Indiana Reckless Driving Laws: Penalties, Points and Speed (2026)

Indiana makes reckless driving a crime under IC 9-21-8-52: recklessly driving at an unreasonably high or low speed that endangers others or blocks traffic, passing on an obstructed slope or curve, weaving through traffic, or refusing to give half the road to a passing driver is a Class C misdemeanor. The grade rises to a Class B misdemeanor when the offense damages another person's property and to a Class A misdemeanor when it causes bodily injury. Indiana sets no speed at which driving is reckless by itself, has no careless driving offense, and scores reckless driving at 6 BMV points, or 8 or 10 when the court record shows property damage or bodily injury.

Information last verified on 2026-10-25. This article has not been reviewed by a licensed lawyer.

Jurisdiction scope: This article covers Indiana state law on reckless driving (IC 9-21-8-52) and the related reckless-operation, aggressive-driving and worksite offenses in IC 9-21-8, speed contests (IC 9-21-6), the BMV point system (140 IAC 1-4.5), license suspension and habitual-violator rules, and driving without a valid license. It does not cover OWI penalties (see Indiana DUI and OWI laws), homicide offenses (see Indiana manslaughter laws), leaving the scene of a crash (see Indiana hit-and-run laws), city or county ordinances, or commercial-driver rules beyond a short note. For other states, see reckless driving laws by state.

What is reckless driving in Indiana?

Indiana does not define reckless driving with a general "wilful or wanton" clause. Instead, IC 9-21-8-52(a) lists four specific acts that are reckless driving when done recklessly:

"A person who operates a vehicle and who recklessly: (1) drives at such an unreasonably high rate of speed or at such an unreasonably low rate of speed under the circumstances as to: (A) endanger the safety or the property of others; or (B) block the proper flow of traffic; (2) passes another vehicle from the rear while on a slope or on a curve where vision is obstructed for a distance of less than five hundred (500) feet ahead; (3) drives in and out of a line of traffic, except as otherwise permitted; or (4) speeds up or refuses to give one-half (1/2) of the roadway to a driver overtaking and desiring to pass; commits a Class C misdemeanor." IC 9-21-8-52(a)

In plain terms, the four acts are:

• Unreasonable speed: driving so fast, or so slowly, for the circumstances that it endangers people or property or blocks the flow of traffic.
• Blind passing: passing from behind on a slope or curve where you cannot see 500 feet ahead.
• Weaving: driving in and out of a line of traffic, except where that is otherwise permitted.
• Blocking a pass: speeding up, or refusing to give half the road, when another driver is trying to overtake.

Each act must be done "recklessly." Section 52 does not define that word. Indiana's general criminal code defines it in IC 35-41-2-2(c): a person acts recklessly "if he engages in the conduct in plain, conscious, and unjustifiable disregard of harm that might result and the disregard involves a substantial deviation from acceptable standards of conduct."

Where it applies

Except as IC 9-21-1-2, -3 and -3.3 provide, Article 21 of Title 9, which contains the reckless driving section, "applies throughout Indiana" (IC 9-21-1-1). IC 9-21-1-9 adds that, "Except when a different place is specifically referred to, this article applies to the operation of vehicles upon highways and private roads of a residential subdivision, regardless of who maintains them." Section 52 itself also names a private road in its school-bus subsection.

Is reckless driving a misdemeanor in Indiana? Penalties

Yes. The grade depends on the harm the driving causes:

• No damage or injury: Class C misdemeanor (IC 9-21-8-52(a)). Under IC 35-50-3-4, a Class C misdemeanor carries a fixed term of not more than 60 days and a fine of not more than $500.
• Damage to another person's property: Class B misdemeanor (IC 9-21-8-52(c)), punishable by not more than 180 days and a fine of not more than $1,000 (IC 35-50-3-3).
• Bodily injury to a person: Class A misdemeanor. Section 52(a) states, "However, the offense is a Class A misdemeanor if it causes bodily injury to a person." IC 35-50-3-2 sets the Class A range at not more than one year and a fine of not more than $5,000.

Section 52 has no repeat-offense tier and no felony tier for ordinary reckless driving. Repeat reckless driving matters instead through BMV points and the habitual-violator law, covered below. The felony forms of reckless conduct in a vehicle come from other sections: recklessly passing a stopped school bus, reckless operation near a highway worksite, and criminal recklessness through aggressive driving.

