Free Indiana DMV Cheat Sheet 2026

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Most-missed Indiana DMV rules

These are the numbers and rules that trip up new drivers most often on the real Indiana knowledge test. Every fact below comes from our free Indiana DMV practice test question bank, which has 180 questions across 8 topics.

Speed limits

In urban areas of 50,000+ population, non-divided state highways default to 55 mph absent posted signage.
Most urban residential streets default to 30 mph or the posted limit under Indiana's speed rules.
Alleys default to 15 mph or the posted limit, the lowest of the listed urban default speeds.
Indiana work zones are posted at least 10 mph below the area's normal maximum speed, and some apply only when flashing.
Indiana caps school bus operating speeds off state highways at 40 mph or lower and drivers must be prepared to stop when a bus is loading or unloading.
Indiana Code 9-21-5-2 sets 70 mph as the maximum speed limit on interstate/defense highways outside urbanized areas.
IC 9-21-5-2 caps these heavy vehicles at 65 mph, which is 5 mph below the 70 mph limit for other vehicles.

Right of way

Indiana's manual states that when two vehicles arrive simultaneously at a four-way stop, the vehicle on the left yields to the vehicle on the right.
A flashing yellow arrow permits a turn but only after yielding to pedestrians and oncoming vehicles.
Indiana's Move Over Law extends to amber-light vehicles such as tow trucks, highway maintenance, and utility vehicles, and to disabled vehicles with hazards on, though violations are classed differently than for emergency vehicles.
Four-way stop right-of-way (first-to-stop, then left yields) is a distinct concept from general lane-courtesy expectations on multi-lane roads.
At an all-way stop, the vehicle that stops first has the right of way to proceed first.
Vehicles entering an interstate must yield to traffic already traveling on it.
A green light without an arrow permits a left turn only after yielding to oncoming traffic.
Do not cut through or break up a funeral procession. Slow down, be patient, and let it pass. Cutting between the vehicles is unsafe and often illegal.
At an uncontrolled intersection, slow down and yield to any car already in the intersection or approaching from your right.
A left-turning vehicle must yield to oncoming through traffic and to pedestrians. Only turn when the gap is safe.
When entering a roundabout, yield to traffic already circulating and travel counterclockwise. Exit at your street; do not stop in the middle of the circle.
At a T-intersection, traffic on the road that ends must yield to traffic on the through road that continues.
A round green light allows a left turn but does not give you the right of way. Pull into the intersection, yield to oncoming through traffic and pedestrians, then turn when there is a safe gap.

Alcohol and DUI

Indiana's OWI per se limit for adult drivers is a BAC of .08, consistent with the manual's stated intoxication threshold.
The manual notes juvenile-specific handling, including possible suspension recommendations and mandatory safety programs for repeat offenses, apart from the general .08 adult limit.
Failing a chemical test triggers an automatic administrative suspension of up to 180 days, even before conviction.

