Drivers in New Castle, Middletown, Knightstown, Spiceland, and throughout Henry County can complete an Indiana BMV-approved Driver Safety Program online through ABetterDriver.com.
Henry County had an estimated 49,137 residents in 2025. New Castle is the county seat and largest city, with an estimated population of 17,390. Middletown had approximately 2,248 residents, Knightstown 2,165, and Spiceland 961.
Driving in Henry County is shaped by several very different environments. I-70 crosses the southern part of the county, U.S. 40 and U.S. 36 provide major east-west routes, and State Road 3 is one of the principal north-south corridors through New Castle. The county also includes smaller rural communities, agricultural roads, recreation traffic near Summit Lake State Park, and visitor traffic associated with Knightstown's Hoosier Gym.
In 2026, the most important local traffic issue is the ongoing State Road 3 reconstruction through New Castle, which is changing lanes, commercial-drive access, turning movements, pedestrian facilities, and how some vehicles navigate the corridor.
Take Your Indiana Driver Safety Program Online
The Indiana BMV allows approved Driver Safety Programs to be completed online, in a classroom, or by DVD.
All approved Indiana DSP courses:
Must meet BMV curriculum standards
Are at least four hours long
May be completed online
Have a current maximum price of $55
The Indiana BMV specifically lists ABetterDriver.com as an approved provider offering online and DVD Driver Safety Program courses.
That means Henry County drivers can complete an approved DSP online without attending a classroom course in New Castle.
Who Takes an Indiana Driver Safety Program?
Indiana drivers take Driver Safety Programs for several different reasons. A BMV requirement, voluntary 4-point credit, court order, and Henry County citation deferral are separate processes.
BMV-Required Driver Safety Program
Indiana law provides that drivers convicted of two or more traffic offenses within a 12-month period may be required to complete a BMV-approved Driver Safety Program.
Drivers under age 21 are required to complete a DSP after two or more traffic-offense convictions. Once the BMV sends notice of the requirement, the course must be completed within 90 days or driving privileges will be suspended.
This is a statewide BMV requirement. It does not depend on whether the underlying traffic case was filed in Henry Circuit Court 3, New Castle City Court, or another Indiana court.
Voluntary Indiana 4-Point Credit
Any Indiana driver may voluntarily complete a BMV-approved Driver Safety Program.
Successful completion results in a 4-point credit on the driver's Indiana Official Driver Record. The credit may generally be applied once every three years. If another approved course is completed while the existing credit is active, the credit period is extended for three years from the new completion date rather than creating another simultaneous 4-point credit.
Court-Ordered or Court-Referred Drivers
A Henry County court may separately order a driver to complete a driving program.
The Indiana BMV specifically cautions that a court order requiring a DSP does not necessarily mean that the judge requires a BMV-approved DSP. Drivers should follow the exact wording of the court order before selecting a course.
Henry County Citation Deferral
The Henry County Prosecutor operates a separate deferral program for eligible citations.
The current county program costs $192.50, including the cost of the ticket. A driver who successfully completes six months with no new citations can have the case dismissed, with the county stating that there will be no mark on the BMV record from that case.
That is different from voluntarily taking a DSP for the BMV 4-point credit.
How Long Is the Indiana Driver Safety Program?
Every Indiana BMV-approved Driver Safety Program must be at least four hours long.
The BMV advises drivers to allow approximately 7 to 10 business days for course-completion results to be processed. For the voluntary 4-point credit, the BMV states that credit is normally applied within 7 to 14 business days after it receives completion notification from the provider.
Drivers facing a BMV deadline should not wait until the final day to complete the course.
How the Indiana 4-Point Credit Works
Points from Indiana moving-violation convictions generally remain active on a driver's record for two years from the conviction date.
Completing a BMV-approved DSP can result in a 4-point credit, but the BMV expressly states that DSP completion does not remove a traffic citation from the driver's history.
The distinction is important:
BMV-required DSP: imposed because of the driver's record
Voluntary 4-point credit: affects active points on the Indiana driver record
Court-ordered driving program: imposed by a judge in an individual case
Henry County deferral: prosecutor agreement that can result in dismissal of an eligible pending citation
These programs are not automatically interchangeable.
Driving in Henry County: New Castle, I-70, and Rural East-Central Indiana
Henry County covers approximately 392 square miles and had about 125 residents per square mile based on current estimates. More than one-third of the county's population lives in New Castle, while numerous small incorporated towns are spread throughout the rest of the county.
The result is a road environment that changes considerably within a relatively short distance.
