Good to Know|1 February 2022

Driving Laws in Different U.S. States | Rental Cars and Road Trip in U.S.

While certain laws in the U.S. are federal, others are defined at the state level. Motor vehicle operation is governed by state law.

This means that drivers’ rules on the road differ from state to state. When visiting states outside your home state, for example during a road trip with a rented car, it is essential to have a high-level understanding of local driving laws.

When driving in a new place, you are likely consumed with figuring out your way and adapting to the local driving style.

The last thing you need is to get pulled over by the police for violating a local traffic regulation! If you are pulled over, keep in mind the following:

It is ok to ask questions about local regulations and explain that you are from another state, but you may still have to pay the ticket.
Your vehicle may need a vehicle history report to confirm that it was not lost or stolen (rental cars have it).
It is your responsibility to be aware of local laws, even if you are from another state.

It is impossible to be aware of every motor vehicle law for every one of the fifty United States, but exploring the below categories can help you better understand the big ones.

Planning a USA Coast to Coast by car? Read also these resources:

Speed Limit Laws in U.S. States | Rented Cars

Speeding is one of the most common reasons drivers are pulled over. Speed limits vary widely by state, so paying attention to signage is very important.

Depending on zone type, many states will have standard speed limits, such as twenty miles per hour in a school zone, sixty-five miles per hour on the highway, or thirty miles per hour in a residential area.

The longer you drive in one state, the more you will get used to these standard zone limits.

States with higher populations and more city space will usually have stricter speed limit laws than rural states with lots of space.

Distracted Driving Laws in USA

With cell phones becoming mainstream, many states have specific regulations about using the phone while driving. Some restrict phone use to Bluetooth-enabled only, while others just restrict texting activities while driving.

Carpool Lane Requirements in U.S.

States that deal with congested roads may have special lanes for carpooling, so it is essential to understand them state by state.

Right on Red Regulations in U.S.

While the vast majority of states allow right on red after a complete stop, New York does not, and this is something to be careful about when driving outside of your home state.

Some specific driving laws by state are as follows. These are examples only and not intended to provide a complete set of laws for any of the states, but you can research those with each state’s department of motor vehicles.

Alabama

In Alabama, teen drivers who violate restricted license restrictions, such as driving after midnight or with too many passengers, and their parents, can expect heftier fines as the state has increased penalties for this category of drivers specifically.

Alaska

Alaska motorist law does not require the use of turn signals on roundabouts.

Arizona

Minors in Arizona are completely restricted from using a mobile device while driving. This limit applies to the first six months of driving with a learner’s permit or driver’s license.

Arkansas

Arkansas prohibits open containers of alcohol in the driver and passenger areas. The state’s maximum speed limit is 75 miles per hour. This means that while different state regions have other speed limits, the highest cannot exceed 75 mph.

California

All wireless communication devices used in cars in California have to be mounted to the windshield, dashboard, or center console.

Colorado

Colorado’s law about texting and driving only applies to “careless or imprudent” driving. The penalties for this have changed from $300 and four points on a driver’s license.

Connecticut

Suppose you are driving in CT, and you have had a license suspended for operating a vehicle under the influence of drugs or alcohol. In that case, your vehicle needs an ignition interlock device.

Delaware

School bus drivers in DE are prohibited from using any type of cell phone, even hands-free, while driving.

Florida

When driving in Florida on a two-lane roadway, move over law requires you to slow your car down to 20 miles per hour less than the posted speed limit. If the speed limit is 20 miles per hour (MPH) or less, you must drive at five miles per hour.

Georgia

GA motorist law allows the use of ignition interlock devices as alternatives to driver’s license suspension for first-time DUI convictions.

Hawaii

Drivers in HI with few or no passengers can use carpool lanes when a traffic accident has closed down the regular lanes.

Idaho

Idaho law allows drivers to exceed the speed limit by up to 15 miles per hour when passing on two-lane state roads where the limit is already 55 mph or higher.

Illinois

Drivers in Illinois must slow down or change lanes when passing any vehicle on the side of the road with hazard lights flashing.

Indiana

On roundabouts, Indiana motorists must yield the right of way to semi-trailer trucks, buses, and other vehicles 40 feet in length.

Iowa

Iowa requires drivers to change lanes to avoid stationary emergency vehicles, including utility trucks and garbage trucks with lights flashing. Drivers unable to safely change lanes are required to slow down.

Kansas

Failure to use seat belts in KS now carries a $30 penalty for 18 years of age and older. This has been increased from $10.

Kentucky

In Kentucky, only white lights are permitted for headlights on private vehicles.

Louisiana

In Louisiana, traffic speed cameras must have proper signage, or the images can’t be used to ticket motorists.

Maine

In Maine, a distracted driving law that would have banned the use of handheld devices while driving was vetoed by their governor, who called it a form of “social engineering.”

Maryland

Objects obstructing the driver’s view through the windshield may not be hung or attached to the rearview mirror in Maryland.

Massachusetts

Suppose a driver in MA uses a cell phone or other electronic device and causes an accident that causes property damage or injury. In that case, this is considered a negligent operation and will result in loss of license and criminal charges.