Signals and markings

A green arrow grants a protected right of way to complete that turn without yielding to opposing traffic.
Indiana requires headlights whenever visibility is under 500 feet, which can occur in daytime fog or heavy rain, not just at night.
Indiana requires low beams within roughly 200 feet of a vehicle you are following to avoid blinding the driver ahead.
Indiana law requires switching to low beams within 500 feet of oncoming traffic to prevent blinding the other driver.
A steady yellow light warns that the right of way is ending and the signal is about to turn red.
A steady red light requires a full stop; cross traffic has the right of way until the light changes.
A red flashing light is treated like a stop sign: stop, then yield to vehicles already in or entering the intersection.
A flashing yellow signal warns drivers to proceed through the intersection with caution rather than requiring a full stop.
Even on a green arrow, a driver must yield to other vehicles already lawfully in the intersection.
A flashing yellow signal warns drivers to slow down and proceed carefully through the intersection, unlike a dark signal which is treated as a stop.
A flashing yellow signal is a caution indicator meaning drivers may proceed but should do so carefully.
A broken yellow line on your side permits passing when safe, while a solid yellow line on your side prohibits passing, a standard center-line marking convention drivers must recognize.
Double solid yellow lines indicate that passing is not permitted from either direction on that stretch of road.
A bike box lets cyclists position ahead of traffic; drivers must stop behind the box rather than within it.
Hand signals remain a legally valid backup to electric signals; a straight, extended left arm signals a left turn.
On a plain green light, a left-turning driver must yield to oncoming traffic and pedestrians before completing the turn.
When a signal is dark or malfunctioning, drivers must treat the intersection as a four-way stop, coming to a full stop and yielding to the vehicle on the right if both arrive at the same time.
A green arrow gives the protected right-of-way to proceed in that direction, though the driver must still yield to anyone already in the intersection.
The truck apron is a raised, paved area only meant for large truck wheels; ordinary vehicles should never drive on it.
A steady yellow light warns that the signal is about to change to red, so drivers should slow and prepare to stop if it is safe to do so.
A flashing red signal is legally equivalent to a stop sign: the driver must come to a full stop before proceeding when clear.
A flashing red signal is treated the same as a stop sign: come to a full stop, then proceed only when it is safe.
A solid yellow line on your side of the centerline means you may not cross it to pass; passing is prohibited from that side.
A dashed yellow centerline indicates passing is generally allowed on that side when it is safe to do so and no other restriction applies.
A flashing yellow signal means drivers may proceed but should slow down and use extra caution.
A steady red signal requires a full stop; any right turn on red is only allowed after stopping and when safe and not prohibited by signage.
The handbook notes posted limits are for ideal conditions, so hazards like hills and curves require a driver to slow below the sign's number.
A solid yellow line on your side of the centerline means passing is not permitted there, usually due to reduced visibility or other roadway hazards.
Broken white lines between same-direction lanes indicate that changing lanes is allowed when it can be done safely.
A flashing red signal functions like a stop sign, requiring drivers to come to a complete stop before proceeding when it is safe.
A flashing yellow light means slow down, look, and proceed carefully. It does NOT require a full stop the way a red light or STOP sign does.
A flashing hand or countdown means do NOT start crossing. If you are already in the crosswalk, keep going and finish crossing safely.
A steady DON'T WALK hand prohibits starting to cross. Only a WALK signal or walking-person symbol allows you to begin crossing.
Always signal continuously through a turn or lane change even when you see no other cars, because pedestrians or cyclists may be near. Cancel the signal after you finish.
A green downward arrow means the lane is open for you to use. A red X above the lane means it is closed and you may not drive in it.
Double solid yellow lines separate opposing directions and prohibit passing. You may only cross them for a permitted left turn or a legal U-turn into an intersection or driveway.
A broken yellow line on your side of the lane allows passing when it is safe. The solid line on the opposite side means that direction may not pass.
White lines separate lanes going the same direction. A solid white line means stay in your lane and avoid changing lanes, while a broken white line lets you change lanes when safe.
A two-way center left-turn lane is only for preparing to turn left or merging into traffic. You may not use it to drive straight through or to pass.

