Indiana DMV Cheat Sheet

Correct answer: Two years

A motorist with a previous OWI conviction who refuses to submit to a chemical test will face a suspension of driving privileges for two years.

Correct answer: Can be imposed on probable cause, even before a conviction

If a judge finds probable cause that a person operated a vehicle while intoxicated, that person may face a suspension of driving privileges — a court may later add a further suspension following a conviction.

Correct answer: Is forwarded to the BMV and becomes part of your driver record

A conviction for operating a watercraft while intoxicated is forwarded to the BMV and becomes part of your driver record.

Correct answer: An adult, in the order of preference set by IC 9-24-9-3 (parent, then guardian, then another willing adult)

Applicants under 18 must have an adult sign a sworn statement of financial liability in person at a branch. The adult is jointly responsible for damage from the minor’s driving; withdrawing that liability (State Form 55834) cancels the minor’s permit or license.

Correct answer: Your child, stepchild, sibling, step- or half-sibling, or spouse

During the first 180 days you may not carry passengers unless a qualifying adult (25+, or a spouse 21+) is in the front seat — except that you may drive with your own child, stepchild, sibling, step- or half-sibling, or spouse without another adult present.

Correct answer: Has withdrawn from school, is a habitual truant, or is under expulsion or a second suspension

The BMV must suspend a juvenile’s driving privileges upon school notification that the juvenile is under an expulsion or second/subsequent suspension during a school year, has been determined a habitual truant, or has withdrawn from school.

Correct answer: Indefinite suspensions, which can be stayed by filing an SR22

No-insurance suspensions effective on or after 12/31/2021 are indefinite. They can be stayed once the BMV receives an SR22 and terminated by maintaining the SR22 continuously for 180 days.

Correct answer: A five-year suspension of driving privileges

Under the Habitual Traffic Violator rules, 10 or more violations in 10 years — one of which is a major offense — brings a five-year suspension. For example, nine speeding tickets plus one reckless-driving conviction qualifies.

Correct answer: A 10-year suspension of driving privileges

Drivers with two judgments resulting in injury or death within 10 years are Habitual Traffic Violators suspended for 10 years — and two OWI-resulting-in-death judgments bring a lifetime suspension.

Correct answer: Only if you are traveling in the same direction as the bus

If you are driving on a roadway divided by a barrier or an unimproved median, you are required to stop only if you are traveling in the same direction as the school bus.

Correct answer: A Class A misdemeanor — and a Level 6 or Level 5 felony if it causes bodily injury or death

Disregarding a school bus stop arm can result in a Class A misdemeanor, a Level 6 felony if the offense results in bodily injury, or a Level 5 felony if the offense results in death.

Correct answer: 200 feet of the vehicle ahead

Lower headlight beams must be used when following within 200 feet of the rear of another vehicle, so your high beams do not glare in the other driver’s mirrors.

Correct answer: .08 — the legal alcohol limit

Going 18 hours without sleep leaves a driver equally impaired to a driver with a .08 BAC, the legal alcohol limit. If you are drowsy, pull over to a safe area and take a short nap.

Correct answer: Adequate tread depth (about 1/16 of an inch of tread remaining)

Place Lincoln’s head into a tread groove; if any part of his head is covered, you have a safe amount of tread. Below about 1/16 of an inch, your tires can no longer grip well in adverse conditions.

Correct answer: Traffic regulation sign that regulates speed

Traffic regulation signs regulate traffic speed as well as movement. A “Minimum Speed” sign is a regulation sign setting the lowest legal speed you may travel.

Correct answer: Traffic on the cross street is not required to stop, so do not assume it will

Supplemental plaques are added to the bottom of stop signs to indicate which directions must stop. A “Cross Traffic Does Not Stop” plaque warns that cross traffic has no stop sign, while an “All Way” plaque means every direction stops.

Correct answer: Cyclists may occupy the travel lane and drivers should expect them there

Sharrow markings help cyclists position themselves away from parked cars and alert other road users to expect cyclists to occupy the travel lanes.

Correct answer: The vehicle on the left yields to the vehicle on the right

Where all traffic must stop at a flashing red light, you may proceed after stopping and yielding to any vehicle already in or stopped before entering the intersection. If two drivers arrive at the same time, the vehicle on the left yields the right of way.

Correct answer: Proceed through the steady red after a complete stop of at least two minutes and with due caution

Motorcycle and motor-driven-cycle operators (and bicyclists) who get stuck at a signal that fails to change may proceed through a steady red light only after coming to a complete stop for at least two minutes and exercising due caution. This does not apply to autocycles.

Correct answer: Left turns only, and must never be used for passing

A specially designated center lane is reserved solely for left-turning vehicles from either direction and must never be used for passing. Watch for oncoming vehicles that may enter it to turn left.

Correct answer: 50,000 people

Urban areas have a population of at least 50,000 people; rural interstate highways are those located outside such areas. The definition determines which set of statutory speed caps applies.

Correct answer: Some are in effect only when flashing, while others are in effect at all times

Some work-site speed limits are in effect only when flashing and others are in effect at all times — drivers must adhere to the posted limit in a work site either way.

Correct answer: 40 miles per hour, unless the posted limit is lower

Off the interstate or state highway, the maximum for a school bus is 40 mph unless the posted limit is lower. On an interstate or highway, a school bus may not exceed 60 mph or the posted limit.

Correct answer: When one or more of the lighted signals is malfunctioning

Lighted signals are the safest. If one or more is malfunctioning, you may use hand signals — but you may not use hand signals on a driving skills exam.

Correct answer: On an interstate highway or on a curve or the crest of a hill

Never make a U-turn on an interstate highway — proceed to the next exit instead. Also never make one on a curve or when approaching the crest of a hill or grade.