Drivers in Salem, New Pekin, Campbellsburg, Fredericksburg, Hardinsburg, Little York, Livonia, Saltillo, and rural Washington County can complete an Indiana BMV-approved Driver Safety Program online through ABetterDriver.com.
Washington County had an estimated 28,383 residents as of July 1, 2025. Salem is the county seat and largest incorporated community, with an estimated 2025 population of 6,427. New Pekin is the second-largest incorporated community at approximately 1,378 residents, followed by Campbellsburg at approximately 539.
Washington County's road system is centered on highways such as SR 60, SR 135, SR 56, and U.S. 150. The county's 2025 comprehensive plan identifies SR 60 as its principal arterial and U.S. 150, SR 135, and SR 56 between Scottsburg and Salem as minor arterials.
The county also has a distinctive southern Indiana driving environment around the Knobstone hills, Jackson-Washington State Forest, and recreation areas reached from SR 135 and smaller county roads.
Take Your Indiana Driver Safety Program Online
The Indiana BMV permits approved Driver Safety Programs to be completed online, in a classroom, or by DVD.
All BMV-approved programs must be at least four hours long. The current maximum price for an approved DSP is $55. The Indiana BMV specifically lists ABetterDriver.com as an approved provider offering its course online and by DVD.
That means Washington County drivers can complete a BMV-approved Driver Safety Program online without attending a classroom course in Salem or traveling outside the county.
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 Washington County Infraction Deferral Program 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.
The BMV also requires qualifying drivers under age 21 who have two or more traffic-offense convictions to complete a DSP. Once the BMV sends notice, the driver must complete the requirement within 90 days or driving privileges will be suspended.
This is a statewide BMV requirement. It does not depend on whether the underlying convictions occurred in Washington County.
Voluntary Indiana 4-Point Credit
Any Indiana driver may voluntarily complete a BMV-approved Driver Safety Program.
After successful completion, the BMV applies a 4-point credit to the driver's Indiana Official Driver Record. The credit may generally be applied once every three years. If another approved DSP is completed during the existing credit period, the period is extended for three years from the newer completion date.
Court-Ordered or Court-Referred Drivers
Washington Circuit Court or Washington Superior Court can separately order a person to complete a driving-related program in an individual case.
The Indiana BMV specifically cautions that a court order requiring a DSP does not necessarily mean the court requires a BMV-approved DSP. Drivers should follow the actual language of the court order before choosing a course.
Washington County Infraction Deferral
The Washington County Prosecuting Attorney's Office operates an Infraction Deferral Program for certain traffic and non-traffic infractions. The Prosecutor's current public materials state that eligibility requirements, program length, and cost can vary based on the offense.
Infraction deferral is not the same as the BMV's voluntary 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 completion results to be processed. For the voluntary 4-point credit, the BMV states that the credit is generally 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 their course.
How the Indiana 4-Point Credit Works
Points from Indiana moving-violation convictions remain active on the driver record for two years from the conviction date.
Completing a BMV-approved DSP does not erase the underlying ticket or conviction. The BMV expressly states that DSP completion will not remove a citation from the driver's history.
The four processes should remain separate:
BMV-required DSP: imposed because of the driver's record
Voluntary 4-point credit: affects active points on the Indiana driver record
Court-ordered course: imposed by a judge in a specific case
Washington County Infraction Deferral: prosecutor program affecting an eligible pending infraction
Driving in Washington County: Salem, Rural Highways, and the Knobstone Hills
Washington County's road network is organized around Salem and several state highways connecting its smaller incorporated towns.
The county's current comprehensive plan identifies SR 60 as the principal arterial, running through New Pekin, Salem, Campbellsburg, and Saltillo. It identifies U.S. 150, SR 135, and SR 56 between Scottsburg and Salem as important secondary arterial routes.
Drivers encounter a substantial change in road environment as they move between Salem, the smaller towns, and the more rugged northern and eastern parts of the county.
The Indiana DNR describes the Knobstone Trail area as rugged, forested terrain with narrow ridges and significant elevation change. The trail reaches its northern endpoint at Delaney Park just east of SR 135 in Washington County.
That combination of state-highway travel, small communities, forest access roads, and rolling terrain gives Washington County a driving profile that is substantially different from Indiana's flatter northern counties or major metropolitan areas.
Washington County's Primary Driving Issue: SR 135 Through Salem and the Knobstone Hills
State Road 135 is one of Washington County's most distinctive north-south roads.
The county's comprehensive plan identifies SR 135 as an important arterial, while Indiana DNR directions use SR 135 as the principal approach from Salem toward Delaney Park and the northern end of the Knobstone Trail.
The DNR describes the surrounding Knobstone Escarpment as rugged terrain with narrow ridges and substantial relief. Delaney Park is about two miles east of SR 135 and approximately nine miles northeast of Salem.