Michigan

Autonomous vehicles on public roads are now permitted in MI, where only manufacturer testing was previously allowed.

Minnesota

In Minnesota, hand-held devices such as phones and mp3 players are banned only for new drivers. Talking on the phone without a hands-free system in a vehicle is prohibited for all.

Mississippi

Mississippi requires all people riding in a vehicle to wear a seatbelt. Drivers are held responsible for unbuckled passengers, including those riding in the back of a truck bed. Drivers can be fined $25 per unbuckled passenger.

Missouri

Missouri recently increased its fines and jail time for drivers who speed through work or school zones.

Montana

Montana recently raised the speed limit on Interstate 90 and I-15 from 75 miles per hour to 80 mph. The new limit will be strictly enforced.

Nebraska

Nebraska cyclists are treated the same as pedestrians in crosswalks, giving them legal right of way in crosswalks.

Additionally, the mandatory side path rule, which required cyclists to use a side path if one was available and not the street, has been repealed to allow for increased cyclist safety.

Nevada

In Nevada, “trick driving” is now considered a reckless driving violation. Trick driving involves traveling at high rates of speed and, in some cases, creating a video of a stunt while traveling on Nevada roadways.

New Hampshire

New Hampshire has increased penalties for drivers who pass a stopped school bus. They will now face a $500 fine and a 30-day license suspension for the first offense. Fines have also increased for drivers who fail to yield to emergency vehicles.

New Jersey

New Jersey has a hotline for people to report drivers who are texting while on the road. Drivers who are caught by law enforcement texting and driving will be fined.

New Mexico

New Mexico has heavier criminal sentencing for repeat offending under-the-influence drivers. These apply to those with eight or more driving-while-intoxicated convictions.

New York

New York law allows inspections and fines for cars with tinted windows darker than 30 percent. Additionally, emergency vehicles and law enforcement vehicles must slow down and change lines, just like other traffic, when passing emergency or law enforcement vehicles that are stopped on the side of the road.

North Carolina

North Carolina drivers can now pass bicyclists and mopeds in no-passing zones with a four-foot buffer. Drivers who endanger a bicyclist or cause a crash will face increased penalties, including possible loss of license and fines.

North Dakota

North Dakota’s distracted driving laws are not limited to cell phone use. They include any activity that fails to maintain control of the vehicle. Drivers could face a fine of $100 for driving distracted.

Ohio

In Ohio, drivers can legally drive through a red light if they believe it to be broken. They are required to come to a complete stop and then can proceed through the light. However, the burden of proof lies with the driver if the light is working properly and an accident is caused.

Oklahoma

Oklahoma drivers can use the left lane on a divided highway if they are not impeding traffic. New signs are erected along the highways to move over to the right lane if drivers are slower than the pace of other cars.

Oregon

Oregon expanded existing distracted driving laws that prevented the use of mobile phones to include any mobile electronic device that is not in hands-free mode.

Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania drivers can also proceed through a red light if they believe the light to be malfunctioning, like in Ohio. Drivers must come to a full stop, and then can proceed through the light if the situation is safe.

Rhode Island

Rhode Island drivers caught driving without a license won’t face criminal charges for a first or second offense. These are treated as civil violations, and drivers may still be fined. A third offense results in a misdemeanor charge.

South Carolina

South Carolina requires moped drivers to register with the Department of Motor Vehicles. Drivers under the age of 21 are required to wear a helmet. Drunk driving laws will also be enforced against moped drivers.

South Dakota

All SD drivers are not allowed to text and drive, while drivers under the age of 18 aren’t allowed to use a handheld electronic device at all while driving.

Tennessee

Tennessee law made it a misdemeanor to block public highways and streets in an area that restricts access for emergency vehicles. Violations are punishable by a fine of $200.

Texas

Texting and driving are illegal in TX and are punishable by a fine of $25 to $99. Devices used for mapping and stereo system control do not count under this law.

Utah

Utah has the strictest blood alcohol limit in the country. The limit is .05 percent. The state’s previous limit was .08 percent.

Vermont

Vermont requires drivers to provide at least four feet of clearance for cyclists, pedestrians, and other vulnerable roadway users, like horse-drawn buggies.

Virginia

In VA, opening a motor vehicle door when it is unsafe to do so (‘dooring’) will result in a $50 fine.

Washington

Texting, holding a cell phone, watching videos, and taking pictures are all illegal while driving in Washington state.

West Virginia

In West Virginia, drivers who speed past school bus stop signs will be ticketed, even when school isn’t in session.

Wisconsin

Wisconsin prohibits mobile phone or other wireless device use while in a construction or utility work zone. Violators are fined $20 to $40 for a first offense and $50 to $100 for a second offense.

Wyoming

In WY, owners of electric vehicles pay a $50 tax equivalent to the gas tax levied on other drivers.

If you are planning a road trip where you will be crossing state lines or traveling to another state and renting a car, it is good to do a little research about how each state’s laws might be unique. Doing so will help you stay safe on the roads, and avoid getting a driving violation.

About The Author: Patrick Peterson is a content manager at GoodCar. Born and raised in the automotive world.