2016 Indiana Code
TITLE 9. MOTOR VEHICLES
ARTICLE 19. MOTOR VEHICLE EQUIPMENT
CHAPTER 3. BRAKES
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IC 9-19-3
Chapter 3. Brakes
IC 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.
As added by P.L.2-1991, SEC.7. Amended by P.L.221-2014, SEC.24.
IC 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.
As added by P.L.2-1991, SEC.7. Amended by P.L.221-2014, SEC.25.
IC 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.
As added by P.L.2-1991, SEC.7. Amended by P.L.221-2014, SEC.26.
IC 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 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
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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.
As added by P.L.2-1991, SEC.7. Amended by P.L.81-1991, SEC.7;
P.L.221-2014, SEC.27.
IC 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.
As added by P.L.2-1991, SEC.7.
IC 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.
As added by P.L.2-1991, SEC.7.
IC 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
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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%
As added by P.L.2-1991, SEC.7. Amended by P.L.42-2011, SEC.24.
IC 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).
As added by P.L.2-1991, SEC.7.
IC 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.
As added by P.L.2-1991, SEC.7.
IC 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
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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.
As added by P.L.2-1991, SEC.7.
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