Recklessly passing a stopped school bus

IC 9-21-8-52(b) makes it a Class A misdemeanor to recklessly pass a school bus stopped on a roadway or a private road while its stop arm is extended. "However, the offense is a Level 6 felony if it causes bodily injury to a person, and a Level 5 felony if it causes the death of a person." On top of any other penalty, Section 52(e) lets the court suspend driving privileges for 90 days, or for one year if the person has at least one previous offense under that section or IC 9-21-12-1.

Passing a stopped school bus without the reckless element is a separate Class A infraction under IC 9-21-12-1(a), with the same 90-day or one-year discretionary suspension in IC 9-21-12-1(b).

Other reckless-operation offenses in IC 9-21-8

• Tractor-trailers: IC 9-21-8-50 makes it a Class B misdemeanor to operate a tractor-trailer combination "in a reckless or deliberate attempt to: (1) endanger the safety or property of others; or (2) block the proper flow of traffic."
• Highway worksites: IC 9-21-8-56(b) makes reckless operation "in the immediate vicinity of a highway worksite when workers are present" a Class A misdemeanor. Under subsections (f) through (h), it is a Level 6 felony if the driver has a prior unrelated conviction under that section in the previous five years, is driving in violation of IC 9-30-5-1 or IC 9-30-5-2 (the OWI offenses), or injures a worker in the worksite, and a Level 5 felony if a worker in the worksite dies.

How fast is reckless driving in Indiana?

No set speed makes driving reckless in Indiana. The speed prong of IC 9-21-8-52(a)(1) turns on an "unreasonably high rate of speed or ... unreasonably low rate of speed under the circumstances" that endangers people or property or blocks traffic, not on a number of miles per hour over the limit.

Indiana's speed chapter, IC 9-21-5, treats speeding as an infraction. IC 9-21-5-1(a) bars driving "at a speed greater than is reasonable and prudent under the conditions," and IC 9-21-5-1(b) makes driving faster than is reasonable and prudent for weather or road conditions a Class C infraction. Violating a posted maximum under IC 9-21-5-2 is also a Class C infraction. Under IC 34-28-5-4(c), a judgment of up to $500 may be entered for a Class C infraction, except as subsection (f) provides.

Where speed enforcement brings points, the BMV schedule assigns 2 points for 1 to 15 mph over the limit, 4 points for 16 to 25 mph over, and 6 points for more than 25 mph over (140 IAC 1-4.5-10, Table 1).

How many points is reckless driving in Indiana? License consequences

Indiana's point system is a Bureau of Motor Vehicles rule, not a statute. Table 1 of 140 IAC 1-4.5-10 assigns these values:

Under 140 IAC 1-4.5-10(b)(4), property damage or personal injury is not presumed when points are assessed for reckless driving unless the court order or abstract of court record specifically indicates it.

How the points add up, under 140 IAC 1-4.5-4:

• Points "become inactive twenty-four (24) months after the disposition date of the violation."
• A person with 20 or more active points within a 24-month period, after any credit earned by completing a driver safety program, receives a penalty that corresponds to the number of points. Fourteen to 18 points bring a warning notice, and 20 points bring "a one (1) month suspension."
• If a person commits three moving traffic offenses during any 12-month period, the BMV may, on written notice, require an administrative hearing.

Under 140 IAC 1-4.5-8, a person who commits a violation receives the same points or sanctions, including suspension, "even if the person does not hold a valid driver's permit or license."

Court-recommended suspension

Section 52 makes suspension for ordinary reckless driving a matter of the court's discretion. When the offense damages another person's property, Section 52(c) provides that "the court may recommend the suspension of the current driving license of the person convicted ... for a fixed period of not more than one (1) year." Section 52(d) gives the court the same power, also for not more than one year, when the offense causes bodily injury.

Mandatory BMV suspensions

IC 9-30-4-6.1(a) lists convictions for which the BMV "shall suspend or revoke" a license. Among them are manslaughter or reckless homicide resulting from the operation of a motor vehicle, and "Three (3) charges of criminal recklessness involving the use of a motor vehicle within the preceding twelve (12) months." Under Section 6.1(d)(1), except as subdivision (2) provides, the suspension or revocation lasts six months after the date of conviction or until the date the person is otherwise eligible for a license, whichever is later.

