Indiana Reckless Driving
A reckless driving charge in Indiana can result in a misdemeanor conviction, a fine of $500, penalty points on your driving record, and possible jail time.
Written by Sean Boehme
Reviewed by Jessica Barrett
A reckless driving charge in the state of
Indiana
will lead to a minimum $500 fine and a misdemeanor charge that could result in jail time. If the reckless driving incident involves injuries or property damage, the penalties could be much worse.There are a lot of things that qualify as reckless driving in Indiana, but some of them may come as a surprise. Unlike a ticket for something more minor, like
a speeding ticket
, the consequences for reckless driving can include jail time and the suspension of your license. RECOMMENDED
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How does Indiana define reckless driving?
An act of driving in Indiana is considered reckless if the motorist drives too fast or too slow for the present circumstances and “endangers the safety or the property of others or blocks the proper flow of traffic” in the process.
Reckless driving also includes:
- Passing another vehicle while driving on a sloped or curved road where the driver can’t fully see 500 feet ahead
- Illegally swerving in and out of the line of traffic
- Speeding up to purposely prevent another driver from passing
- Failing to stop when a school bus has extended the arm signal device
Since the actual definition of reckless driving is broad, it will be up to law enforcement to determine if your driving was reckless. With that being said, avoiding any of the mistakes above will go a long way in keeping you out of trouble.
What are the penalties for reckless driving in Indiana?
Although the consequences of reckless driving vary from case to case, you can expect to receive a minimum conviction of a Class C misdemeanor, which could result in the following penalties:
- Fines: Up to $500
- Imprisonment: Up to 60 days
Reckless driving that results in property damage will be classified as a Class B misdemeanor:
If there were injuries involved or if you passed a stopped school bus, the charge will be upgraded to a Class A misdemeanor:
- Fines: Up to $5,000
- License suspension: Up to one year
- Imprisonment: Up to one year
Driving record points
You will also receive
demerit points
on your driving record for reckless driving. The amount of points you may receive depends on what happens during the incident:- Reckless driving — 6 points
- Reckless driving that leads to damaged property — 8 points
- Reckless driving in a work zone — 8 points
- Reckless driving that results in injury — 10 points
Generally, reckless driving in Indiana is not considered a felony. However, if someone is injured or killed as the result of a driver ignoring a school bus, a felony charge will be issued. This could mean a fine of $10,000 and over two years of prison time.
Key Takeaway: The definition of reckless driving in Indiana is broad, and the penalties can vary. Playing it safe on the road will go a long way in keeping you from worrying about these penalties.
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How can I remove reckless driving from my record?
Reckless driving is a criminal offense in Indiana, and those don’t go away easily. The points on your driving record will remain for two years.
Luckily, there is a way to speed up the process of shedding those points. The Indiana BMV offers a
Driver Safety Program
for $55, and drivers can apply for up to four points to be removed from their license if they complete the course.Once you finish the course, it may take up to 10 days for the points to be removed. You can take the course every three years.
Unlike points, a ticket in Indiana remains indefinitely, so you will never be able to shed one from your driving record.
Will reckless driving make my insurance go up?
Reckless driving violations have a massive impact on your insurance premiums. If you’re charged with reckless driving, you can expect your premium to rise by about $584 per year.
Even at that price, the increase in premiums for reckless driving in Indiana is 28% lower than the average increase across the U.S.
You’ll want to practice patience and safety on the road to avoid being hit with a reckless driving violation. Between huge fines and rising insurance rates, just one violation can be incredibly expensive.
How to find affordable car insurance in Indiana
If you’ve been charged with reckless driving, or if you have a history of traffic violations, your car insurance probably isn’t cheap. Even if you previously had a
clean driving record
, it may be time to revisit your policy and see if you’re overspending. Shopping around for
car insurance
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FAQs
Can you go to jail for reckless driving in Indiana?
Yes, you can go to jail for reckless driving in Indiana. If you receive a class A misdemeanor, the maximum sentence you can receive is 60 days. This rises to 180 days for a Class B misdemeanor and 1 year for a Class A misdemeanor.
If you’re charged with a felony, you could be sentenced to even more jail time
What is the minimum penalty for reckless driving in Indiana?
The minimum penalty for a reckless driving charge in Indiana is a $500 fine. Receiving the minimum penalty generally means there was no school bus involved and that nobody got hurt.
What is the difference between aggressive driving and reckless driving in Indiana?
Aggressive driving differs from reckless driving because aggressive drivers purposefully harass or intimidate other drivers. Essentially, they act on road rage.
While reckless driving puts others at risk, it does not include the intent to harm anyone or anything.
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