Indiana driving laws
The rules your permit test asks about, in plain English. Each one is quoted from Indiana’s statutes or an official BMV page. Handbooks are often years out of date, so where the law has changed we follow the law. Checked October 2, 2026.
Phones and texting
Indiana drivers may not hold or use a phone or other handheld device while the vehicle is moving; hands-free or voice-operated use is allowed, and anyone may use a phone to call 911 in an emergency. Drivers under 21 may not use a phone at all while driving, even hands-free, except to call 911.
Official wording (8 sources)
“Sec. 59. (a) Except as provided in subsections (b) and (c), a person may not hold or use a telecommunications device while operating a moving motor vehicle.”
iga.in.gov“(c) A telecommunications device may be used or held to call 911 to report a bona fide emergency.”
iga.in.gov“The only exceptions to this prohibition are when hands-free communication is enabled or if the telecommunications device is being used to contact 911 for a bona fide emergency.”
in.gov“Sec. 3.7. An individual who is less than twenty-one (21) years of age may not operate a motor vehicle while using a telecommunications device, unless the individual is using the telecommunications device to make a 911 emergency call.”
iga.in.gov“(a) Except as provided in subsection (b) or as provided in sections 35, 50, 52, 55, 56, and 58 of this chapter, a person who violates this chapter commits a Class C infraction.”
iga.in.gov“Except as provided in subsection (f), a judgment of up to five hundred dollars ($500) may be entered for a violation constituting a Class C infraction.”
iga.in.gov“(e) The bureau may not assess points under the point system for a violation of this section occurring before July 1, 2021.”
iga.in.gov“Sec. 8. (a) Except as provided in subsections (b) and (c), an individual who violates this chapter commits a Class C infraction.”
iga.in.gov
Alcohol and drugs (DUI)
In Indiana it is a crime to drive with a blood or breath alcohol concentration of 0.08 or more, or while intoxicated. Drivers under 21 commit an infraction at 0.02, and commercial drivers at 0.04. Refusing a chemical test brings a one-year license suspension (two years with a prior OWI conviction).
Official wording (9 sources)
“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:”
iga.in.gov“(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.”
iga.in.gov“Sec. 2. (a) Except as provided in subsection (b), a person who operates a vehicle while intoxicated commits a Class C misdemeanor. (b) An offense described in subsection (a) is a Class A misdemeanor if the person operates a vehicle in a manner that endangers a person.”
iga.in.gov“(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:”
iga.in.gov“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:”
iga.in.gov“(b) If the affidavit under section 8(b) of this chapter states that a person refused to submit to a chemical test, the bureau shall suspend the driving privileges of the person: (1) for: (A) one (1) year; or (B) if the person has at least one (1) previous conviction for operating while intoxicated, two (2) years; or”
iga.in.gov“(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”
iga.in.gov“Sec. 4. A person who commits a Class C misdemeanor shall be imprisoned for a fixed term of not more than sixty (60) days; in addition, he may be fined not more than five hundred dollars ($500).”
iga.in.gov“Sec. 2. A person who commits a Class A misdemeanor shall be imprisoned for a fixed term of not more than one (1) year; in addition, he may be fined not more than five thousand dollars ($5,000).”
iga.in.gov
Seat belts and child seats
Every occupant of a vehicle with factory-installed safety belts must be buckled whenever the vehicle moves forward, and police may stop a vehicle for a belt violation alone. Children under 8 must be in a child restraint system used per the manufacturer's instructions; children 8 to 15 must be in a child restraint or a safety belt.
Official wording (5 sources)
“shall have a safety belt properly fastened about the occupant's body at all times when the vehicle is in forward motion.”
iga.in.gov“Sec. 3.1. (a) Except as provided in subsection (b), a vehicle may be stopped to determine compliance with this chapter.”
iga.in.gov“Sec. 2. (a) A person who operates a motor vehicle in which there is a child less than eight (8) years of age who is not properly fastened and restrained according to the child restraint”
iga.in.gov“(1) the child is at least eight (8) years of age but less than sixteen (16) years of age; and (2) the child is not properly fastened and restrained according to the child restraint system manufacturer's instructions by a:”
iga.in.gov“a person may operate a motor vehicle in which there is a child who weighs more than forty (40) pounds and who is properly restrained and fastened by a lap safety belt if:”
iga.in.gov
Move Over law
When you approach a stopped emergency vehicle with flashing red or blue lights, or a stopped tow truck, utility, highway maintenance, solid-waste, survey or construction vehicle with flashing amber lights, or a disabled vehicle with hazard lights flashing, move to a lane not next to it on a road with two or more lanes in your direction. If you can't change lanes safely, slow to at least 10 mph below the posted limit.
