Category: All US states (national)

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To drive in snow, slow right down, leave much more space, and brake, steer and accelerate gently. Use the same approach in rain, fog and on ice, with low-beam headlights so you can see and be seen. This guide covers headlight and high-beam rules, hydroplaning, skid recovery and winter driving, using the California, New York and Oregon handbooks. Headlight laws and distances are set by each state, so check your own handbook for the test.

Key facts

• California’s suggested speeds: 5 to 10 mph slower on wet roads, half your normal speed on packed snow, no more than 5 mph on ice.
• Use low beams in fog, rain and snow. High beams reflect back and cause glare.
• New York requires headlights when you use your wipers for rain, snow or sleet.
• Dim high beams for oncoming cars within 500 feet (New York and Oregon). For cars ahead: 200 feet in New York, 350 feet in Oregon.
• Bridges and shaded areas freeze first. Roads are most slippery near freezing (Oregon).

When do you have to use headlights?

Rule	New York	Oregon
Time of day	From half an hour after sunset to half an hour before sunrise	From sunset to sunrise
Poor visibility	When visibility is less than 1,000 feet	When you cannot see people or vehicles 1,000 feet ahead
Wipers	On whenever you use wipers for rain, snow or sleet	Advised: headlights on whenever wipers are on
Dim high beams: oncoming	Within 500 feet	Within 500 feet
Dim high beams: following	Within 200 feet of a vehicle ahead, even in another lane	Within 350 feet

California tells drivers to use low beams when it is raining. On the California drive test, not using wipers, defroster or headlights when the weather or darkness requires them is a critical error.

Driving in rain

• Wipers, low beams and defroster on (California).
• Slow down 5 to 10 mph on wet roads (California), and brake earlier and more gently (Oregon).
• Do not use cruise control on wet roads (Oregon).
• Leave more following distance. Stopping takes longer on wet pavement.

What is hydroplaning and what do you do?

In heavy rain, your tires can begin to ride on the water on top of the pavement instead of the road. New York says it usually happens at higher speeds, but worn tires or the wrong tire pressure make it more likely. To prevent it and deal with it:

• Slow down in heavy rain. If the car begins to lose traction, decrease your speed even more (New York).
• Avoid hard braking, which makes a skid worse.
• Keep tires properly inflated and replace worn tires.

Flooded roads

Do not drive through flooded areas. Oregon warns high water can cause loss of control or stalling. California notes you may not be able to tell how deep the water is by looking. Turn around.

Driving in fog

• Low beams, never high beams. In fog, high beams reflect back at you (California, Oregon).
• Slow down so you can stop within the distance you can see.
• Brake early and gently so drivers behind can react (New York).
• Signal turns earlier than usual (New York).

How to drive in snow and on ice

1. Before you go: New York says not to drive in ice or snow storms unless you must. If you go, clear all windows, headlights and back lights, wipers, hood and roof, and use washer fluid that resists freezing. In snowy areas, carry snow chains (California).
2. Speed: about half your normal speed on packed snow, no more than 5 mph on ice (California).
3. Space: leave much more following distance and avoid cruise control (Oregon).
4. Braking: brake gently. Oregon warns that if you slam on the brakes, your car will likely skid.
5. Watch for ice: bridges and shaded areas freeze first, and the road is most slippery when the temperature is near freezing.

Chains and studded tires are regulated by each state. Oregon, for example, generally allows studded tires only from November 1 to March 31. Check your state’s chain and tire rules before a winter trip. If road conditions call for it, Oregon requires traction tires or chains on a car used for the drive test.

How to recover from a skid

Skid	What to do (New York’s guidance)
Rear-wheel skid (back end slides)	Turn the steering wheel in the direction the car is trying to go. If the rear slides the other way as you recover, steer that way too; you may need to turn back and forth several times
Front-wheel skid (car keeps going straight)	Take your foot off the gas, shift to neutral or push in the clutch, and do not try to steer right away. Once traction returns, turn the wheel where you want to go, shift back to drive and accelerate carefully
Braking with ABS	Keep steady, firm pressure on the pedal
Braking without ABS	Pump the brake pedal carefully; hard braking makes the skid worse

Oregon puts it simply: ease off the brakes until the car slows, steer where you want to go, then steer back as the car straightens.

State guides for tough conditions

• Driving in Alaska winter conditions and moose country
• Colorado mountain and winter driving
• Arizona dust storm driving

Related: the basic speed law, freeway driving and what to do after a crash. All US topics: learning to drive in the USA.

Common questions

Should I use high beams in snow or fog?

No. Use low beams. High beams reflect off snow and fog and make it harder to see.

What speed should I drive in snow?

California suggests about half your normal speed on packed snow and no more than 5 mph on ice. Go slower if you need to.

When do I have to dim my high beams?

Within 500 feet of an oncoming car in New York and Oregon. For a car ahead, 200 feet in New York and 350 feet in Oregon. Check your state.

Do I need my headlights on when it rains?

In New York, yes, whenever your wipers are on for rain, snow or sleet. California also tells drivers to use low beams in rain.

Which way do I steer in a skid?

In a rear-wheel skid, New York says to turn the wheel in the direction the car is trying to go. Do not slam the brakes.

Is it safe to use cruise control in the rain?

No. Oregon advises against cruise control on wet roads and in snow.

Sources

• California DMV, “California Driver’s Handbook: Safe Driving” (dmv.ca.gov)
• California DMV, “Driving Performance Evaluation (DPE) Scoring Criteria” (dmv.ca.gov)
• New York State DMV, “New York State Driver’s Manual” (dmv.ny.gov)
• Oregon DMV, “Oregon Driver Manual: Safe and Responsible Driving, Hazardous Conditions” (oregon.gov)
• Oregon DMV, “Oregon Driver Manual: Testing” (oregon.gov)
• Oregon DMV, “Oregon Driver Manual 2026-2027” (Form 735-37) (oregon.gov)

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Every US state and DC has child car seat laws, and every state except New Hampshire has an adult seat belt law. What differs is the detail: the ages and sizes for rear-facing seats and boosters, whether back-seat passengers must buckle up, and whether police can stop you just for a seat belt violation. This guide explains how the laws work and shows California and New York as worked examples.

Key facts

• 35 states and DC have primary enforcement front-seat belt laws; 14 states have secondary enforcement; New Hampshire has no adult seat belt law but covers everyone under 18 (GHSA summary, laws last updated March 2025).
• 42 states and DC have rear-seat belt laws of some kind (GHSA).
• All states have child passenger safety laws, and most also require booster seats (GHSA).
• As the driver, you are usually responsible for making sure young passengers are buckled up. In New York and California you can be ticketed for an unbelted passenger under 16.

Primary vs secondary seat belt enforcement

Type	What it means
Primary enforcement	Police can stop you and ticket you just for not wearing a seat belt.
Secondary enforcement	Police can only ticket a seat belt violation if they stopped you for something else first.
No adult law	New Hampshire only. Its child passenger law still covers everyone under 18.

Either way, the belt is required by law in 49 states and DC. Some states also treat the rules differently for teens or for back-seat passengers. The Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA), the association of state highway safety offices, keeps a state-by-state list.

Who must wear a seat belt?

California: you and your passengers must wear seat belts. You can get a ticket if you are not belted, and you can also be ticketed if a passenger under 16 is not properly restrained.

New York:

• The driver must wear a seat belt.
• Passengers 16 and older must wear a seat belt, one person per belt.
• The driver must make sure every passenger under 16 is in a seat belt or the right child restraint.

Child car seat rules: two state examples

Stage	California	New York
Rear-facing	Under 2 years, unless the child weighs 40 lb or more or is 40 inches (3 ft 4 in) or taller	Until age 2
Car seat or booster	Under 8 years old or under 4 ft 9 in: a child restraint in the back seat (limited exceptions)	Under 4: federally approved child safety seat. Ages 4 to 7: an appropriate federally approved child restraint
Seat belt	8 or older, or at least 4 ft 9 in: may use a properly fitted seat belt	Ages 8 to 15: seat belt, one person per belt
Front seat	A rear-facing seat may not be placed in front of an active airbag	Never a rear-facing seat in front of a passenger air bag; sit at least 10 inches from the air bag (manual)

Other states use different ages, weights and heights. Alabama, for example, requires rear-facing up to 1 year or 20 pounds, according to GHSA. State manuals give more examples: Maine requires a child seat under 55 lb, a child restraint from 55 to 79 lb and under 8, and the rear seat for under 12s under 100 lb. Montana requires a child restraint under 6 and under 60 lb, with a $20 seat belt fine. Rhode Island has a primary law ($40 per unbelted occupant) and requires a rear child restraint under 8, under 57 inches and under 80 lb ($85 fine). New Hampshire requires a child restraint under 7 and under 57 inches. Check your state’s law before you drive with a child, and always follow the car seat maker’s size limits.

