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Indiana driving guide · Michigan City Ford · Michigan City, IN
What Is an Autocycle? Indiana Rules Explained
An autocycle is a three-wheeled vehicle you drive with a steering wheel and pedals from an enclosed or partly enclosed seat. Here is how Indiana defines one, what license you need, how it is titled and registered, and the road rules that apply, according to the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV).
3 wheelssteering wheel and pedals
No endorsementvalid driver's license only
Motorcycle platetitled and registered as a motorcycle
Seat beltsfor driver and every passenger
The short answer
In Indiana, an autocycle is a three-wheeled motor vehicle with a completely or partially enclosed seating area, a roll cage or roll hoops, a seat belt for each occupant, anti-lock brakes, and a steering wheel and pedals. You need a valid Indiana driver's license to drive one, but not a motorcycle endorsement. It is titled and registered as a motorcycle and carries a motorcycle plate.
What counts as an autocycle in Indiana
The Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) defines an autocycle as a three-wheeled motor vehicle in which the driver and passenger ride in a completely or partially enclosed seating area. To be an autocycle, the vehicle must be equipped with:
- a roll cage or roll hoops,
- safety belts for each occupant,
- anti-lock brakes, and
- controls designed as a steering wheel and pedals.
That last point is the big difference from a typical three-wheeled motorcycle, which is ridden astride a seat or saddle. The BMV's classification page also notes that Indiana's legal definition of a motorcycle includes an autocycle.
From the BMV's Autocycles and Motorcycle and Motor Driven Cycle Classifications pages and Chapter 2 of the Indiana Driver's Manual, read November 10, 2026.
Do you need a motorcycle endorsement?
No. According to the BMV, a valid Indiana driver's license is required to operate an autocycle, but a motorcycle learner's permit or motorcycle endorsement is not. The Driver's Manual describes a valid license as one that is not expired, suspended or revoked.
One limit applies to testing: an autocycle may not be used for the driving test for a driver's license or a motorcycle endorsement.
| Autocycle | Motorcycle | |
|---|---|---|
| Controls and seating | Steering wheel and pedals; enclosed or partially enclosed seating area | Seat or saddle; rider operates astride the seat |
| Credential | Valid driver's license; no motorcycle endorsement needed | Driver's license with a motorcycle endorsement |
| Title and plate | Titled and registered as a motorcycle; motorcycle license plate | Certificate of title or manufacturer's certificate of origin as proof of ownership |
| Safety gear | Seat belts required for the driver and every passenger | Helmet and eye protection required if under 18 |
| Red light that will not change | May not proceed | May proceed with caution after a full stop of 120 seconds |
From the BMV's Autocycles and Motorcycle and Motor Driven Cycle Classifications pages and Chapters 2 and 6 of the Indiana Driver's Manual, read November 10, 2026.
Title and registration
The BMV says autocycles are titled and registered as a motorcycle and are issued a motorcycle license plate. On the BMV's classification page, motorcycles call for a certificate of title or manufacturer's certificate of origin as proof of ownership, and insurance is listed as required. The registration fee is on the BMV's fee chart, and motorcycle excise tax is assessed according to the vehicle's age and adjusted value, plus any county or municipal excise tax.
From the BMV's Autocycles and Motorcycle and Motor Driven Cycle Classifications pages, read November 10, 2026.
Rules of the road for autocycles
Seat belts for everyone
An autocycle must have safety belts, and the driver and all passengers must wear them.
Passengers stay in the seat
A passenger may not ride anywhere except the seat designed for the passenger.
One per lane
Autocycles may not be operated side by side in a single traffic lane.
No 120-second red light rule
Motorcyclists and motor driven cyclists may proceed with caution through a red signal after 120 seconds. An autocyclist may not.
Curb parking
An autocycle may not be parked along a curb with the rear wheel to the curb and the front tire facing the flow of traffic.
Seated, no packages in hand
The Driver's Manual adds that you must operate from a position on a seat and cannot carry a package in hand.
From the BMV's Autocycles page and Chapters 2 and 6 of the Indiana Driver's Manual, read November 10, 2026.
Is your three-wheeler an autocycle?
Not every three-wheeled vehicle qualifies. Use the BMV definition as a checklist: three wheels, a completely or partially enclosed seating area, a roll cage or roll hoops, a safety belt for each occupant, anti-lock brakes, and a steering wheel and pedals. If the vehicle is instead ridden astride a seat or saddle, the BMV generally treats it as a motorcycle, which calls for a motorcycle endorsement (unless it is a motor driven cycle of 50 cc or less). If you are unsure, check the vehicle's title paperwork or ask the BMV before you ride.
From the BMV's Autocycles and Motorcycle and Motor Driven Cycle Classifications pages, read November 10, 2026.
Keep your car or truck road-ready at Michigan City Ford
The Works® at Michigan City Ford includes a synthetic blend oil change, tire rotation and pressure check, brake inspection, Multi-Point Inspection, fluid top-off, battery test, and a filter, belts and hoses check. Sharing the road with three-wheelers and motorcycles starts with a vehicle you can count on. Our technicians can check your Ford during your next visit.
Schedule service online and see our service specials first. Michigan City Ford is at 3930 Franklin St. in Michigan City. Get directions.
Michigan City Ford service hours
| Days | Hours |
|---|---|
| Mon-Fri | 7:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. |
| Sat | 8 a.m.-3 p.m. |
| Sun | closed |
From Michigan City Ford's website, November 10, 2026. Holiday hours can differ.
Autocycle FAQ
What is an autocycle?
Indiana defines an autocycle as a three-wheeled motor vehicle in which the driver and passenger ride in a completely or partially enclosed seating area equipped with a roll cage or roll hoops, safety belts for each occupant, anti-lock brakes, and a steering wheel and pedals.
Do I need a motorcycle license to drive an autocycle in Indiana?
No. The BMV says a valid Indiana driver's license is required, but a motorcycle learner's permit or motorcycle endorsement is not.
How is an autocycle registered in Indiana?
The BMV says autocycles are titled and registered as a motorcycle and are issued a motorcycle license plate.
Do autocycle passengers have to wear seat belts?
Yes. The BMV says an autocycle must be equipped with safety belts that the driver and all passengers must wear, and passengers may ride only in the seat designed for them.
Can I take my driving test in an autocycle?
No. An autocycle may not be used for the driving test for a driver's license or a motorcycle endorsement.
Can an autocycle go through a red light that will not change?
No. Motorcyclists and motor driven cyclists may proceed with caution after 120 seconds at a red signal, but the BMV says an autocyclist is not permitted to.
More Indiana driving guides
See our guides to sharing the road with motorcycles, Indiana title and registration and the Indiana seat belt law, or schedule service at Michigan City Ford.
Sources
Autocycle definition, licensing, title, registration and operating rules are from the Indiana BMV pages and Chapters 2 and 6 of the Indiana Driver's Manual listed below, read November 10, 2026. Service details, address and hours are from Michigan City Ford's own website, checked the same day. Photo is illustrative.
- Indiana BMV: Autocycles, Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV), read November 10, 2026
- Indiana BMV: Motorcycle and Motor Driven Cycle Classifications, Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV), read November 10, 2026
- Indiana Driver's Manual (PDF), Chapters 2 and 6, Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV), read November 10, 2026
- General service: The Works, Michigan City Ford, November 10, 2026
- Address and service hours (structured data), Michigan City Ford, November 10, 2026