Indiana Traffic Laws and Rules of the Road
Indiana traffic laws and rules of the road
This domain tests the statutory rules an Indiana instructor must model and teach: speed limits, right-of-way, signals, passenger restraints, graduated licensing, and impaired-driving thresholds. Exam items often hinge on an exact number or a narrow exception, so learn the rule and the reason behind it.
Core rules
- Speed limits: 30 mph in urban districts, 55 mph on rural state highways, 65 mph on urban interstates, and 70 mph on rural interstates unless posted otherwise. Reduced speeds apply in school zones and work zones when children or workers are present.
- Right-of-way: at an uncontrolled intersection, the first vehicle to arrive proceeds first; if two arrive together, the driver on the left yields to the driver on the right. A left turn yields to oncoming traffic. Right turn on red is allowed after a full stop unless posted; left turn on red is allowed only from a one-way street onto another one-way street.
- School buses: stop for flashing red lights and an extended stop arm on an undivided or two-lane road. On a divided highway with a median, oncoming traffic does not stop, but traffic traveling behind the bus does.
- Restraints: front-seat occupants and all children under 16 must be restrained; children under 8 must use a child safety seat. Indiana's seat belt law is primary enforcement.
- Graduated licensing: a learner's permit at 15 with driver education enrollment, held 180 days; 50 supervised driving hours, 10 at night; probationary license at 16 years and 90 days with driver education. Driver education requires 30 classroom hours, 6 behind-the-wheel hours, and 6 observation hours.
- Impaired driving: .08 BAC for adults, .02 for drivers under 21, and implied consent to testing. Twenty points in 24 months triggers suspension.
Worked example
A bus stops with red lights on a four-lane divided highway. Your lane is on the opposite side, separated by a median. You do not stop, because oncoming traffic on a divided highway is not required to stop. You still reduce speed and watch for children who may cross.
Traps
Do not confuse a two-lane road with a divided highway; the stop-arm rule changes. Do not assume the posted speed is always safe for conditions. Do not assume left turn on red is generally allowed.