Habitual violator: three judgments in ten years

Reckless driving is one of the offenses that count toward Indiana's habitual-violator status. IC 9-30-10-4(b) provides that a person "who has accumulated at least three (3) judgments within a ten (10) year period for any of the following violations, singularly or in combination, and not arising out of the same incident, is a habitual violator." The list includes operating while intoxicated, the per se alcohol-concentration offenses, "(5) Reckless driving," "(6) Criminal recklessness as a felony involving the operation of a motor vehicle," and "(7) Drag racing or engaging in a speed contest in violation of law."

Thirty days after the BMV mails notice, IC 9-30-10-5(b)(3) requires it to suspend the driving privileges of a habitual violator under Section 4(b) for ten years.

Careless and aggressive driving in Indiana

No careless driving offense

Article 21 of Title 9, Indiana's rules of the road, contains no careless, inattentive or negligent driving offense. The closest general rule is IC 9-21-5-1, which requires speed to be "restricted as necessary to avoid colliding with a person, vehicle, or other conveyance on, near, or entering a highway in compliance with legal requirements and with the duty of all persons to use due care," and makes driving faster than is reasonable and prudent for weather or road conditions a Class C infraction.

Aggressive driving

IC 9-21-8-55 defines aggressive driving as committing at least three of nine listed acts "during one (1) episode of continuous driving of a vehicle." The acts are following too closely, unsafe operation under IC 9-21-8-24, passing on the right by driving off the roadway, unsafe stopping or slowing, unnecessary horn use, failure to yield, failure to obey a traffic control device, driving at an unsafe speed under IC 9-21-5, and repeatedly flashing headlights.

Aggressive driving is a crime only with the required intent. Section 55(c) provides that a person who, "with the intent to harass or intimidate a person in another vehicle, knowingly or intentionally engages in aggressive driving commits aggressive driving, a Class A misdemeanor," except as the worksite subsections of IC 9-21-8-56 provide. Near a highway worksite with workers present, aggressive driving is a Class A misdemeanor under Section 56(d), and committing any one of the first six listed acts there is a Class B infraction under Section 56(i).

Criminal recklessness with a vehicle

IC 35-42-2-2(a) makes it criminal recklessness to recklessly, knowingly or intentionally perform "an act that creates a substantial risk of bodily injury to another person," a Class A misdemeanor. Under Section 2(b), it is a Level 6 felony if "the person committed aggressive driving (as defined in IC 9-21-8-55) that results in serious bodily injury to another person," and a Level 5 felony if the aggressive driving "results in the death or catastrophic injury of another person."

Drag racing and speed contests in Indiana

IC 9-21-6-1 provides that "A person may not engage in a motor vehicle speed contest on a highway or street." Section 2 also bars obstructing or placing "a barricade or an obstacle across a highway or street" to facilitate or aid a speed contest, or as an incident to one. Under Section 3, a person who violates the chapter "commits a Class B misdemeanor," except as the worksite provisions in IC 9-21-8-56 provide.

A speed contest near a highway worksite with workers present is a Class A misdemeanor under IC 9-21-8-56(d), with the Level 6 and Level 5 felony escalations in subsections (f) through (h). A speed contest conviction carries 8 BMV points and counts toward habitual-violator status.

Title 9's rules of the road contain no separate street-takeover, drifting or burnout offense. Racing is charged under the speed-contest chapter, and other dangerous conduct under the reckless driving, aggressive driving and criminal recklessness sections. Separately, IC 35-44.1-2-13 makes intentionally obstructing vehicular or pedestrian traffic a Class B misdemeanor, a Class A misdemeanor if the offense includes the use of a motor vehicle, a Level 6 felony if it results in serious bodily injury (among other grounds), and a Level 5 felony if it results in catastrophic bodily injury or death.

Wet reckless in Indiana

Indiana's operating-while-intoxicated article, IC 9-30, contains no provision on an alcohol-related reckless driving plea, and it does not treat a reckless driving conviction as a prior OWI offense. Its references to reckless driving are an arrest rule in IC 9-30-2-2, the mandatory-suspension list in IC 9-30-4-6.1, and the habitual-violator list in IC 9-30-10-4.