Drivers encounter:
Multi-lane commercial roads in New Castle
I-70 interstate traffic
U.S. 40 and U.S. 36 through travel
Small-town streets
Agricultural traffic
Rural intersections
School traffic
Recreation traffic around Summit Lake
Visitor traffic around Knightstown
Henry County's current transportation projects make these transitions even more important in 2026.
Henry County's Primary Driving Issue: SR 3 Reconstruction in New Castle
The most substantial current county-specific traffic issue is the SR 3 reconstruction project in New Castle.
INDOT is reconstructing State Road 3, also known as South Memorial Drive, from Sherry Lynn Drive to SR 38/Broad Street.
The project replaces the previous pavement and redesigns the roadway to provide two travel lanes in each direction along with different center treatments depending on the segment. It also includes new drainage infrastructure and pedestrian improvements.
Phase 2 Is Being Constructed in 2026
INDOT states that:
Phase 1, from Trojan Lane to SR 38, was constructed in 2025.
Phase 2, from Sherry Lynn Drive to Trojan Lane, is being constructed in 2026.
Minor construction and cleanup may continue through June 2027.
This makes the project directly relevant to current drivers rather than merely a future transportation plan.
New Median and Commercial-Driveway Rules
One of the most important changes involves the section between Trojan Lane and SR 38.
INDOT says a raised center median is being used to reduce conflict points and address a pattern of right-angle crashes associated with motorists making left turns across multiple traffic lanes at commercial driveways.
Once the new configuration is complete:
Drivers will no longer be able to make left turns from certain commercial driveways across SR 3.
Vehicles leaving affected businesses will turn right.
Passenger vehicles can use permitted U-turn movements at signalized intersections.
Larger trucks may need to use alternate local routes because of the median configuration.
INDOT is also installing signs requiring right-turning traffic to yield to vehicles making permitted U-turns.
For a driver who uses Memorial Drive regularly, relying on the old driveway and turning patterns can therefore create problems.
Pedestrian Improvements
The SR 3 project also adds sidewalks, pedestrian crosswalk signals, push buttons, drainage upgrades, and other pedestrian facilities.
This matters because the corridor is not simply a through highway. It is also a developed commercial section of New Castle where vehicles interact with businesses, local streets, and pedestrians.
U.S. 36 and Raider Road Roundabout Near Middletown
Another major 2026 Henry County safety project is the new U.S. 36 and Raider Road roundabout near Middletown.
INDOT states that the former intersection had an above-average number of crashes and above-average crash severity compared with intersections carrying similar traffic volumes, with many crashes involving right-angle collisions.
The project replaces the previous intersection with a single-lane roundabout designed to accommodate:
Passenger vehicles
School buses
Farm equipment
Semi-trucks
Oversize loads
That mix is particularly appropriate to Henry County because the intersection serves both rural and school-related traffic.
2026 Construction and Reopening
Most construction occurred during summer 2026. INDOT planned an approximately 70-day closure beginning after Shenandoah schools dismissed for summer, with the roundabout expected to open before the 2026-27 school year and minor work potentially continuing later in 2026.
INDOT subsequently reported that the roundabout was open in early August 2026.
Drivers familiar with the old stop-controlled intersection should therefore approach the new configuration based on the current roundabout signs and lane markings rather than habit.
I-70 Traffic Through Henry County
I-70 crosses southern Henry County and provides important interstate access for several communities.
INDOT's current interchange records identify:
Exit 115 at SR 109, Knightstown
Exit 123 at SR 3, Spiceland
Exit 131 at Wilbur Wright Road, New Lisbon area
This interstate corridor creates a driving environment very different from Henry County's rural and small-town roads.
Drivers entering I-70 should be prepared for higher speeds and commercial traffic. Drivers leaving the interstate should reduce speed appropriately as they transition onto SR 109, SR 3, Wilbur Wright Road, or local roads.
Current I-70 Technology Work
INDOT also has a current project involving I-70 from the SR 109/Post Road area to the Wayne County line, with a listed October 31, 2026 completion date. The contract involves interstate communications-system infrastructure.
This is separate from the much larger future I-70 pavement and bridge work identified in INDOT's transportation program, so the two should not be confused.
Major Roads and Highways in Henry County
State Road 3
SR 3 is the principal north-south road through New Castle and connects the city with I-70.
The current reconstruction from Sherry Lynn Drive through the SR 38 area makes it Henry County's most important local construction corridor in 2026.
U.S. 36
U.S. 36 crosses northern Henry County and serves the Middletown area.
