Indiana · IN · Vehicles
Indiana: Is it legal to put a train horn on a car?
Allowed with limits
Indiana bans horns that make an unreasonably loud or harsh sound or a whistle, which a typical train horn likely fails.
Indiana requires a working horn audible from at least 200 feet, but a horn may not emit an unreasonably loud or harsh sound or a whistle. A separate section bars sirens, whistles, and bells except on authorized emergency vehicles. Air and train horns are not named, but a locomotive-style horn is likely to be treated as unreasonably loud. Drivers may use the horn only when reasonably necessary for safety.
Conditions
- Horn may not be unreasonably loud or harsh
- No siren, whistle, or bell on non-emergency vehicles
- Horn use only when reasonably necessary for safety
What the law says
However, a horn or other warning device may not emit an unreasonably loud or harsh sound or a whistle.
Sources
- Ind. Code § 9-19-5-1 (FindLaw reproduction) Mirror of official text · codes.findlaw.com
- Ind. Code § 9-19-5-3 (FindLaw reproduction) Mirror of official text · codes.findlaw.com
Confirm with the state
- Agency
- Indiana State Police
- Phone
- (317) 232-8250
- Website
- in.gov
How bordering states compare
- Illinois Allowed with limitsIllinois bans horns that make an unreasonably loud or harsh sound or a whistle, which a typical train horn likely fails.
- Kentucky Allowed with limitsKentucky sets no horn loudness limit but bars sirens, whistles, and bells on non-emergency vehicles.
- Michigan Allowed with limitsMichigan bars any horn from making an unreasonably loud or harsh sound or a whistle, which a train horn likely breaks.
- Ohio Allowed with limitsOhio sets no loudness limit for horns but bans sirens, whistles and bells on ordinary vehicles; whether that covers train horns is unsettled.