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.
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Numbers flashcards
16 cards: the question on the front, the number and its source on the back. Swipe right if you knew it.
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See 3 of the cards
Alcohol & drugs
A rider has seven drinks over three hours. At least how many more hours should they wait before considering riding?
Four hours
With seven drinks over three hours, at least four drinks remain at the end (7 - 3 = 4).
Motorcycle Operator Manual, 21st Edition (Train Smart. Ride Smart.), page 46
Fines, points & penalties
What does Indiana charge to add a motorcycle endorsement to your license?
A one-time fee of $19.00
Indiana charges a one-time $19.00 fee when the motorcycle endorsement is first added.
Distances & following gaps
Under normal conditions, what is the minimum following distance when riding behind another vehicle?
Two seconds
Normally keep at least two seconds behind the vehicle ahead. Motorcycles need as much distance to stop as cars, and the gap also gives a better view of potholes and hazards.
Motorcycle Operator Manual, 21st Edition (Train Smart. Ride Smart.), page 19
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
| Number | What it’s about | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 0.08% | Legal BAC limit for adult drivers | iga.in.govQuoteSec. 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 21 | iga.in.govQuote(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 vehicle | iga.in.govQuoteSec. 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-day | Drunk driving (DUI)A failed chemical test brings a 180-day administrative suspension, and the court may also suspend the license | iga.in.govQuote(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-year | Drunk driving (DUI)Under 21 at 0.02 to under 0.08: Class C infraction, and the court may recommend up to a 1-year suspension | iga.in.govQuote(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 years | Drunk driving (DUI)The BMV suspends your driving privileges for 1 year, or 2 years if you have a previous operating-while-intoxicated conviction | iga.in.govQuote(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 hours | A rider has seven drinks over three hours. At least how many more hours should they wait before considering riding?Answer: Four hours | Motorcycle Operator Manual, 21st Edition (Train Smart. Ride Smart.), page 46QuoteYou would need at least another four hours to eliminate the alcohol from the four remaining drinks before you consider riding. |
| two hours | On a long trip, how often should you stop and get off the motorcycle to fight fatigue?Answer: At least every two hours | Motorcycle Operator Manual, 21st Edition (Train Smart. Ride Smart.), page 49QuoteStop and get off the motorcycle at least every two hours. |
Fines, points & penalties
1 number
| Number | What it’s about | Source |
|---|---|---|
| $19.00 | What does Indiana charge to add a motorcycle endorsement to your license?Answer: A one-time fee of $19.00 | Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles websiteQuoteThere is a one-time fee of $19.00 for motorcycle and for-hire endorsements. |
Distances & following gaps
4 numbers
| Number | What it’s about | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Two seconds | Under normal conditions, what is the minimum following distance when riding behind another vehicle?Answer: Two seconds | Motorcycle Operator Manual, 21st Edition (Train Smart. Ride Smart.), page 19QuoteNormally, a minimum of two seconds distance should be maintained when following a vehicle. |
| Three seconds | The pavement is slippery and traffic is heavy. What following distance should you open up?Answer: Three seconds or more | Motorcycle Operator Manual, 21st Edition (Train Smart. Ride Smart.), page 20QuoteIf 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 seconds | How far ahead should you search for hazards so you have time to prepare before a situation becomes urgent?Answer: About 12 seconds ahead | Motorcycle Operator Manual, 21st Edition (Train Smart. Ride Smart.), page 23Quotelooking ahead to an area it would take about 12 seconds to reach. |
| one second | In 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 lane | Motorcycle Operator Manual, 21st Edition (Train Smart. Ride Smart.), page 42Quotethe second rider stays at least one second back and rides in the right side of the lane. |
Ages, permits & the test
10 numbers
| Number | What it’s about | Source |
|---|---|---|
| $9 | Fee | in.govQuoteLearner's permit (driver's or motorcycle) $9.00 |
| 16 years, 270 days | Motorcycle permitYou must hold a valid Indiana driver's license (earliest 16 with driver education, or 16 years 270 days without) | iga.in.govQuote(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 years | Motorcycle permitBy law the BMV may not issue more than 3 motorcycle learner's permits to one person within 5 years | iga.in.govQuote(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 year | Motorcycle permitIf the renewed permit expires without an endorsement, you must wait one year before applying for a new permit | iga.in.govQuoteSec. 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 hour | Motorcycle permitRide only from one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset | iga.in.govQuote(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 year | How long is an Indiana motorcycle learner's permit valid?Answer: One year | Motorcycle Operator Manual, 21st Edition (Train Smart. Ride Smart.), page 4QuoteMay operate a motorcycle on public roads for the duration of the one-year permit, under the following restrictions: |
| Two months | After failing the Indiana motorcycle skills exam three times, how long must you wait before testing again?Answer: Two months from the last failed exam | Motorcycle Operator Manual, 21st Edition (Train Smart. Ride Smart.), page 5QuoteAfter 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 hours | What does a Ride Safe Indiana basic motorcycle course include?Answer: Five hours of classroom instruction and 10 hours of riding exercises | Motorcycle Operator Manual, 21st Edition (Train Smart. Ride Smart.), page 4QuoteFive hours of classroom instruction prepares you for 10 hours of practical riding exercises in a controlled, off-street environment. |
| 16 years, 270 days | According 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 days | Motorcycle Operator Manual, 21st Edition (Train Smart. Ride Smart.), page 4QuoteAt least 16 years and 270 days of age, and.. |
| At least 45 | A pavement seam runs parallel to your path and you need to cross it. What angle should you use?Answer: At least 45 degrees | Motorcycle Operator Manual, 21st Edition (Train Smart. Ride Smart.), page 35Quotemove far enough away from tracks, ruts, or pavement seams to cross at an angle of at least 45˚. |
Seat belts, lights & equipment
3 numbers
| Number | What it’s about | Source |
|---|---|---|
| under 18 | HelmetsOperators and passengers under 18 on a motorcycle or motor driven cycle must wear a helmet meeting U.S | iga.in.govQuote(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 times | According to the manual, how much more likely are helmeted riders to survive head injuries than riders without helmets?Answer: Three times more likely | Motorcycle Operator Manual, 21st Edition (Train Smart. Ride Smart.), page 9Quotehelmeted riders are three times more likely to survive head injuries than those not wearing helmets at the time of the crash. |
| five miles | According to the manual, where do most motorcycle crashes happen?Answer: On short trips of less than five miles | Motorcycle Operator Manual, 21st Edition (Train Smart. Ride Smart.), page 9QuoteMost crashes happen on short trips (less than five miles long), just a few minutes after starting out. |
Other numbers
1 number
| Number | What it’s about | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 70% | How much of a motorcycle's total stopping power can the front brake provide?Answer: 70% or more | Motorcycle Operator Manual, 21st Edition (Train Smart. Ride Smart.), page 16QuoteThe 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.