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Indiana DMV Practice Test 2026

25 free questions for the Indiana written permit test. Choose an answer to see right away whether it is correct and why. No sign-up.

Question 1 of 25

Before a young driver in Indiana can move from a learner's permit to a provisional or full license, how many total hours of supervised driving practice are generally required?

All 25 questions with answers

Open a question to see the correct answer and the explanation.

Before a young driver in Indiana can move from a learner's permit to a provisional or full license, how many total hours of supervised driving practice are generally required?
  1. 20 hours
  2. 30 hours
  3. 50 hours
  4. 40 hours

Correct answer: 50 hours. Indiana generally requires 50 total hours of supervised practice before a young driver can advance past the permit stage.

If a driver cannot change lanes away from a stopped emergency vehicle, what must they do instead?
  1. Continue driving at the exact same speed as before
  2. Speed up quickly to pass the vehicle safely
  3. Slow to at least 10 mph below the posted limit
  4. Stop completely in the roadway and wait there

Correct answer: Slow to at least 10 mph below the posted limit. When a lane change isn't possible, the driver must slow to at least 10 mph under the posted speed limit.

Source: Indiana Driver Handbook, p.51, Emergency Vehicles

What should you expect on the road after seeing this sign?
  1. The shoulder ahead is soft and could trap your tires if you drive onto it
  2. The road ahead has loose gravel, which reduces how well your tires grip the road
  3. The road ahead becomes especially slippery when it is wet
  4. There is a raised bump in the road ahead

Correct answer: There is a raised bump in the road ahead. Seeing this sign means there is a raised bump in the road ahead. Drivers should reduce speed and stay alert for this condition.

Source: MUTCD 2009 Sec. 2C (Warning Signs)

On a multi-lane road, why should slower-moving traffic generally stay in the right-hand lanes?
  1. So faster traffic can pass safely on the left.
  2. The right lanes are reserved for parking only.
  3. It has no real purpose but is a tradition.
  4. Right lanes are always wider.

Correct answer: So faster traffic can pass safely on the left.. Keeping slower traffic to the right lets faster vehicles pass on the left in a predictable way, which keeps traffic flowing more smoothly and safely.

Source: Texas Driver Handbook, Ch9 Highway Driving p.47 (keep right except to pass)

A driver reaches over to pick up a phone that fell onto the passenger seat while the car is still moving. What type of distraction is this an example of?
  1. Manual distraction - taking a hand off the steering wheel
  2. Visual distraction only
  3. Cognitive distraction only
  4. It is not considered a distraction if it lasts less than a second

Correct answer: Manual distraction - taking a hand off the steering wheel. Reaching for an object is a manual distraction because it takes at least one hand off the steering wheel, even if only briefly.

Source: Occupant Protection-Distracted Driving p.28 - 'Manual-Hands off the steering wheel...Reaching for an object inside the vehicle.'

Inside urban areas, what speed ceiling applies to non-divided state highways and county roads alike?
  1. 45 mph
  2. 50 mph
  3. 65 mph
  4. 55 mph

Correct answer: 55 mph. Urban non-divided state highways and county roads share a 55 mph ceiling.

Source: Indiana Driver Handbook, p.33, Urban Speed Limits

When you plan to exit a highway, what should you do?
  1. Wait until you reach the exit ramp to signal and change lanes
  2. Slow down while still in a middle or left lane
  3. Signal and move into the proper exit lane well before reaching the exit
  4. Exit lanes don't require signaling since everyone expects you to exit

Correct answer: Signal and move into the proper exit lane well before reaching the exit. Move into the proper lane and signal well in advance of your exit, giving other drivers time to react to your lane change.

Source: California Driver Handbook, Vehicle Positioning-Space to Exit, p.80 (2020 handbook PDF)

A driver in Indiana is holding their phone to their ear to make a voice call - they are not texting. Based only on that state's general handheld-phone law, is this illegal? (True = illegal, False = not illegal under this general rule)
  1. False
  2. True

Correct answer: True. In Indiana, holding the phone to make a voice call while driving is illegal under the general handheld rule: True.

What happens to the reinstatement fee after repeat no-insurance suspensions in Indiana?
  1. It stays exactly the same amount each time
  2. It climbs, reaching $1,000 by a third violation
  3. It is waived completely after the first time
  4. It is capped at $150 no matter how many times

Correct answer: It climbs, reaching $1,000 by a third violation. The reinstatement fee rises with each repeat no-insurance suspension, reaching $1,000 by a third.

