Ind. Code ch. 9-19-3

in effect

Ind. Code § 9-19-3-1 Safety requirements; means of applying brakes

Sec. 1. (a) Subject to section 4 of this chapter, a motor vehicle, when operated upon a highway, must be equipped with brakes adequate to control the movement of and to stop and hold the vehicle. (b) A motor vehicle other than a motorcycle or motor driven cycle must be equipped with brakes that include two (2) separate means of applying the brakes, each of which means must apply the brakes to at least two (2) wheels. If these two (2) separate means of applying the brakes are connected in any way, the means must be constructed so that failure of one (1) part of the operating mechanism does not leave the motor vehicle without brakes on at least two (2) wheels. [Pre-1991 Recodification Citation: 9-8-6-32(1).] As added by P.L.2-1991, SEC.7. Amended by P.L.221-2014, SEC.24.

Ind. Code § 9-19-3-2 Motorcycles

Sec. 2. Subject to section 4 of this chapter, a motorcycle and a motor driven cycle, when operated upon a highway, must be equipped with at least one (1) brake, which may be operated by hand or foot. [Pre-1991 Recodification Citation: 9-8-6-32(2).] As added by P.L.2-1991, SEC.7. Amended by P.L.221-2014, SEC.25.

Ind. Code § 9-19-3-3 Trailers and semitrailers of gross weight of 3,000 pounds or more

Sec. 3. Subject to section 4 of this chapter, a trailer or semitrailer of a gross weight of at least three thousand (3,000) pounds, when operated upon a highway, must be equipped with brakes adequate to control the movement of and to stop and to hold the vehicle. The brakes must be designed so that the driver of the towing motor vehicle can apply the brakes from the cab, and must be designed and connected so that the brakes will be automatically applied in an accidental breakaway of the towed vehicle. [Pre-1991 Recodification Citation: 9-8-6-32(3).] As added by P.L.2-1991, SEC.7. Amended by P.L.221-2014, SEC.26.

Ind. Code § 9-19-3-4 New vehicle requirements; exceptions

Sec. 4. (a) Except as provided in subsections (b) through (c), a new motor vehicle, trailer, or semitrailer sold in Indiana and operated upon the highways must be equipped with service brakes upon all wheels of the vehicle. (b) A semitrailer or trailer of less than three thousand (3,000) pounds gross weight is not required to be equipped with brakes. (c) A truck or truck-tractor having at least three (3) axles is not required to have service brakes on the front wheels. If a truck or truck-tractor is equipped with at least two (2) steerable axles, the wheels of one (1) steerable axle are not required to have service brakes although the truck or truck-tractor must be capable of complying with the performance requirements of sections 7 through 8 of this chapter. [Pre-1991 Recodification Citation: 9-8-6-32(4).] As added by P.L.2-1991, SEC.7. Amended by P.L.81-1991, SEC.7; P.L.221-2014, SEC.27; P.L.164-2018, SEC.3.

Ind. Code § 9-19-3-5 Mechanical connection from operating lever to brake shoes or bands

Sec. 5. One (1) of the two (2) means of brake operation under section 1 of this chapter must consist of a mechanical connection from the operating lever to the brake shoes or bands. The brake must be capable of holding the vehicle or a combination of vehicles stationary under any condition of loading on any upgrade or downgrade upon which the vehicle is operated. [Pre-1991 Recodification Citation: 9-8-6-32(5).] As added by P.L.2-1991, SEC.7.

Ind. Code § 9-19-3-6 Brake shoes; service and hand operation

Sec. 6. The brake shoes operating within or upon the drums on the vehicle wheels of a motor vehicle may be used for both service and hand operation. [Pre-1991 Recodification Citation: 9-8-6-32(6).] As added by P.L.2-1991, SEC.7.

Ind. Code § 9-19-3-7 Deceleration and stopping distance requirements

Sec. 7. A motor vehicle or combination of vehicles, at all times and under all conditions of loading, must, upon application of the service (foot) brake, be capable of decelerating and developing a braking force equivalent to the deceleration according to the minimum requirements set forth in this section and must be capable of stopping within the distances set forth in the following table: Equivalent braking force Deceleration in percentage Stopping in feet per of vehicle distance second per or combination in feet second weight Passenger vehicles, not including buses 25 17 53.0% Single-unit vehicles with a manufacturer's gross vehicle weight rating of less than 10,000 pounds 30 14 43.5% Single-unit, 2-axle vehicles with a manufacturer's gross vehicle weight rating of 10,000 or more pounds 40 14 43.5% All other vehicles and combinations with a manufacturer's gross vehicle weight rating of 10,000 or more pounds 50 14 43.5% [Pre-1991 Recodification Citation: 9-8-6-33 part.] As added by P.L.2-1991, SEC.7. Amended by P.L.42-2011, SEC.24.

Ind. Code § 9-19-3-8 Determination of compliance with deceleration and stopping distance requirements

Sec. 8. Compliance with standards set forth in section 7 of this chapter must be determined by one (1) of the following: (1) Actual road tests conducted on a substantially level (not to exceed a plus or minus one per cent (1%) grade), dry, smooth, hard-surfaced road that is free from loose material, and with stopping distance measured from the actual instant braking controls are moved and from an initial speed of twenty (20) miles per hour. (2) Suitable mechanical tests in a testing lane that recreates the same conditions. (3) A combination of the methods described in subdivisions (1) through (2). [Pre-1991 Recodification Citation: 9-8-6-33 part.] As added by P.L.2-1991, SEC.7.

Ind. Code § 9-19-3-9 Maintenance and adjustment

Sec. 9. All brakes must be maintained in good working order and must be adjusted so as to operate as equally as practicable with respect to the wheels on opposite sides of the vehicle. [Pre-1991 Recodification Citation: 9-8-6-34.] As added by P.L.2-1991, SEC.7.

Ind. Code § 9-19-3-10 United States Department of Transportation regulations; classification of violations

Sec. 10. (a) This section does not apply to a person who owns or operates a vehicle or combination of vehicles that: (1) contains parts and accessories; and (2) is equipped; as required under regulations of the United States Department of Transportation. (b) A person who violates this chapter commits a Class C infraction. [Pre-1991 Recodification Citation: 9-8-6-2(a).] As added by P.L.2-1991, SEC.7.

Source: Open US Law by Vaquill AI (CC BY 4.0)URL: https://iga.in.gov/laws/2026/ic/titles/9Fetched: 10/17/2026