Indiana BMV Practice Test 2025

Indiana's HTV law (IC 9-30-10) creates two levels of classification. Intermediate HTV: 2 major violations within 10 years, OR 10 total violations within 10 years — results in a 10-year license suspension. Habitual (full) HTV: 10 major violations within 10 years — results in a lifetime suspension, with reinstatement eligibility after 10 years via court petition only. Major violations include OWI, reckless driving causing injury, leaving the scene of an accident, and criminal recklessness with a vehicle. The HTV designation is one of the most consequential license accountability laws in the nation.

Indiana's 34-question knowledge test covers road rules and road sign identification. While the test is administered as a single session, questions draw from both subject areas. You need 28 correct answers (82%) overall — there is no separate minimum for each category within the standard knowledge test. If you fail, you must wait one day before retesting. After three failures within any testing period, BMV requires a 30-day waiting period before you can test again.

Level 2 Probationary License holders under 18 face two main restrictions: (1) Curfew: no driving between midnight and 5AM, unless the trip is to/from work, school, a religious organization, or an emergency requiring documentation; (2) Passenger restriction for the first 180 days: no more than one non-family passenger who is under 25. Immediate family members (parents, siblings) are exempt from the passenger limit. After 180 days on Level 2, the passenger restriction lifts — but the midnight curfew continues until the driver turns 18.

Indiana's HEA 1070 (effective July 1, 2020) applies to ALL drivers regardless of age. Holding or physically supporting a wireless device with any body part while driving is prohibited. Hands-free Bluetooth, earpieces, and dashboard-mounted devices are legal. A first violation is a Class C infraction with fines up to $500. If the violation contributes to injury or death, penalties are significantly higher. The law was enacted after years of being one of the few states without a comprehensive handheld ban.

After failing Indiana's knowledge test, you must wait at least one full day before retesting. If you fail three times within a testing period, you must wait 30 days before attempting again. There is no limit on the total number of attempts, but the 30-day cooling-off period after three failures encourages genuine study between attempts. Most BMV branches allow walk-in testing — check the Indiana BMV website (in.gov/bmv) for branch hours and any appointment requirements at specific locations.

Indiana uses the REAL ID documentation system. You must bring: (1) proof of identity (certified U.S. birth certificate or U.S. passport); (2) proof of Social Security Number (Social Security card, W-2, or pay stub showing full SSN); (3) two proofs of Indiana residency (utility bills, bank statements, school records); (4) if under 18, a completed and signed parental consent form (BMV Form 54020). All documents must be originals or certified copies — photocopies are not accepted.

An OWI conviction in Indiana adds 8 points to the driver's record — the maximum single-offense point value in Indiana's system. Since the suspension threshold is 18 points in 24 months, a single OWI places a driver 8/18ths of the way to suspension on top of the criminal penalties. Indiana's OWI penalties: first offense (Class C misdemeanor) — up to 60 days jail, $500 fine, 90–180 day license suspension. With a prior conviction or child in the vehicle, charges escalate to Level 6 felony. OWI points stay on the record for the full 2-year accumulation window.

Indiana does not specify a mandatory number of supervised driving hours at the state level for the Level 1 Learner Permit — unlike some states that require 40, 50, or 60 hours. Instead, Indiana requires that the Level 1 permit be held for a minimum of 180 consecutive days before progressing to a Level 2 Probationary License. The permit must be held continuously — losing and reacquiring the permit resets the 180-day clock. An approved driver education course is strongly recommended and reduces insurance costs, but is not mandated by the state.

Indiana law requires that you only pass when it is safe to do so and visibility is clear. Passing is prohibited: over a solid yellow centerline on your side, within 100 feet of an intersection or railroad crossing, on a hill crest or curve where you cannot see oncoming traffic, in a no-passing zone marked with signs or road markings, and when there is not enough distance to complete the pass before oncoming traffic arrives. You must signal, accelerate to a safe passing speed, return to your lane with at least 200 feet clearance before the vehicle you passed, and cancel your signal.

Indiana participates in the Driver License Compact (DLC) and the Non-Resident Violator Compact. Traffic violations received in other states are reported to Indiana BMV and can result in Indiana points being added to your record — as if the violation occurred in Indiana. The number of points assigned matches the equivalent Indiana violation, not necessarily the other state's point value. OWI/DUI convictions from other states are treated as equivalent to Indiana OWI for HTV designation purposes. This means a DUI in another state counts toward Indiana's HTV threshold.