Air bags and seating position

• Sit at least 10 inches from the air bag cover, measured from the center of the steering wheel to your breastbone (California).
• Passengers should also sit at least 10 inches from the passenger air bag.
• Never put a rear-facing child seat in front of an active front air bag.
• Children next to a side air bag may be at risk of serious injury (California).

Children left in cars

In California it is illegal to leave a child aged 6 or younger unattended in a vehicle unless someone at least 12 years old is supervising. California also says it is dangerous and illegal to leave children or animals in a hot vehicle, and cracking a window does not make it safe. Other states have their own laws.

Checklist before every drive

1. Count passengers and seat belts. One person per belt.
2. Check every child is in the right seat for their age and size under your state’s law.
3. Pull belts snug: lap belt low across the hips, shoulder belt across the chest, never under the arm or behind the back.
4. Check no rear-facing seat is in front of an active air bag.
5. Check your own seat distance from the steering wheel.

Common questions

Can I be pulled over just for not wearing a seat belt?

In a primary enforcement state, yes. In a secondary enforcement state, only if you are stopped for another reason first. GHSA lists which is which.

Do back-seat passengers have to wear seat belts?

In most states, yes, at least for some ages. GHSA counts 42 states and DC with rear-seat belt laws.

Who gets the ticket if a passenger is not buckled?

In California and New York the driver is responsible for passengers under 16. For older passengers, check your state law.

When can my child sit in the front seat?

State laws differ. California requires children under 8 (or under 4 ft 9 in) to ride in the back seat except in limited cases, such as when there is no rear seat.

Does New Hampshire really have no seat belt law?

New Hampshire has no adult seat belt law, according to GHSA. Its law still requires everyone under 18 to be restrained.

Can I carry more passengers than there are seat belts?

Not in New York, which requires one person per belt for passengers 8 and older. Teen drivers may face extra passenger limits: see US graduated driver licensing compared.

Related: what to do after a car crash and car insurance for new drivers. All national guides: learning to drive in the USA.

Sources

• Governors Highway Safety Association, “Seat Belt Use” and “Child Passengers” state law summaries (ghsa.org)
• California DMV, “California Driver’s Handbook, Section 8: Safe Driving” (dmv.ca.gov)
• New York DMV, “Driver’s Manual”, Chapter 8 (dmv.ny.gov)
• Driver manuals for Maine (maine.gov), Montana (mvdmt.gov), Rhode Island (dmv.ri.gov) and New Hampshire (dmv.nh.gov)

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Yes, you can take your US road test in a manual (stick-shift) car, but you do not need one. Unlike in Great Britain or Ireland, the state license pages covered here do not split the regular car license by transmission or give you a restriction for passing in an automatic. This guide covers what changes on the test if you drive stick, how stalls are scored, and how to learn manual later.

Key facts

• Either transmission is allowed as long as the car meets the state’s road test vehicle rules.
• No automatic-only car license appears on the state pages covered here. Georgia and Pennsylvania both have an “automatic transmission required” restriction code, but neither page says it is triggered by an automatic road test.
• Commercial licenses are different: under federal rules, a CDL skills test in an automatic means a restriction from driving manual commercial vehicles.
• California scores stalling as a critical driving error if it happens in an intersection, or 3 times due to poor clutch or gear use.
• Georgia says a stick-shift driver must shift smoothly and correctly, and you need at least 75% to pass.

Can you take your driving test in a manual?

Yes. US road tests are about safe control, observation and following the law, not about which transmission you use. If you learned in a manual and you are comfortable in it, you can test in it. Just make sure the car meets the general test-car rules: valid registration, insurance, working lights, signals, brakes and horn. Those rules are in which car you can use for the road test.

Is there an automatic-only license in the US?

Not for regular car licenses in the states covered here:

License type	Does an automatic test restrict you?	Source
Regular car license (Class C or D, depending on state)	No restriction for testing in an automatic in the states covered here	State DMV pages, including Georgia and Pennsylvania
Restriction code “automatic transmission required”	Exists in some states: Georgia code J and Pennsylvania code 3. The pages do not say what triggers it	Georgia DDS, PennDOT
Commercial driver’s license (CDL)	Yes. A skills test in an automatic means you may not drive a manual commercial vehicle	49 CFR 383.95

If you have a medical or equipment-related restriction, an automatic-only code can apply. Check your license and see driver’s license restriction codes explained.

This is a big difference from Great Britain, where passing in an automatic limits you to automatics. If you are coming from there, see moving to the US with a UK license.

What happens if you stall on the road test?

A single stall is usually a minor error, not an automatic fail, but it depends where and how often.

California (Driving Performance Evaluation)

• Stalling in an intersection is a critical driving error, which fails the test.
• Stalling 3 times due to poor clutch or gear use is also a critical driving error.
• Examiners also score clutch and gear use when you start, stop, turn and back up. Use the proper gear and the clutch smoothly, and keep the gear engaged when stopping and turning (no coasting).

Georgia

The Georgia manual says that in a manual car you must shift smoothly and correctly, and you need a minimum score of 75% to pass.

Other states

Most states score manual-transmission errors on the same sheet as everything else. Check your state’s road test guide, and read common reasons people fail the US driving test.

Manual on test day: what to practice

• Hill starts. Hold the car without rolling back, using the parking brake if needed.
• Stopping at signs and lights. Clutch in before the car stalls, and never coast in neutral to a stop.
• Turns. Pick the right gear before the turn, not halfway through it.
• Parking and backing maneuvers. Slow clutch control matters more than speed. Practice them in the car you will test in.
• Restarting after a stall. Stay calm: clutch in, neutral or gear as your car needs, restart, check mirrors, move off.

Should you test in an automatic and learn stick later?

	Test in an automatic	Test in a manual
Test difficulty	Fewer things to manage, no stalls	Extra workload and the stall risk
License you get	Same regular license in the states covered here	Same regular license
Driving a manual afterward	Allowed, but practice first	Already comfortable
Best if	Your family car is an automatic or you are nervous	You learned in a manual and drive it daily

For most US learners, testing in an automatic is the simpler route. If you later need to drive stick, you do not need a new test in the states covered here. You do need practice.

How to learn a manual after you pass

1. Start in an empty parking lot with an experienced manual driver.
2. Learn the friction point: release the clutch slowly with no gas until the car begins to creep.
3. Practice starting and stopping until it is smooth, then first to second gear.
4. Move to quiet streets, then hills.
5. Only then try busy traffic.

If you are on a teen license, your state’s passenger and curfew limits still apply during practice.

Common questions

Do I need a manual car for the road test?

No. You can use an automatic or a manual, as long as the car meets your state’s test-car rules.

If I pass in an automatic, can I drive a stick shift?

Yes, for a regular car license in the states covered here. Their pages show no automatic-only car license. CDLs are different.

Is stalling an automatic fail?

Not usually. In California it becomes a critical error only in an intersection or after 3 stalls from poor clutch or gear use.

Can I use a driving-school car?

Often yes, if your state allows it. Ask the school which transmission its car has before you book.

Can I use hill-start assist or other driver aids?

Rules on driver-assist features vary. See backup cameras and parking assist on the road test.

Does the examiner care if I ride the clutch?

California scores proper clutch and gear use throughout the test, so poor clutch control can cost you points.

Back to the main guide: learning to drive in the USA.

