The Ten Most Obscure Car Laws In The US

Some obscure laws are still in the books because people forgot about them, others because nobody bothered to change them. The great thing is that you can still get a ticket for breaking them.


10.) Texas Requires Windshield Wipers, But Not Necessarily A Windshield

Hotrods and sports cars without windscreens are fine. But you'll still need wipers:

To register a car in Texas (or in New York), one must have windshield wipers.However, the windshield itself is optional.

Suggested By: 2 Wheels awesome!, Photo Credit: exfordy


9.) In Oregon, You Can Legally Turn Left On Red

"Oregon drivers are also allowed to turn left from a two-way street onto a one-way – including onto a freeway ramp – on a red."

Sportwagons says nobody knows about this:

I use this all the time when turning left on a one-way street. Nobody ever follows me and they seem confused, so I think they are unaware.

Suggested By: N2Skylark, Photo Credit: włodi


8.) However, In Oregon, It's Illegal To Pump Your Own Gas

I know you do, but you're not supposed to. The same goes for New Jersey.

Suggested By: LuczOr, Photo Credit: Wonderlane


7.) It's Illegal To Honk Or Not Park At A McDonald's

Chairman Kaga says there are some difficulties when ordering a cheeseburger:

In Arkansas, if you drive to McDonald's, but change your mind, you will get a ticket unless you stop the car and park first. You'll also get a ticket if it's after 9 p.m., you see a friend across the street of said restaurant, and you honk your horn.

The same goes for Paramount, California:

No person shall drive a motor vehicle onto the premises of a drive-in restaurant and leave the premises without parking such motor vehicle, unless there is no unoccupied parking space available on the premises. Source: Code 1961, 25-156, 25-158Sec. 18-54.

Sounding of horns at sandwich shops. No person shall sound the horn on a vehicle at any place where cold drinks or sandwiches are served after 9:00 p.m. Source: Code 1961, 25-74

Suggested By: Chairman Kaga, Photo Credit: maebmij


6.) In New Jersey, Hanging Dice Or Air Fresheners Are Illegal

You can't have hanging dice, air fresheners, nothing:

New Jersey: It is illegal to have anything hanging from the rear view mirror, no fuzzy dice or air fresheners. It doesn't even matter if it's a religious item. It is actually a pull over offense so you can be stopped for it. They can write the ticket for obstruction of view I believe.

Suggested By: MontegoMan562 , Photo Credit: Relaxolotl


5.) In California, It's Illegal To Jump From A Car At 65 MPH

In Glendale, California, it's illegal to jump from a car at 65 mph.

Makes sense.

Suggested By:magman007


4.) In PA, You Have To Send Up Rocket Signals To Avoid Animals

It's all about cattle and horses according to Brian Stieh:

Any motorist driving along a country road at night must stop every mile and send up a rocket signal, wait 10 minutes for the road to be cleared of livestock, and continue.

Any motorist who sights a team of horses coming toward him must pull well off the road, cover his car with a blanket or canvas that blends with the countryside, and let the horses pass.

In the event that a horse refuses to pass a car on the road, the owner must take his car apart and conceal the parts in the bushes.

Meat is more important than your stupid car.

Suggested By: Brian Stieh, Photo Credit: Ariaski


3.) In Massachusetts, It's Illegal To Have A Bro Truck

Who needs sway bars anyway says your Jeep is screwed:

Massachusetts lift height law. It states vehicles can only be lifted a height determined by the following equation based on wheelbase:

(1) The maximum mechanical lift for four wheel drive motor vehiclesshall be calculated by multiplying the wheel base times the wheel track,and dividing the product by a safety factor of 2200:i.e., 92" w/b x 58" w/t = 5336/2200 = 2" (maximum mechanical lift). Which for reference, a Jeep cherokees maximum lift is approx. 2.5 inches, which is complete bull.

Suggested By: Who needs sway bars anyway, Photo Credit: Sarah Larson


2.) In Alabama, You Can Drive Against Traffic If You Have A Lantern

We'll have to trust JayBe_III on this one:

In Alabama it is legal to drive the wrong way down a 1 way street, just as long as you have a lantern hanging on the front of your vehicle. Insane but true.

Suggested By: JayBe_III, Photo Credit: Arthaey


1.) In Waynesboro, Virginia It's Illegal For A Woman To Drive Up Main Street

It's outrageous that this is still a law:

It's illegal for a woman to drive a car up Main St. unless her husband is walking in front of the car waving a red flag.

You would think these laws are long gone, but they're still in the books. Politicians are busy you know...

Suggested By: $kaycog, Photo Credit: Boston Public Library

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