CHAPTER 3. BRAKES - Indiana Statutes

IC 9-19-3
     Chapter 3. Brakes

IC 9-19-3-1
Safety requirements; means of applying brakes
     Sec. 1. A motor vehicle other than a motorcycle or motor-driven cycle, when operated upon a highway, must be equipped with brakes adequate to control the movement of and to stop and hold the vehicle. The brakes must 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.

IC 9-19-3-2
Motorcycles
     Sec. 2. 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.

IC 9-19-3-3
Trailers and semitrailers of gross weight of 3,000 pounds or more
     Sec. 3. 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.

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) The following are not required to be equipped with brakes:
        (1) A motorcycle or motor-driven cycle.
        (2) A semitrailer of less than three thousand (3,000) pounds gross weight.
    (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.
As added by P.L.2-1991, SEC.7. Amended by P.L.81-1991, SEC.7.

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
                        breaking 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%
As added by P.L.2-1991, SEC.7.

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 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.