Sources

• California DMV, “Driving Performance Evaluation (DPE) Scoring Criteria” (dmv.ca.gov)
• Georgia Department of Driver Services, “Section 3 Continued”, Georgia Drivers Manual (dds.georgia.gov)
• Georgia Department of Driver Services, “License Restriction Codes” (dds.georgia.gov)
• Pennsylvania DMV, “License Types & Restrictions” (pa.gov)
• Code of Federal Regulations, “49 CFR 383.95” (CDL restrictions) (law.cornell.edu)

Photo: Luke Miller, Pexels

Use high beams on dark open roads when no one is near, and switch to low beams when another vehicle approaches. Most US states require it within 500 feet of an oncoming vehicle, and within 200 to 350 feet of a vehicle you are following, depending on the state. This guide is for new drivers and permit test takers. It covers when headlights must be on, the dimming distances by state, the “wipers on, lights on” laws and how to handle glare.

Key facts

• Oncoming traffic: dim within 500 feet in the state handbooks covered here.
• Following a vehicle: dim within 300 feet in California, Pennsylvania, Alaska and Kentucky; 200 feet in New York and Alabama; 350 feet in Oregon.
• When lights must be on: typically from sunset (or 30 minutes after) to sunrise (or 30 minutes before), and whenever you can’t see a set distance ahead, often 1,000 feet.
• Wipers on, lights on: California and Pennsylvania require headlights whenever you use your wipers because of the weather.
• Don’t overdrive your headlights. Pennsylvania says low beams light only about 250 feet ahead, so on a dark road you should not drive faster than 45 mph.

When to use high beams

• Use them: on open country roads and dark city streets when no vehicle is close (California).
• Switch to low beams: when a vehicle comes toward you or you close in on one ahead, within your state’s distance.
• On lighted roads, use low beams (Idaho).
• In rain, snow, fog or smoke, use low beams. Pennsylvania says high beams actually reduce visibility in bad weather, and California says they reflect back and cause glare in fog.
• Where they are illegal, don’t use them (California).

High beam dimming distances by state

State	Oncoming vehicle	Vehicle ahead (same direction)
California	500 feet	300 feet
Pennsylvania	500 feet	300 feet
Alaska	500 feet	300 feet
Kentucky	500 feet	300 feet
New York	500 feet	200 feet (even in another lane)
Alabama	500 feet	200 feet
Oregon	500 feet	350 feet
Idaho	Dim when approaching (no distance given in the manual)	Dim when following, and on lighted roads (no distance given)

For other states, check your handbook. If you aren’t sure, dim as soon as you see another vehicle’s lights, as Pennsylvania advises for oncoming traffic.

When must headlights be on?

State	Time of day	Low visibility rule	Other
California	30 minutes after sunset to 30 minutes before sunrise	When too dark to see 1,000 feet ahead	Low beams on when wipers are needed for fog, rain or snow; on mountain roads and in tunnels; where signs say so
Pennsylvania	Sunset to sunrise	When you can’t see people or vehicles 1,000 feet ahead	Wipers in use because of weather; all posted work zones; daytime running lights alone aren’t enough
Alaska	Half an hour after sunset to half an hour before sunrise	Daytime visibility of 1,000 feet or less (fog, rain, snow, smoke or dust)	Don’t drive on parking lights only
Alabama	Half an hour after sunset to half an hour before sunrise	When you can’t see clearly for at least 500 feet	If in doubt, turn on low beams
Idaho	Sunset to sunrise	Visibility reduced to 500 feet or less	Low beams are best in fog, smoke, dust or rain

Driving on parking lights alone is illegal in California and warned against in Alaska and Alabama.

Wipers on, lights on

• California: if you need your wipers because of fog, rain or snow, you must turn on low beams.
• Pennsylvania: since January 28, 2007, headlights must be on whenever wipers are in continuous or intermittent use because of weather. Tail lights must be lit too, so daytime running lights don’t count. The fine is $25, but with fees the penalty approaches $100.

Don’t overdrive your headlights

Overdriving means going so fast you can’t stop within the distance your lights show.

• Pennsylvania: low beams shine only about 250 feet ahead, and stopping from 55 mph on dry pavement takes more than 250 feet. On a dark road, don’t drive faster than 45 mph on low beams.
• Idaho: you can see about 350 feet with high beams and about 100 feet with low beams. Drive slowly enough to stop within the distance you can see.
• California: make sure you can stop within the distance lit by your headlights.

How to deal with headlight glare

Oncoming high beams

1. Don’t look directly at the lights.
2. Look toward the right edge of your lane and watch the other car from the corner of your eye (California). Idaho says to shift your eyes to the lower right side of your lane.
3. If a driver forgets to dim, Pennsylvania says you may flash your high beams quickly a few times.
4. Don’t retaliate by keeping your own high beams on. California and Pennsylvania both say it only makes it harder for both of you to see.

Glare from behind

Switch the inside mirror to its night setting (Pennsylvania).

Sun glare at dawn and dusk

California suggests keeping the windshield clean inside and out, wearing polarized sunglasses, keeping your visor clear and leaving extra space. Idaho warns never to wear sunglasses when light levels are low, and calls twilight and dawn the most dangerous times of day.

Night driving tips for new drivers

• Look harder for people. Pennsylvania says pedestrians are the hardest things to see at night, and California says motorcycles, pedestrians and cyclists are much harder to see.
• Leave more following distance and more time for passing (Idaho). Pennsylvania calls passing at night the most dangerous kind, because you can’t judge distance well from headlights alone.
• Let your eyes adjust: after leaving a brightly lit place, drive slowly until they do (California).
• One light coming toward you? Keep well right: it could be a motorcycle, a bicycle or a car with a broken headlight (California).
• Clean your headlights. Pennsylvania says dirty headlights may give only half the light they should.
• Watch for animals on rural roads. See deer and animal collisions.
• Don’t drive tired. See drowsy driving.
• Wrong-way check: California says that if road reflectors shine red in your headlights, you are going the wrong way.

Night driving and teen license rules

• Practice hours: most states require some supervised night hours. California, for example, requires 50 hours with 10 at night. See supervised driving hours by state.
• Curfews: most provisional licenses ban late-night driving at first. California bans driving between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. in the first 12 months, with exceptions. Compare states in US graduated driver licensing compared.
• Road test: California scores failing to use headlights when darkness or weather requires them.

Permit test practice: headlights

These are unofficial practice questions, written for this guide.

1. In most states, you must dim your high beams for an oncoming vehicle within: A) 100 feet B) 200 feet C) 500 feet D) 1,000 feet. Answer: C. 500 feet in every handbook checked (handbook: using your headlights).
2. In California, you must dim your high beams when following a vehicle within: A) 100 feet B) 300 feet C) 500 feet D) 1,000 feet. Answer: B. 300 feet (California handbook: using your headlights).
3. An oncoming driver doesn’t dim their high beams. You should: A) Keep your high beams on B) Look toward the right edge of your lane C) Stare at their lights to judge distance D) Stop in your lane. Answer: B. Don’t look into the lights or retaliate (handbook: darkness).
4. Which lights should you use in fog? A) High beams B) Low beams C) Parking lights only D) Hazard lights only. Answer: B. High beams reflect back and cause glare (handbook: fog).
5. In Pennsylvania and California, turning on your wipers for rain means you must also: A) Turn on hazard lights B) Turn on your headlights C) Slow to 30 mph D) Use high beams. Answer: B. Wipers on, lights on (handbook: headlight laws).
6. “Overdriving your headlights” means: A) Using high beams in town B) Driving too fast to stop within the distance your lights show C) Leaving lights on after parking D) Driving without headlights. Answer: B. Pennsylvania suggests no more than 45 mph on low beams on a dark road (handbook: night driving).

More practice: US permit practice tests.

Common questions

When should you use high beams?

On dark roads with no vehicle close ahead or coming toward you. Switch to low beams within 500 feet of oncoming traffic and within your state’s following distance (200 to 350 feet).

How far ahead do low beams light the road?

About 250 feet, according to Pennsylvania; Idaho’s manual says you can see about 100 feet with low beams and 350 feet with high beams.

Is it illegal to drive with only daytime running lights at night?

Yes, in effect. Headlights must be on at night, and Pennsylvania says daytime running lights aren’t enough because tail lights must be lit too.

Can I flash my high beams at a driver who doesn’t dim?

Pennsylvania’s manual says you may flash them quickly a few times. Then look toward the right edge of the road rather than keeping your brights on.

Do I need headlights when it’s raining in the daytime?

