Strange But True: 19 Weird Car Laws Across America

Driving across America can be an adventure, but beware—some states have bizarre car laws that can leave you scratching your head. Have you ever wondered what strange rules could trip you up on the open road?

1. No Blindfolded Driving in Alabama

In Alabama, it’s illegal to drive while blindfolded. This law seems obvious, but it highlights the importance of keeping your eyes on the road for safety.

2. Colorado’s Upholstered Furniture Ban

In Colorado, it’s illegal to drive with an upholstered couch on your car’s roof. This law ensures that vehicles aren’t overloaded and that items are securely fastened to prevent accidents.

3. Don’t Drive Barefoot in Ohio

Ohio law frowns upon driving barefoot, though it’s not strictly enforced. While it’s not outright illegal, driving without proper footwear can affect your control over the vehicle.

4. No Dirty Tires in Minnesota

Minnesota has a peculiar law requiring drivers to keep their tires clean. While it’s aimed at preventing road debris, it seems a bit extreme given the practicalities of driving in varying weather conditions.

5. Keep Your Ice Cream in Check in Alabama

Another quirky law from Alabama: you cannot drive with an ice cream cone in your back pocket. This law dates back to efforts to prevent horse theft.

6. Kansas: Screeching Your Tires is a No-No

In Kansas, it’s illegal to screech your tires. This law is meant to reduce noise pollution and reckless driving behaviors.

7. No Hanging Objects in Iowa

In Iowa, it’s against the law to have objects hanging from your rearview mirror. This law aims to ensure unobstructed views for drivers to enhance safety.

8. Texas: Must Display a Windshield Wiper

Texas requires that all vehicles have a windshield wiper, even if they don’t have a windshield. This bizarre law emphasizes vehicle readiness for all conditions.

9. New Jersey: No Frowning at Cops

In New Jersey, it’s illegal to frown at a police officer. While this may not be strictly about driving, it certainly affects your interactions during traffic stops.

10. Beware of Dog Laws in Alaska

In Alaska, you cannot tether a dog to the roof of your car. This law prevents animal cruelty and ensures the safety of pets during travel.

11. Virginia: No Using Road Signs for Target Practice

In Virginia, it’s illegal to use road signs as target practice. This law helps preserve vital traffic information and public property.

12. Arkansas: Honk for Sandwiches

In Little Rock, Arkansas, if you’re driving by a business that sells sandwiches after 9 PM, you must honk your horn. This old law, though not enforced, reflects quirky historical ordinances.

13. Oklahoma: Don’t Read Comic Books While Driving

Oklahoma has a law against reading comic books while driving. This law underscores the importance of keeping attention on the road.

14. Don’t Drive with Gorilla Suits in Massachusetts

In Massachusetts, driving with a gorilla suit on is illegal. This law aims to prevent distractions and potential scares to other drivers.

15. South Carolina: Be Mindful of Your Trash

South Carolina mandates that you must return to the scene if you hit a dog. This humane law ensures that injured animals receive care.

16. New York: No Ice Cream on Sundays

In New York, it’s illegal to eat ice cream on the sidewalk on Sundays while driving a car. This old blue law is seldom enforced but remains on the books.

17. Georgia: No Spitting from a Car

In Marietta, Georgia, it’s illegal to spit from a moving car or bus, but not from a truck. This law focuses on maintaining public cleanliness.

18. Pennsylvania: Beware of Water Pistols

In Pennsylvania, it’s illegal to shoot a water pistol at someone while they are driving. This law prevents distractions and potential altercations.

19. Illinois: No Changing Clothes in a Car

In Evanston, Illinois, changing clothes in your car with the curtains drawn is illegal. This law emphasizes public decency and privacy.

Surprising Turns 

Traveling through the U.S. can be full of surprising legal twists. Which strange law will you encounter next on your journey?

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Featured Image Credit: Shutterstock / Standret.

For transparency, this content was partly developed with AI assistance and carefully curated by an experienced editor to be informative and ensure accuracy.

The images used are for illustrative purposes only and may not represent the actual people or places mentioned in the article.