Vehicle Laws

Speed Limit

• 70 mph on rural interstates.

• 65 mph on multi-lane, divided state or U.S. highways with medians.

• 55 on two-lane highways and other state roads.

• As posted in residential, business, and other areas.

NOTE: Speed limits may not be increased to the maximum in some areas due to safety factors.

Seat Belt Requirements (32:295.1)

• Mandatory for driver and front seat passengers.

• This is a primary enforcement effort.

• Applies to out-of-state / province drivers.

• $25 fine for first violation.

• $50 fine for second violation.

• $50 fine plus court costs for third and subsequent violations.

Child Restraint System (32:295)

• Requires that every child under the age of 13 who rides in a motor vehicle be properly restrained.

• Children under the age of three must be restrained in an age- or size-appropriate restraint system.

• Children between the ages of three and 12 may be secured in the manufacturer installed seat belts, in the rear seat. If no rear seat, an age- or size-appropriate passenger restraint system shall be used.

• If the number of children under the age of 13 is greater than the number of seat belts or restraining systems in the vehicle, the unrestrained children must sit in the rear.

• $50 fine for first offense, $100 fine for second violation, $100 plus court costs for subsequent violations.

Headlight Use

• Required at all times between sunset and sunrise; and all other times due to atmospheric conditions, or when visibility is less than 500 feet. (32:301)

• State law requires motorist whose windshield wipers are in continuous use due to inclement weather to turn their headlights on. (32:301)

• Must dim headlights within 500 feet of oncoming vehicles or 200 feet when approaching a vehicle from the rear. (32:322)

Auxiliary Driving Lights

• Fog lights are permitted during periods of inclement weather or fog.

• Spotlight use is not permitted except by authorized vehicles. (32:317)

• Driving with parking lights on is not permitted. (32:326)

Open Bed of Pickup Trucks

• State law prohibits children under the age of 12 from riding in the open bed of a pickup truck or a utility trailer. (32:284)

Motorcycles

• No person under the age of eighteen years shall operate or ride upon any motorcycle, motor driven cycle, or motorized bicycle unless the person is equipped with and is wearing on the head a safety helmet of the type and design manufactured for use by operators of such vehicles, which shall be secured properly with a chin strap while the vehicle is in motion. All such safety helmets shall consist of lining, padding, visor, and chin strap and shall meet such other specifications as shall be established by t he commissioner. (32:190 A(1))

• Any person eighteen years of age or older as provided for in Subsection A(1) who chooses not to wear a helmet shall be covered by a health insurance policy with medical benefits of at least ten thousand dollars for bodily injuries and shall furnish proof of such policy to any law enforcement officer upon request of such officer. (32:190 A(2))

• Eye protective device mandatory unless bike is equipped with a windshield of sufficient height to protect riders' eyes. (32:190.1)

• Motorcycles may carry at most the number of riders for which it was designed. Riders must ride facing forward with one leg on each side of the bike. Operators may not carry packages which prevent them from keeping both hands on the handlebars. (32:191)

• Motorcycles may not ride adjacent to vehicles in the same lane nor drive between lanes of traffic. Motorcycles may not be operated more than two abreast in a single lane. (32:191.1)