In California and Pennsylvania, yes, whenever your wipers are on because of the weather. Many other states have similar rules.

Why is night driving more dangerous?

Pennsylvania lists limited vision, glare, and more tired or impaired drivers on the road. Distances, colors and side vision are all harder to judge.

Back to learning to drive in the USA. Related: driving in snow, fog and rain and rural roads and passing.

Sources

• California DMV, “California Driver’s Handbook: Section 5, An Introduction to Driving; Section 8, Safe Driving; Section 2, Getting an Instruction Permit and Driver’s License” (dmv.ca.gov)
• California DMV, “Driving Performance Evaluation (DPE) Scoring Criteria” (dmv.ca.gov)
• Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, “Pennsylvania Driver’s Manual” PUB 95, Chapter 3: Learning to Drive (pa.gov)
• Alaska Division of Motor Vehicles, “Alaska Driver Manual” (Rev. 10/2025), Use of Lighting Equipment (dmv.alaska.gov)
• Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, “Alabama Driver Manual” (November 2024) (alea.gov)
• Idaho Transportation Department, “Idaho Driver’s Manual” (July 2026), Night Driving (itd.idaho.gov)
• California DMV, “California Driver’s Handbook: Safe Driving” (dmv.ca.gov)
• Kentucky State Police, “Kentucky Driver Manual” (updated July 2026) (kentuckystatepolice.ky.gov)
• Kentucky State Police, “Driver Testing” (kentuckystatepolice.ky.gov)
• New York State DMV, “New York State Driver’s Manual” (dmv.ny.gov)
• Oregon DMV, “Oregon Driver Manual: Safe and Responsible Driving, Hazardous Conditions” (oregon.gov)

Photo: Fernando Capetillo, Pexels

Most US states allow some people with low vision to drive using a bioptic telescope, a small telescope mounted on the top of a pair of glasses. The rules differ a lot from state to state. A typical pattern: you meet a minimum acuity through your ordinary lenses (the “carrier”), reach a higher acuity through the telescope, complete specialist training, pass a road test while wearing the bioptic, and start with a daylight-only license. Many states do not let you use the telescope to pass the DMV vision screening. The table below separates rules from official state sources from details that come only from secondary or manufacturer summaries.

How to read the table

• Official means the rule comes from the state’s own DMV page, form, regulation or statute (November 2026). Confirm the full rule with the state before you apply.
• Legal reprint (Cornell/Justia) means the regulation or statute text comes from a legal reprint site such as Cornell LII, Justia or FindLaw, not the state’s own site. Check it is still current.
• Check with the state DMV means the details come from a manufacturer’s summary or other secondary source. Treat them as a starting point only and ask the state’s DMV or medical review unit for the current rule.
• Carrier acuity is your best vision through the glasses, without the telescope. Telescope acuity is your vision looking through the telescope.

Bioptic driving rules in all 50 states and DC

Source key: Official, Legal reprint (Cornell/Justia) or Check with the state DMV, as explained above.