The new Raider Road roundabout near Middletown is one of INDOT's major current intersection-safety projects in the county.
U.S. 40
U.S. 40 crosses southern Henry County and provides an important east-west alternative to I-70 for local travel.
The route is particularly important around Knightstown, Lewisville, and Dunreith. State tourism information also places the Historic Hoosier Gym just off U.S. 40 in Knightstown.
State Road 38
SR 38 crosses New Castle and meets SR 3/Broad Street at the northern end of the current SR 3 reconstruction project.
State Road 109
SR 109 serves southwestern Henry County and provides access to I-70 Exit 115 near Knightstown.
State Road 103
SR 103 provides another Henry County connection and serves areas including Lewisville and the Wilbur Wright Fish & Wildlife Area vicinity. Indiana DNR locates the Wilbur Wright property at 2239 N. State Road 103 in New Castle.
Summit Lake State Park and Recreation Traffic
Henry County also has a significant recreation-driving component.
Summit Lake State Park is located at 5993 N. Messick Road, New Castle and covers more than 2,680 acres. DNR facilities include:
120 electric campsites
Three boat ramps
A swimming beach
Picnic facilities
Fishing and other lake recreation
That can place campers, vehicles towing boats, and visitors unfamiliar with local roads onto rural roads in northern Henry County.
Drivers approaching the park should leave additional room behind vehicles towing trailers and anticipate vehicles slowing before park entrances or turns.
Knightstown and Basketball Tourism
Knightstown is Henry County's third-largest incorporated community, with an estimated 2025 population of 2,165.
It also has an unusually strong tourism identity for a community of its size.
The Historic Hoosier Gym in Knightstown served as the home court of the fictional Hickory Huskers in the movie Hoosiers. Indiana tourism materials identify the gym as one of the state's signature basketball attractions and place it just off U.S. 40.
Knightstown also has direct I-70 access through the SR 109 interchange.
That combination of U.S. 40 travel, interstate access, and basketball tourism gives Knightstown enough local material for a dedicated traffic-school page.
Driving in New Castle
New Castle is Henry County's county seat and largest city, with an estimated 2025 population of 17,390.
It is the county's clear traffic and government center.
New Castle contains:
Henry Circuit Court 3
New Castle City Court
Henry County Clerk
Henry County Prosecutor
New Castle BMV Branch
SR 3
SR 38
Access toward I-70
Current SR 3 reconstruction
Summit Lake State Park access
The Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame and New Castle's broader basketball attractions
New Castle should be the highest-priority standalone city traffic-school page in Henry County.
Driving in Middletown
Middletown had an estimated 2025 population of 2,248, making it the county's second-largest incorporated municipality.
Its strongest current traffic distinction is the U.S. 36 corridor and the new Raider Road roundabout near Middletown.
INDOT specifically describes the project as an intersection improvement near Middletown and designed it to accommodate school buses, agricultural equipment, semis, and oversize loads.
This gives Middletown unusually strong independent road content for a town of roughly 2,200 residents.
Driving in Spiceland
Spiceland had an estimated 2025 population of 961.
The town's transportation importance is greater than its population alone suggests because INDOT identifies the I-70/SR 3 interchange at Exit 123 with Spiceland.
Drivers in this area regularly transition between interstate-speed traffic, SR 3, and lower-speed local roads.
Courts Handling Traffic Tickets in Henry County
Henry County has three state Circuit Courts plus New Castle City Court.
For ordinary county traffic infractions, the key court is Henry Circuit Court 3.
The county's official Circuit Court 3 page specifically states that the court handles:
Level 6 felonies
Misdemeanors
Small claims
Traffic infractions
Henry Circuit Court 3
Henry Circuit Court 31215 Race Street, Suite 220New Castle, IN 47362Phone: 765-521-2554
The current Indiana Judicial Branch directory identifies Judge David L. McCord and confirms the address and phone number.
Drivers with ordinary county traffic citations should check whether Circuit Court 3 is listed on the citation.
New Castle City Court
New Castle separately maintains an active City Court.
New Castle City Court227 N. Main StreetNew Castle, IN 47362Phone: 765-521-6824
The City's official court page states that New Castle City Court hears traffic violations and city code or ordinance violations.
The Indiana Judicial Branch directory independently confirms the court's current address and judge.
This means a driver should not assume that every traffic ticket issued within Henry County goes to the same court.
Some cases are filed in Henry Circuit Court 3, while traffic cases filed with New Castle City Court are handled by that court.