For drivers, this means the SR 135 corridor serves several different types of travel:
Local trips into and out of Salem
Rural residential traffic
Recreation traffic headed toward Delaney Park
Hikers accessing Knobstone Trail trailheads
Vehicles traveling between smaller northern communities and Salem
Drivers unfamiliar with the area should adjust speed for terrain and road geometry rather than treating rural highway travel as uninterrupted open-road driving.
Current SR 135 Work at Hoggatt Branch
INDOT also has a current project on SR 135 over Hoggatt Branch, 1.76 miles south of SR 60.
The project is identified as embankment stabilization, INDOT project number 2300247. INDOT programmed the construction phase for fiscal year 2026 after moving it from an earlier year.
This gives Washington County drivers an additional reason to check current INDOT travel conditions when using SR 135 around Salem.
State Road 60: Washington County's Main East-West Corridor
The county's 2025 comprehensive plan identifies SR 60 as Washington County's principal arterial. It passes through or serves four incorporated communities:
New Pekin
Salem
Campbellsburg
Saltillo
That makes SR 60 much more than a through highway. It connects several of the county's principal population centers and funnels local traffic toward Salem.
Campbellsburg's official town site confirms that the community is located directly on Indiana Highway 60, approximately nine miles northwest of Salem.
Drivers on SR 60 should be prepared for the transition between higher-speed highway segments and community areas where local vehicles enter from side streets, businesses, residential roads, and connecting highways.
Major Roads and Highways in Washington County
State Road 60
SR 60 is the county's principal arterial and connects New Pekin, Salem, Campbellsburg, and Saltillo.
Its importance to multiple communities makes it one of the strongest subjects for localized traffic information on both the county page and future city pages.
State Road 135
SR 135 is a major north-south route through Salem and provides access toward Washington County's forested northern area.
Indiana DNR directions to Delaney Park and the Knobstone Trail specifically route visitors from Salem north on SR 135 before turning onto Delaney Park Road.
Current INDOT work at Hoggatt Branch adds a 2026 construction component to the corridor.
State Road 56
The Washington County comprehensive plan identifies SR 56 between Scottsburg and Salem as one of the county's minor arterial routes.
DNR directions to several Knobstone Trail access points also use SR 56 west from I-65 toward Salem, reinforcing its importance as an eastern approach to the county.
U.S. 150
U.S. 150 serves the southwestern portion of Washington County. The county comprehensive plan identifies it as another minor arterial.
It is particularly relevant to the Fredericksburg and Hardinsburg area and provides a different regional route from the SR 60/SR 135 system centered on Salem.
State Roads 160 and 335
Washington County's state-highway network also includes SR 160 and SR 335. Current DNR access directions reference SR 160 in connection with recreation travel in southern Indiana, while INDOT's current transportation program includes Washington County bridge infrastructure on the SR 335 corridor.
These routes are less dominant than SR 60 or SR 135 but remain important to drivers in the county's smaller communities.
Forest and Recreation Traffic in Northern Washington County
Washington County contains part of Jackson-Washington State Forest and the northern end of the Knobstone Trail.
Indiana DNR describes Jackson-Washington State Forest as a large recreational property with hiking, camping, fishing, mountain biking, horseback riding, and backcountry opportunities. The DNR specifically identifies backcountry camping and Knobstone Trail mileage within Washington County.
The Knobstone Trail extends approximately 60 miles and ends at Delaney Park just east of SR 135 in Washington County.
That recreation activity can place vehicles unfamiliar with the area on smaller local roads, particularly around Delaney Park Road and trail-access routes.
Seasonal Road Conditions in Jackson-Washington State Forest
Indiana DNR currently identifies Mail Route Road in the Washington County portion of Jackson-Washington State Forest as a seasonal road.
This is a useful reminder that not every road serving recreation property should be assumed to have year-round vehicle access.
Drivers heading to trailheads or forest recreation areas should check current DNR advisories before relying on a particular access road.
Driving in Salem
Salem is the Washington County seat and the county's largest incorporated community, with an estimated 2025 population of 6,427.
It is also the county's most important location for traffic-related government services. Salem contains:
Washington Circuit Court
Washington Superior Court
Washington County Clerk
Washington County Prosecutor
Salem BMV Branch
SR 60
SR 135
Connections toward SR 56 and other regional roads
Because all ordinary infractions are assigned to Washington Circuit Court under the county's current caseload rules, Salem is also the county's primary court destination for drivers with state traffic-infraction cases.
Salem should unquestionably receive a dedicated internal traffic-school landing page.
Driving in New Pekin
New Pekin is Washington County's second-largest incorporated community, with an estimated 2025 population of 1,378.