Safe driving

Indiana's headlight requirement is based on visibility distance, under 500 feet, not strictly on the time of day.
Work zones are posted at least 10 mph under the normal maximum speed specifically to protect workers and should always be observed.
A safe following distance gives a driver time to react and stop without a collision if traffic ahead slows or stops.
Indiana law requires every child through age 7 to be secured in a child restraint system per manufacturer instructions.
Children age 8 through 16 must be properly restrained in all vehicles and seating positions, including vehicles bearing truck plates.
The manual teaches drivers not to swerve for animals, since swerving often causes worse crashes than a controlled collision or straight-line braking.
The safe response to a skid is to ease off the gas and steer smoothly in the direction you want to travel, rather than braking hard or overcorrecting.
Rural highways through unfenced farm and ranch land require extra alertness for livestock and wildlife crossing the road.
General safe-driving principles hold that adverse weather reduces traction and visibility, requiring lower speeds than posted limits allow in good conditions.
Defensive driving calls for slowing down and preparing to stop when visibility of intersection controls is uncertain.
A 3 to 4 second following distance gives drivers enough time to react and brake safely under normal conditions.
Wet roads increase stopping distance, so drivers should slow down and add extra space to compensate for reduced traction.
The manual sets a specific cutoff allowing mopeds/scooters only on roads posted at 50 mph or lower.
Safe lane changes require checking mirrors, checking blind spots by looking over the shoulder, and signaling the intended move before moving over.
A minimum three-second following distance under normal conditions gives a driver time to react and brake safely, with more time needed in poor weather.
Because posted speed limits assume ideal conditions, the handbook advises reducing speed in rain and other hazardous conditions.
Because SMV-marked vehicles like tractors move slowly and may turn into fields or driveways, safe practice is to keep distance and watch for signals before passing.
The Basic Speed Rule obligates drivers to reduce speed below the posted maximum in hazardous conditions.
A several-second following distance, often cited as at least 3 seconds under normal conditions, provides reaction time to avoid rear-end collisions.
With a tailgater, open up more space in front of you so you can brake gradually instead of suddenly. Do not brake to retaliate and do not race away.
Strong crosswinds can push your car out of its lane. Hold the wheel firmly with both hands, slow down, and be ready for sudden gusts.
Do not engage. Avoid eye contact, do not brake in retaliation, let them pass, and leave a safe distance between you and that car.
Horses and livestock spook easily. Slow down, do not honk or rev your engine, and pass very slowly with plenty of room so you do not startle them.
When you see a hazard developing ahead, cover the brake and plan an escape route so you can react faster if you have to stop.
In a skid, ease off the gas or brake and steer gently in the direction you want the front of the car to go. Slamming the brakes makes the skid worse.

