Indiana BMV License Tests & Permit Practice

White lane markings separate multiple lanes of traffic going in the same direction. Most roads with more than two lanes have broken white lines to separate then lanes. You may cross a broken white line when it is safe to change lanes, but you should not cross a solid white line.

A single solid white line means that changing lanes is discouraged. Double solid white lines mean that changing lane is prohibited.

Yellow lane markings separate multiple lanes of traffic going in opposite directions. You may cross a broken yellow line to pass another vehicle when it is safe, but you must not cross a solid yellow line except to turn.

Remember, it is dangerous and illegal to try to pass other vehicles when a solid yellow line is marked on the driver’s side of the center line of the road.

Always stop the engine. Never leave your vehicle unattended with the engine running. Set the parking brake and turn your front wheels sharply to one side (compare parking on a hill). Make sure the ignition is locked, remove your key, and lock the door. Do not hide a second set of keys in or around the vehicle. Whenever possible, park in a well-lit, well-patrolled area.

Indiana law requires a driver and all passengers to use seat belts at all times when a vehicle is in operation.

If you are facing a steady yellow light, your right-of-way is ending. Remember, you should stop for a yellow signal, unless you are too close to the intersection to stop safely. If you cannot stop safely, drive cautiously through the intersection after yielding the right of way.

Never speed up to beat the red signal.

Chances of hydroplaning increases with speed and, at any point your tires may be in contact only with the oil, dirt and water. If this happens, there is no friction to brake, speed up, or turn, and a gust of wind, a change of road level, or a slight turn can cause you to lose control of your vehicle.

Do not pass another vehicle at intersections.

Driving on the left half of the roadway is prohibited when approaching within 100 feet of or passing through an intersection or railroad crossing.

Be prepared to stop driving if you are unable to stay alert or experience any signs of fatigue. If you are feeling drowsy let another person drive or find a safe area to pull over and rest.

If your tire tread gets below 2/32 of an inch, your tires are unsafe. Your car’s ability to grip the road in adverse conditions is greatly reduced.

School buses are equipped with both amber and red flashing lights. When the school bus driver activates the amber lights, they is warning other drivers that the bus is slowing and is going to load or unload children. Once the bus stops, the red lights and stop arm will be activated.

If many vehicles pass you in the right lane of a multi-lane roadway, you are probably going slower than the rest of the traffic. On the highway, slower vehicles should use the right lane. Leave the left-hand lane for faster moving or passing vehicles.

A driver should never begin to cross railroad tracks unless the tracks can be cleared without stopping.

Do not use high headlight beams when driving in fog, snow or heavy rain. Low headlight beams better illuminate the road and objects ahead.

Flash flooding causes more deaths than any other weather events. Do not drive where water is over the road. The depth of water is not always obvious and the water may hide washouts.

Ambulances and police vehicles, fire and rescue vehicles are permitted to display a red flashing light and drivers must obey the following rules:

• Yield the right-of-way.
• Immediately drive to a position parallel to and as close as possible to the right-hand edge or curb of the highway clear of any intersection.
• Stop and remain in the position until the authorized emergency vehicle has passed.

• Stay alert. Look for reduced speed limits, narrow driving lanes and highway workers.
• Pay attention. Work zone signs will state exactly what to expect ahead.
• Merge early. If merging at first sight of signs, traffic will flow more smoothly.
• Slow down. If you are speeding when you approach a work zone you will encounter slowed or stopped traffic within seconds.
• Don’t tailgate. Maintain a safe distance on all sides of your vehicle.
• Minimize distractions.
• Plan ahead and expect delays.

If a judge finds that probable cause exists, such that a person operated a vehicle while intoxicated, they may face a suspension of driving privileges. A motorist who refuses to submit to a chemical test will face a suspension of driving privileges for up to two years. In addition to a probable cause suspension, a court may suspend a person’s driving privileges following a conviction for operating while intoxicated.

Restrictions associated with a probationary driver’s license include passenger restrictions for the first 180 days.