Official wording (5 sources)
“(b) Upon approaching a stationary authorized emergency vehicle, when the authorized emergency vehicle is giving a signal by displaying alternately flashing red, red and white, or red and blue lights, a person who drives an approaching vehicle shall:”
iga.in.gov“(2) proceeding with due caution, reduce the speed of the vehicle to a speed at least ten (10) miles per hour less than the posted speed limit, maintaining a safe speed for road conditions, if changing lanes would be impossible or unsafe.”
iga.in.gov“(c) Upon approaching a stationary recovery vehicle, a stationary utility service vehicle (as defined in IC 8-1-8.3-5), a stationary solid waste hauler, a stationary road, street, or highway maintenance vehicle, or a stationary survey or construction vehicle,”
iga.in.gov“Upon approaching a disabled stationary vehicle with flashing hazard warning signals, a person who drives an approaching vehicle shall:”
iga.in.gov“A person who violates this subsection commits a Class A infraction. However, the violation is a Level 6 felony if the person's failure to comply with this subsection results in serious bodily injury, catastrophic injury, or death”
iga.in.gov
School buses
Traffic from either direction must stop before reaching a school bus stopped with its stop arm extended, and stay stopped until the arm is pulled back. The only exception is a highway divided by an unimproved median, a barrier or a dividing section, where traffic on the opposite side may go on with caution.
Official wording (4 sources)
“(1) meets or overtakes from any direction a school bus stopped on a roadway or a private road and is not stopped before reaching the school bus when the arm signal device specified in IC 9-21-12-13 is in the device's extended position; or”
iga.in.gov“(2) proceeds before the arm signal device is no longer extended; commits a Class A infraction.”
iga.in.gov“if the school bus is on the opposite side of the traffic barrier, the person who drives an approaching vehicle need not stop and may proceed with due caution for the safety of children boarding or leaving the school bus.”
iga.in.gov“(b) A person who operates a vehicle and who recklessly passes a school bus stopped on a roadway or a private road when the arm signal device specified in IC 9-21-12-13 is in the device's extended position commits a Class A misdemeanor.”
iga.in.gov
Speed limits
Unless signs say otherwise, Indiana's limits are 30 mph in urban districts, 15 mph in alleys, 55 mph on most other highways, 60 mph on rural four-lane divided non-interstate highways, 65 mph on I-465, and 70 mph on rural interstates (65 mph for trucks over 26,000 pounds).
Official wording (6 sources)
“(1) Thirty (30) miles per hour in an urban district. (2) Fifty-five (55) miles per hour, except as provided in subdivisions (1), (3), (4), (5), (6), (7), and (9).”
iga.in.gov“(3) Seventy (70) miles per hour on a highway on the national system of interstate and defense highways located outside of an urbanized area (as defined in 23 U.S.C. 101) with a population of at least fifty thousand (50,000), except as provided in subdivision”
iga.in.gov“(7) Sixty (60) miles per hour on a highway that: (A) is not designated as a part of the national system of interstate and defense highways; (B) has four (4) or more lanes;”
iga.in.gov“(8) Fifteen (15) miles per hour in an alley. (9) Sixty-five (65) miles per hour on Interstate Highway 465.”
iga.in.gov“A city or town may establish speed limits on state highways upon which a school is located.”
iga.in.gov“(1) The limit is not less than twenty (20) miles per hour. (2) The limit is imposed only in the immediate vicinity of the school. (3) Children are present.”
iga.in.gov
After a crash
After any crash you must stop, stay at the scene, and give your name, address, registration number and driver's license to the others involved. If anyone is hurt or killed, give reasonable help and notify police, the sheriff, state police or 911 immediately. Police investigate crashes with injury, death or at least $2,500 in property damage; you don't file a separate driver report, but the BMV may then require proof of insurance.