State	Bioptic driving?	Key figures	Training, test and restrictions	Source
Alabama	Not to meet the standard	Standard: 20/60 or better in at least one eye; the rule says no one may use a bioptic telescopic or similar lens to meet the acuity standard	Daylight-only and other restrictions possible for low acuity (not bioptic-specific)	Legal reprint (Cornell/Justia)
Alaska	Reported yes	Reported: case by case on an eye specialist’s report	Check with the state	Check with the state DMV
Arizona	Yes	Bioptic may be used in the vision screening; 20/40 in at least one eye; binocular 20/50 or 20/60 means daylight only; field 70 degrees temporal and 35 nasal in at least one eye; 4x maximum	Eye exam form from a physician or optometrist at application and every year after	Legal reprint (Cornell/Justia)
Arkansas	Conflicting reports	Secondary sources disagree on whether bioptics are allowed	Check with the state	Check with the state DMV
California	Yes	Better than 20/200 best-corrected in at least one eye without the telescope; the telescope can’t be used to pass the screening	DL 62 from your eye doctor, then a driving test (SDPE) wearing the bioptic; license restricted to wearing it; daylight-only if you passed in daylight	Official
Colorado	Yes	If carrier acuity is worse than 20/100, the telescope must correct vision to at least 20/40	Eye report on form DR 2402; check other conditions with the DMV	Official
Connecticut	Yes, since 1 October 2022	DMV must license bioptic wearers who otherwise meet its vision standards and license requirements (Public Act 22-44)	Check figures, training and restrictions with the DMV	Official
Delaware	Reported yes	Check with the state	Check with the state	Check with the state DMV
District of Columbia	Reported yes	Reported: on a doctor’s recommendation	Reported: restriction on the license	Check with the DC DMV
Florida	Not to meet the standard	Standard: 20/70 in either eye or both eyes, field 130 degrees; telescopic lenses may not be used to meet it	FLHSMV says drivers wearing telescopic lenses get a field revocation for inadequate vision	Legal reprint (Cornell/Justia); FLHSMV field rule: official
Georgia	Yes	Carrier worse than 20/60 but better than 20/200; telescope 20/60; prescribed by an optometrist or ophthalmologist	Training certified by the prescribing doctor; standard driver education course wearing the bioptic; road test; restrictions may include daylight only, outside mirrors, area, time, no interstate and yearly eye exams; reviewed after 1 year; renew every 2 years	Legal reprint (Cornell/Justia)
Hawaii	Reported yes	Reported: you must meet the standard without the telescope	Check with the state	Check with the state DMV
Idaho	Reported yes	Reported: not to pass the vision test	Check with the state	Check with the state DMV
Illinois	Yes	Carrier 20/100 or better; telescope 20/40 or better; field 140 degrees (or 70 temporal and 35 nasal with one eye); maximum 3.0x wide angle or 2.2x standard	Lenses owned 60 days before applying; Class D only, daylight only; night privileges considered after 12 months of daylight driving and a night road test; annual vision specialist report	Official
Indiana	Yes	Carrier no worse than 20/200; telescope 20/40 or better; 4x maximum; 120 degrees horizontal field	Certificate of Vision for Bioptic Drivers; BMV-approved bioptic driver rehabilitation program; no motorcycle endorsement	Official
Iowa	No	Iowa will not issue a license to anyone who must wear bioptic telescopic lenses to meet the acuity standard	Not applicable	Official
Kansas	Reported yes	Reported: case review by the state	Check with the state	Check with the state DMV
Kentucky	Yes	Carrier 20/200 in the better eye; telescope 20/60; field 120 degrees horizontal and 80 vertical	Road test over a bioptic route, by day and by night; daytime restriction if recommended or after failing the night exam; left and right outside mirrors	Official (Kentucky Driver Manual, updated July 2026)
Louisiana	Yes	Carrier 20/200, 110 degrees horizontal (one eye: 40 temporal, 30 nasal); telescope 20/60 without field expanders	30 hours behind-the-wheel with an approved bioptic instructor; skills test by a certified third-party tester; Class E only, no motorcycles; daylight only, no adverse weather; night after 1 year at 20/40 and a night test	Official
Maine	Not to meet the standard	BMV vision forms say telescopic or bioptic lenses may not be used for the acuity test	Check with the state	Official
Maryland	Yes	Carrier 20/100 in one or both eyes; field 150 degrees (100 with one eye); telescope 20/70 without field expanders	Bioptic owned 60 days; instruction; skills test wearing it; Class C up to 10,000 lb; Medical Advisory Board if the condition is medical or unstable. The 1997 statute adds daylight only and night after 1 year at 20/40	Legal reprint (Cornell/Justia)
Massachusetts	Yes	Telescope 20/40; carrier 20/100; field 120 degrees; 3x maximum, fixed focus, one eye only	See the Massachusetts guide	Official
Michigan	Yes	BTL restricted license: at least 20/50 in one eye (rule amended 12 May 2025); check any carrier figure with SOS	Behind-the-wheel BTL training with a qualified professional, then a road test; check any daylight or no-freeway limits with SOS	Legal reprint (Cornell/Justia)
Minnesota	Reported case by case	Reported: the eye doctor notes bioptic use on the vision form	Check with the state	Check with the state DVS
Mississippi	Yes	Must meet the Department of Public Safety vision guidelines (check the figures with DPS)	Low vision specialist evaluation and lens training; driving permit; instruction by a Driver Services Bureau-approved provider; road test at the Jackson headquarters; limited license valid 1 year; restrictions possible	Legal reprint (Cornell/Justia); figures: check with the state
Missouri	Driving aid only	You must pass the vision test up to 20/160 without the telescope; the telescope may only supplement your vision	20/41 to 20/59: daylight only; 20/60 to 20/74: daylight only and 45 mph; 20/75 to 20/160: referred for a driving examination and a conditional license	Legal reprint (Cornell/Justia)
Montana	Reported yes	Reported: may be used to meet the standard	Check with the state	Check with the state MVD
Nebraska	Yes	Acuity through the telescope must meet the state acuity standard (a 20/80 reading means denial); field through the carrier lens at least 100 degrees	License expires every year; annual driving demonstration before an examiner to renew	Legal reprint (Cornell/Justia)
Nevada	Yes	Telescope 20/40; carrier 20/120; field 130 degrees; stable condition	Comprehensive road test; corrective lens, telescope and outside mirror restrictions; daylight only; 45 mph maximum; yearly vision exam and yearly driving test	Legal reprint (Cornell/Justia)
New Hampshire	Reported yes	Reported: bioptic lens exam	Check with the state	Check with the state DMV
New Jersey	Reported yes	Reported: 20/50 through the telescope	Check with the state	Check with the MVC
New Mexico	Reported yes	Reported: not to pass the test	Check with the state	Check with the state MVD
New York	Yes	Check acuity figures with the DMV	MV-80L eye report to the Medical Review Unit; lenses used 60 days first; no clip-on or hand-held telescopes; Class D or DJ only; “TELESCOPIC LENS” restriction; road test may be required	Official
North Carolina	Yes	Carrier 20/200 with 70 degrees horizontal field (one eye: 40 temporal, 30 nasal); telescope 20/70 without field expanders	Eye report on a DMV form; behind-the-wheel training and assessment; road test; daylight only; night needs 20/40 through the telescope	Official
North Dakota	Yes	Carrier 20/130 in each eye; bioptic 20/40; full peripheral field in both eyes	Road test if acuity is below 20/60; acuity-based restrictions include daylight only, vision rechecks, a field report (105 degrees) and an outside mirror	Official
Ohio	Yes	Acuity through the device and field with the device must meet Ohio’s standard rule	No commercial, motorcycle or moped license; driving exam by at least two BMV examiners; daytime restriction until a night exam and night training	Official
Oklahoma	Yes	Carrier 20/60 (20/50 with one eye) and field 70 degrees (75 with one eye); or carrier no worse than 20/100 with 20/60 through a device of 4x or less	Vision report; extra testing and training may be required; new drivers: daylight only, no interstates, 45 mph; may ask to lift restrictions after 36 months with no crashes; no CDL	Legal reprint (Cornell/Justia)
Oregon	Yes	Best-corrected acuity in the better eye from 20/80 to 20/200; field 120 degrees horizontal, 80 vertical	Report of Limited Vision Examination; DMV-certified Rehabilitation Training Specialist; limited vision learner’s permit; drive test; daylight only unless night training is certified; recertify every 2 years	Official
Pennsylvania	Yes	Field 120 degrees; telescope acuity sets restrictions (below 20/50 daylight only); the telescope can’t be used to meet the acuity standard	10 hours passenger training, then a bioptic permit and 65 hours of driving (20 with a specialist); no freeways; up to 10,000 lb; night after 1 year if better than 20/40	Official
Rhode Island	Yes	Carrier 20/100; telescope 20/40; 3x maximum; one eye only; field 120 degrees; no clip-on or hand-held telescopes	Daylight-only restriction; night driving needs a night driving test	Legal reprint (Cornell/Justia)
South Carolina	Yes (statute)	Bioptic law S.C. Code 56-1-222 (2016); bill text: carrier 20/120, telescope 20/40	Bill text: bioptic training course, road test with the bioptic, daytime restriction possible, no motorcycle or commercial license. SCDMV manual (2026): annual Low Vision Acuity Screening (Form 412-LV) to SCDMV Driver Improvement	Official
South Dakota	Reported yes	Reported: may be used during the vision test	Check with the state	Check with the state DPS
Tennessee	Yes	Carrier 20/200 with a full field (central loss up to 5 degrees); telescope 20/60; 4x maximum; field 150 degrees without field expanders	Training with a certified instructor before applying; eye report after 60 days of use, renewed yearly; restrictions may include daylight only, 50 mph, outside mirrors, area or time limits and no interstate	Legal reprint (Cornell/Justia)
Texas	Reported yes	Check the vision guidelines with DPS	Check with the state	Check with Texas DPS
Utah	No	Utah DLD guidance says telescopic lenses are not allowed for driving	Not applicable	Official
Vermont	Reported yes	Check with the state	Check with the state	Check with the state DMV
Virginia	Yes	Carrier 20/200 with 70 degrees horizontal (one eye: 40 temporal, 30 nasal); telescope 20/70 without field expanders	Eye report for Medical Advisory Board review; half an hour after sunrise to half an hour before sunset; night after 1 year at 20/40 and a night skills test	Official
Washington	Yes, with re-examination	Anyone using bioptic or telescopic lenses to meet the standard is referred for re-examination	Check with the state	Official; details: check with the state DOL
West Virginia	Yes	Must meet the commissioner’s acuity and field standards with the bioptic, without field expanders (figures not in the statute)	Class G permit and license; approved program with at least 30 hours behind the wheel; road skills exam; daytime only, liftable after 36 months with no at-fault crash plus night training and a night exam; yearly eye report	Official; figures: check with the state
Wisconsin	Not to meet the standard	Bioptics are not “corrective lenses” under the rule and may not be used to meet acuity if they cut the field below standard; WisDOT says they may not be used to meet standards. Standard: 20/100 in one eye, 20 degrees temporal field	Vision specialist referral and driving evaluation below 20/40	Legal reprint (Cornell/Justia); WisDOT page: official
Wyoming	Yes	Denied only if carrier is worse than 20/100 and the telescope does not correct to at least 20/40; field 120 degrees	Check with the state	Legal reprint (Cornell/Justia)

Which states don’t allow bioptic driving?

Two states shut the door on official sources. Utah’s Driver License Division says telescopic lenses are not allowed for driving. Iowa will not license anyone who must wear bioptic telescopic lenses to meet its acuity standard. Florida, Alabama, Maine, Missouri and Wisconsin do not let the telescope count toward the vision standard, so you must meet it with ordinary lenses.

Some secondary lists are wrong. Nebraska and Wyoming rules both provide for bioptic drivers, and Connecticut has had a bioptic law since 1 October 2022. For Arkansas, its vision statute does not mention bioptics, so ask the Office of Driver Services in writing.

Can you use the bioptic to pass the DMV vision test?

Usually not. California says you may not wear the lens to pass the vision test. Pennsylvania’s regulation says telescopic correction is not acceptable for meeting the acuity requirements, even though the state runs a bioptic program. Missouri says you must pass up to 20/160 without the telescope. In these states the telescope is a driving aid on top of a minimum carrier acuity. Ohio, Arizona and Nebraska are different: acuity is measured through the device.

Common restrictions on a bioptic license

Restriction	Examples (official)
Daylight only	Virginia, Louisiana, North Carolina: half an hour after sunrise to half an hour before sunset. Pennsylvania permit: 30 minutes after sunrise to 30 minutes before sunset
Night driving later	Virginia, Louisiana, Maryland statute: 20/40 through the telescope, 1 year licensed and a night test. Illinois: 12 months of daylight driving plus a night road test
Road type	Pennsylvania: no freeways; may be limited to a radius around home. Oklahoma (new drivers): no interstates. Georgia and Tennessee: no interstate driving possible
Speed	Nevada and Oklahoma: 45 mph maximum. Tennessee: 50 mph maximum possible
Vehicle type	Louisiana: Class E only, no motorcycles. New York: Class D or DJ. Ohio and Indiana: no motorcycle
Weather	Louisiana: no driving in adverse weather
Equipment	Kentucky and Nevada: outside mirrors. Rhode Island: no clip-on or hand-held telescopes

Learner permits and training

1. See a low vision specialist (optometrist or ophthalmologist) who prescribes and fits the bioptic. Several states want you to own it first: 60 days in Illinois, New York, Maryland and Tennessee, three months in Pennsylvania.
2. Get the state eye report. Examples: California DL 62, New York MV-80L, Pennsylvania DL-102BD, Oregon Report of Limited Vision Examination.
3. Train with a specialist. This is often a Certified Driver Rehabilitation Specialist (CDRS) or a state-approved instructor. Pennsylvania requires 65 hours in total; Louisiana and West Virginia require at least 30 hours behind the wheel.
4. Take the road test wearing the bioptic.
5. Expect renewals with eye reports. Illinois wants a report every year, and Oregon recertifies every 2 years.

