Updated for 2026

Indiana BMV (Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles)

Comprehensive study guide for the 2026 driver's knowledge exam. Everything you need to know about laws, fees, and requirements.

Total Questions

50

Passing Score

42 (Must score 28/34 on Road Rules AND 14/16 on Road Signs)

Standard Fee

$9.00 (Learner's Permit) / $17.50 (Driver's License)

Testing System

touchscreen computer

Critical Failure Factors

A unique and frequent reason for failure in Indiana is the 'split-score' system: you can get a perfect score on road signs but still fail if you miss too many road rule questions. Additionally, the 'Rolling Stop' at stop signs and failing to adhere to the 'Slow Poke Law' on highways are common critical errors.

Legal Statutes & Driving Codes

Indiana's traffic laws are enforced under the Indiana Code, with specific emphasis on highway safety and traffic flow. One of the most famous and unique regulations is the 'Slow Poke Law' (Indiana Code 9-21-5-9). This law mandates that drivers in the left-most lane of a multi-lane highway must move to the right if another vehicle is overtaking them from behind, regardless of the speed limit. Even if you are driving at the speed limit, you can be ticketed for 'impeding traffic' if you refuse to yield the left lane to a faster vehicle. Another critical safety statute is the 'Move Over Law'. When approaching a stationary emergency vehicle, recovery vehicle, utility service vehicle, or highway maintenance vehicle displaying flashing lights, drivers must change lanes into a lane not adjacent to the stopped vehicle. If changing lanes is impossible or unsafe, the driver must reduce their speed to at least 10 mph below the posted speed limit. Indiana also strictly regulates school bus safety. Motorists must stop when a school bus displays flashing red lights and an extended stop arm. This applies to traffic in BOTH directions on undivided roadways. The only exception is on a divided highway where the lanes are separated by a physical barrier (like a concrete median or grassy strip); in this case, only traffic following the bus must stop. For teen drivers, Indiana's Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) system is rigorous. A learner's permit must be held for 180 days. During this time, the teen must log 50 hours of supervised driving, 10 of which must be at night. Once a probationary license is obtained, strict restrictions apply: for the first 180 days, no passengers are allowed unless accompanied by a licensed instructor, a parent/guardian, or a licensed driver over 25. Driving is generally prohibited between 11:00 PM and 5:00 AM (Sunday-Thursday) and 1:00 AM to 5:00 AM (Friday-Saturday). Additionally, all drivers under 21 are prohibited from using any type of telecommunications device while driving, including hands-free systems, unless calling 911.

Statistical Realities

Taking the driving test in Indiana involves navigating a unique scoring structure that trips up many unprepared applicants. Unlike most states that simply require a total percentage to pass (e.g., 80% overall), Indiana's written test is effectively two tests in one. You must answer 16 questions on Road Signs and 34 questions on Road Rules. Crucially, you can only miss 2 questions on the Road Signs section (must get 14/16 correct). If you miss 3 signs, you fail the entire exam immediately, regardless of how well you know the rules. Similarly, you must score at least 28/34 on the Road Rules section. This distinct separation means you cannot compensate for weak sign knowledge with strong rule knowledge. Another vital fact for Indiana drivers involves the 'Red Light' laws. While right-on-red is standard, Indiana also legally permits a 'Left on Red' turn, but ONLY when turning from a one-way street onto another one-way street. Drivers often forget this or do it incorrectly on two-way streets, leading to failure. Environmentally, Indiana drivers must be prepared for drastic weather changes. The northern part of the state receives significant 'lake-effect snow' from Lake Michigan, creating sudden whiteout conditions that don't exist in the southern counties. The manual explicitly advises that in fog, snow, or heavy rain, high-beam headlights reflect off moisture and blind the driver; therefore, low beams are mandatory. Statistically, deer collisions are a major hazard in Indiana, especially in the fall (October-November) during mating season. The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) warns that if a collision with a deer is unavoidable, it is safer to hit the deer than to swerve into oncoming traffic or off the road, which often causes fatal rollovers. Regarding the practical driving test, if you are taking the road skills exam, be aware that Indiana examiners are strict about the 'parallel parking' maneuver—you must not hit the curb or the flags. However, simply bumping the curb is often points deducted, but rolling over the curb is an automatic failure. Finally, Indiana offers a 'validity' period for learner's permits of two years, which is longer than many states, giving teens ample time to practice without rushing to the test.