Indiana Speed Limits​

On a rural interstate highway, passenger vehicles may not exceed 70 mph or the posted speed limit.

On a rural interstate highway, trucks that have a declared gross weight greater than 26,000 pounds may not exceed 65 mph or the posted speed limit.

On a rural state divided highway, vehicles may not exceed 60 mph or the posted speed limit.

On an urban interstate highway, vehicles may not exceed 55 mph or the posted speed limit.

On a non-divided state highway, vehicles may not exceed 55 mph or the posted speed limit.

On county roads, vehicles may not exceed 55 mph or the posted speed limit.

In most urban residential areas, vehicles may not exceed 30 mph or the posted speed limit.

In alleys, vehicles may not exceed 15 mph or the posted speed limit.

Work site speed limits are always at least 10 mph below the maximum established speed limit for the area.

The maximum speed limit for a school bus on an interstate or state highway is 60 mph or the posted speed limit.

When a school bus is not on an interstate or state highway the maximum speed limit is 40 mph unless the posted speed limit is lower.

If you are driving near a school, you must slow down to the lower posted speed limit for the school zone. Common hours for school zone speed limits are 7am to 4:30pm, Monday through Friday.

A slow-moving vehicle emblem is a triangle shaped sign that is an orange fluorescent center and red reflective borders and indicates a vehicle which cannot exceed 25 mph.

If it is not possible to change lanes safely when approaching a stationary utility, maintenance, and solid waste vehicle that is displaying alternating flashing amber lights, you must slow down to 10 mph below the posted speed limit and proceed with caution.

NUMBERS TO KNOW

When passing other vehicles, you must return to the right side of the road no less than 100 feet before any on-coming traffic.

​Feet traveled in one second going 35 mph is 51.3. Going 55 mph is 4, and going 70 mph is 102.7.

Lanes of traffic crossed in one second going 35mph is 2.6, going 55mph is 4, and going 70mph is 5.1.

Lanes of traffic crossed in one second going 35mph is 2.6, going 55mph is 4, and going 70mph is 5.1.

Seconds to travel a football field (300 feet) going 35mph is 5.8, going 55mph is 3.7, and going 70mph is 2.9.

Drivers must use headlights between sunset and sunrise as well as at any other time in which visibility is less than 500 feet.

Lower headlight beams must be used when approaching within 500 feet of an oncoming vehicle or when following within 200 feet of the rear of another vehicle.

Some vehicles are required by law to always stop at railroad crossings not closer than 15 feet or further than 50 feet from the nearest active rail. The following vehicles must stop: 

1. All School Buses

2. All Vehicles carrying passengers for hire

3. All vehicles carrying explosives or flammable liquids

Do not pass another vehicle within 100 feet of an intersection, railroad crossing, bridge, viaduct, or tunnel.

The average passenger car traveling at 55 mph can stop in about 130-140 feet. A fully loaded tractor trailer with hot brakes may take more than 400 feet to come to a complete stop.

Blind spots for a tractor trailer driver will be up to 20 feet in front of the cab, on either side of the trailer, alongside the cab and up to 200 feet behind the vehicle.

Child passengers younger than 8 years old are required by law to be properly secured in a child restraint system such as a child car seat or booster seat.

If a car is equipped with an air bag, the National Safety Council recommends putting children younger than 12 years old in the back seat.

It is illegal to park...

1) on sidewalks or in front of a driveway

2) within 15 feet of a fire hydrant or in fire lanes

3) adjacent to yellow curbs

4) beside another parked vehicle.

A Learner’s Permit may be renewed up to 30 days before it expires.

PROBATIONARY LICENSING INFORMATION

​Probationary driver’s licenses provide restricted driving privileges to Indiana residents who are younger 31 years of age.

Probationary driver’s license holders are prohibited from using any form of telecommunications device such as a:

1. wireless phone

2. personal digital assistant

3. pager

4. text messaging device

Unless being used to make a 911 emergency call.

YOUR DRIVER’S LICENSE

​If you fail to pass a written knowledge test, you must wait until the next business day to take the test again.If you fail a driving skills test, you must wait 7 days before you can retake test.

Upon failure of a third driving skills tests while holding a learner’s permit, you must wait for 2 months from the date of the last failed driving skills test before taking the test again.

U.S. citizens may renew a driver's license or identification card up to 24 months prior to expiration.

An operator’s license is valid for 6 years if you are younger than 75 years old; valid for 3 years if you are 75 to 84 years old; valid for 2 years if you are 85 or older.

You must notify the BMV of any change of address or any name change within 30 days of the address or name change.

DRIVING WHILE INTOXICATED

If you refuse to submit to a certified chemical test conducted by a law enforcement officer your driver’s license will face a suspension for up to 1 year(s).

If you fail a certified chemical test, you may have your driving privileges suspended for up to 180 days.

When a driver who is younger than 18 years of age is cited for operating a vehicle while intoxicated, the Juvenile Court may recommend a suspension of his or her driving privileges. If you are convicted of operating a watercraft while intoxicated, your driving privileges are subject to the same penalties as an operator of a motor vehicle... and the conviction becomes part of your driving record.

EMERGENCY VEHICLES

Motorists who approach an emergency vehicle displaying alternately flashing amber, red, red and white, or red and blue lights are required to change lanes away from the authorized vehicle.

SIGNS, SIGNALS, & ROAD MARKINGS

A flashing red light is equivalent to a stop sign.