Road signs

STOP (R1-1): full stop at the line or crosswalk even when empty; yield, then proceed.
YIELD (R1-2): give up the right-of-way; slow and be ready to stop.
DO NOT ENTER (R5-1): entry prohibited; common at freeway off-ramps and one-way streets.
WRONG WAY (R5-1a): you have entered opposing traffic. Pull over safely and turn around when possible.
ONE WAY (R6-1): all traffic flows in the arrow's direction.
NO U-TURN (R3-4): no U-turns at this location. This is not a no-left-turn sign (a different arrow shape) or a no-passing sign (a different shape and color entirely).
NO LEFT TURN (R3-2). A red circle-and-slash always bans the pictured movement.
NO RIGHT TURN (R3-1): no right turns, including on red. Going straight is still fine since the sign only bans the right-turn movement; parking is unrelated to this sign.
White/black = regulatory. Speed Limit is the legal max in ideal conditions; drive slower when conditions are bad (Basic Speed Law).
KEEP RIGHT (R4-7): a median or obstruction is ahead; keep to its right.
The crossbuck (R15-1) stands at the tracks and legally works like a YIELD sign: slow, look both ways, be ready to stop.
Advance warning (W10-1): tracks ahead. Slow down, look, and listen.
School (S1-1): school zone or crossing. Slow down and watch for children; obey the posted reduced school-zone speed limit, which varies by state.
Pedestrian crossing (W11-2): crossing ahead; slow and be ready to stop.
Signal ahead (W3-3): an intersection signal is coming, useful when it hides behind a curve.
Stop ahead (W3-1): a stop sign is coming (often obscured); start slowing now.
Merge (W4-1): traffic joins ahead. Adjust speed and position to let them in safely.
Lane ends (W4-2): merge early; zipper-merge when traffic is heavy.
Two-way traffic (W6-3): you are leaving a one-way road; keep right.
Divided highway begins (W6-1): directions separate around a median; always keep right of it.
Slippery when wet (W8-5): slickest in fresh rain. Slow down, keep distance, steer smoothly.
Curve (W1-2): slow BEFORE the curve; do not brake in the middle of it.
Turn (W1-1): sharper than a curve; slow down hard, follow the advisory plaque.
Winding road (W1-5): consecutive curves; hold a steady lower speed throughout.
Crossroad (W2-1): an intersection ahead with traffic entering from both sides. Hospital signs are blue with an H.
NO PASSING ZONE (W14-3): unique pennant shape, posted on the LEFT side, marks where passing becomes illegal.
A yield sign requires slowing and yielding to conflicting traffic, stopping only if needed to avoid a hazard.
The handbook instructs drivers at yield signs to slow down and yield to vehicles already in the intersection or approaching.
The manual specifies reduced speed limits apply at locations marked with a School Crossing sign when children are present.
The railroad advance warning sign is round with an X and R R symbol, one of the only circular warning signs used on US roads.
At a yield sign, drivers must slow or stop as needed to let crossing or oncoming traffic clear before proceeding safely.
A downward-pointing triangle is the standard yield sign, instructing drivers to slow and give right of way to conflicting traffic.
The downward-pointing red and white triangle is the standard yield sign, instructing drivers to slow and give way to traffic as needed, stopping only if required for safety.
The downward-pointing triangle is the standard yield sign shape, meaning drivers must slow and give the right of way if needed rather than always stopping.
Warning signs alert drivers to hazards or changing conditions ahead, while regulatory signs like stop/yield signs impose legally required actions.
The triangular shape is uniquely reserved for Yield signs, telling drivers to slow and give way rather than come to a full stop.
Drivers must stop at the marked line or crosswalk, or at the edge of the intersection if there is no marking, before proceeding.
Warning signs (typically yellow, diamond shaped) inform drivers of hazards ahead like curves or crossings, distinct from regulatory signs that state legal requirements.
The five-sided pentagon shape is used nationally to indicate school zones and school crossing warnings.
The octagon shape combined with red coloring is reserved exclusively for stop signs, requiring a full stop.
The manual specifically calls out School Crossing signs with children present as requiring reduced speed.
Regulatory signs like stop and yield signs establish legally mandated driver actions, distinct from purely informational or warning signage.
The triangular yield sign shape signals drivers to give the right-of-way as needed to other traffic or pedestrians.
The five-sided pentagon shape is reserved specifically for school-related warning signs, distinct from all other warning sign shapes.
The yellow pennant-shaped sign marks the start of a no-passing zone. It usually appears along with a solid yellow line on the pavement.
A yellow diamond-shaped sign is a WARNING sign, alerting you to a hazard or change ahead such as a curve, intersection, or school, so you slow down.
A white rectangular sign with black lettering is a REGULATORY sign stating a law you must obey, such as speed or direction of travel.
An orange sign marks a construction or roadwork zone. Slow down and watch for workers and shifting lanes.
A blue sign points to driver services such as gas stations, food, lodging, or hospitals.
A green sign is a GUIDE sign, showing directions, distances, and the names of exits or places.
A red circle with a slash means the action shown is PROHIBITED, such as no turn or no U-turn at that spot.

Laws and paperwork

Indiana keeps any license issued before age 21 in probationary status, with additional restrictions, until the holder turns 21.
During the first 180 days, probationary license holders face a no-passengers rule, with exceptions like family members or a spouse.
Indiana's probationary license rules include a 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. driving curfew during the first 180 days, with limited exceptions.
The BMV can require adult drivers age 21+ who accumulate enough active points at renewal to retake the knowledge exam, not just new teen drivers.
Indiana's knowledge exam has two separately scored components, signs and traffic rules, and each must be passed at 80% or higher.
Indiana requires an SR-22 to be held continuously for about 180 days as part of reinstating driving privileges after certain insurance violations.
Indiana's no-insurance reinstatement fees escalate based on the number of prior offenses in the driver's history rather than being a flat fee.
Indiana restricts trucks to the right lane on two-lane sections and to the right two lanes on interstate sections with three or more lanes per direction.
A basic first violation is a Class B infraction (up to $1,000), but one causing property damage escalates to a Class A infraction (up to $10,000).
According to INDOT, a Move Over violation causing injury can carry a 90-day license suspension, while one causing a fatality can carry up to two years.
The BMV's HTV rules impose a 10-year suspension for two major offenses causing injury or death.
HTV Section B imposes a 10-year suspension for three qualifying judgments such as DWI, reckless driving, criminal recklessness, drag racing, hit-and-run, or felony vehicle offenses.
HTV Section C imposes a 5-year suspension for ten or more traffic violations that include at least one major offense.
Indiana requires $25,000 for one person's bodily injury/death, $50,000 for two or more people's bodily injury/death, and $25,000 for property damage.
A driver whose insurance lapses must file a Certificate of Compliance within 90 days or face suspension.
Indiana allows a permit at 15 with approved driver education, but without it the minimum age is 16, plus vision screening and a knowledge exam.
Supervision must come from a licensed instructor/certified rehab specialist, or a licensed relative at least 25 (or licensed spouse at least 21) in the front passenger seat.
A learner's permit expired for more than 180 days requires retaking the knowledge exam before it can be reissued.
Applicants must score at least 80 percent on each separately-scored component, not just an overall average.
A passed knowledge exam result remains valid for only 180 days, and a failed exam requires waiting until the next business day to retest.