For evaluations and adapted equipment in general, see learning to drive with a disability in the US. Ordinary acuity and field standards are in the vision test by state guide and the regional guides for the Northeast, South, Midwest and West.

State bioptic guides

• California bioptic telescope rules
• Illinois bioptic driving
• Indiana bioptic driver program
• Kentucky Bioptic Driving Program
• Louisiana bioptic driving
• Maryland bioptic telescope license
• Massachusetts bioptic license rules
• Michigan bioptic telescopic lens license
• New York bioptic driving
• North Carolina bioptic driving rules
• Ohio bioptic license rules
• Pennsylvania bioptic driving
• Tennessee bioptic driving
• Virginia bioptic driving rules

Back to the US guide to driving with a medical condition or disability.

Want to practise the eyesight check? Our sister site Driving Eyesight Test has a free US letter chart on drivingeyesighttest.com. It is a practice screen, not an eye test, and it does not test bioptic use.

Sources

• California DMV, “Vision Conditions” and “Report of Vision Examination (DL 62), rev. 8/2024” (dmv.ca.gov)
• Illinois Secretary of State, “Medical and Vision Conditions” (ilsos.gov), and Illinois Administrative Code Title 92 Part 1030 (ilga.gov)
• Indiana BMV, “Driver Ability Program” (in.gov) and “Certificate of Vision for Bioptic Drivers” (forms.in.gov)
• Kentucky General Assembly, 2022 Acts Chapter 116 and KRS 186.579 (apps.legislature.ky.gov), and Kentucky State Police, “Kentucky Driver Manual” (updated July 2026)
• South Carolina DMV, “Driver’s License Manual” (2026), section 3 (scdmvonline.com)
• Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles, “Policy 9.01 Bioptic Telescopic Lenses”, revised 25 November 2025 (powerdms.com/ladpsc), under R.S. 32:403.5
• Maryland General Assembly, “Transportation Article section 16-110.2” (mgaleg.maryland.gov)
• Massachusetts RMV, medical standards for drivers: vision (mass.gov)
• New York DMV, “Eye Test Report for Medical Review Unit (MV-80L)” and “Driver License Restrictions for Medical Conditions” (dmv.ny.gov)
• North Carolina General Assembly, “G.S. 20-7” (ncleg.gov), and NCDMV, “Certificate of Behind the Wheel Bioptic Driver Training (DL-77BT)” (ncdot.gov)
• Ohio Administrative Code, “Rule 4501:1-1-33” (codes.ohio.gov)
• Oregon DMV, “Limited Vision” driving privileges page (oregon.gov)
• Pennsylvania DMV, “Driving with Bioptics” (pa.gov), and Pennsylvania Code Title 67 section 83.3 (pacodeandbulletin.gov)
• Virginia General Assembly, “Code of Virginia section 46.2-312” (law.lis.virginia.gov)
• Washington State Legislature, “WAC 308-104-010” (app.leg.wa.gov)
• Alabama Administrative Code r. 760-X-20-.14; Arizona Administrative Code R17-4-503; Georgia Comp. R. & Regs. 375-3-5-.08; Oklahoma Administrative Code 260:135-5-52; Tennessee Comp. R. & Regs. 1340-01-13-.10; Florida Administrative Code 15A-5.011; Missouri 12 CSR 10-24.090; Nevada Administrative Code 483.410 and 483.415; Wisconsin Administrative Code Trans 112.02 and 112.14; Wyoming Code R. 045-1, Chapter 1, section 16; Nebraska Administrative Code Title 247, Chapter 7, section 002; Rhode Island 280-RICR-30-05-4.3; Code of Maryland Regulations 11.17.05 (text via law.cornell.edu)
• Iowa Administrative Code 761-605.3 (legis.iowa.gov); North Dakota Administrative Code 37-08-01 (ndlegis.gov); West Virginia Code chapter 17B, article 2B, as enacted by 2008 Enrolled Committee Substitute for H.B. 4139 (code.wvlegislature.gov)
• Mississippi Code 63-1-34.1 (codes.findlaw.com) and 32 Miss. Code R. 22-3.21.2 (law.cornell.edu)
• Official sources consulted: Utah DLD “Category I Visual Disorder” (rev. 2024, dld.utah.gov); Connecticut General Statutes 14-45a and Public Act 22-44 (cga.ct.gov); Colorado form DR 2402 (rev. 08/15/25, dmv.colorado.gov); Maine BMV form MVE-103 (rev. 5-23); Michigan Administrative Code R 257.3; South Carolina S.21 of 2015-2016, Act 196 (scstatehouse.gov); Kentucky Office of Vocational Rehabilitation Bioptic Driving Program (kcc.ky.gov); FLHSMV “Medical Review” (flhsmv.gov)
• Rows marked “check with the state DMV”: manufacturer and secondary summaries used as a starting point only, not official sources

Photo: Nasr Al, Pexels

On a long, steep downgrade, shift to a lower gear before you start down and let the engine hold your speed, using the brakes only as needed. Riding the brakes all the way down overheats them until they fade or fail. On hills, assume something is just over every blind crest: slow down so you could stop in the space you can see, and never pass where a hill or curve blocks your view. Runaway truck ramps are for any vehicle that cannot stop, including a car whose brakes have failed. Never stop or park on one or in its path.

Going down steep grades

Use a low gear, not just the brakes

• Shift down before the hill, not halfway down. California’s handbook says shift to a low gear before going down a steep hill. Kentucky says slow down before you start down a grade.
• Let the engine do most of the work. Louisiana’s guide says avoid excessive braking on long downgrades and use engine compression (engine braking) as the main way to control speed.
• Never coast in neutral. Alabama’s manual says the law forbids coasting downhill with the transmission in neutral. In neutral you lose engine braking and rely entirely on the brakes.

In an automatic, your owner’s manual shows how to select a lower gear. Handbooks don’t give a universal speed or gear for downgrades, because it depends on the vehicle and the slope. Follow any posted truck or grade warnings, and treat the speed limit as a maximum, not a target.

Brake fade: why riding the brakes is dangerous

Louisiana’s guide explains that brakes can fade or fail from excessive heat when you use them too much instead of relying on engine braking. If your brakes do fail, Oregon’s advice is to pump the brakes, shift to a lower gear, apply the parking brake slowly, warn others with horn or lights, and ease onto the shoulder once you’ve slowed. More in vehicle emergencies.

Runaway truck ramps and trucks on grades

• Runaway (escape) ramps on long downgrades are built for trucks that are out of control or have lost their brakes (Kentucky). They are not trucks-only in an emergency: Colorado law, for example, lets any driver use one when the ramp is needed to stop the vehicle. Never use one as a pull-off, and never stop or park on one or in its path.
• Watch for fast-approaching trucks on mountain roads and downgrades. If one seems unable to slow down, get out of its way (Kentucky). Oregon says smoking wheels or high speed on a large vehicle can mean brake loss, so leave more space and don’t pass.
• Slow trucks on climbs: large vehicles slow down on steep hills and use the right lane. Kentucky says to avoid the right lane on hills where you can.
• Stopped behind a truck on an upgrade: stay to the left of your lane where the driver can see you, and leave extra space in case the truck rolls back slightly (Kentucky).

See sharing the road with trucks for no-zones.

Hills: blind crests, passing and hill starts

Blind crests

• When you come to a hill or curve, adjust your speed so you can stop for a stalled car or slow vehicle in your lane (Kentucky).
• Don’t stop just over a hill or just around a curve, because other drivers may not see you in time (California, Kentucky).
• Alabama warns that narrow, hilly roads have “blind pockets” where you may not see another car until it’s a few feet away. Use your horn on hazardous curves there.