Source: Indiana Driver Handbook, p.21, Insurance Requirements

Roughly how does tripling your speed affect your braking distance, compared to driving at the original speed?
  1. Braking distance stays about the same no matter the speed
  2. Braking distance is cut down to roughly a third of before
  3. Braking distance increases far more than three times
  4. Braking distance only doubles when your speed triples

Correct answer: Braking distance increases far more than three times. Stopping distance grows with the square of speed, so tripling your speed can make your braking distance roughly nine times longer.

Source: Florida Driver Handbook, Ch7 Braking Distance p.68 (tripling speed = 9x)

After parallel parking along a curb, you are about to open your door to get out. What should you check first?
  1. Nothing, it's safe once the car has stopped.
  2. Only check if it happens to be raining outside.
  3. Check the mirror for traffic or cyclists first.
  4. Only the passenger needs to check, not you.

Correct answer: Check the mirror for traffic or cyclists first.. Checking your mirror and looking back before opening a door lets you spot an approaching cyclist or vehicle that could be struck by a suddenly opened door.

Source: New York Driver Handbook, Ch7 Parallel Parking p.39

A dog is riding loose in the car, moving between the front and back seats while the driver is on the road. Why is this a safety concern?
  1. It is only a concern for the pet's own comfort, not driver safety
  2. Pets are not considered a distraction under any driving law
  3. It only matters if the pet is larger than the driver
  4. An unsecured pet can distract the driver and interfere with vehicle controls

Correct answer: An unsecured pet can distract the driver and interfere with vehicle controls. An unsecured pet moving around inside a vehicle is a recognized driving distraction, since it can pull the driver's attention away from the road or physically interfere with the pedals or steering.

Source: Florida Driver Handbook, Distracted Driving-Categories of Distraction, p.42

Under good conditions, about how many seconds of following distance does the Indiana handbook recommend keeping behind the vehicle ahead?
  1. 5 seconds
  2. 3 seconds
  3. 1 second
  4. 8 seconds

Correct answer: 3 seconds. In Indiana, the handbook recommends counting at least 3 seconds between when the vehicle ahead passes a fixed point and when you reach the same point.

Traffic is backed up at a red light. If stopping at the normal spot would leave part of the vehicle sitting on top of the crosswalk, what should a driver do?
  1. Stop as usual since the light will change soon anyway
  2. Edge forward slowly until the car ahead moves
  3. Stop farther back so the crosswalk stays completely clear
  4. Straddle the crosswalk since pedestrians can walk around

Correct answer: Stop farther back so the crosswalk stays completely clear. A vehicle should never block or overhang a crosswalk while stopped. If the line of traffic extends that far, stop short of the crosswalk instead, so pedestrians have a clear path and can be seen by other drivers.

Source: Florida Driver Handbook, Ch6 Traffic Signals-Steady Signal Lights #2, p.59

What should a driver do just before changing lanes, in addition to checking mirrors?
  1. Speed up sharply to clear the lane quickly
  2. Turn off the turn signal early to avoid confusing others
  3. Assume the mirrors show everything needed
  4. Turn their head and check the blind spot

Correct answer: Turn their head and check the blind spot. Mirrors don't show the blind spot next to your vehicle, so a quick shoulder check is needed to confirm the lane is actually clear.

Source: California Driver Handbook, Safe Driving Practices p.76 (blind spot)

A driver has tire chains installed for a snowy mountain road. What is true about driving speed with chains on?
  1. Chains make it safe to drive at the posted speed limit on any surface
  2. Chains eliminate the need to slow down in snow entirely
  3. Chains still do not allow safe driving at normal speeds on slick pavement
  4. Chains work exactly like snow tires and can be driven just as fast

Correct answer: Chains still do not allow safe driving at normal speeds on slick pavement. Tire chains improve traction, but neither chains nor snow tires allow a driver to travel at normal speeds on slick pavement. Drivers should not get a false sense of security just because their vehicle is equipped for winter conditions.

Source: Texas Driver Handbook, Ch9 Winter Driving-Table 23: Equip Your Vehicle with Chains or Snow Tires, p.55

Once a school bus's red lights and stop arm are active, which drivers must stop?
  1. Only drivers behind the bus
  2. Only drivers approaching from a side street
  3. Only drivers already at the next intersection
  4. Traffic in both directions

Correct answer: Traffic in both directions. With the red lights and stop arm active, traffic from both directions must stop, absent a divided-highway exception.

