IN Driving Instructor flashcards

32 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.

Indiana basic speed law

Drivers must travel at a speed reasonable and prudent for existing conditions. Posted limits are maximums under ideal conditions, and driving too slowly for traffic can also be a violation.

Indiana point suspension threshold

Accumulating 12 or more points within 12 months results in license suspension. Points are assigned by conviction type, with reckless driving worth 6 points and most speeding convictions worth 2 to 4.

School bus stop arm rule

Traffic must stop for a school bus displaying flashing red lights and an extended stop arm. On a divided highway with a median, only traffic on the bus's side must stop.

Indiana implied consent

A driver arrested for operating while intoxicated must submit to a chemical test. Refusing the test triggers license suspension independent of the criminal case outcome.

Left turn right-of-way

A driver turning left across oncoming traffic must yield until a safe gap exists. Oncoming vehicles have the right-of-way, and a permissive green arrow does not change that duty.

Indiana Move Over law

When approaching stopped emergency, tow, or maintenance vehicles with flashing lights, drivers must change lanes away if possible. If a lane change is unsafe, they must slow and pass cautiously.

Headlight visibility trigger

Headlights are required from sunset to sunrise and whenever visibility is reduced to 500 feet or less. They must also be on when windshield wipers are in continuous use.

Child restraint age rule

Indiana requires children under 8 to ride in an appropriate child safety seat or booster. Occupant protection requirements extend to all passengers under 16 regardless of seat position.

Four-second following rule

At speeds above 40 mph or in poor conditions, a driver should stay at least four seconds behind the vehicle ahead. This allows time to react and stop safely.

Total stopping distance formula

Stopping distance equals perception distance plus reaction distance plus braking distance. Reaction distance is speed in feet per second multiplied by reaction time in seconds.

Smith System five keys

Aim high in steering, get the big picture, keep your eyes moving, leave yourself an out, and make sure others see you. These habits build systematic defensive driving.

Space cushion at a stop

When stopped behind another vehicle, keep enough distance to see its rear tires touching the pavement. This leaves room to steer around it if it stalls.

Hydroplaning recovery

Ease off the accelerator, hold the wheel steady, and avoid hard braking until tires regain contact with the road. Hydroplaning can begin at speeds as low as 35 mph.

Skid correction technique

Steer in the direction the rear of the vehicle is sliding and avoid sudden braking. With ABS, apply firm continuous brake pressure and steer rather than pumping the pedal.

Overdriving headlights

Traveling faster than the distance illuminated by headlights. Low beams reach about 160 feet and high beams about 350 feet, so speed must allow stopping within that range.

Indiana texting offense status

Texting while driving is a primary offense for all Indiana drivers, meaning an officer may stop a vehicle for that conduct alone without another violation.

Tire blowout response

Grip the wheel firmly, ease off the accelerator, and avoid hard braking. Steer gradually to a controlled stop off the roadway to prevent loss of control.

Under-21 OWI threshold

A driver under 21 commits an OWI offense with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.02% or higher. The lower threshold reflects zero-tolerance treatment of young drivers.

Driver training school license

Indiana requires a BMV license for the school itself, with separate approval for each instructor and each training vehicle. Unlicensed operation carries civil penalties.

Instructor minimum age

Applicants for an Indiana driving instructor license must be at least 21 years old and hold a valid Indiana driver's license with a qualifying clean driving record.

Dual control brake requirement

Training vehicles must have a passenger-side brake operable by the instructor. Vehicles also need current registration, insurance, and a passing inspection before instructional use.

Student hour certification

Indiana requires documented classroom and behind-the-wheel hours for students under 18 seeking a probationary license. Schools must keep records proving those hours were completed.

Required school records

Schools must retain enrollment agreements, attendance and completion records, instructor certification files, and vehicle inspection and maintenance logs for BMV inspection.

Tuition refund disclosure

Refund policies must be given in writing before enrollment. Schools may not keep fees for instruction not delivered unless the signed contract states a refund schedule.

Advertising restrictions

Schools may not guarantee that a student will pass the driving test or receive a license. Ads may not imply official state endorsement through seals or names.

Change notification duty

Schools must notify the BMV within the required period of changes in ownership, location, instructor roster, or vehicle fleet. Failure can affect license status.

Instructor license portability

An Indiana instructor license is issued to one individual and is not transferable. A new instructor must complete the background check and qualification process independently.

Instructor self-reporting duty

Instructors must report any license suspension, revocation, or serious moving violation to the school and the BMV. Instruction is prohibited while the license is invalid.

Instructor prohibited conduct

Instructors may not teach while impaired, leave the passenger seat during a student drive, misuse phones, or abuse students verbally or physically. Violations can lead to license action.

Behind-the-wheel session log

Each driving session must be logged with date, time, skills or route covered, duration, and student signature. Logs support certification of required hours.

Student record confidentiality

Student grades, test results, and personal data may be released only to the student, a minor's parent or guardian, or the BMV. Records must be protected from unauthorized access.

Falsified training hours

Backdating or fabricating behind-the-wheel hours is fraud and grounds for instructor license revocation. It also invalidates the student's certification of completed training.