Indiana · Handbook chapter 6 · 5 min read

Chapter 6: Lanes, passing, turns and speed

Indiana lane markings, lane changes, passing rules and no-passing places, turning lanes and signals, U-turns and J-turns, roundabouts, speed limits, following distance, skids and rollovers.

Why this chapter matters

Most of the traffic-law questions come from here: which line you may cross, where passing is banned, which lane to turn from and the speed limits Indiana sets when no sign is posted.

Lane markings

• Yellow lines separate traffic going in opposite directions. You may cross a broken yellow line to pass when it is safe, but do not cross a solid yellow line except to turn.
• White lines separate lanes going in the same direction. You may cross a broken white line to change lanes when safe; do not cross a solid white line.

Changing lanes

• Change one lane at a time and do not weave.
• Check that the lane ahead is clear, check your mirrors, then turn your head to check your blind spot.
• Signal, then move over smoothly.
• On highways, slower vehicles use the right lane; leave the left lane for faster traffic and passing.

Passing

• Pass only when the lane is clear: you must be back on the right side at least 100 feet before any oncoming vehicle.
• Check behind and to your left that no one is passing you, signal, and keep going until you can see the passed vehicle in your rearview mirror. Signal again before returning.
• When you are being passed, let the other driver go by safely and do not speed up.

Where you may not pass

• Where a solid yellow line is on your side of the center line.
• Where a yellow pennant No Passing Zone sign is on the left, or a white DO NOT PASS sign is on the right.
• On or approaching a curve or the crest of a hill.
• Within 100 feet of an intersection, railroad crossing, bridge, viaduct or tunnel.

Turning

• Move into the proper lane well before the turn and signal. Turn left from the far-left lane for your direction and right from the far-right lane.
• Yield to oncoming vehicles and pedestrians.
• If your signal lights fail, you may use hand signals for a left turn, a right turn, and stop or slow. The lighted signals are the safest choice, and hand signals are not allowed on the driving skills exam.
• A center left-turn lane (marked with alternating arrows or a CENTER LANE ONLY sign) is only for left turns. Watch for drivers coming the other way into it, and never use it to pass.
• When following a driver who has signaled or slowed for a turn, slow down and be ready to stop.

U-turns and J-turns

• Make a U-turn only where it is not prohibited, yielding to oncoming traffic and pedestrians.
• Never U-turn on a curve, near the crest of a hill or on an interstate. If you miss an exit, go on to the next one.
• At a median U-turn (J-turn) intersection, the left turn is banned at the junction itself; you drive through and make a U-turn at a median opening ahead.

Roundabouts

• Traffic moves counterclockwise and enters or leaves only by right turns.
• Entering traffic always yields to circulating traffic and to pedestrians in the crosswalk.
• In a multi-lane roundabout, choose your lane before entering and do not change lanes inside it.
• Yield to large vehicles going through at the same time, even by slowing or stopping. If two large trucks meet, the one in the right lane yields to the one in the left lane.
• A traffic circle is different: it may carry traffic both ways and may use STOP signs instead of YIELD signs.

Speed limits

Indiana law requires you to drive at no more than the posted limit. Where no other limit is posted:

"Urban" means an area with a population of at least 50,000.

• School zones: slow to the posted school limit, commonly 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on weekdays or when the beacons flash.
• Work zones: the work site limit is always at least 10 mph below the normal maximum.
• School buses may not exceed 40 mph off the interstate and state highways, or 60 mph on them.
• Slow down below the limit in bad weather, on slick roads, with worn tires or when you are not at your best.

Following distance

• Stay at least two to three seconds behind the vehicle ahead. Count from when it passes a fixed object until you pass the same object.
• At 55 mph you travel about 81 feet every second; at 70 mph, about 103 feet.
• Stopping distance depends on vehicle weight, brakes, tires and the road surface and grade.

Skids and rollovers

• If you start to skid, ease off the gas and do not jerk the wheel. With conventional brakes, steer in the direction the rear of the car is sliding.
• With anti-lock brakes (ABS), keep firm, steady pressure on the pedal and steer normally. Do not pump. A grinding noise or vibration means ABS is working.
• Rollovers cause nearly one-third of passenger vehicle deaths. Avoid panicked oversteering, keep tires properly inflated, load the vehicle correctly and obey advisory speeds on curves and ramps. If you leave the road, ease off the gas and steer back gradually.