No passing near hills

State	Handbook rule
California	To pass safely, a hill or curve should be at least one-third of a mile ahead. Don’t pass when approaching a hill or curve if you can’t see whether traffic is coming.
Alabama	You may not cross the center line to pass on a curve or hill where you can’t see a clear passing distance of at least 500 feet.
Kentucky	Treat a curve or hill as if an oncoming vehicle is there. Don’t start to pass when approaching one.

Solid yellow lines and no-passing signs often mark these areas, but the rule applies even where there are none. More in passing on rural two-lane roads.

Hill starts

Some road tests include starting on a hill. Kentucky’s road test, for example, lists stopping and starting on a hill. Hold the car on the foot brake (or parking brake), move smoothly to the gas, and release the brake as the car begins to pull so you don’t roll back. In a manual car, practice this in a quiet spot first. Oregon also warns that the car ahead of you may roll back when it starts on a hill, so leave room when you stop behind it. See Vermont’s road test hill start and the Kentucky road skills test checklist.

Parking on a hill

Set the parking brake and leave the car in park (or in gear for a manual). Then turn the wheels (California):

• Downhill: wheels into the curb, or to the right if there’s no curb.
• Uphill with a curb: wheels away from the curb, then let the car roll back gently against it.
• Uphill, no curb: wheels to the right, so the car rolls away from traffic if the brakes fail.

Mountain road rules

• Who backs up? On a steep, narrow road where two vehicles can’t pass, the vehicle facing uphill has the right-of-way. The downhill vehicle backs up, because it has more control when reversing up the hill (California).
• Use your horn on narrow mountain roads where you can’t see at least 200 feet ahead (California).
• Headlights on on mountain roads and in tunnels, even on sunny days (California).
• Snow and ice: going uphill, use just enough power to keep moving without spinning the wheels. Bridges and shaded areas freeze first (Oregon).
• Towing: slow down before every downgrade. See towing a trailer.

Watch for the yellow “Hill” warning sign. Oregon’s manual says it means a steep grade is ahead.

State guides for mountain driving

For state detail on mountain and canyon roads, see Colorado mountain and winter driving and learning to drive in Utah. For licensing in every state, start with learning to drive in the USA.

Sources

• Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, “Alabama Driver Manual”, Driving in Hilly Country and passing rules (alea.gov)
• California DMV, “California Driver’s Handbook”, Sections 5, 6, 7 and 8 (dmv.ca.gov)
• Kentucky State Police, “Kentucky Driver Manual” (updated July 2026), Sharing the Road with Large Vehicles, Passing and Driver Testing (kentuckystatepolice.ky.gov)
• Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles, “Class D & E Driver’s Guide” (DPSMV 2052, R08/25), Brakes (public.powerdms.com)
• Oregon DMV, “Oregon Driver Manual”, Signs, Sharing the Road and Safe and Responsible Driving (oregon.gov)
• Colorado Revised Statutes, section 42-4-1011, Use of runaway vehicle ramps (olls.info)

Photo: Julia Avamotive, Pexels

The biggest fuel savings come from how you drive, not what you drive. Accelerate gently, hold a steady speed, look ahead so you brake less, and don’t speed. The federal fuel economy site fueleconomy.gov says aggressive driving (speeding, rapid acceleration and hard braking) can cut gas mileage by roughly 15% to 30% at highway speeds and 10% to 40% in stop-and-go traffic. After that, the easy wins are less idling, correct tire pressure and not carrying extra weight. Oregon, Kentucky and Louisiana all cover fuel saving in their driver handbooks, and it can come up on the permit test.

Driving habits that save the most

1. Smooth starts and stops

Avoid rapid starts and sudden stops (Oregon, Kentucky). Kentucky says to pace your driving to traffic and signal timing so you brake and accelerate as little as possible. In practice that means looking well ahead. When a light up ahead turns red, ease off the gas early and coast toward it instead of driving up fast and braking hard.

2. Keep to the speed limit

Fueleconomy.gov says gas mileage usually drops quickly above 50 mph. It estimates that each 5 mph over 50 is like paying about an extra $0.30 per gallon, and that slowing down by 5 to 10 mph can improve fuel economy by 7% to 14%. (Those dollar figures assume gas at $4.28 a gallon, so the real saving depends on local prices.) Oregon’s list starts with “drive steadily and avoid exceeding posted speed limits.”

3. Hold a steady speed

On the highway, cruise control helps you keep a constant speed and in most cases saves gas (fueleconomy.gov, Louisiana). Don’t use it on wet, snowy or icy roads (Oregon).

4. Plan trips and combine errands

Combining errands into one trip is on the Oregon, Kentucky and Louisiana lists. Kentucky also suggests avoiding rush hour where you can, and carpooling, the bus, a bike or walking when they work. In Kentucky’s words, your vehicle is safest and most economical when it’s parked.

Idling: how much it costs, and anti-idling rules

Fueleconomy.gov says idling uses a quarter to a half gallon of fuel per hour, depending on engine size and whether the air conditioning is on. Restarting takes only about 10 seconds’ worth of fuel. Its guidance is that shutting down for longer than a minute saves money. Oregon, Kentucky and Louisiana all say to avoid unnecessary idling.

Some states and cities also limit idling by law. New York City is an example: its Department of Environmental Protection says idling for more than three minutes is illegal, or more than one minute next to a school or park. Rules, exceptions and fines vary a lot between places, so check your state or city before assuming what applies. Never idle in a closed garage. California’s handbook warns that carbon monoxide from the exhaust is deadly and odorless.

Tire pressure, weight and maintenance

Check	Why it matters
Tire pressure	Fueleconomy.gov: under-inflated tires lower mileage by about 0.2% for every 1 psi drop. Correct pressure improves mileage by 0.6% on average and up to 3% in some cases. Louisiana’s guide gives up to 3.3%. Use the pressure on the sticker in the driver’s door jamb or in the owner’s manual.
Extra weight	An extra 100 pounds can cut mileage by about 1% (fueleconomy.gov). Empty the trunk of things you don’t need.
Roof racks and cargo boxes	A roof cargo box can cut fuel economy by about 2% to 8% in city driving and 6% to 17% on the highway. A rear-mounted carrier costs much less, about 1% to 2% in the city and 1% to 5% on the highway. Remove empty racks (fueleconomy.gov).
Motor oil	Using the manufacturer’s recommended grade can improve mileage by 1% to 2% (fueleconomy.gov, Louisiana).
Check engine light	Get it checked. It could be something as minor as a loose gas cap (fueleconomy.gov).
Air filter	On modern fuel-injected cars, a new filter doesn’t improve fuel economy, though it can help acceleration (fueleconomy.gov).

Kentucky’s manual links maintenance to clean air. Vehicles are major contributors to ground-level ozone, and emissions rise as a car ages unless it is maintained. Kentucky also says vehicle emissions testing programs in its major population centers flag cars that need repair. Some states run emissions or inspection programs; see your first car: title, registration and inspection.

What a difference it makes

Louisiana’s guide gives an example: a car rated at 30 mpg can fall to as low as 17 mpg with poor eco-driving practices. Small habits, such as easing off early, checking your tires and clearing the trunk, add up.

Quick list for the permit test

• Drive steadily; avoid rapid starts and sudden stops
• Don’t exceed the speed limit
• Avoid unnecessary idling
• Combine errands into one trip
• Keep the vehicle properly maintained, tires inflated
• Remove excess weight

Related: speed limits and the basic speed law, freeway driving for new drivers and towing a trailer, where Kentucky notes driving slower also saves fuel. For licensing in each state, start with learning to drive in the USA.

