Indiana motorcycle laws: helmets, lane splitting and more

This page explains Indiana motorcycle laws in plain English so you know what to look up. It isn't legal advice, it may not cover every condition or exception, and laws change. The motor vehicle rules are in Title 9 of the Indiana Code, and the BMV publishes a motorcycle operator manual. Read those before you rely on anything here, and talk to a lawyer about a specific situation.

To compare helmet rules with neighboring states, the IIHS helmet law overview keeps a current table.

Indiana requires riders and passengers under 18 to wear a helmet. Riders 18 and older aren't required to by that rule. If you're riding on a learner's permit, check the BMV's permit rules too, since permits come with their own limits.

Optional isn't the same as a good idea. Indiana riding means deer in the southern hills, gravel in the corners after rain, bugs at speed and sudden summer storms. A full-face helmet handles all of it, and it cuts wind noise on long rides down to the river.

Shopping for one? Look for a helmet that meets the federal DOT standard, FMVSS 218, and replace it after a crash or once it's worn out. Fit matters as much as the label: snug all around, with no pressure points after half an hour.

No. As of 2026, Indiana law doesn't allow lane splitting, riding between lanes of moving traffic, or lane filtering, moving up between stopped cars at a light. Minnesota legalized both under conditions in 2025 and a few western states allow filtering, but those laws don't apply here. Several states are changing their laws, so check before you ride.

Until that changes, stay in your lane. Pick a lane position where drivers can see you in their mirrors, and when you stop behind a car, leave room to move if someone behind you isn't stopping.

To ride on public roads in Indiana you need a motorcycle endorsement from the Bureau of Motor Vehicles. New riders usually start with a motorcycle learner's permit, then either pass the BMV's skills test or complete a state-approved rider course, which can stand in for it. Check the BMV for the current steps and fees, since they change.

A course is worth it even if you've ridden for years off the books. You'll practice emergency braking and swerving in a parking lot instead of on IN 135, and many insurers offer a discount for a completed course, so ask yours. If you're brand new, our page on the motorcycle app for beginners covers getting started.

Like most states, Indiana expects a passenger to ride on a bike built for one, with a proper seat and footrests. Passengers under 18 must wear a helmet. Check the operator manual for the eye protection and equipment rules that apply to your bike, and wear eye protection whatever they say.

Indiana requires proof of financial responsibility, usually liability insurance, for vehicles on the road. Check the BMV for the current minimums and carry your license, registration and proof of insurance on every ride.

Indiana's hands-free law, in effect since 2020, bars drivers from holding or using a phone while driving except in hands-free mode. Check the BMV or Indiana State Police for details. On a bike the rule is simple: don't touch the phone while you're moving.

Rippin' is built that way. Tap Record Ride once before you roll, pocket or mount the phone, and ride. Recording runs in the background and you tap Stop at the end. Set up turn-by-turn on a route before you leave, and pull over to change anything.

Segments in Rippin' are stretches of road riders added. Ride through one and you're timed automatically, but the board is about who owns the road and who rides it, not a race. Turf, poker cards and points all come from riding, not from riding fast.

Riding in a group doesn't change the rules for any one bike. Ride staggered on open roads, single file in the twisties, and regroup at stops instead of running lights to keep up. A group ride puts everyone on one live map, so nobody has to rush. For the roads themselves, see the best motorcycle roads in Indiana.