The Indiana permit test is the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) knowledge exam, and it has two parts, road signs and traffic rules, each scored on its own. You need 80% or higher on each part. The BMV does not publish how many questions are on the test. Practice-test sites say 50 (16 signs and 34 rules), but that is unofficial.
Indiana permit test at a glance
| Detail | What to know |
|---|---|
| Agency | Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) |
| Format | Multiple choice, two sections: traffic signs and traffic rules and laws |
| Questions | Not published by the BMV. Third-party sites say 50 (16 signs, 34 rules), which is unofficial |
| Pass mark | 80% or higher on each section |
| Minimum age | 15 if enrolled in BMV-approved driver education, 16 without |
| Where | In person at a BMV branch. No appointment needed |
| Online test | No |
| Permit fee | $9.00 (BMV fee chart, revised January 1, 2026) |
| Languages | English plus 19 others, including Spanish, Arabic, Burmese, Mandarin and Vietnamese |
How many questions are on the Indiana permit test?
The Indiana BMV does not publish the number of questions on the permit test. Its Driver's Manual says only that the exam has two components and that you must get 80% or higher on each one. Many practice sites say 50 questions, with 16 on signs and 34 on rules, which would mean at least 14 of 16 and 28 of 34. Treat those numbers as a guide, not a rule.
The key point is that you cannot make up a bad signs score with a great rules score. Each part must hit 80% by itself.
What's on the Indiana permit test
Both parts come from the Indiana Driver's Manual at in.gov/bmv.
- Signs: shapes, colors and meanings of regulatory, warning and guide signs.
- Parking: at least 15 feet from a fire hydrant, and never on a crosswalk or in front of a driveway.
- Following distance: at least two to three seconds behind a car, and three to four behind a motorcycle.
- Speeds: 30 mph in residential areas, 15 mph in alleys and 70 mph for cars on rural interstates unless posted otherwise.
- Move-over law: change lanes away from stopped emergency vehicles, or slow to 10 mph under the limit if you cannot.
- Phones: Indiana requires hands-free use while driving, except for 911 calls.
What makes Indiana different: two passes, not one
Signs and rules pass separately. In our experience at the driving school, strong students sometimes fail Indiana-style tests because they rushed the sign section. Give signs real study time.
How to study for the Indiana permit test
- Read the Indiana Driver's Manual a chapter at a time. The BMV also posts a free practice exam and videos.
- Learn every sign by shape and color, then by meaning, since signs are a whole section.
- Score your signs and rules practice separately, and keep both above 90%.
- Make a one-page list of numbers: distances, speeds and ages.
- Retake practice tests until you pass both sections comfortably three times in a row.
What to bring and how to book
You do not need an appointment for the knowledge exam, unless you need it read to you or need an ASL interpreter. Arrive at least 30 minutes before the branch closes. Bring:
- Proof of identity, Social Security number and lawful status.
- Two documents proving Indiana residency (or an Indiana Residency Affidavit signed by an adult you live with).
- If you are 15: a Certificate of Driver Education from your approved behind-the-wheel provider.
- An adult to sign the financial liability agreement if you are under 18.
- The $9.00 permit fee.
You will also pass a vision screening. The BMV has a document checklist on in.gov/bmv.
Can you take the Indiana permit test online?
No. The BMV gives the knowledge exam on a computer at a branch. The Driver's Manual, a practice exam and study videos are online, but the real test is in person.
What happens if you fail the Indiana permit test?
The BMV says you wait until the next business day to retake a failed knowledge exam. Once you pass, the result is good for 180 days. Use the night in between to review the section you failed.
Indiana permit test FAQ
How many questions does Indiana permit test have?
The BMV does not publish the number. Third-party sites say 50, with 16 on signs and 34 on rules, but that is unofficial.
How many questions can you miss on Indiana permit test?
You need 80% or higher on each section. If the unofficial 16 and 34 split is right, that is up to 2 misses on signs and 6 on rules.
Is there an Indiana permit test cheat sheet?
Not an official one. The best cheat sheet is your own one-page list of the numbers and signs from the Driver's Manual.
How much is an Indiana learner's permit?
$9.00, according to the BMV fee chart revised January 1, 2026.
