Indiana Turning Laws: Signals, Roundabouts, Fines and Points

Indiana’s turning laws sit mostly in Indiana Code Title 9, Article 21, Chapter 8, and they govern right turns, left turns, U-turns, signaling, and roundabouts. Most violations are Class C infractions carrying fines up to $500 plus court costs and four points on your driving record. Several provisions were updated in the last few years, so older guidance may no longer be accurate.

Right Turns

When you make a right turn at an intersection, you must approach and complete the turn as close as practical to the right-hand curb or edge of the road.¹ Straying into a center lane during the turn is where most right-turn citations come from.

You can turn right on a steady red light after coming to a complete stop, unless a sign prohibits the turn. Before entering the intersection, you must yield to pedestrians in the crosswalk and to any other traffic already using the intersection.² Rolling through without fully stopping is a separate violation, and one of the easiest tickets to earn at a camera-equipped intersection.

Left Turns

For a left turn, you must approach the intersection from the far-left lane available to traffic moving in your direction and complete the turn into the nearest lawful lane going the way you intend to travel.¹ If the intersection has a dedicated left-turn lane, use it.

The most important left-turn rule is yielding. A driver intending to turn left inside an intersection must yield to any vehicle approaching from the opposite direction that is already in the intersection or close enough to be an immediate hazard. Only after yielding and signaling may you complete the turn.³ A driver who fails to yield on a left turn is typically found at fault in the resulting crash.

Left turns on red are legal in one narrow situation. You may turn left on a steady red from the left lane of a one-way street onto another one-way street flowing in the direction of your turn, after a complete stop and after yielding to pedestrians and other traffic.² If either street carries two-way traffic, the turn on red is illegal. A posted sign prohibiting the turn also overrides the allowance.

Turn Signals

Indiana used to require signaling at least 200 feet before a turn, or 300 feet at speeds over 50 miles per hour. That specific-distance rule was repealed in 2022 by House Enrolled Act 1167.⁴ The current law sets no fixed distance. You may not turn, slow down, or change lanes unless the movement can be made with reasonable safety, and you must give an appropriate signal before doing so.⁵

The practical effect is more officer discretion. What matters is whether you signaled in time for drivers behind you to react safely. A last-second flick at 55 miles per hour gives no useful warning and can still get you cited.

U-Turns

Indiana prohibits reversing direction on any curve or near the crest of a hill where an approaching driver from either direction cannot see your vehicle within 750 feet.⁶ If you cannot see that far in both directions, the U-turn is illegal regardless of whether other traffic is present.

On freeways and interstate highways, U-turns are flatly prohibited. Crossovers between divided highway lanes are reserved exclusively for emergency vehicles and maintenance equipment, and the highway must be posted with signs prohibiting U-turns.⁷ A U-turn on an interstate commonly results in reckless-driving charges on top of the turn violation.

Many cities and towns also restrict U-turns in business districts through local ordinances, typically allowing them only at intersections or locations with signage permitting the maneuver. Watch for posted signs before attempting a U-turn in any commercial area.

Roundabouts

All traffic in an Indiana roundabout travels counterclockwise around the central island, and you must yield to vehicles already circulating inside before entering.

A special rule applies to large vehicles. When you encounter a vehicle at least 40 feet long or 10 feet wide already driving through a roundabout, you must yield to it and slow down or stop if necessary. If two vehicles of that size approach or enter a roundabout at the same time, the driver on the right yields to the driver on the left.⁸ Large trucks and trailers sometimes need more than one lane to navigate the curve, and giving them space prevents sideswipe collisions.

Fines and Points

Most improper-turn violations in Indiana are Class C infractions. The maximum fine depends on your recent driving history in the county where you are cited:

No prior moving violations in the past 5 years: up to $35.50 plus court costs
One prior moving violation in the past 5 years: up to $250.50 plus court costs
Two or more prior moving violations in the past 5 years: up to $500 plus court costs

If you admit the violation or plead no contest before or on your court appearance date, the judgment caps at $35.50 plus court costs regardless of your history.⁹ Fighting the ticket and losing when you have two prior violations means you could pay more than fourteen times what you would have paid by accepting it upfront.

Beyond fines, the Indiana BMV assesses points against your driving record for moving violations. Points remain active for two years from the conviction date. The most relevant point values for turn-related offenses are:

Improper U-turn: 4 points
Unsafe lane movement: 4 points
Disregarding a stop or yield sign: 4 points
No brake or signal lights: 2 points

Too many points can lead to a BMV review of your driving privileges and potential license suspension.¹⁰ Points also tend to raise auto insurance premiums, which over two years can cost far more than the fine itself.

If You Hold a CDL

The stakes for commercial drivers are higher. Under federal regulations, improper or erratic lane changes count as a serious traffic violation for CDL holders.¹¹ Two serious traffic violations within three years trigger a minimum 60-day CDL disqualification. A third within the same three-year window adds another 120 days.¹² For a professional driver, losing your CDL for two to four months can mean losing the job.

Should You Contest the Ticket

You have the right to contest any turn violation in court. Common defenses include a sign obscured by vegetation or damage, faded or confusing road markings, or an emergency that forced the maneuver. Dashcam footage and photos of the intersection can be strong evidence.

Weigh the financial trade-off. Admitting a Class C moving violation caps your judgment at $35.50 plus court costs. If you contest and lose, the court can impose a fine up to $500 depending on your violation history.⁹ Contesting makes the most sense when you have a genuine factual defense or when the violation carries enough points to affect your insurance rates or CDL status. A clean record works in your favor if you do go to court, since first-time offenders face the lowest possible fine even after a loss.

1
Indiana General Assembly. Indiana Code 9-21-8-21 – Intersections; Right and Left Turns
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Indiana General Assembly. Indiana Code 9-21-3-7 – Signals Exhibiting Colored Lights
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Indiana General Assembly. Indiana Code 9-21-8-30 – Intersections; Vehicles Approaching From Opposite Directions; Yield of Right-of-Way
4
FOX 59. Reminder: New Turn Signal Law in Effect in Indiana
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Indiana General Assembly. Indiana Code 9-21-8-24 – Slowing Down, Turning From a Direct Course, and Changing Lanes
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Indiana General Assembly. Indiana Code 9-21-8-22 – Grades; Proceeding in Opposite Direction on Approach to Crest
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Indiana General Assembly. Indiana Code 9-21-8-19 – Freeways and Interstate Highways; Entrance and Exit to and From; Special Crossovers; U Turns
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Indiana General Assembly. Indiana Code 9-21-8-10.5 – Right-of-Way in a Roundabout
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Indiana General Assembly. Indiana Code 34-28-5-4 – Judgment
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Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles. Drivers Manual Chapter 5 – Points, Suspension, and Insurance Requirements
11
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. Disqualification of Drivers (383.51)
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Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. 383.51 – Disqualifications of Drivers – General Questions