Henry County Clerk
Henry County Clerk1215 Race Street, Suite 120New Castle, IN 47362Phone: 765-529-6401
The Clerk's official page provides traffic-ticket resources and current contact information.
How Do I Know Which Court Has My Henry County Ticket?
Check:
The court printed on your citation
Your cause number
Your citation number
Indiana MyCase
Henry County Clerk
New Castle City Court when that court is named on the citation
The Indiana Judicial Branch confirms that Henry Circuit Courts 1, 2, and 3 and New Castle City Court all participate in the statewide Odyssey/MyCase system.
Henry County Infraction Deferral Program
The Henry County Prosecutor currently offers a deferral program for citations.
The current county page lists a program cost of $192.50, which includes the cost of the citation.
Six-Month Clean-Record Requirement
A driver who is approved for the program must complete a six-month deferral period with no new citations.
If the driver successfully completes the six months, the county states that:
The case is dismissed.
There is no mark on the BMV record from that case.
Automatic Henry County Deferral Disqualifiers
The Henry County Prosecutor currently publishes three automatic disqualifiers:
Holding a Commercial Driver's License
Speeding in a school zone or work zone
Speeding more than 25 mph over the posted speed limit
These are Henry County-specific rules. They should not be assumed to apply in another Indiana county.
Prosecutor Reviews the Citation and Driving Record
The county states that the Prosecutor reviews the citation and the driver's record when determining eligibility.
For a driver licensed outside Indiana, the county currently requires a five-year driving history to be provided as part of the review.
If the Prosecutor grants deferral, the driver signs a Deferral Agreement.
Because eligibility remains subject to Prosecutor review, satisfying the three published threshold rules does not guarantee acceptance.
Does Henry County Deferral Require Traffic School?
The current Henry County Prosecutor information reviewed does not state that completing ABetterDriver.com or another BMV-approved Driver Safety Program is a standard condition of citation deferral.
Do not enroll in ABetterDriver solely because you expect the course to dismiss a Henry County ticket.
The BMV Driver Safety Program and the Henry County Prosecutor's deferral agreement serve different purposes.
Can I Take Traffic School for a Henry County Traffic Ticket?
You can take a BMV-approved Driver Safety Program when:
The Indiana BMV requires one
You voluntarily want the Indiana 4-point credit
A court specifically requires a BMV-approved DSP
But completing a BMV-approved DSP by itself does not automatically dismiss a Henry County traffic ticket. The Indiana BMV expressly states that DSP completion does not remove a citation from the driver's history.
If your goal is citation deferral, follow the Henry County Prosecutor's separate process before paying the citation or assuming you qualify.
BMV Branch Information
Henry County currently has an Indiana BMV branch in New Castle.
New Castle BMV Branch
New Castle BMV Branch + Kiosk615 South Memorial DriveNew Castle, IN 47362Phone: 888-692-6841
The BMV's current location map identifies both a branch and BMV Connect kiosk at this address.
As of August 2026, the branch is listed as:
Monday: Closed
Tuesday: 9:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Wednesday: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Thursday: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Friday: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Saturday: 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Sunday: Closed
Because BMV schedules can change, drivers should verify current hours before traveling.
You do not need to visit the New Castle BMV branch simply to complete an approved online Driver Safety Program.
Henry County Driver Safety Program FAQ
Is ABetterDriver.com approved by the Indiana BMV?
Yes. The Indiana BMV currently lists ABetterDriver.com as an approved Driver Safety Program provider offering online and DVD courses.
Can I take Indiana traffic school online from Henry County?
Yes. The Indiana BMV permits approved Driver Safety Programs online, and ABetterDriver.com is listed as an approved online provider.
How long is the Indiana Driver Safety Program?
Every Indiana BMV-approved DSP must be at least four hours.
Can I take the course voluntarily for the 4-point credit?
Yes. Any Indiana driver may voluntarily complete a BMV-approved DSP and receive a 4-point credit on the Indiana Official Driver Record.
How often can I receive the 4-point credit?
The credit can generally be applied once every three years. Completing another approved DSP during the active credit period extends the credit period rather than adding another simultaneous four-point credit.
Does the 4-point credit erase my Henry County ticket?
No. The BMV expressly states that DSP completion does not remove a citation from the driver's history.
Which court handles ordinary Henry County traffic infractions?
Henry County's official court page states that Henry Circuit Court 3 handles traffic infractions.
Where is Henry Circuit Court 3?
Henry Circuit Court 3 is located at 1215 Race Street, Suite 220, New Castle, Indiana 47362.
