1. (a) Except as provided in subsection (c), an examination for a learner's permit or driver's license must include the following:

   1. (1) A test of the following of the applicant:

      1. (A) Eyesight.
      2. (B) Ability to read and understand highway signs regulating, warning, and directing traffic.
      3. (C) Knowledge of Indiana traffic laws, including IC 9-26-1-1.5 and IC 9-21-12-1 .
   2. (2) An actual demonstration of the applicant's skill in exercising ordinary and reasonable control in the operation of a motor vehicle under the type of permit or driver's license applied for.
2. (b) The examination may include further physical and mental examination that the bureau finds necessary to determine the applicant's fitness to operate a motor vehicle safely upon a highway. The applicant must provide the motor vehicle used in the examination. An autocycle may not be used as the motor vehicle provided for the examination.

3. (c) The bureau may waive:

   1. (1) the testing required under subsection (a)(1)(A) if the applicant provides evidence from a licensed ophthalmologist or licensed optometrist that the applicant's vision is fit to operate a motor vehicle in a manner that does not jeopardize the safety of individuals or property;

   2. (2) the actual demonstration required under subsection (a)(2) for an individual who has passed:

      1. (A) a driver's education class and a skills test given by a driver training school;
      2. (B) a driver education program given by an entity licensed under IC 9-27 ; or
      3. (C) a skills assessment conducted by a third party approved by the bureau;

   3. (3) the testing, other than eyesight testing under subsection (a)(1)(A), of an applicant who has passed:

      1. (A) an examination concerning:

         1. (i) subsection (a)(1)(B); and
         2. (ii) subsection (a)(1)(C); and

      2. (B) a skills test;

         given by a driver training school or an entity licensed under IC 9-27 ; and

   4. (4) the testing, other than the eyesight testing described in subsection (a)(1)(A), of an applicant who:

      1. (A) is at least eighteen (18) years of age;
      2. (B) was previously a nonresident but now qualifies as an Indiana resident at the time of application; and
      3. (C) holds a valid driver's license, excluding a learner's permit or its equivalent, from the applicant's state of prior residence.

4. (d) The following are not civilly or criminally liable for a report made in good faith to the bureau, commission, or driver licensing medical advisory board concerning the fitness of the applicant to operate a motor vehicle in a manner that does not jeopardize the safety of individuals or property:

   1. (1) An instructor having a license under IC 9-27-6-8 .

   2. (2) A licensed ophthalmologist or licensed optometrist.

      [Pre-1991 Recodification Citation: 9-1-4-34.1(c) part.]

As added by P.L.2-1991, SEC.12. Amended by P.L.93-1997, SEC.13; P.L.126-2008, SEC.2; P.L.145-2011, SEC.20; P.L.125-2012, SEC.205; P.L.85-2013, SEC.39; P.L.82-2015, SEC.11; P.L.149-2015, SEC.67; P.L.198-2016, SEC.474; P.L.147-2018, SEC.17; P.L.144-2019, SEC.10; P.L.178-2019, SEC.47; P.L.211-2019, SEC.8; P.L.111-2021, SEC.59.