Emergencies

Indiana's Move Over Law requires changing lanes away from the stopped emergency vehicle, or slowing to at least 10 mph under the posted limit if a lane change isn't possible.
The Move Over Law's amber-light tier covers highway maintenance vehicles, requiring drivers to move over or slow down similarly to emergency vehicles.
IC 9-21-8-35 requires reducing speed by at least 10 mph if changing to a non-adjacent lane isn't possible.
Hazardous materials carriers must stop at every railroad crossing regardless of visible train activity, so drivers behind them should expect and safely wait through this stop.
With a median under 20 feet wide, all lanes in both directions are required to stop for the school bus.
On typical two-lane roads, traffic in both directions must stop for a loading school bus; the opposite-direction exception applies only on wider divided highways.
23 V.S.A. § 1050(b) requires moving over a full lane if safe, or slowing to a reasonable speed if the driver must remain in the adjacent lane.
Drivers must yield right-of-way, pull as far right as possible, stop, and remain stopped until the emergency vehicle has passed.
Drivers must yield the right of way to emergency vehicles by pulling to the right edge of the road and stopping until the emergency vehicle has passed.
Move Over laws require drivers to move over or slow down for any stopped vehicle with warning lights activated, to protect people near the roadway.
Pumping the brakes can build pressure in some systems, and downshifting uses engine braking to help slow the vehicle safely.
A move-over violation causing death carries a fine of up to $10,000 and a 1-year license suspension, compared to 90 days for bodily injury and 6 months for serious bodily injury.
Drivers must yield to emergency vehicles by moving to the right edge of the roadway, staying clear of intersections, until it passes.
Safe driving practice, sometimes called a move-over rule, is to give stopped vehicles extra space by changing lanes or slowing down.
Drivers are expected to keep a substantial following distance after an emergency vehicle passes, rather than closing in immediately.
Regardless of whether a crossing has gates or signals, drivers must never attempt to beat a visible train and must stop and wait for it to clear.
Drivers must move over a lane or slow down when passing any stationary vehicle with flashing lights on the roadside, not just law enforcement vehicles.
When changing lanes is not safe, the Move Over Law still expects drivers to reduce speed and use caution passing the stopped vehicle.
Move over laws generally require drivers to change lanes away from a stopped emergency or hazard vehicle when safe, or otherwise slow down.
The handbook states drivers must always yield right-of-way to emergency vehicles.
If your car catches fire or smells like burning, pull over, shut off the engine, and get everyone away. Do not open the hot hood, since the rush of air will make the fire flare up.
If the gas pedal sticks, shift to Neutral to cut the power, then brake and steer to the shoulder. Only turn off the engine after you have fully stopped, so you do not lose power steering.

Signs

Sign shape and color carry meaning before you even read the words. A red octagon always means stop, a red-bordered triangle pointing down means yield, and yellow diamonds warn of a hazard ahead. For every sign image used in our practice test, with the exact meaning and explanation, see the full road sign glossary.

Keep studying

This cheat sheet is a summary, not a substitute for practice. Test yourself with the free Indiana DMV practice test, which explains the reasoning behind every answer, or see Indiana DMV facts and fees before test day.

Reviewed by Kevin Vu, CA DOI #4037122 · Last updated 2026-07-22

Indiana DMV cheat sheet