A law enforcement officer may direct traffic at an intersection or elsewhere. The officer’s command may be different from a traffic signal or sign. In such a case, the law enforcement officer’s command is the one that must be obeyed.

According to Indiana code 9-21-8-49, anyone who does not follow the traffic directions given by a police officer, flagman or school crossing guard has committed a class C misdemeanor.

You must give a proper turn signal at least 200 feet before turning or changing lanes. If the speed limit is 50 miles per hour or more, you must give a proper turn signal at least 300 feet before turning or changing lanes. When there is opportunity to signal, the law also requires you to signal before stopping or suddenly decreasing speed. Normally, you do that with your brake lights.

Do not move into a bicycle path or lane in preparation for a turn.

Cross a bicycle path or lane only when turning or when entering or leaving an alley, driveway or private road.

If your car plunges into water, unfasten your safety belt and escape through a window. Do not attempt to open a door. The weight of the water will make it nearly impossible to open a door and water will flood the passenger compartment through an open door.

Areas near the left (or right) rear corner of your car are called blind spots because you cannot see them through the mirrors. When changing lanes, briefly turn your head towards the lane that you are entering to make sure that there is no vehicle in your blind spot and that there is sufficient room to move into the adjacent lane.

Because of their size, motorcycles and motor driven cycles can be hidden in a vehicle’s blind spot or missed in a quick shoulder check. Always check your mirrors and blind spots before entering or leaving a lane of traffic and at intersections.

Don’t linger in the blind spots on the sides and in the rear of large vehicles.

If your vehicle has an anti-lock brake system (ABS), keep your foot on the brake pedal, maintaining firm and continuous pressure while steering normally. Do not pump the brakes. A mechanical sound or noise and vibration or increased resistance in the brake pedal indicates your ABS is working.

Follow these rules and guidelines when pedestrians are in the vicinity:

• Always yield the right-of-way to pedestrians.
• Do not make a turn that causes a pedestrian to stop, slow down or make some other special effort to avoid a collision.
• If children are in the vicinity, take special care, because children are not fully aware of the dangers of traffic.
• Be respectful of others who have difficulty in crossing streets, such as elderly persons or persons with a visual disability.

Do not cut off a tractor-trailer in traffic or on the highway to reach an exit or turn. Cutting into the open space in front of a tractor-trailer removes the tractor-trailer driver’s cushion of safety. Trying to beat a tractor-trailer to a single-lane construction zone creates a particularly dangerous situation. Take a moment to slow down and exit behind a tractor-trailer. It will only take you a few extra seconds and will greatly reduce the risk of an accident.

Carbon monoxide gas from a vehicle engine can harm or kill you or your passengers. You cannot see, smell, or taste carbon monoxide.

To turn left, be in the far-left lane for your direction of travel. You must give a proper turn signal at least 200 feet before turning. Always check your mirrors and blind spots at intersections. Before entering an intersection, make sure the intersection is clear before you proceed. Only one vehicle at a time may move into an intersection to turn left.

Be aware that moisture on ramps, bridges and overpasses may occasionally freeze before other sections of the driving roadway.

The pedestrian hybrid beacon is dark unless it has been activated by a pedestrian. Once activated by a pedestrian, the pedestrian hybrid beacon will display a flashing yellow light to allow drivers to clear the crossing. The flashing yellow will be followed by a steady yellow light to warn drivers that their right of way is ending. Then, two steady red lights will be displayed while the pedestrian crosses and then the two red lights will flash to allow drivers to proceed through if crossing is clear of pedestrians. The pedestrian hybrid beacon will then go dark until activated again by a pedestrian.

If after reasonable inquiry you cannot find the owner or person in charge of the damaged vehicle, you must contact a law enforcement officer or agency and provide the information necessary.

Incoming traffic always yields to the circulating traffic.

It is illegal for any vehicle, other than an emergency vehicle or a highway maintenance vehicle, to make a U-turn by crossing the median or crossover of an interstate highway.

If you miss an exit, you must drive to the next exit.

Work site speed limits are always at least 10 miles per hour below the maximum established speed limit for the area. Drivers must adhere to the posted speed limit in a work site.