The Ultimate Indiana Driving Test Cheat Sheet: Key Rules & Numbers to Ace Your Exam

The day of your Indiana driving test is here, and you've put in the practice. For that final boost of confidence, a quick review of the most critical rules and numbers can make all the difference. This "cheat sheet" is your last-minute guide to the essential information your examiner will be looking for.

Disclaimer: This is a study guide, not a tool for cheating. The goal is to internalize these rules so you can be a safe and knowledgeable driver.

Critical Numbers to Memorize

Examiners look for precision. Knowing these key numbers demonstrates your familiarity with Indiana's traffic laws.

30 MPH: The speed limit in an urban district unless otherwise posted.
200 Feet: You must signal for a turn or lane change at least 200 feet before the maneuver. If the speed limit is 50 MPH or more, you must signal at least 300 feet beforehand.
2-3 Seconds: The minimum recommended following distance behind another vehicle under ideal conditions. To measure this, watch when the rear of the vehicle in front of you passes a fixed object, then count "one-thousand-one, one-thousand-two...".
50 Feet: When backing up, you may be asked to do so for a distance of about 50 feet, keeping the vehicle slow and straight.
15 Feet: You must stop at least 15 feet away from a railroad crossing when the warning lights are flashing or the gate is lowered.
10 Feet: The minimum distance you must park from a fire hydrant.
30 Feet: In Indiana, vehicles are not allowed to park within 30 feet of a controlled intersection.

Essential Maneuvers and What the Examiner Looks For

Your driving test isn't just about following the rules; it's about demonstrating control and good judgment. Here’s what to focus on for key maneuvers:

Complete Stops

This is one of the most common reasons for failing. A "rolling stop" is an automatic fail.

Where to Stop: Stop before the thick white stop line. If there's no line, stop before the crosswalk. If neither exists, stop before the point where the two roads meet.
How to Stop: Come to a full and complete stop. The car should not be moving at all. After stopping, treat the intersection as a yield and proceed only when it is safe.

Lane Changes

Smooth and safe lane changes are a must.

Signal: Activate your turn signal at least 200 feet before moving.
Mirrors: Check your rearview and side mirrors.
Blind Spot: Look over your shoulder in the direction you plan to move to check your blind spot. This is a critical step!
Move: If the way is clear, move smoothly into the next lane.
Cancel Signal: Turn off your signal once you are fully in the new lane.

Turns

Wide turns or cutting corners will cost you points.

Right Turns: Stay as close as practicable to the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway. Turn into the right lane of the road you are entering.
Left Turns: Approach the turn in the lane farthest to the left. Turn into any lane that is lawfully available to you. After the turn, you should move to the right lane if you are not planning to turn left again soon, as the left lane is generally for passing.

Parking

You may be asked to perform various parking maneuvers.

Reverse 2-Point Parking: This is a common maneuver on the Indiana test. You'll be asked to back into a space.
Corrections: You are generally allowed one pull-up or correction when parking. Trying to fix it too much after that can result in demerits, so sometimes it's better to be slightly off-center than to make a bigger mistake trying to correct it.

Observing Right-of-Way

Failure to yield is a serious and dangerous error.

Pedestrians: Always yield to pedestrians in crosswalks.
Intersections: The first vehicle to arrive at a four-way stop goes first. If two vehicles arrive at the same time, the vehicle on the right has the right-of-way.
Emergency Vehicles: You must pull over to the right and stop for any emergency vehicle with its lights and siren activated.

Automatic Failures: The Absolute Don'ts

Making any of these mistakes will likely end your test immediately.

Disobeying a traffic sign or signal: Running a red light or a stop sign.
Speeding: Driving over the posted speed limit.
Causing a crash: Any contact with another vehicle, person, or fixed object.
Failing to yield right-of-way.
Using a cell phone or other electronic device.
Not wearing your seatbelt.
Backing over a curb.

Final Words of Encouragement

You have studied, and you have practiced. The examiner is not trying to trick you; they simply want to see that you are a safe and competent driver. Take a deep breath, listen to the instructions carefully, and drive with the confidence that you know these rules. You're ready for this. Good luck!