Indiana has minimal regulations for self-driving cars, lacking specific autonomous vehicle laws beyond truck platooning, while drone operations primarily follow FAA rules with state restrictions on surveillance and interference.​
Self-Driving Car Regulations
Indiana permits connected vehicles with driver-assist systems like adaptive cruise control but prohibits fully autonomous, driverless operations on public roads due to the absence of enabling legislation. House Bill 1341 in 2018 proposed an AV framework but failed, and no subsequent bills have passed, leaving only Indiana Code IC 9-21-22 for truck platooning. HB 1377 in 2025 was introduced amid national AV activity but lacks confirmation of enactment, maintaining Indiana’s light-touch approach reliant on federal standards.​
Drone Regulations
Drone flights in Indiana adhere to FAA rules, requiring registration for devices over 0.55 pounds, Remote ID, and TRUST for hobbyists; commercial operators need a Part 107 license. State law mandates warrants for law enforcement drone surveillance on private property and prohibits photography without permission, classifying violations as misdemeanors. Additional bans cover interfering with first responders, hunting use, and operations in No Drone Zones like airports and military sites.​
Gaps and Federal Overlay
Indiana’s framework defers heavily to federal oversight, with no comprehensive AV permitting, insurance mandates, or reporting like those in states such as Nevada or Arizona. For drones, local governments impose flight controls, but core safety relies on FAA enforcement. This hands-off stance supports innovation but exposes gaps in liability and emergency response for emerging tech.
SOURCES
[1](https://www.in.gov/indot/emerging-mobility/connected-and-automated-vehicles/)
[2](https://www.connectedautomateddriving.eu/regulation-and-policies/national-level/non-eu/us/)
[3](https://roborace.com/autonomous-vehicle-state-laws-2025/)
[4](https://drone-laws.com/drone-laws-in-indiana/)
[5](https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/shoot-drone-flies-over-house-123302145.html)