That last section is where reckless driving and drunk driving meet: OWI judgments and reckless driving judgments count "singularly or in combination" toward the three judgments in ten years that make a habitual violator. For OWI penalties, see Indiana DUI and OWI laws.

Driving without a valid license in Indiana

Indiana separates three situations.

Never licensed. IC 9-24-18-1(a) provides that an individual "who knowingly or intentionally operates a motor vehicle upon a highway and has never received a valid driver's license commits a Class C misdemeanor." The offense is a Class A misdemeanor with a prior unrelated conviction under that section or if the driving results in bodily injury, a Level 6 felony if it results in serious bodily injury, and a Level 5 felony if it results in the death or catastrophic injury of another person. Individuals exempted under IC 9-24-1-7 are excluded.

Licensed but not carrying the license. Driving on a highway without a license as IC 9-24-1-1 requires is a Class C infraction, and the license-possession rules of IC 9-24-13 are also enforced as a Class C infraction ("A person who violates this chapter commits a Class C infraction," IC 9-24-13-5). IC 9-24-13-6(b) provides that an individual may not be convicted of violating the possession requirement in section 3 if, within five days of apprehension, the individual produces to the apprehending officer or the officer's headquarters satisfactory evidence of a permit or license that was valid at the time of apprehension.

Suspended or revoked. Except as sections 2 and 3 of the chapter provide, driving on a highway while suspended or revoked is a Class A infraction (IC 9-24-19-1). Under IC 9-24-19-2, a driver who knows the license is suspended or revoked and drives on a highway less than ten years after a judgment for a prior unrelated violation of section 1 or 2 commits a Class A misdemeanor. Under IC 9-24-19-3, a driver who knows the license is suspended or revoked, where the suspension or revocation resulted from a conviction of an offense, commits a Class A misdemeanor, raised to a Level 6 felony if the driving results in bodily injury and a Level 5 felony if it results in the death or catastrophic injury of another person. Under IC 34-28-5-4(a), a judgment of up to $10,000 may be entered for a Class A infraction.

Fleeing police in a vehicle

IC 35-44.1-3-1(a)(3) makes it resisting law enforcement, a Class A misdemeanor, to flee from an officer after the officer has identified himself or herself by visible or audible means and ordered the person to stop. Under subsection (c), the offense is:

• a Level 6 felony if the person uses a vehicle to commit it;
• a Level 5 felony if, among other grounds, the person operates a vehicle "in a manner that creates a substantial risk of bodily injury to another person";
• a Level 4 felony if the person operates a vehicle in a manner that causes serious bodily injury, or uses a vehicle and has a prior unrelated vehicle conviction under that section;
• a Level 3 felony if the person operates a vehicle in a manner that causes death or catastrophic injury; and
• a Level 2 felony if the person operates a vehicle in a manner that causes the death or catastrophic injury of a firefighter, emergency medical services provider or law enforcement officer engaged in official duties.

For a felony committed with a vehicle, subsection (e) requires a minimum executed sentence of at least 30 days with no prior unrelated conviction under the section, 180 days with one, and one year with two or more.

Indiana reckless driving offense table

The misdemeanor ranges come from IC 35-50-3-2 (Class A), 35-50-3-3 (Class B) and 35-50-3-4 (Class C). The felony ranges come from IC 35-50-2-7(b) (Level 6, between six months and two and one-half years, advisory sentence one year), 35-50-2-6(b) (Level 5, between one and six years, advisory sentence three years) and 35-50-2-5.5 (Level 4, between two and twelve years, advisory sentence six years), each with a fine of not more than $10,000. For the full class table, see Indiana felony and misdemeanor classes.

A death caused by driving is charged under Indiana's homicide statutes, and a conviction of manslaughter or reckless homicide resulting from the operation of a motor vehicle requires the BMV to suspend or revoke the license under IC 9-30-4-6.1(a)(1); see Indiana manslaughter laws.

Related offenses that are not reckless driving

Failing to move over or slow down for a stopped authorized emergency vehicle is a Class A infraction under IC 9-21-8-35(b), and a Level 6 felony if the failure "results in serious bodily injury, catastrophic injury, or death" to a person operating, occupying or affiliated with that emergency vehicle. No section of Title 9's rules of the road, license, or OWI articles declares other conduct to be reckless driving.

