Indiana: Cheat Sheet

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Licensing basics

To apply for a driver's license you must be at least 16 years old with completion of a BMV licensed driver education program.
You must hold a valid (not expired, suspended, or revoked) Indiana learner's permit for at least 180 days.
For the first 180 days after obtaining a probationary driver's license, you may not drive between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m.

Distracted and drowsy driving

Indiana law prohibits typing, transmitting, or reading a text or email on a handheld device while driving a moving vehicle, but a device may be used to make a 911 emergency call.
Indiana law prohibits typing, transmitting, or reading a text or email on a handheld telecommunications device while operating a moving motor vehicle.

Seat belts and child safety

Indiana law requires all occupants of a motor vehicle equipped with a manufacturer-installed seat belt to wear it any time the vehicle is in motion.
Wearing a seat belt is not just the law but also the best way to reduce the chance of injury or death in a crash.

Your driving record

Points stay active on your driver record for two years from the conviction date.
Failing to appear in court in response to a citation, or not paying tickets after a judgment, may lead to suspension.

Insurance and financial responsibility

Driving without a current liability insurance policy that meets the state minimum standard is against the law.
The state minimum standard is commonly referred to as 25/50/25 liability insurance.

Alcohol and drugs

The officer may ask for a chemical test when there is probable cause to believe the motorist committed an offense under the listed Indiana statutes.
A motorist who fails a chemical test faces a 180-day suspension.
Refusing a chemical test results in a one-year suspension.
A motorist with a previous intoxicated-driving conviction who refuses a chemical test faces a two-year suspension.
Many prescription drugs, over-the-counter drugs, and other recreational drugs impair reasoning and coordination.
Refusal to submit to breath, urine, blood, or performance tests can result in the loss of driving privileges.

Sign shapes and colors

Red traffic signs convey regulations that require immediate action to avoid threats to traffic safety.
Yellow or fluorescent yellow-green signs prepare drivers for specific road conditions and hazards ahead.
White traffic signs display traffic regulations, such as speed limits, that drivers must obey.
Orange signs warn drivers of temporary traffic conditions, often due to construction and maintenance projects.
Circular traffic signs alert drivers to upcoming railroad crossings.
Equilateral triangle signs warn drivers to slow down when approaching an intersection and be prepared to come to a complete stop to yield.
Pennant-shaped signs are posted on the left-hand side of two-way roads to warn drivers not to pass other vehicles on the left.
Five-sided traffic signs warn drivers that they are entering an area near a school in which children may be crossing the road.
Eight-sided traffic signs warn drivers that they must stop and yield the appropriate right of way at an intersection.

Road signs

Warning signs prepare drivers for upcoming road conditions and hazards.
The manual says supplemental plaques are sometimes added to the bottom of stop signs to indicate directions in which the intersection must stop.
Traffic guidance signs provide information about the type of road, upcoming highway entrances and exits, and distances to various destinations.
The manual says a white rectangular “Do Not Pass” sign on the right-hand side of the road prohibits passing.

Traffic signals

A green light means go, and you may drive through as long as the intersection is clear of other vehicles and pedestrians.
A steady yellow light means the green light has ended and the signal is about to turn red, so your right of way is ending.
If you are approaching the intersection and are too close to stop safely on a steady yellow, you may complete your movement.
Facing a red light, you may not enter the intersection until the light facing you turns green and the intersection is clear.
A yellow flashing arrow means you may proceed with the turn only after yielding the right of way to pedestrians and oncoming traffic.
A yellow flashing light without an arrow means you should slow down and use caution when traveling through the intersection.
A red flashing light at an intersection is equivalent to a stop sign: you must come to a complete stop before proceeding with caution.
When approaching a red light or stop sign, you must stop at the solid white stop line.
Approaching an intersection with a non-operating signal, you should stop before entering the intersection and proceed with caution only after yielding.

Right-of-way and turning

A red light means stop, and traffic entering the intersection from other directions has the right of way.
With a green light and no arrow, you may turn if the intersection is clear but you must yield the right of way to all oncoming traffic.
If you are in the middle of an intersection when your right of way has ended, you may turn once oncoming traffic has stopped.
To turn right on red, when permissible, you must come to a full stop and check for vehicles, pedestrians and signs.
A left turn on red is allowed only when turning from a one-way street onto a one-way street, after a full stop and the required checks.
At a yellow flashing light, a driver turning left must yield to oncoming traffic and pedestrians.
A yield sign indicates that a driver must slow down and be prepared to come to a complete stop if a vehicle or pedestrian with the right of way is approaching.
After stopping at a non-operating signal, you must yield to any vehicle that arrived at the same time as you and is to your right.
Before entering a street from an alley or driveway, you should stop and yield the right of way to other vehicles.

Pedestrians

The words or symbols flash to alert pedestrians that the time in which to safely cross the street or intersection is ending.
The two red lights flash to allow drivers to proceed through if the crossing is clear of pedestrians.

Pavement markings

Yellow lane markings separate multiple lanes of traffic going in opposite directions.
White lane markings separate multiple lanes of traffic going in the same direction.
You may cross a broken white line when it is safe to change lanes.

Speed and following distance

On an urban interstate highway, vehicles may not exceed 55 miles per hour or the posted speed limit.
In most urban residential areas, vehicles may not exceed 30 miles per hour or the posted speed limit.
In alleys, vehicles may not exceed 15 miles per hour or the posted speed limit.
Near a school you must slow down to the lower posted speed limit for the school zone.
Work site speed limits are always at least 10 miles per hour below the maximum established speed limit for the area.
Off interstates and state highways, the maximum speed limit for a school bus is 40 miles per hour unless the posted limit is lower.
Indiana law defines aggressive driving as committing at least three of the listed actions during one episode of continuous driving.
Going too fast gives you less time to stop or react.

Emergencies

With conventional brakes, turn the steering wheel in a controlled manner in the direction the rear of the car is sliding.
The driver must stop immediately or as close as possible to the scene, without obstructing traffic more than necessary.
In a flat tire or blowout, hold the steering wheel firmly and keep the car going straight.

Signals and vehicle controls

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

Interstate driving

On an interstate on-ramp you stay to the right and increase your speed in the acceleration lane so you can merge when your path is clear.

Emergency vehicles and work zones

You may proceed at a reduced speed only when the flagger directs you to.
The Move Over law requires motorists to yield, move over to the right and stop, or change lanes.
If you cannot move over, you must reduce your speed to 10 mph under the posted limit and proceed with caution.
Motorists must change lanes away from an authorized parked vehicle with amber flashing lights.

Railroad crossings

Some vehicles are required by law to always stop not closer than 15 feet or farther than 50 feet from the nearest rail.
When displayed alone, a crossbuck is treated as a yield sign, and you must stop if a train is approaching.
If a vehicle stalls on the tracks, all occupants should immediately leave it.

Sharing the road

You must stop when you approach a school bus with flashing red lights activated and stop arm extended.
On a divided roadway you must stop only if you are traveling in the same direction as the school bus.
Allow at least three or four seconds when following a motorcycle so the rider has time to maneuver or stop.
Drivers may pass when there is a safe amount of room beside the bicyclist, minimum three feet.

Parking rules

The list of illegal parking areas includes within 15 feet of a fire hydrant.
The list of illegal parking areas includes spots adjacent to yellow curbs.