If you received a traffic ticket in Gary, Indiana, use the court and Lake County case number printed on your citation to determine where the matter is being handled.
ABetterDriver.com offers an Indiana BMV-approved online Driver Safety Program for $28.95. (A Better Driver)
Which Court Handles a Gary Traffic Ticket?
Lake County's traffic system assigns cases among County Division Rooms 1 through 4.
The case prefix tells you the assigned courtroom:
45D07, Division 1, Crown Point
45D08, Division 2, Crown Point
45D09, Division 3, Crown Point
45D12, Division 4, Hammond (Lake County Indiana)
Do not choose a courtroom based merely on being a Gary resident.
The Lake County Traffic Clerk instructs drivers to use the case number and court assignment shown in the county system. (Lake County Indiana)
Lake County Traffic Clerk
2293 N. Main Street Crown Point, IN 46307 219-755-3621 (Lake County Indiana)
What to Do After Getting a Gary Traffic Ticket
Check your ticket.
Find the case number.
Identify the assigned Lake County division.
Check whether an appearance is mandatory.
Search Indiana MyCase.
Determine whether online payment is allowed.
Investigate Lake County Infraction Deferral before paying if appropriate.
Determine whether the BMV separately ordered an online DSP.
Verify any court-required online driver safety or online driver improvement course.
Complete the correct requirement on time.
Gary Indiana Online Driver Safety Program
ABetterDriver.com currently offers Indiana's BMV-approved online DSP for $28.95 and states that successful completion is reported directly to the BMV. (A Better Driver)
Eligible drivers may voluntarily complete the course for the Indiana 4-point credit. (A Better Driver)
Lake County Infraction Deferral
The Lake County Prosecutor's current eligibility rules require no moving violations within the previous year, age 18 or older, a valid driver's license, no accident associated with the ticket, and no CDL. (Lake County Indiana)
The prosecutor program is separate from the online DSP.
Driving in Gary: Broadway, U.S. 12/20, Ridge Road, and Interstate Traffic
Gary has one of the most complex local road environments in this batch.
Broadway, State Road 53
The City identifies SR 53/Broadway as a major state highway within Gary. INDOT is responsible for snow and ice removal on Broadway and U.S. 12/20 because they are state-maintained routes. (Gary, Indiana)
Broadway functions as a major north-south city corridor carrying local traffic between downtown areas, neighborhoods, I-80/I-94, and areas farther south.
U.S. 12 and U.S. 20
U.S. 12/20 serves northern Gary and interacts with city streets, industrial and railroad infrastructure, and routes toward Lake Michigan. (Gary, Indiana)
Drivers moving between highway traffic and city intersections need to adjust speed and following distance quickly.
Gary's Traffic Safety Action Plan
Gary released a citywide Safety Action Plan aimed at reducing fatal and serious roadway crashes. (Gary, Indiana)
During development of the plan, the City's preliminary analysis identified several locations receiving particular safety attention, including:
Broadway and 5th Avenue
Broadway and Ridge Road
5th Avenue and Bigger Street
4th Avenue and Bigger Street
Lake Street and Dunes Highway (Gary, Indiana)
These should not be described as police ticket hotspots.
They are relevant because the City's own safety-planning process identified them for crash and serious-injury analysis.
Ridge Road Resurfacing and Traffic Signals in 2026
Gary began a major Ridge Road resurfacing project in June 2026, starting with milling between Colfax Street and Whitcomb Street.
The City also announced traffic-signal repairs and new stop signs along Ridge Road between Hatcher Boulevard and Martin Luther King Jr. Drive. (Gary, Indiana)
Because construction progresses by phase, drivers should check current City notices for active lane impacts.
2026 Citywide Traffic Signal Initiative
Gary also launched a 2026 Traffic Signal Initiative as part of its Relight the City program, focusing on upgrades to traffic signals across the city. (Gary, Indiana)
For drivers, temporary signal work can mean construction crews, lane changes, temporary control, or intersections operating differently from normal.
Railroad Crossings
Gary's road network has significant rail infrastructure.
A 2025 Gary Police investigation involved a vehicle-train collision at U.S. 20 and Utah Street, confirming the existence of an active at-grade rail crossing at that location. (Gary, Indiana)
The point is not to label the crossing inherently dangerous. It is a specific reminder that drivers in Gary need to treat railroad signals and gates as part of the city's everyday traffic environment.
Gary Winter Parking and Snow Rules
Gary's snow plan states that when snowfall exceeds two inches, parking is prohibited on main arterial streets during the emergency response, allowing plows to clear primary routes. (Gary, Indiana)
Gary Public Works prioritizes major arterials and higher-volume collector streets before secondary streets. (Gary, Indiana)
This is a useful local driver rule that does not belong on the other Lake County pages.
Gary BMV Branch
Gary BMV Branch 661 Broadway Gary, IN 46402 888-692-6841 (Indiana Government)
You do not need to visit the branch simply to take ABetterDriver.com's online Driver Safety Program.
Gary Indiana Online Traffic School FAQ
Can I take an Indiana online Driver Safety Program from Gary?
Yes. ABetterDriver.com currently offers the BMV-approved online course for $28.95. (A Better Driver)
Which court handles my Gary traffic ticket?
Use the Lake County case prefix shown on your ticket or MyCase record. (Lake County Indiana)
What does 45D09 mean?
It means County Division Room 3 in Crown Point. (Lake County Indiana)
Does Lake County offer infraction deferral?
Yes, for eligible drivers. (Lake County Indiana)
Can a CDL driver qualify?
No. (Lake County Indiana)
Is Broadway a state highway in Gary?
Yes. Broadway is SR 53. (Gary, Indiana)
Do U.S. 12 and U.S. 20 run through Gary?
Yes. The City identifies U.S. 12/20 among the major highways maintained by INDOT within Gary. (Gary, Indiana)
Is Ridge Road being improved in 2026?
Yes. Gary announced resurfacing plus traffic-signal and stop-sign work along portions of Ridge Road. (Gary, Indiana)
Is Gary upgrading traffic signals?
Yes. The City launched a 2026 Traffic Signal Initiative. (Gary, Indiana)
Has Gary identified intersections for special traffic-safety analysis?
Yes. The City's Safety Action Plan work identified several intersections and corridors for crash and serious-injury analysis. (Gary, Indiana)
Is parking restricted on major Gary roads during significant snow?
Gary's snow plan prohibits parking on major arteries when snow accumulation exceeds two inches during the emergency response. (Gary, Indiana)
Is there a BMV branch in Gary?
Yes, at 661 Broadway. (Indiana Government)
Can I receive the Indiana 4-point credit online?
Yes, for eligible drivers completing a BMV-approved DSP. (A Better Driver)
Complete Your Indiana Online Driver Safety Program From Gary
ABetterDriver.com offers its BMV-approved Indiana online Driver Safety Program for $28.95. (A Better Driver)
If your requirement is connected with an active Lake County traffic case, use your case number to determine the correct court and confirm any court-specific course requirement before enrolling.