Commercial drivers

Federal rules treat reckless driving "as defined by State or local law" as a serious traffic violation for CDL holders: a second conviction from a separate incident within three years brings a 60-day disqualification from commercial driving, and a third brings 120 days (49 C.F.R. 383.51, Table 2). A conviction in a personal vehicle counts only if it results in the revocation, cancellation or suspension of the license or non-commercial driving privileges; the reckless driving laws by state hub covers the federal layer.

Recent changes

IC 9-21-8-52, the reckless driving section, was last amended by P.L.144-2019. The worksite section, IC 9-21-8-56, was most recently amended by P.L.120-2023, and the aggressive driving section, IC 9-21-8-55, by P.L.170-2023. The habitual-violator section, IC 9-30-10-4, was amended by P.L.218-2025 and P.L.158-2026, and the resisting law enforcement section, IC 35-44.1-3-1, by P.L.218-2025, P.L.238-2025 and P.L.50-2026. IC 9-24-18-1 (driving after never receiving a license) was amended by P.L.117-2025, and IC 35-42-2-2 (criminal recklessness) by P.L.238-2025; the text described on this page is the 2026 Indiana Code.

Related Indiana laws

• Reckless driving laws by state
• Indiana DUI and OWI laws
• Indiana manslaughter laws
• Indiana felony and misdemeanor classes
• Indiana hit-and-run laws
• Indiana expungement laws

This article is general legal information about Indiana law, not legal advice. For a specific situation, contact a lawyer licensed in Indiana, or the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles for driver's license questions.

Last updated: 2026-10-25.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is reckless driving a misdemeanor in Indiana?

Yes. Under IC 9-21-8-52 it is a Class C misdemeanor (up to 60 days and $500), a Class B misdemeanor if it damages another person's property, and a Class A misdemeanor (up to 1 year and $5,000) if it causes bodily injury.

What counts as reckless driving in Indiana?

Recklessly driving at an unreasonably high or low speed that endangers others or blocks traffic, passing on a slope or curve with vision obstructed for less than 500 feet, driving in and out of a line of traffic, or speeding up or refusing to give half the roadway to a passing driver (IC 9-21-8-52(a)).

How fast is reckless driving in Indiana?

IC 9-21-8-52 sets no speed figure. It covers recklessly driving at an unreasonably high rate of speed under the circumstances that endangers others or blocks traffic, while exceeding a posted maximum is a Class C infraction under IC 9-21-5-2.

How many points is reckless driving in Indiana?

Six points under the BMV schedule in 140 IAC 1-4.5-10, or 8 or 10 when the court order or abstract of court record shows property damage or bodily injury. Twenty active points within 24 months result in a one-month suspension, and the penalty corresponds to the number of active points (140 IAC 1-4.5-4).

Does reckless driving suspend your license in Indiana?

IC 9-21-8-52 does not require one. If the offense damaged property or caused bodily injury, the court may recommend a suspension of up to one year, and points or a habitual-violator finding can lead to a BMV suspension.

Does Indiana have a wet reckless?

Indiana's OWI article, IC 9-30, contains no provision on an alcohol-related reckless driving plea. Reckless driving and OWI judgments do combine toward habitual-violator status under IC 9-30-10-4(b).

Is drag racing illegal in Indiana?

Yes. IC 9-21-6-1 bars a motor vehicle speed contest on a highway or street, and IC 9-21-6-3 makes a violation a Class B misdemeanor; near a highway worksite with workers present it is a Class A misdemeanor (IC 9-21-8-56(d)).

Does Indiana have a careless driving law?

No. Article 21 of Title 9 has no careless, inattentive or negligent driving offense. Driving faster than is reasonable and prudent for weather or road conditions is a Class C infraction under IC 9-21-5-1(b).

What is the penalty for driving without a license in Indiana?

Knowingly driving on a highway after never receiving a valid license is a Class C misdemeanor under IC 9-24-18-1, or a Class A misdemeanor with a prior conviction or bodily injury. Not having the license in your possession is a Class C infraction (IC 9-24-13), and IC 9-24-13-6(b) bars a conviction if a license or permit valid at the time is produced within five days.

Does reckless driving affect a CDL in Indiana?

Federal rules treat reckless driving as a serious traffic violation for CDL holders. A second conviction from a separate incident within 3 years brings a 60-day disqualification and a third brings 120 days (49 C.F.R. 383.51).