Driving Laws: State-By-State Guide (2026)

What Are Driving Laws and Who Creates Them?

Driving laws govern the actions of drivers on the road. They are typically written by state legislatures. Most states base their driving laws on the Uniform Vehicle Code, although there is some variation from state to state.

State-by-State Driving Laws

Are you curious about your state’s driving laws? Click your state on the interactive map below to see your state’s driving laws.

Common Driving Rules Across All States

Although each state can set its own driving laws, there are more similarities among them than differences. Some common driving laws apply across the country.

Drivers Must Be on the Right Side of the Road

This is true everywhere in the U.S. except in the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Drunk Driving Is Illegal

In almost every state, the blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit for non-commercial drivers is 0.08. However, in Utah, it is 0.05.

Most States Require Car Insurance

In almost every state, drivers must either have car insurance or prove that they have the financial means to cover an accident they are at fault for.

You Must Yield to Emergency Vehicles

If an emergency vehicle has its lights or sirens on, you must generally allow it to pass.

You May Make Right Turns at Red Lights

Usually, if you verify that it is safe to proceed, you may make a right turn at a red light after coming to a complete stop.

Traffic Laws That Vary by State

You should never assume that traffic laws in other states are the same as those in your state. Although many traffic laws are the same across all states, there are several areas where state traffic laws differ:

• Some states require you to stop for school buses on the other side of the road, but others don’t.
• Not all states allow police to run DUI checkpoints.
• Each state sets its own minimum car insurance amounts.
• Some states allow traffic cameras to issue tickets.

If you’re visiting a new state or going on a road trip, take a moment to familiarize yourself with other states’ traffic laws. It could save you the money and hassle of a traffic ticket!

Understanding Traffic Signs and Their Meanings

When you got your driver’s license, you probably had to take a road sign test. However, it’s possible to encounter unfamiliar road signs, especially in a new state. Remember that even if you haven’t seen a specific road sign before, its shape and color can tell you a lot:

• White: Background color for speed limit and regulatory signs
• Red: Only used for stop, yield, and prohibition (like “do not enter”) signs
• Yellow: Used for warning signs
• Green: Used for highway signs and other directional guidance
• Orange: Used for detours and construction warnings
• Fluorescent Yellow or Green: Warns drivers of school zones and pedestrian crossings
• Blue: Tells drivers about rest stops, hospitals, or other upcoming services
• Brown: Tells drivers about cultural or recreational attractions

Understanding traffic sign colors is important, but shapes can tell you a lot, too:

• Square or Rectangle: Traffic regulations
• Diamond: Warning signs
• Horizontal rectangles: Directions or guidance
• Pentagons: School zones
• Octagons: Stop signs

Having this information may be helpful if you encounter an unfamiliar road sign in the future.

Recent Changes in Driving Laws

Traffic laws aren’t static. Each year, many states revise current traffic laws and add new ones. Although this is not an exhaustive list, these are a few changes made in 2025:

• Virginia started requiring all adults to wear seat belts (even in the backseat)
• Missouri started fully enforcing its 2023 hands-free laws
• Minnesota made lane splitting and lane filtering legal for motorcycles
• Pennsylvania, South Carolina, and Iowa introduced hands-free laws

Florida also introduced a new law making “dangerous and excessive speeding” a crime. If you go more than 50 mph over the speed limit, you could face criminal penalties.

Driver's License Points System and Penalties

In every state, you may be issued a driver’s license suspension if you break a major traffic law or accumulate too many smaller violations. To keep track of violations, many states use a point system.

With these systems, each traffic violation is assigned a point value. Your driver license may be suspended for accumulating too many points in a set time frame.

Local Traffic Laws and Ordinances

In most states, driving laws specifically allow localities to set and enforce their own laws. For example, even though making a right turn on red is legal in most states, many cities prohibit it.

Need Legal Help?

If you’ve been ticketed at a traffic stop for breaking driving laws, you might be facing unexpected fines and penalties. If you were wrongfully issued a ticket or want to fight against it, a traffic lawyer may be able to help.

If you aren’t sure how to find a lawyer, ConsumerShield can help. We match people like you with qualified nearby lawyers. Fill out our contact form to start with a free case review!