Points, driver safety program and insurance

Key points

1. Driving 26 or more mph over the limit is 6 points.

   Source: Handbook p. 21

   “26+ miles per hour over the speed limit 6 points”
   Indiana Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 21

2. Failing to use headlights is 2 points, and using a hand held device is 4 points.

   Source: Handbook p. 21

   “Failure to use headlights 2 points No brake or signal lights 2 points Improper motorcycle headgear 4 points Improper motorcycle passenger 4 points Violation for hand-held device 4 points”
   Indiana Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 21

3. Following too closely or failing to yield to an emergency vehicle is 6 points; driving while suspended is 8.

   Source: Handbook p. 21

   “Failure to yield to an emergency vehicle 6 points Following another vehicle too closely 6 points Driving while suspended 8 points”
   Indiana Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 21

4. Points stay active on your record for 2 years from the conviction date.

   Source: Handbook p. 21

   “Points stay active on your driver record for two years from the conviction date.”
   Indiana Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 21

5. A BMV approved Driver Safety Program gives a 4 point credit, once in a 3 year period.

   Source: Handbook p. 21

   “Each driver is allowed one four-point credit during a three-year period.”
   Indiana Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 21

6. If the BMV requires a Driver Safety Program, you must finish it within 90 days or be suspended.

   Source: Handbook p. 21

   “Failure to complete a DSP course within 90 days from the date of the BMV’s mailed notice will result in the suspension of your driving privileges.”
   Indiana Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 21

7. Minimum insurance is $25,000 per person, $50,000 per accident for injury, and $25,000 for property damage.

   Source: Handbook p. 22

   “The state minimum insurance standard is $25,000 for bodily injury to, or the death of, one individual; $50,000 for bodily injury to, or the death of, two or more people in any one accident; and $25,000 for property damages in any one accident.”
   Indiana Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 22

8. Indefinite no insurance suspensions end after keeping proof of future financial responsibility on file continuously for 180 days.

   Source: Handbook p. 23

   “Indefinite no-insurance suspensions can be stayed upon receipt by BMV of SR22 and terminated by maintaining SR22 continuously for 180 days.”
   Indiana Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 23

9. No insurance reinstatement fees are $250, $500 and $1,000 for first, second and third suspensions after January 1, 2015.

   Source: Handbook p. 23

   “Reinstatement fees are $250 for a first no-insurance suspension, $500 for a second no-insurance suspension, and $1,000 for a third and subsequent no-insurance suspension(s) that occurred after Jan. 1, 2015.”
   Indiana Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 23

10. An Official Driver Record costs $4.

    Source: Handbook p. 25

    “There is also an “Official Driver Record” that may be purchased for $4.”
    Indiana Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 25

Numbers to know

3 questions from the Indiana practice test

1. 1. How many miles per hour over the limit produces six points under Indiana's speeding point examples?

   1. 1 to 15 mph over
   2. 26 or more mph over
   3. 16 to 25 mph over
   4. Any speed at least 5 mph over
   Show answer

   26 or more mph over. Indiana's examples assign six points for driving 26 or more miles per hour above the speed limit. The first range, 1 to 15 over, carries two points, and the middle range, 16 to 25 over, carries four points. The question turns on the upper threshold, so a small excess does not reach six points. A quick study cue is the ascending pattern: two points for the first band, four for the next, and six once the excess reaches 26 miles per hour.

2. 2. How often may an Indiana driver use the four-point credit for completing a driver safety program?

   1. Once during a three year period
   2. Every year
   3. Twice a year
   4. Only once in a lifetime
   Show answer

   Once during a three year period. Each driver is allowed one four point credit during a three year period, and the credit is applied only after completing a BMV approved driver safety program. The BMV may require drivers 21 and older convicted of two or more traffic offenses within 12 months, and drivers under 21 convicted of two or more offenses, to complete the program within 90 days of the mailed notice or face suspension.

3. 3. For an indefinite Indiana no-insurance suspension, how long must an effective SR22 generally be maintained to terminate the suspension?

   1. Continuously for 30 days
   2. Until the next license renewal only
   3. Continuously for 180 days
   4. For one calendar year in every case
   Show answer

   Continuously for 180 days. For no-insurance suspensions that became effective on or after December 31, 2021, the suspension is indefinite. The manual says it can be stayed after the BMV receives an SR22 and terminated by maintaining that policy continuously for 180 days. Thirty days is too short, and a renewal date does not replace the stated period. One year is not the general requirement described here. The key is uninterrupted SR22 coverage on file with the BMV for the full 180 days.

Source: the Indiana Driver's Manual, Chapter 5: Points, Suspension, and Insurance Requirements. This lesson is a plain English summary, not the law itself; where it differs, the manual and the statute govern. Last checked 2026-09-27.