Indiana DMV written test
Indiana DMV Cheat Sheet
The Indiana knowledge test facts in one place, checked against Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) sources and last verified November 2026.
The numbers
Indiana DMV test numbers to memorize
The Indiana knowledge test has 50 questions and you need 40 correct, which is 80 percent. You can miss 10. Indiana's agency does not publish its question count or passing score, so these numbers are the defaults our simulator uses, not an official requirement. The test is given by the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV).
Scoring rule: eighty percent or higher correct responses on each component must be achieved to pass the exam.
50
Questions on the test
40
80% to pass
Correct answers needed
10
Questions you can miss
15 for learner's permit
Minimum age
- Time limit
- The agency does not publish a time limit for the knowledge test, so we do not state one.
- Test fee on record
- $9. The agency's fee page decides exactly what this covers, so confirm it before you go.
- Format
- Computer-based at BMV branch. Two sections: 16 road sign questions + 34 road rules questions. Must pass both sections at 80%.
- Online test
- Not offered. You test in person.
- Appointment
- Not required. Walk-ins accepted at all BMV branches. Check branch hours online.
Before you go
Documents to bring in Indiana
The Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) asks for these documents for the permit test. Check the agency's current list before you go, because requirements change.
0 of 4 done
- Proof of identity (birth certificate or passport)
- Social Security number
- Proof of Indiana residency
- Parental consent (if under 18)
If you fail
If you fail: Indiana retake rules
If you fail the knowledge exam you can retake it the next business day. A failed driving skills exam means waiting 7 days, and after 3 failed skills exams on a learner's permit the wait grows to two months from the last failure. CDL differs: both the CDL knowledge test and the CDL skills test can be retaken the next business day, once per business day. The BMV publishes no limit on attempts and charges no exam or retest fee, though third-party providers set the CDL skills-test fee and a lapsed permit costs $9 to renew.
- CDL knowledge test (CDL) after failure number 1: wait 1 day.
- CDL skills test (CDL) after failure number 1: wait 1 day.
- Attempt limit: the agency does not publish one that we could confirm.
- Retest fee: the agency does not publish a per-attempt retest fee that we could confirm.
- Wait before the next skills exam lengthens from 7 days to two months.
- Learner's permit must be renewed and the knowledge exam retaken if the permit expires during the failure-triggered wait.
Some retake details for Indiana are not published by the agency (Agency does not publish: retake fee), so confirm them with BMV before you rely on them.
Who can test
Age and permit rules in Indiana
- Under 18
- Must be at least 15. Parental consent required. Must hold permit for 180 days. Must complete 50 hours supervised driving (10 at night). Night and passenger restrictions until 18.
- Permit versus license
- A learner's permit allows supervised driving with a licensed driver 25+ (or licensed instructor/spouse 21+) in the front seat. Must hold for 180 days before road test. Probationary license at 16 years 90 days.
- Where the test is given
- In-person at any Indiana BMV branch.
- How you get results
- Immediate. Results shown per section.
Study material
Languages and handbook
Our record of exam languages for Indiana: English, Arabic, Burmese, Chin, Croatian, French, German, Haitian Creole, Hindi, Japanese, Korean, Mandarin (Simplified Chinese), Polish, Punjabi, Russian, Serbian, Spanish, Swahili, Tagalog, and Vietnamese.
The study source is the Indiana Driver's Manual (2025 edition). The agency also publishes a Spanish version of the driver manual.
From learner data
Most missed Indiana practice questions
These free Indiana questions have the lowest correct rates among learners on DMV IQ. Percentages are rounded to the nearest 5 and only questions with enough answers are listed. Each one shows the right answer, so read the reasoning in the handbook, not just the answer.
- 1
If you double your speed, your braking distance increases by about:
Four times
About 30% get it right
- 2
A hand signal with the left arm extended downward means:
Slowing down or stopping
About 50% get it right
- 3
You should never assume other drivers will:
See you, yield, or obey the law
About 50% get it right
- 4
If the road is wet, you should reduce your speed by:
5-10 mph or more
About 50% get it right
- 5
A center lane marked on both sides by a solid yellow line and a broken yellow line is used for:
Left turns from either direction
About 50% get it right
- 6
You park on a hill where there is no curb. Your front wheels should point:
Toward the edge of the road
About 55% get it right
Your plan
Free Indiana study checklist
Work through the free practice runs and topic cards, and tick each one off. Your ticks stay on this device.
Test yourself on the Indiana questions
Free practice tests and topic cards, each question with a hint and an explanation from the driver manual.
Start free practice test 1