Its strongest transportation distinction is its location on the SR 60 corridor. The county comprehensive plan specifically identifies New Pekin as one of the communities through which Washington County's principal arterial passes.
That gives New Pekin enough independent local road content to support a city-level page if Washington County SEO coverage is expanded beyond Salem.
Driving in Campbellsburg
Campbellsburg had an estimated 2025 population of 539.
The town's official website states that Campbellsburg is located on Indiana Highway 60 about nine miles northwest of Salem.
Its direct relationship with Washington County's principal arterial gives Campbellsburg a legitimate traffic angle, although its smaller population makes it a lower SEO priority than Salem and New Pekin.
Fredericksburg and Hardinsburg
Fredericksburg and Hardinsburg are incorporated towns in southwestern Washington County. Both are included in Indiana's official Washington County municipality list, and STATS Indiana records identify both as incorporated towns.
The U.S. 150 corridor is particularly relevant to this portion of the county. The county's comprehensive plan classifies U.S. 150 as one of Washington County's minor arterials.
Their small populations make them better suited to coverage within the county page initially rather than automatic standalone SEO pages.
Little York, Livonia, and Saltillo
Little York, Livonia, and Saltillo are also incorporated Washington County towns. Indiana's official county profile lists all three, and STATS Indiana identifies them as towns rather than unincorporated communities.
Saltillo also lies along the SR 60 corridor identified in the county comprehensive plan.
These communities should remain part of the complete county municipality coverage, but their small size does not by itself justify separate SEO pages.
Courts Handling Traffic Tickets in Washington County
Washington County's current local rules provide a clear answer for ordinary traffic infractions.
The county has:
Washington Circuit Court
Washington Superior Court
But they do not receive the same types of traffic cases.
The current Washington County caseload-allocation rule assigns all infractions, including vehicular infractions, to Washington Circuit Court.
Washington Circuit Court
Washington Circuit Court801 S. Jackson Street, Suite 103Salem, IN 47167Phone: 812-883-5302
The current Indiana Judicial Branch directory identifies Judge Larry Medlock and confirms the Circuit Court address and phone number.
For an ordinary state traffic infraction filed in Washington County, this is the court identified by the county's current caseload-allocation rule.
Washington Superior Court and Criminal Vehicular Offenses
Washington Superior Court is also located in Salem:
Washington Superior Court801 Jackson StreetSalem, IN 47167Phone: 812-883-4949
The current Indiana Judicial Branch directory identifies Dustin L. Houchin as the Superior Court judge.
Washington County's local rules distinguish ordinary infractions from certain criminal vehicular offenses. The rules assign specified criminal actions involving vehicular offenses to Superior Court, while all infractions go to Circuit Court.
A driver facing a misdemeanor or felony driving charge should therefore not assume that ordinary traffic-ticket information applies.
Washington County Clerk
Washington County Clerk801 S. Jackson Street, Suite 102Salem, IN 47167Phone: 812-883-5748
The Indiana Judicial Branch's current directory identifies Stephanie Rockey as Clerk and confirms this address and contact information.
If you are unsure which court has your case, check:
The court printed on the citation
Your cause number
Indiana MyCase
The Washington County Clerk
Indiana MyCase case numbers identify the county, court, filing date, and case type.
Washington County Infraction Deferral Program
The Washington County Prosecuting Attorney's Office currently offers an Infraction Deferral Program for certain traffic and non-traffic infractions.
The program should not be confused with the BMV Driver Safety Program.
Current Eligibility Information
The Prosecutor's current program page states that eligibility requirements, program length, and cost vary according to the type of infraction.
The currently published rules specifically state that an applicant must:
Not be under 18 at the time of the offense while holding a probationary license
Not hold a Commercial Driver's License
Not have been convicted of a major moving violation during the preceding five years, with examples including misdemeanor moving offenses such as OWI and leaving the scene of an accident
Because the Prosecutor controls eligibility, drivers should use the current program criteria for their particular citation rather than assuming every speeding or moving violation qualifies.
Six-Month Program and Current Fee
The Prosecutor's current page publishes a six-month monthly-user-fee period for the standard moving-violation program and currently lists a total fee of $192.50 for that category.
The office also states that requirements, length, and cost may vary depending on the nature of the offense, so drivers should verify the amount applicable to their own citation before paying.
Does Washington County Deferral Require Traffic School?
The current Washington County Prosecutor information reviewed does not state that every Infraction Deferral participant must complete ABetterDriver.com or another Indiana BMV-approved Driver Safety Program.
Do not enroll in ABetterDriver solely because you expect completion to dismiss a Washington County ticket.
The prosecutor's deferral program and the BMV's Driver Safety Program serve different legal purposes.
Can I Take Traffic School for a Washington County Traffic Ticket?