Does New Castle have its own traffic court?
Yes. New Castle City Court is an active court at 227 N. Main Street. Its official city page states that it hears traffic violations and city code or ordinance cases.
How do I know whether my ticket is in Circuit Court 3 or New Castle City Court?
Check the court printed on your citation or search the case through Indiana MyCase. Both Henry Circuit Court 3 and New Castle City Court participate in the state's Odyssey/MyCase system.
Does Henry County have a traffic-ticket deferral program?
Yes. The Henry County Prosecutor currently offers a citation deferral program.
How much does Henry County citation deferral cost?
The current county page lists the total cost as $192.50, including the cost of the ticket.
How long is Henry County traffic deferral?
The current program requires six months with no new citations.
What happens after I successfully complete Henry County deferral?
The Prosecutor states that the case is dismissed after successful completion and that there is no mark on the BMV record from that case.
Can a CDL holder use Henry County citation deferral?
No under the current published rules. A Commercial Driver's License is listed as an automatic disqualifier.
Can I obtain deferral if I was more than 25 mph over the speed limit?
No under the current published rules. Speeding more than 25 mph over the posted limit is an automatic disqualifier.
Can I use Henry County deferral for school-zone or work-zone speeding?
No. The current Prosecutor rules list both school-zone and work-zone speeding as automatic disqualifiers.
What if I have an out-of-state driver's license?
The Henry County Prosecutor states that a driver licensed by another state must provide a five-year driving history for the deferral review.
Does Henry County deferral require ABetterDriver.com?
The current Prosecutor information does not identify a BMV-approved DSP as a standard condition of deferral. Do not enroll solely for ticket dismissal unless the Prosecutor or court specifically tells you to do so.
What is the major current road project in Henry County?
The most significant current local project is the SR 3 reconstruction through New Castle. Phase 2 is being constructed in 2026, and minor work can continue through June 2027.
What changed on SR 3 in New Castle?
The project changes the roadway configuration, adds medians and pedestrian facilities, and restricts certain left turns from commercial driveways. Passenger vehicles can make permitted U-turns at signalized intersections, while some large trucks will need alternate routes.
Is the new U.S. 36 roundabout near Middletown open?
INDOT reported the U.S. 36/Raider Road roundabout open in early August 2026, although minor project work may continue.
Is there a BMV branch in Henry County?
Yes. The New Castle BMV Branch and kiosk are located at 615 South Memorial Drive.
Complete Your Henry County Indiana Driver Safety Program Online
If you need an Indiana BMV-approved Driver Safety Program, you can complete the course online through ABetterDriver.com.
The Indiana BMV currently lists ABetterDriver.com as an approved online Driver Safety Program provider.
Complete your course online from New Castle, Middletown, Knightstown, Spiceland, or anywhere else in Henry County.
Start your Indiana Driver Safety Program at ABetterDriver.com.
Cities and Towns in Henry County
Henry County requires extra care when compiling its municipality list because the state's general MyLocal page does not match the current incorporated-place data.
The MyLocal page lists New Lisbon among its “Cities and Towns,” omits Shirley, and uses the spellings “Dunnrith” and “Sulpher Springs.”
Current 2025 STATS Indiana incorporated-place data instead identifies:
Shirley as an incorporated town that crosses county lines
Dunreith as the current incorporated-place spelling
Sulphur Springs as the current incorporated-place spelling
No incorporated New Lisbon entry
Current DLGF records independently identify civil towns including Shirley and Dunreith.
For the complete incorporated-municipality list below, the current incorporated-place and DLGF data are more appropriate than reproducing the abbreviated or inaccurate MyLocal list.
Complete List of Incorporated Cities and Towns in Henry County
Current state population data identify 16 incorporated municipalities located wholly or partially in Henry County:
New Castle: city and county seat
Middletown: town
Knightstown: town
Spiceland: town
Kennard: town
Mount Summit: town
Mooreland: town
Sulphur Springs: town
Lewisville: town
Straughn: town
Shirley: town, crosses the Henry-Hancock county line
Dunreith: town
Cadiz: town
Springport: town
Greensboro: town
Blountsville: town
STATS Indiana reports only the Henry County portion of Shirley's population in the Henry County table, confirming that the incorporated town crosses county lines.
A traffic ticket received in Shirley should therefore not automatically be treated as a Henry County citation. The actual location of the violation and the court named on the citation control.
New Lisbon is a recognized Henry County community but is not included in the current STATS Indiana incorporated-place estimates, so it should not be placed in the complete incorporated city-and-town list.