Speed limit signs are white traffic signs that display traffic regulations that drivers must obey.

When you pass a 5-sided traffic sign, you know you are entering an area near a school.

A sign with an orange background in a diamond or rectangular shape indicates a highway construction or maintenance zone.

When approaching a work zone; a flagman extends a fluorescent orange/red flag horizontally into the line of traffic you should stop, then proceed, only when directed by the flagger.

At a 4-way stop you must know:

A. First to stop is the first to proceed

B. Stop & look for oncoming traffic

C. If you arrive at the same time as another car, the driver to the right has the right away​

What you should know if you want to turn left and are facing a yellow flashing arrow, you must yield the right of way to all oncoming traffic & pedestrians, then turn.

You can only turn left through an intersection with a red light, when you are turning from a one-way street to a one-way street.​

Broken white lines, separate multiple lanes of traffic going in the same direction.

If you are turning right through an intersection with a red light, you should stop, make sure there are no cars or pedestrians in your path, and use correct lane.

When entering a street from an alley or driveway, stop and yield the right of way to other vehicles.

Signs with brown background indicate recreational and cultural interest information.

Signs with blue background indicate road services & evacuation route information.

Signs with green background indicate permitted movements & directions or guidance.

Crossbucks at a railroad crossing mark:​

A. The location of the track

B. When displayed alone they are treated as a yield sign

DRIVERS MANUAL

Your car begins to skid, what should you do?

A. Ease off the gas pedal

​B. Turn in the direction the rear of the car is sliding

C. Straighten the vehicle and proceed slowly

When a car with bright headlights comes toward you at night, focus on the right side of the road.

You are parking the car facing uphill, the wheels should be turned away from the curb.

A flashing arrow board in a work zone, without an arrow is a signal to: use caution, you are not required to move to another lane.

An Indiana Driver’s License is required to operate an autocycle on IN roadways.

When you see a single, flashing yellow light without an arrow at an intersection, slow down and use caution.

An Indiana Driver’s License must be obtained to get a Motorcycle Learners Permit

You must carry a valid driver's license, a state ID, complete a DNR boater education course if older than 15 and do not have a driver’s license to operate a motorboat with an engine of 10 horsepower.

If you speed, fail to yield the right of way, or turn into or use the wrong lane you will automatically fail the driving test

You must drive to the next exit on the interstate if you missed your exit.

This is the important information you need to know about sharing the roadwith bicycles:

A. On most roadways bicyclist have the same rights and responsibilities as other road users

B. Drivers must yield to the right-of-way to a bicyclist just as they would another vehicle

C. A bicyclist may use either the bike lane or vehicle travel lane

D. You must not drive in or park in a bicycle lane or path

E. You must yield the right-of-way to bicyclist on a designated lane or path

F. You must not move into a lane or path in preparation for a turn

When approaching a red light or stop sign, you must stop:

A. Before entering the crosswalk, if there is no stop line. ​

B. At the solid white stop line.

C. Before entering the intersection, if there is no crosswalk.

If you are convicted of driving with a BAC (blood alcohol content) of .08 the court may:

A. Require an ignition interlock device be installed

B. Recommend suspension of driving privileges.

You should not cross a solid white line, or a solid yellow line, (except to turn).

You must stop, yield the right of way to other vehicles, before entering a street from an alley or driveway

If you are facing a traffic light and a green arrow is displayed,

A. You have the right of way.

B. You may turn left through the intersection.

C. Drivers not facing the green arrow must stop.

If you are facing a traffic light without a green arrow,

​A.You must yield to all oncoming traffic.

B.You may turn left as long as the intersection is clear.

C. Only one vehicle at a time may be in the intersection to turn left.

A defensive driver looks for actions of other drivers and anticipates potential problems.

Low headlight beams need to be used when driving in the fog.

If a pedestrian is crossing in front of you, guided by a dog or with a white cane the pedestrian is visually impaired, and you always yield the right of way to the pedestrian?

You must never make a u-turn on a curve in the road, when approaching the crest of a hill, or on an interstate highway.

17.6 is the nationally estimated percent of all fatal motor vehicle crashes involving a fatigued driver.

When approaching an emergency vehicle with its lights flashing, Indiana’s Move Over Law requires motorist to; yield, move over to the right and stop or change lanes.

Once a month or before a long trip, check all tires, including your spare, for correct psi. Using a trusted pressure gauge, read the amount of psi in your tire. Compare the PSI found on the sticker inside the driver’s door.

The factors that affect a vehicle’s ability to stop are:

A. Weight of the vehicle.

B. Type and condition of the brakes and tires.

C. Physical condition of pavement, such as slickness.

Know the 9 places where parking is prohibited.

1.​ Highways (unless indicated otherwise)

2. Within intersections or on pedestrian crosswalks

3. On sidewalks or in front of any driveway

4. Within 15 feet of a fire hydrant or in fire lanes

5. Bridges or other elevated structures, such as on a highway 

6. Adjacent to yellow curbs

7. Beside another parked vehicle

8. Parking spots reserved for those with disabilities unless indicated

9. Diagonally striped area next to accessible parking spaces

​Only change 1 lane at a time. When changing lanes to prepare for a turn, you must give a proper turn signal before turning or changing lanes.

Even the most experienced drivers can be distracted while driving.

On the highway a slower vehicle should use the right lane. Leave the left hand lane for faster moving or passing vehicles.