BMV Driver Handbook in Indiana

SUMMARY: Indiana Driver Handbook

In Indiana, the Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) provides driving manuals to help you become a safer driver, including the IN driver's handbook, motorcycle handbook, and commercial driver's manual. For information about traffic and vehicle laws, view the Indiana Vehicle Code.

Several driving handbooks are available from the IN BMV, including a driver's manual for new drivers and new residents. Special DMV handbooks are also available for commercial drivers and motorcycle operators.

Read this page to find information and links to the Indiana driving manuals available for download.

Indiana Driver's Manual

The Indiana Driver's Manual is available for download from the IN BMV. This is the best DMV manual for new drivers and new Indiana residents who are not applying for a special license, such as a commercial license.

The handbook covers traffic laws, safe driving practices, and other driving techniques such as:

  • Operating a vehicle safely.
  • Traffic signs and signals.
  • What to do if you have a tire blowout.
  • How to complete a written accident report.

You'll also find driver's license information in the driving manual, including:

The Indiana BMV driver's manual is the basis for the written knowledge test you'll take to get a learner's permit or driver's license.

Before you take the written test, you should read and study the DMV handbook to help you prepare. You'll also find sample questions to help you practice and test your knowledge of the concepts covered in the driver's manual.

Don't Forget an Online Practice Test!

A perfect complement to studying the IN driver's handbook is to prepare for the Indiana written exam with an online practice test. These industry-leading study guides were created to help you pass the test on your first attempt. Our certified partner offers these comprehensive practice tests for most types of vehicles and DMV handbooks, including cars, motorcycles, and commercial vehicles.

Commercial Driver's Manual

Before applying for an IN commercial driver license (CDL), you'll need to study the Indiana CDL Manual (Form SP 283), a driver's handbook specifically for CDL applicants.

The commercial driving manual covers CDL rules and driving skills, including:

  • Safety rules.
  • Transporting passengers.
  • Carrying hazardous materials.
  • Air brakes.
  • Combination vehicles.
  • Pulling trailers.
  • Tank vehicles.
  • School buses.

The DMV handbook for commercial drivers also explains:

  • How to apply for a CDL.
  • The CDL skills (road) tests and knowledge (written) tests.

Finally, the Indiana commercial driving manual contains a series of sample questions you might find on the written test. Sample questions are a great way to determine how well you've learned the information in the DMV handbook.

For a more complete review of the commercial driver's handbook, you can take an online CDL practice test.

NOTE: If you are new to Indiana, you may also want to read the IN driver's manual for an overview of state traffic laws.

IN Motorcycle Operator Manual

Read the Indiana BMV Motorcycle Operator Manual (BMV0005) to learn how to apply for your motorcycle license and safely operate your motorcycle on Indiana roads.

The motorcycle driving manual covers both general motorcycle operation and motorcycle safety practices.

Some of the motorcycle driving skills in the handbook include:

  • Using correct hand signals.
  • Basic vehicle control (braking, avoiding crashes, turns, shifting, etc.)

Safety is heavily emphasized in the DMV manual for motorcycles to ensure that prospective riders understand the potential hazards of motorcycles and know how to handle them. The motorcycle driver's handbook covers safety topics like:

  • Riding under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
  • Carrying passengers.
  • How to avoid flying objects.

You'll also find licensing information in the DMV handbook, which explains how to add a motorcycle endorsement to your IN driver's license.

In addition to reading and studying the driver's manual for motorcycles, you may also find it help to take an online Indiana motorcycle practice test before taking the BMV test.

NOTE: If you're getting your first driver's license OR you're new to Indiana, you can also read the IN driving manual to learn more about traffic laws, road signs, and general driver's license procedures.

Vehicle Code in Indiana

Read the Indiana Vehicle Code (Title 9. Motor Vehicles) for details about the vehicle and traffic laws covered in IN driving manuals, including:

  • Vehicle titling and registration.
  • Vehicle classes and types.
  • Disability placards.
  • Traffic tickets.

The Vehicle Code is the collection of state laws that apply to driving and vehicles, and provides more depth and detail than DMV driver's handbooks.

If you were recently ticketed for a traffic violation, the Vehicle Code may be more helpful than a driving manual if you wish to research the violation to fight the charge. To learn how to respond to your traffic fine, visit our Traffic Tickets page.

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