Source: Indiana Driver Handbook, p.51-52, School Buses

What hazard or condition ahead is this sign warning you about?
  1. The curve ahead is one where trucks traveling too fast have a risk of rolling over
  2. There are two sharp turns ahead in opposite directions, one right after the other
  3. There is an extremely sharp curve ahead, almost doubling back on itself
  4. There is a moderate curve in the road ahead, in the direction the sign shows

Correct answer: There are two sharp turns ahead in opposite directions, one right after the other. This sign tells drivers that there are two sharp turns ahead in opposite directions, one right after the other. Watch carefully and adjust your speed before you reach it.

Source: MUTCD 2009 Sec. 2C (Warning Signs)

What happens to the refusal suspension if the driver has a prior OWI conviction?
  1. It is waived
  2. It stays at one year
  3. It is reduced down to only 90 days total
  4. It stretches to two years

Correct answer: It stretches to two years. A prior OWI conviction extends a refusal suspension from one year to two years.

Source: Indiana Driver Handbook, p.24, Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated

What condition or hazard is coming up when you see this sign?
  1. The lane ends ahead and traffic must merge in the direction the sign shows
  2. Vehicles entering from a side road ahead will merge directly into your lane
  3. Traffic going straight through ahead must merge to the left
  4. A multi-lane road ahead narrows down to a single lane, so drivers must merge

Correct answer: Traffic going straight through ahead must merge to the left. This yellow diamond sign warns that traffic going straight through ahead must merge to the left. Slow down and adjust your driving to handle it safely.

Source: MUTCD 2009 Sec. 2C (Warning Signs)

You are approaching a reversible center lane and are not sure which direction it is currently open for. What should you do?
  1. Enter the lane anyway, since it sits in the center
  2. Follow whichever car is ahead of you into that lane
  3. Check the overhead signal before entering the lane
  4. Assume the lane always flows toward downtown areas

Correct answer: Check the overhead signal before entering the lane. Because a reversible lane's direction changes with the overhead signal, you should confirm the current direction before entering, rather than guessing.

Source: California Driver Handbook, Lane Control, reversible lane

You stop at a four-way stop and notice the vehicle to your right stopped a moment before you but has not moved yet. What should you do?
  1. Proceed anyway, because it is on your right so it must yield to you
  2. Assume the vehicle is turning and go around it
  3. Only wait if a pedestrian is present
  4. Wait, since the vehicle that stopped first should go first

Correct answer: Wait, since the vehicle that stopped first should go first. The order of arrival, not just position, decides who goes first at a four-way stop, so let the vehicle that stopped first proceed even though it hasn't moved yet.

Source: New York Driver Handbook, PDF p.34, driver on the left yields to driver on the right

You are driving at night and notice the traffic signal ahead is flashing yellow in all directions. What should you do?
  1. Stop completely, just as you would at a stop sign
  2. Speed up, since flashing yellow means the light is broken and can be ignored
  3. Slow down and proceed carefully; no full stop is required
  4. Wait for it to turn solid green before proceeding

Correct answer: Slow down and proceed carefully; no full stop is required. A flashing yellow signal only requires drivers to slow down and proceed with caution; unlike a flashing red, it does not require a complete stop.

Source: California Driver Handbook, PDF p.42, Flashing Yellow: proceed with caution, you do not need to stop

What is the general difference between a yellow center line and a white lane line?
  1. White is only used on highways; yellow is only used in cities
  2. Yellow marks opposite-direction traffic; white marks same-direction lanes
  3. White lines are always solid and yellow lines are always broken
  4. There is no real difference; they mean the same thing

Correct answer: Yellow marks opposite-direction traffic; white marks same-direction lanes. Yellow lines separate traffic moving in opposite directions, and white lines separate lanes where everyone is moving the same way.

Source: California Driver Handbook, PDF p.41, Line Colors

At a T-shaped intersection where your street ends and there is no stop or yield sign, who has the right-of-way?
  1. Whoever is turning left at the intersection
  2. The vehicle approaching from your left
  3. Traffic already moving on the through road
  4. Whoever arrives first, no matter which road they are on

Correct answer: Traffic already moving on the through road. At an unmarked T-intersection, the road that continues through has the right-of-way; traffic on the street that ends must yield.

Source: California Driver Handbook, PDF p.46, T intersections

Indiana permit test: common questions

How many questions are on the Indiana permit test?

We could not verify a fixed question count or passing score for Indiana. Check the official handbook before your test.

Are these the real Indiana test questions?

No. They are practice questions that cover the same topics: traffic laws, road signs and safe driving. The real test is set by Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV).

Is this practice test free?

Yes. There is nothing to sign up for. The DriveFinch app has the full question bank, works offline and is free (one small banner ad).