesMotorcycle Operator Manual, 21st Edition (Train Smart. Ride Smart.), page 4
Quote
Five hours of classroom instruction prepares you for 10 hours of practical riding exercises in a controlled, off-street environment.
16 years, 270 daysAccording to the Indiana motorcycle manual, if you skip the safety course, what is the minimum age to earn a motorcycle endorsement through the permit and skills exam route?Answer: 16 years and 270 daysMotorcycle Operator Manual, 21st Edition (Train Smart. Ride Smart.), page 4
Quote
At least 16 years and 270 days of age, and..
At least 45A pavement seam runs parallel to your path and you need to cross it. What angle should you use?Answer: At least 45 degreesMotorcycle Operator Manual, 21st Edition (Train Smart. Ride Smart.), page 35
Quote
move far enough away from tracks, ruts, or pavement seams to cross at an angle of at least 45˚.

Seat belts, lights & equipment

3 numbers
NumberWhat it’s aboutSource
under 18HelmetsOperators and passengers under 18 on a motorcycle or motor driven cycle must wear a helmet meeting U.Siga.in.gov
Quote
(b) An individual less than eighteen (18) years of age who is operating or riding on a motorcycle or motor driven cycle on the streets or highways shall do the following:
Three timesAccording to the manual, how much more likely are helmeted riders to survive head injuries than riders without helmets?Answer: Three times more likelyMotorcycle Operator Manual, 21st Edition (Train Smart. Ride Smart.), page 9
Quote
helmeted riders are three times more likely to survive head injuries than those not wearing helmets at the time of the crash.
five milesAccording to the manual, where do most motorcycle crashes happen?Answer: On short trips of less than five milesMotorcycle Operator Manual, 21st Edition (Train Smart. Ride Smart.), page 9
Quote
Most crashes happen on short trips (less than five miles long), just a few minutes after starting out.

Other numbers

1 number
NumberWhat it’s aboutSource
70%How much of a motorcycle's total stopping power can the front brake provide?Answer: 70% or moreMotorcycle Operator Manual, 21st Edition (Train Smart. Ride Smart.), page 16
Quote
The front brake is more powerful and can provide 70% or more of your total stopping power.

Memory tips

How to study them (our advice, not official rules):

  • Learn the number with its unit and its place. “15 feet from a hydrant” sticks; “15” on its own gets mixed up with 15 mph.
  • Say the answer before you look. Recalling the number yourself is harder than spotting it among four options, and it is what makes it stick.
  • Come back to the ones you miss. The quiz above brings missed questions back more often. Short rounds over several days beat one long session.

Questions about the numbers

What numbers do I need to know for the Indiana motorcycle permit test?

Mostly distances (how close you may park to a hydrant or crosswalk, when to signal, when to dim your high beams), speed limits, blood-alcohol limits, and the ages, hours and deadlines for your permit and license. This page lists 27 of them for Indiana, each with its source.

Why focus on numbers?

A California DMV study of its own knowledge test found that many of the hardest questions “are numerical and have correct answers that must be learned by rote memorization.” Numbers are easy to mix up under pressure, so they are worth drilling on their own.

Where do these numbers come from?

Each one is quoted from the Motorcycle Operator Manual, 21st Edition (Train Smart. Ride Smart.), Indiana statutes or BMV pages. Our build checks that every number on this page appears word for word in the quote it cites.

Is the numbers drill free?

Yes. The table and the numbers quiz are free and unlimited, and so are the first 20 flashcards.

Keep going