Official wording (5 sources)
“(A) Gives the operator's name and address and the registration number of the motor vehicle the operator was driving to any person involved in the accident.”
iga.in.gov“(B) as soon as possible after the accident, immediately give notice of the accident, or ensure that another person gives notice of the accident, by the quickest means of communication to one (1) of the following:”
iga.in.gov“(B) if after reasonable inquiry the operator cannot find the owner or person in charge of the damaged vehicle or property, the operator must contact a law enforcement officer or agency and provide the information required by this section.”
iga.in.gov“Sec. 1. (a) A law enforcement officer shall investigate each motor vehicle accident that results in any of the following: (1) The injury or death of a person. (2) Total property damage to an apparent extent of at least two thousand five hundred dollars ($2,500).”
iga.in.gov“must be received electronically from your insurer and processed by the BMV within 90 days of the BMV’s mailing of a request to verify financial responsibility”
in.gov
Insurance
Indiana requires at least 25/50/25 liability coverage: $25,000 for injury or death of one person, $50,000 for two or more people in one crash, and $25,000 for property damage.
Official wording (3 sources)
“(1) Subject to the limit set forth in subdivision (2), twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000) for bodily injury to or the death of one (1) individual. (2) Fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) for bodily injury to or the death of two (2) or more individuals in any one (1) accident.”
iga.in.gov“(3) Before July 1, 2018, ten thousand dollars ($10,000) for damage to or the destruction of property in one (1) accident. Beginning July 1, 2018, twenty-five thousand dollars”
iga.in.gov“and $25,000 for property damages in any one accident. This is commonly referred to as 25/50/25 liability insurance.”
in.gov
Motorcycle helmets
Riders and passengers under 18 must wear a DOT-compliant helmet and eye protection. Anyone riding on a motorcycle learner's permit must wear a DOT-compliant helmet regardless of age. Adults with an endorsement are not required to wear a helmet.
Official wording (3 sources)
“(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:”
iga.in.gov“(1) Wear a helmet that meets the standards established by the United States Department of Transportation under 49 CFR 571.218 as in effect January 1, 1979. (2) Wear protective glasses, goggles, or transparent face shields.”
iga.in.gov“(1) The holder wears a helmet that meets the standards described in 49 CFR 571.218 as in effect January 1, 2000.”
iga.in.gov
Motorcycle permit rules
To get a motorcycle learner's permit you must already hold a valid Indiana driver's license and pass the motorcycle knowledge test. The permit lasts one year; permit riders must wear a DOT helmet, ride only from half an hour before sunrise to half an hour after sunset, and carry no passengers.
Official wording (8 sources)
“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.”
iga.in.gov“(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.”
iga.in.gov“(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.”
iga.in.gov“You are only allowed to renew your permit once. If you do not obtain an endorsement before the expiration of your renewed permit, you must wait one year before reapplying for a new permit.”
in.gov“(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.”
iga.in.gov“(A) sixteen (16) years 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.”
iga.in.gov“(b) The bureau may waive the testing requirements under subsection (a)(3) and (a)(4) for an individual who satisfactorily completes a motorcycle operator safety course approved by the bureau as set forth in IC 9-27-7.”
iga.in.gov“(1) The individual meets the following conditions: (A) Is at least sixteen (16) years of age. (B) Has held a valid learner's permit for at least one hundred eighty (180) days. (C) Obtains an instructor's certification”
iga.in.gov
Lane splitting
Lane splitting and filtering are not legal in Indiana. Each motorcycle is entitled to a full lane, no vehicle may be driven so as to deprive another of its full lane, and at most two motorcycles may ride side by side in one lane, if both riders agree.
Official wording (3 sources)
“Sec. 6. A motorcycle is entitled to the full use of a traffic lane and a vehicle may not be driven or operated in a manner that deprives another vehicle of the full use of a traffic lane.”
iga.in.gov“Motorcycles, other than autocycles, may, with the consent of both persons who operate the motorcycles, be operated with not more than two (2) abreast in a single traffic lane.”
iga.in.gov“Sec. 13. A person who violates this chapter commits a Class C infraction.”
iga.in.gov
This page summarizes the law for study purposes and is not legal advice. Laws change; confirm with Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles.