This article provides a comprehensive overview of recent changes to driving laws in each US state. Learn about new regulations regarding mobile phone use, move-over laws, autonomous vehicles, and more. Access direct links to official state driver’s manuals to ensure you’re up-to-date on the rules of the road nationwide.
A Los Angeles carpool lane (Source: KCRW)
No matter how long you’ve been driving, it can be nice to know that the rules of the road are much like the ones you studied when you first got a driver’s license.
There’s no need to fully relearn them. It takes a lot of effort to get legislators to change vehicle laws. They mostly keep busy with other issues, like education, public health, or the state budget. As a result, the driving reforms that win legislative approval and get signed into law generally reflect the most urgent priorities.
State traffic laws enforce basic driving rules for traffic safety. Additionally, local governments can enhance traffic rules through ordinances to address specific public safety needs.
In this post, we have rounded up the most important new driving laws from the past few years for every state in the US. This helps document national traffic safety trends.
For example, we found no fewer than a dozen new laws penalizing people who operate mobile phones and other handheld electronics while driving. We also encountered several changes to move-over laws, those that require clearance for emergency vehicles and other service workers who may be stopped on the public roads or close by.
We have also provided direct links to each state government website page where you can access the official driver’s manual, explaining all the traffic laws drivers need to know. Though change comes slowly, it never hurts to refresh your knowledge. After all, each time you turn the ignition and leave the driveway, you’re expected to be an expert at safe driving.
Alabama State Driving Laws
Alabama increased the penalties for teen drivers and parents of teen drivers who violate restricted license restrictions, such as driving after midnight or with too many passengers.
Download the driver’s license manual from the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency.
Alaska State Driving Laws
Alaska no longer requires turn signals at roundabouts.
Download the driver manual from the Alaska Division of Motor Vehicles.
Arizona State Driving Laws
Arizona banned minors from using a mobile device while driving for the first six months with a learner’s permit or driver’s license.
Download the driver’s license manual from the Arizona Motor Vehicle Division.
Arkansas State Driving Laws
Arkansas imposed a $250 fine for texting while driving on a first offense. The state also prohibited open containers of alcohol in driver and passenger areas and authorized an increase in the maximum speed limit to 75 miles per hour, highlighting the importance of understanding speed limits across different states.
Download the driver’s license test study guide from the Arkansas State Police.
California State Driving Laws
California banned using electronic wireless communication devices unless mounted to the windshield, dashboard, or center console. The state also made it illegal to occupy bus-only transit lanes.
Download the driver handbook from the California Department of Motor Vehicles.
Colorado State Driving Laws
Colorado weakened a law against texting while driving so it applies only to “careless or imprudent” driving. However, the state increased penalties to $300 and four points on a driver’s license.
Download the driver’s license manual from the Colorado Division of Motor Vehicles.
Connecticut State Driving Laws
Connecticut requires the installation of an ignition interlock device for people who’ve had a license suspended for operating a vehicle under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
Download the driver’s manual from the Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles.
Delaware State Driving Laws
Delaware transferred all misdemeanor DUI cases to the Court of Common Pleas. Previously, convictions in the Justice of the Peace Court could be retried in the Court of Common Pleas.
Download the driver manual from the Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles.
Florida State Driving Laws
Florida authorized driver’s license holders to operate autonomous vehicles on state roads and removed restrictions limiting usage to autonomous vehicle testing.
Download the driver’s handbook from the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles.
Georgia State Driving Laws
Georgia introduced the ignition interlock device as an alternative to driver’s license suspension for first-time DUI convictions.
Download the driver’s manual from the Georgia Department of Driver Services.
Hawaii State Driving Laws
Hawaii required ignition interlock permit holders to keep the permit and state ID while driving or face penalties, including imprisonment.
Download the driver’s manual from the Hawaii Motor Vehicle Safety Office.
Idaho State Driving Laws
Idaho allowed drivers to exceed the speed limit by up to 15 miles per hour when passing on two-lane state roads with 55 mph or higher limit.
Download the driver’s manual from the Idaho Division of Motor Vehicles.
Illinois State Driving Laws
Illinois requires drivers to slow down or change lanes when passing any vehicle on the side of the road with hazard lights flashing.
Download the rules of the road from the Illinois Secretary of State.
Indiana State Driving Laws
Indiana ordered motorists in a roundabout to yield the right of way to semi-trailer trucks, buses, and other vehicles 40 feet in length or more that also use the roundabout.
Download the driver’s manual from the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles.
Iowa State Driving Laws
Iowa drivers must change lanes when possible to avoid stationary emergency vehicles, including utility trucks and garbage trucks with flashing lights. Drivers unable to safely change lanes are required to slow down.
Additionally, laws regarding turning on a red light were amended; drivers are now allowed to turn right into a right turn lane on a red light or turn left into the left turn lane of a one-way street. Finally, straight trucks (with all axles connected to one frame) can now be 45 feet long on Iowa roads, 4 feet longer than previously allowed.
Download the driver’s manual from the Iowa Department of Transportation.
Kansas State Driving Laws
Kansas increased seat belt traffic fines from $10 to $30 for people 18 years of age and older, reflecting stricter seat belt laws in the state.
Download the driver’s license handbook from the Kansas Division of Vehicles.
Kentucky State Driving Laws
Kentucky says white lights are the only color of headlights legally allowed on private vehicles, not including emergency vehicles, to cut down on distracted driving.
Download the driver manual from the Kentucky Division of Driver Licensing.
Louisiana State Driving Laws
Louisiana’s traffic speed cameras must be properly signposted, or the images can’t be used to ticket motorists. Also, drivers in training will receive instruction on how to interact with police officers during traffic stops.
Download the driver’s guide from the Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles.
Maine State Driving Laws
Maine legislators approved a distracted driving law that banned handheld devices while driving, but Gov. Paul LePage vetoed the legislation, calling it a form of “social engineering.”
Download the motorist handbook and study guide from the Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles.
Maryland State Driving Laws
Maryland drivers may pass on the right shoulder if the vehicle in front of them makes a left-hand turn and does not leave the pavement. Secondly, objects obstructing the driver’s view through the windshield may not be hung or attached to the rearview mirror.
Download the driver’s manual from the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration.
Massachusetts State Driving Laws
Massachusetts created an autonomous vehicle working group to consider legal reforms that would promote the spread of self-driving cars. Existing state law neither allows nor prohibits testing highly automated vehicles on public roadways.
Download the driver’s manual from the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles.
Michigan State Driving Laws
Michigan authorized the operation of autonomous vehicles on public roads, where, before, only manufacturer testing was allowed.
Download the publication What Every Driver Must Know from the Michigan Secretary of State.
Minnesota State Driving Laws
Minnesota electric vehicle owners will pay an annual $75 tax because they don’t have to pay the usual state gas tax.
Download the driver’s manual from Minnesota Driver and Vehicle Services.
Mississippi State Driving Laws
Mississippi required all individuals riding in a vehicle to wear a seatbelt, in accordance with the state’s seat belt laws. Drivers will be responsible for unbuckled passengers, including those riding in the back of a truck bed.
Drivers can be fined $25 per unbuckled passenger. Additionally, the move-over law has been expanded to include rural mail carriers and other official vehicles with flashing lights on the side of the road.
Download the driver’s license manual from the Mississippi Department of Public Safety.
Missouri State Driving Laws
Missouri’s move-over law has been expanded to include all vehicles on the side of the road with emergency flashers or hazard lights on. Additionally, fines and jail time sentences have been increased for drivers who speed through a work or school zone.
Download the driver guide from the Missouri Department of Revenue.
Montana State Driving Laws
Montana raised the speed limit on Interstate 90 and I-15 from 75 miles per hour to 80 mph, and new speed limit signs have been installed to reflect this change. The new limit will be strictly enforced. The highway areas around Billings will retain the 75-mph limit. Fines will increase from $20 to $40 for 10 mph over the speed limit. Exceeding the limit by 31 mph or more will result in a $200 fine.
Download the driver manual from the Missouri Motor Vehicle Division.
Nebraska State Driving Laws
Nebraska cyclists are now treated as pedestrians in crosswalks, giving them the legal right-of-way. 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 increase cyclist safety.
Download the driver’s manual from the Nebraska Department of Motor Vehicles.
Nevada State Driving Laws
Nevada laws will be rewritten to refer to a car accident as a crash, highlighting that many crashes could be prevented by drivers being safe on the roads.
Download the driver handbook from the Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles.
New Hampshire State Driving Laws
New Hampshire drivers who pass a stopped school bus face increased penalties, including 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.
Download the driver’s manual from the New Hampshire Division of Motor Vehicles.
New Jersey State Driving Laws
New Jersey introduced a hotline for people to report drivers texting while on the road. Drivers who are caught by law enforcement texting and driving will be fined.
Download the driver manual from the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission.
New Mexico State Driving Laws
New Mexico imposed heavier criminal sentencing on drivers with eight or more driving-while-intoxicated convictions.
Download the driver’s manual from the New Mexico Motor Vehicle Division.
New York State Driving Laws
New York authorized inspections and fines for cars with tinted windows darker than 30 percent. Additionally, emergency and law enforcement vehicles will be required to slow down and change lines, just like other traffic, when passing emergency or law enforcement vehicles stopped on the side of the road.
Download the driver’s manual from the New York Department of Motor Vehicles.
North Carolina State Driving Laws
North Carolina drivers can pass bicyclists and mopeds in no-passing zones if there is a four-foot buffer. The law previously allowed a two-foot buffer. Drivers who endanger a bicyclist or cause a crash will face increased penalties, including possible loss of license and fines.
Download the driver’s handbook from the North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles.
North Dakota State Driving Laws
North Dakota’s distracted driving laws have been expanded to include any activity resulting in a failure to maintain vehicle control. Drivers could be fined $100 for driving distracted.
Download the driver’s license manual from the North Dakota Department of Transportation.
Ohio State Driving Laws
Ohio drivers can legally drive through a red light if they believe it is malfunctioning. Drivers must come to a full stop, and then can proceed through the light. However, the burden of proof lies with the driver if the light works properly and an accident is caused.
Download the digest of motor vehicle laws from the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles.
Oklahoma State Driving Laws
Oklahoma drivers may use the left lane on a divided highway without impeding traffic. New signs erected along the highways remind drivers to move to the right lane if they are slower than the pace of other cars.
Download the driver’s manual from the Oklahoma Department of Public Safety.
Oregon State Driving Laws
Oregon expanded existing laws that prohibited the use of mobile devices to include any mobile electronic device that is not in hands-free mode.
Download the driver manual from the Oregon Department of Transportation.
Pennsylvania State Driving Laws
Pennsylvania drivers can now proceed through a red light if they believe it is malfunctioning. Drivers must come to a full stop, but they can proceed through the light if the situation is safe.
Download the driver’s manual from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation.
Rhode Island State Driving Laws
Rhode Island drivers caught without a license won’t face criminal charges for a first or second offense; these are now treated as civil violations. Drivers may still be fined. A third offense constitutes a misdemeanor charge.
Download the driver’s manual from the Rhode Island Division of Motor Vehicles.
South Carolina State Driving Laws
Starting in 2018, South Carolina required moped drivers to register with the Department of Motor Vehicles. Drivers under the age of 21 are required to wear helmets, and drunk driving laws will also be enforced against moped drivers.
Download the driver’s manual from the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles.
South Dakota State Driving Laws
South Dakota drivers of all ages are not allowed to text and drive, while drivers under 18 aren’t allowed to use a handheld electronic device at all while driving. Various cities in South Dakota have enacted their own specific distracted driving laws.
Download the driving manual from the South Dakota Department of Public Safety.
Tennessee State Driving and Seat Belt Laws
Tennessee made it a misdemeanor to block public highways and streets in an area restricting emergency vehicle access. Violations are punishable by a fine of $200.
Download the driver’s license manual from Tennessee’s Department of Safety and Homeland Security.
Texas State Driving Laws
Texas made texting and driving illegal, punishable by a $25 to $99 fine. Devices used for mapping and stereo system control do not count as driving distracted.
Download the driver handbook from the Texas Department of Public Safety.
Utah State Driving Laws
Utah lowered the blood alcohol limit for drivers to .05 percent. The previous limit was .08 percent. This is now the strictest blood alcohol limit in the country.
Download the driver handbook from the Utah Department of Public Safety.
Vermont State Driving Laws
Vermont provides at least four feet of clearance for cyclists, pedestrians, and other vulnerable roadway users, like horse-drawn buggies. Drivers entering a highway from a private road must yield to these vulnerable highway users and enter the highway only when it is safe to do so.
Download the driver’s manual from the Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles.
Virginia State Driving Laws
Virginia drivers with learner’s permits may not use mobile phones or other electronic devices, even if they are in hands-free mode. Additionally, drivers with learner’s permits may have only one passenger under 21 in the car, not including household members or family members. Finally, opening a motor vehicle door when it is not safe to do so (‘dooring‘) will be assessed a $50 fine.
Download the driver’s manual from the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles.
Washington State Driving Laws and Traffic Signs
Washington’s Driving Under the Influence of Electronics Act prohibits interacting with electronic devices while driving. Texting, holding a cell phone, watching videos, and taking pictures are all illegal.
Download the driver guide from the Washington State Department of Licensing.
West Virginia State Driving Laws
West Virginia drivers who speed past school bus stop signs, which are crucial traffic signs as per the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD), will be ticketed, even when school isn’t in session. Law enforcement officials hope this raises awareness of school buses and zones throughout the year.
Download the driver’s licensing handbook from the West Virginia Division of Motor Vehicles.
Wisconsin State Driving Laws
Wisconsin prohibits using mobile phones or other wireless devices in construction or utility work zones. Violators will be fined $20 to $40 for a first offense and $50 to $100 for a second offense.
Download the motorist’s handbook from the Wisconsin Department of Transportation.
Wyoming State Driving Laws
Wyoming lowered fines for people caught speeding on 80-mile-per-hour highways. Additionally, owners of electric vehicles will pay a $50 tax equivalent to the gas tax levied on other drivers.
Download the driver’s license manual from the Wyoming Department of Transportation.
Staying informed about the ever-evolving landscape of state driving laws is crucial for all motorists. As this article demonstrates, changes are happening across the nation, driven by concerns ranging from distracted driving and the safety of emergency responders to the integration of new technologies like autonomous vehicles.
By providing a state-by-state breakdown of these updates and offering direct access to official driver’s manuals, this resource aims to empower drivers to be safer and more compliant on the road.
The trends highlighted in this article underscore the importance of continuous learning and adaptation for drivers. Whether it’s the stricter enforcement of distracted driving laws, the expansion of move-over requirements, or the adjustments needed to accommodate new vehicle types, the road rules are not static. Drivers must take the initiative to stay abreast of these changes to ensure they operate their vehicles responsibly and legally.
Ultimately, a thorough understanding of state driving laws contributes to a safer driving environment for everyone. By adhering to these regulations, drivers can minimize the risk of accidents, protect themselves and others, and avoid potential legal consequences.
This article serves as a valuable starting point for drivers seeking to update their knowledge and reinforces the ongoing need for vigilance and awareness behind the wheel.
Andy Gillin received his Bachelor’s Degree from the University of California at Berkeley and his law degree from the University of Chicago. He is the managing partner of GJEL Accident Attorneys and has written and lectured on plaintiffs’ personal injury law for numerous organizations. Since 1972, he has been helping seriously injured victims throughout Northern California fight and win their personal injury cases. Andy is one of Northern California’s top-awarded and recognized wrongful death lawyers.
Andy Gillin received his Bachelor’s Degree from the University of California at Berkeley and his law degree from the University of Chicago. He is the managing partner of GJEL Accident Attorneys and has written and lectured in the field of plaintiffs’ personal injury law for numerous organizations. Since 1972 he has been helping seriously injured victims throughout northern California fight & win their personal injury cases. Andy is one of the top awarded & recognized wrongful death lawyers in northern California.