How many questions are on the Indiana permit test?

Indiana's written permit test has 50 questions total: 34 on road rules and traffic laws, and 16 on road sign identification.

What's the passing score for the Indiana written test?

You must score at least 80% on BOTH sections independently. This means at least 26 correct out of 34 road rule questions AND at least 14 correct out of 16 road sign questions.

How much does the Indiana written knowledge test cost?

The learner's permit costs $9, and this fee covers unlimited attempts at the knowledge test. There is no additional charge for retakes.

How old do I have to be to take the Indiana permit test?

You must be at least 15 years old and enrolled in a driver education course to apply for a learner's permit. If not enrolled in driver education, you must wait until age 16.

Can I take the Indiana DMV test in Spanish or other languages?

Language accommodation information is not clearly documented. Contact your local Indiana BMV office directly to inquire about testing in languages other than English.

How many times can I retake the Indiana written test?

There is no specified limit on retake attempts. You can retake the test the next business day after a failure, and the initial $9 permit fee covers unlimited knowledge test attempts.

Is the Indiana permit test online or in person?

Indiana's permit test is administered in person at Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) offices statewide. Tests are computer-based at the office location.

What documents do I need to bring to the Indiana DMV?

Bring a valid photo ID (passport, birth certificate, or state ID), proof of Social Security number, proof of Indiana residency (utility bill or lease), proof of driver education enrollment or completion, and your completed application.

Indiana DMV Practice Test

Indiana's learner's permit test, administered by the Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV), splits equally between road rules and road sign recognition with a unique two-section passing requirement. The 50-question exam requires applicants to score at least 80% on both the road rules section (34 questions) and the road signs section (16 questions) independently, meaning you must master both components to succeed. Indiana's permit process is relatively affordable at $9 for the learner's permit, and the BMV offers flexible testing with next-business-day retake options if you fail one section but pass the other.

Available Indiana practice tests

What's on the Indiana written test

Indiana's permit test emphasizes balanced knowledge of both traffic rules and road sign recognition. The road rules section covers right-of-way laws, safe following distances, speed limits, parking regulations, proper signal use, and traffic control device compliance. You'll encounter questions about driving under the influence, emergency response procedures, and safe lane positioning. The road signs section tests your ability to identify and understand warning signs (yellow diamonds), regulatory signs (white rectangles), information signs (green rectangles), and stop/yield signs (red octagon and white triangle). Indiana-specific considerations include navigating winter conditions on Interstate 65 and 74, managing the heavy traffic around Indianapolis, and understanding rural road safety in the southern part of the state.

Car / standard license

Indiana's written permit test consists of 50 multiple-choice questions divided into two independent sections: 34 questions on road rules and traffic laws, and 16 questions on road sign identification. You must achieve at least 80% (26 correct) on the road rules section AND at least 80% (14 correct) on the road signs section to pass overall. Both sections are weighted equally, and you must pass both to receive a learner's permit. The learner's permit costs $9, and the initial $9 fee covers unlimited knowledge test attempts. If you pass one section but fail the other, you only retake the failed section. You must wait until the next business day to retake a failed section.

Motorcycle endorsement

Indiana's motorcycle endorsement test consists of 25 questions, and you must answer at least 21 correctly to pass. The knowledge exam is based on the Indiana Motorcycle Operators Manual. The motorcycle skills test costs $40 cash, payable directly to the examiner. Both the written test and skills test must be passed to earn the motorcycle endorsement.

Commercial driver license (CDL)

Indiana's CDL knowledge test costs $16, and you must achieve at least 80% to pass. The CDL commercial driver's license fee is $35. Third-party testing providers administer the CDL skills test, with fees of $100 if you use your own vehicle or $175 if you use the testing facility's vehicle. Indiana requires compliance with federal Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) regulations.

Study tips for the Indiana written test

Study the official Indiana Driver's Manual thoroughly, paying equal attention to both traffic laws and road sign sections.
Remember that you must pass BOTH sections independently at 80% each; focus equally on rules and signs rather than emphasizing one over the other.
Use the official BMV Practice Knowledge Exam PDF available on the Indiana BMV website to familiarize yourself with the exact question format.
Create flashcards specifically for road signs, learning the color and shape of warning (yellow diamond), regulatory (white rectangle), and information (green rectangle) signs.
Take advantage of the flexibility to retake only the failed section; if you pass road rules but fail signs, focus your next study session on sign recognition.
Remember the next-business-day retake option is available, so don't get discouraged if you fail one section on your first attempt.
Study Indianapolis and major highway scenarios if you'll be driving in urban or heavily trafficked areas.

More Indiana resources

Official agency: Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles.

Frequently asked questions

How many questions are on the Indiana permit test?: Indiana's written permit test has 50 questions total: 34 on road rules and traffic laws, and 16 on road sign identification.
What's the passing score for the Indiana written test?: You must score at least 80% on BOTH sections independently. This means at least 26 correct out of 34 road rule questions AND at least 14 correct out of 16 road sign questions.
How much does the Indiana written knowledge test cost?: The learner's permit costs $9, and this fee covers unlimited attempts at the knowledge test. There is no additional charge for retakes.
How old do I have to be to take the Indiana permit test?: You must be at least 15 years old and enrolled in a driver education course to apply for a learner's permit. If not enrolled in driver education, you must wait until age 16.
Can I take the Indiana DMV test in Spanish or other languages?: Language accommodation information is not clearly documented. Contact your local Indiana BMV office directly to inquire about testing in languages other than English.
How many times can I retake the Indiana written test?: There is no specified limit on retake attempts. You can retake the test the next business day after a failure, and the initial $9 permit fee covers unlimited knowledge test attempts.
Is the Indiana permit test online or in person?: Indiana's permit test is administered in person at Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) offices statewide. Tests are computer-based at the office location.
What documents do I need to bring to the Indiana DMV?: Bring a valid photo ID (passport, birth certificate, or state ID), proof of Social Security number, proof of Indiana residency (utility bill or lease), proof of driver education enrollment or completion, and your completed application.