7 Driving Laws That Make Zero Sense

Driving laws are put in place to keep the roads safe and organized, but some of them have made zero sense. They might be outdated, overly strict, or just straight up weird. Here are some of the most bizarre driving laws I could find (some state-specific).

1. No Driving Without Shoes

In many states, it’s a common myth that driving barefoot is illegal—but in most places, it’s perfectly legal. Oddly enough, some local laws still imply or suggest that shoes are required. The reasoning? Safety concerns about your feet slipping off the pedals. But plenty of drivers feel more in control when barefoot than in flip-flops or heels. Banning bare feet seems more like a personal preference than a real hazard. It’s a law that’s more about appearance than actual safety.

2. No Eating While Driving

Some jurisdictions have rules that penalize eating while behind the wheel. The logic is to reduce distracted driving, which is fair, but the law itself can be incredibly vague. Is sipping coffee while at a red light illegal? What about eating a protein bar on a long trip? These laws leave too much room for interpretation and can lead to unnecessary tickets. It’s hard to argue that a bite of a sandwich is as dangerous as texting and driving, yet they’re often treated similarly.

3. You Can Get a DUI on a Horse

You can be charged with a DUI while riding a horse or even a bicycle in many places in the United States. While operating any vehicle while intoxicated is dangerous, many feel the horse scenario is a stretch. After all, horses often know their way home better than their riders. Law enforcement argues it’s still a public safety issue, but this law blurs the line between vehicles and animals. Most people aren’t taking their stallions out on the highway. It seems more symbolic than practical—and not something that belongs in modern traffic codes.

4. Headlights Required in Daylight (Even in Good Weather)

Some states require drivers to use headlights during certain hours or weather conditions, even when visibility is perfectly fine. While this can help with visibility in fog or rain, applying the rule in broad daylight on a clear day seems excessive. Drivers often forget and end up ticketed for something that didn’t actually impact safety. Modern cars have daytime running lights anyway, making this law outdated. Instead of improving road safety, it often becomes a trap for minor infractions. It’s a law that hasn’t kept up with vehicle technology.

5. No Honking in Certain Situations

Honking your horn in a non-emergency can get you fined in certain cities. While unnecessary honking is annoying, enforcing silence in high-traffic or confusing intersections seems counterproductive. Horns are meant to alert—not just in emergencies but in moments of uncertainty. Taking that tool away in non-threatening situations doesn’t make much sense. It’s like banning someone from saying “excuse me” in a crowded room. A flexible rule would serve drivers better than a strict no-honk policy.

6. Turning Left Across a Double Yellow Line

In certain states, it’s technically illegal to make a left turn across a double yellow line—even into your own driveway. While the intent may be to regulate traffic flow, it creates awkward and impractical restrictions for rural and suburban drivers. This forces drivers to go far out of their way for what should be a simple turn. Ironically, it may cause more confusion and frustration than just allowing the turn. Many drivers make the turn anyway, unaware they’re breaking the law. It’s a textbook example of regulation overreach.

7. Mandatory Headlight Flashing Bans

Some states have laws that prohibit flashing your headlights to warn other drivers about speed traps or hazards. The reasoning is often that it interferes with police work, but isn’t the point of speed enforcement to encourage safer driving? If flashing headlights get someone to slow down, it’s arguably helping road safety. Penalizing a warning system that promotes cautious driving feels backward. It turns a friendly gesture into a fineable offense. Laws like this seem more about control than actual safety outcomes.

Conclusion: Sometimes Common Sense Takes a Back Seat

Yes, there are plenty of driving laws that do make the roads safer. However, sometimes lawmakers miss the mark, making the law difficult to understand and downright frustrating. Modern drivers need (and deserve) regulations that reflect today’s technology, road conditions, and real-life behavior. Some of these laws just shouldn’t exist anymore.

What are some of the strangest driving laws from your state? Comment below and let us know!