You can take an Indiana BMV-approved Driver Safety Program when:
The BMV requires you to complete one
You voluntarily want the Indiana 4-point credit
A court specifically orders a BMV-approved DSP
But completing an approved DSP by itself does not automatically dismiss a Washington County traffic citation. The BMV expressly states that Driver Safety Program completion does not remove a citation from the driver's history.
If your goal is Washington County Infraction Deferral, follow the Prosecutor's separate eligibility and enrollment process.
BMV Branch Information
Washington County currently has an Indiana BMV branch in Salem.
Salem BMV Branch
Salem BMV Branch1201 North Jim Day Road, Suite CSalem, IN 47167-5950Phone: 888-692-6841
The BMV's current branch list shows the Salem branch open Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with the branch closed Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday.
Because branch schedules can change, drivers should verify current hours before making an in-person trip.
You do not need to visit the Salem BMV branch simply to complete an approved online Driver Safety Program.
Washington 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 Washington County?
Yes. Indiana permits approved Driver Safety Programs to be completed online, and ABetterDriver.com is currently listed as an approved online provider.
How long is the Indiana Driver Safety Program?
Every BMV-approved DSP must be at least four hours.
Can I voluntarily take the DSP for a 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 may generally be applied once every three years. Completing another approved DSP during the credit period can extend the duration of the credit for another three years from the newer completion date.
Does the 4-point credit erase my Washington County ticket?
No. The BMV specifically states that DSP completion does not remove a citation from a driver's history.
Which court handles ordinary Washington County traffic infractions?
Washington County's current local rules assign all infractions, including vehicular infractions, to Washington Circuit Court.
Where is Washington Circuit Court?
Washington Circuit Court is located at 801 S. Jackson Street, Suite 103, Salem, Indiana 47167.
Does Washington Superior Court also handle driving cases?
Yes, but the distinction matters. Current local rules assign all infractions to Circuit Court while certain criminal vehicular offenses are assigned to Superior Court. Check the actual charge and court assignment rather than treating every driving-related case as an ordinary traffic ticket.
Does Washington County have a traffic-ticket deferral program?
Yes. The Washington County Prosecuting Attorney's Office operates an Infraction Deferral Program for certain traffic and non-traffic infractions.
How much does Washington County Infraction Deferral cost?
The current Prosecutor page lists $192.50 as the total fee for the standard moving-violation category, while also warning that program eligibility, length, and cost may vary based on the nature of the offense.
Can a CDL holder use Washington County Infraction Deferral?
The Prosecutor's current published eligibility requirements state that a person who holds a Commercial Driver's License is not eligible.
Can a driver under 18 use the Washington County program?
The current published criteria exclude a person who was under 18 at the time of the offense while holding a probationary license.
Do prior serious driving offenses affect deferral eligibility?
Yes. The Prosecutor's current rules state that an applicant must not have been convicted of a major moving violation during the preceding five years.
Does Washington County Infraction Deferral require ABetterDriver.com?
The current published program information does not state that completion of a BMV-approved DSP is a standard requirement. Do not enroll solely for deferral unless the Prosecutor or court specifically instructs you to do so.
What is the main highway through Washington County?
The county's current comprehensive plan identifies SR 60 as its principal arterial. The route serves New Pekin, Salem, Campbellsburg, and Saltillo.
What makes SR 135 important in Washington County?
SR 135 serves Salem and provides access toward the rugged northern part of the county, including Delaney Park and the northern end of the Knobstone Trail. INDOT also has a 2026-programmed project at Hoggatt Branch south of SR 60.
Is there recreation traffic in Washington County?
Yes. The Washington County portion of Jackson-Washington State Forest includes backcountry recreation and access to the Knobstone Trail. Delaney Park and several trailheads are reached from roads branching from SR 135 and SR 56.
Is there a BMV branch in Washington County?
Yes. The Salem BMV Branch is currently located at 1201 North Jim Day Road, Suite C, Salem, Indiana 47167-5950.
Complete Your Washington 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 DSP provider.
Complete your course online from Salem, New Pekin, Campbellsburg, Fredericksburg, Hardinsburg, Little York, Livonia, Saltillo, or anywhere else in Washington County.
Start your Indiana Driver Safety Program at ABetterDriver.com.
Cities and Towns in Washington County
Indiana's current Washington County profile identifies eight incorporated municipalities:
Campbellsburg
Fredericksburg
Hardinsburg
Little York
Livonia
New Pekin
Salem
Saltillo
Current STATS Indiana records identify Salem as a city and the remaining incorporated communities as towns.
Salem is the county seat.
Complete List of Incorporated Cities and Towns in Washington County
Salem: city and county seat
New Pekin: town
Campbellsburg: town
Fredericksburg: town
Hardinsburg: town
Little York: town
Livonia: town
Saltillo: town
I did not identify a current incorporated municipality in this list that crosses the Washington County boundary.