Sources

• U.S. Department of Energy and EPA, “Gas Mileage Tips: Driving More Efficiently” (fueleconomy.gov)
• U.S. Department of Energy and EPA, “Gas Mileage Tips: Keeping Your Vehicle in Shape” (fueleconomy.gov)
• Oregon DMV, “Oregon Driver Manual: Safe and Responsible Driving, Fuel Saving Techniques” (oregon.gov)
• Kentucky State Police, “Kentucky Driver Manual” (updated July 2026), Motor Vehicles and the Environment (kentuckystatepolice.ky.gov)
• Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles, “Class D & E Driver’s Guide” (DPSMV 2052, R08/25), fuel economy and tires (public.powerdms.com)
• California DMV, “California Driver’s Handbook, Section 8: Safe Driving (Continued)” (dmv.ca.gov)
• NYC Department of Environmental Protection, “Citizens Air Complaint Program” (nyc.gov)

Photo: Diana ✨, Pexels

Driver assistance features, often called ADAS (advanced driver assistance systems), warn you about hazards or briefly take over braking or steering. They include lane keeping assist, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, blind spot warning and backup cameras. None of them drives the car for you. Kentucky’s driver manual says they are “meant to assist you with driving tasks, not to drive the vehicle,” and that you are responsible for the vehicle at all times. On a road test, some states won’t let you use features such as parking assist or cruise control.

What the common features do, and where they fall short

Feature	What it does	Watch out for
Forward collision warning	Alerts you if you are closing too fast on the vehicle ahead	A warning only. You still have to brake.
Automatic emergency braking (AEB)	Applies the brakes automatically to avoid a forward crash or reduce how hard you hit (NHTSA)	Not a guarantee. It’s a backup, not a substitute for keeping your own distance.
Lane departure warning	Alerts you when you drift out of your lane	Alert only. You still steer.
Lane keeping assist	Steers or brakes to stop you drifting out of your lane unintentionally (NHTSA)	Kentucky warns features may not work properly on curves or in rain, snow, ice or fog. Hands stay on the wheel.
Adaptive cruise control	Adjusts your speed to keep a preset gap to the vehicle ahead (NHTSA)	You still brake for hazards. Oregon says not to use cruise control on wet, snowy or icy roads.
Blind spot warning	Lights up or beeps if a vehicle is in your blind spot	Kentucky still expects head checks. Turn your head before you move over.
Backup camera and cross-traffic alert	Shows the area behind you; warns of traffic crossing behind as you reverse (Louisiana lists “cross path detection”)	Kentucky says check behind the vehicle before you get in, for children and small objects.
Active parking assist	Steers (and on some cars brakes) into a parking space	Usually not allowed on a road test.

Exact behavior varies by make, model and year. Kentucky’s manual says to read your owner’s manual to learn how your car’s features work and what their limits are.

Why handbooks warn against relying on them

California: “Be familiar with new technology”

California’s handbook (Section 8, Safe Driving) says more self-driving vehicles and vehicles with ADAS will be on the road, and that they may respond to road situations differently than a human driver would. That applies both to your car and to the cars around you. A vehicle ahead may brake on its own where you wouldn’t expect it.

Kentucky: ADAS safety features

Kentucky’s manual (Section Four, Before You Drive) gives these rules:

• Stay focused. Do your own head checks and use your mirrors and cameras to watch traffic.
• Know your car’s features and their limits from the owner’s manual.
• Expect features to work poorly in rain, snow, ice and fog, and on hills and curves.
• Keep sensors and cameras clean and undamaged.
• Keep the vehicle’s software up to date as the manufacturer recommends.

The habit problem for new drivers

If you learn in a car that beeps at every drift, you may lean on the beeps instead of building the scanning habits the road test checks, such as mirror checks and over-the-shoulder looks. Then you’re caught out in a car without those features, or when a sensor is covered in snow. Keep the features on and use them as the owner’s manual says, but do your own checks as if they weren’t there. When an alert goes off, respond safely first, then talk it through once you’re parked. An alert may mean you missed something, but it can also be a cautious setting or a sensor limit.

Can you use these features on your road test?

Often not. Kentucky’s manual says you will not be allowed to use certain safety features on the driving test, such as parking assist and cruise control. Other states have their own rules on backup cameras and sensors. Check them in backup camera and parking assist on the road test, and see which car you can use for the road test.

Practical tips

• Before driving a new car, find out which features it has and how to switch them on and off. Do this parked, not on the move.
• Turn your head anyway. Blind spot lights back up a shoulder check; they don’t replace it. See lane changes and blind spots.
• Keep your own following distance even with adaptive cruise. See following distance and space cushion.
• Backing up: check behind the car before you get in, then use mirrors, camera and a look over your shoulder. Kentucky warns mirrors don’t show the area right behind the vehicle.
• Clean the sensors in winter and after muddy roads.

Your seat and mirror setup still matters most. See seat, mirror and steering wheel hand position. For licensing in each state, start with learning to drive in the USA.

Sources

• Kentucky State Police, “Kentucky Driver Manual” (updated July 2026), Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) Safety Features and Backing Up (kentuckystatepolice.ky.gov)
• California DMV, “California Driver’s Handbook, Section 8: Safe Driving (Continued)”, Be Familiar with New Technology (dmv.ca.gov)
• Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles, “Class D & E Driver’s Guide” (DPSMV 2052, R08/25), Other Vehicle Safety Features (public.powerdms.com)
• Oregon DMV, “Oregon Driver Manual: Safe and Responsible Driving, Hazardous Conditions” (oregon.gov)
• National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, “Driver Assistance Technologies” (nhtsa.gov)

Photo: Robert So, Pexels

To tow a trailer safely as a new US driver, check four things first: that your license and permit rules allow it, the hitch and safety chains, the trailer lights and the trailer brakes. Then change how you drive. Load the trailer heavier at the front, keep to about 55 mph or less, leave far more room to stop, and swing wider on turns. Towing rules are set by each state, so the weight limits and brake rules below are the ones in specific handbooks. Check your own state’s handbook before you hitch up.

Can a permit or provisional license holder tow a trailer?

The California, Kentucky, Louisiana, Oregon and Alabama driver handbooks don’t list a separate towing rule for permit holders. That doesn’t mean towing on a permit is allowed everywhere. Your permit’s normal conditions, such as having a licensed supervisor beside you, still apply to every trip, and some state rules on permits and teen licenses go beyond the handbook. Before you tow on a learner permit or a provisional license, ask your state DMV or check its graduated licensing page. Our graduated licensing comparison covers the other permit and provisional restrictions.

Even where it’s legal, Kentucky’s advice is that if you’re unsure how to hook up, load or drive with a trailer, you should get advice from a trailer professional first.

Is your regular license enough? Weight limits

Heavy combinations need a higher or commercial license class. Two examples:

State	What the handbook says
Louisiana	Class E (the standard license) covers a single vehicle under 10,001 pounds. Class D covers a vehicle used in commerce towing a vehicle of no more than 10,000 pounds GVWR, as long as the combined rating stays under 26,001 pounds.
Alabama	A commercial Class A license is needed for combinations with a gross combination weight rating over 26,000 pounds where the towed unit is rated over 10,000 pounds.

California’s handbook points Class C holders to dmv.ca.gov for the vehicles and trailers Class C covers. Whatever your state, find the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) for your vehicle and trailer. Louisiana says to look in your owner’s manual, and that it should also appear on your title and registration. If you rent a trailer, ask for its empty weight and how much it can carry.

Also check your vehicle’s towing capacity in the owner’s manual. Louisiana warns that overloading can damage your brakes and suspension and make it hard to stop.

Hitch, safety chains, lights and brakes: the pre-trip check

Hitch

The ball and coupler must be the same size, or the trailer can separate (Louisiana). The coupler should be latched tight on the ball.

Safety chains

• Attach them securely to the tow vehicle (Louisiana).
• Cross them under the trailer tongue, so the tongue drops onto the chains, not the road, if the trailer comes loose.
• Leave enough slack for sharp turns, but don’t let them drag.

Lights

Louisiana requires trailers to have taillights, brake lights, side marker lights, turn signals and side and rear reflectors. Check that the plugs on the car and trailer match, that the wiring doesn’t drag, and that every light works before you leave.

Trailer brakes

Brake rules depend on trailer weight and differ by state. In Louisiana, trailers of 3,000 pounds or more must have brakes the driver can apply from the cab, and they must apply automatically if the trailer breaks away. Other states set their own thresholds, so check your state’s handbook or vehicle code for the figure that applies to your trailer.

Tires and load

• Trailer tires should all be the same type, size and construction. Don’t mix bias and radial (Louisiana).
• Your car’s tires may need higher pressure for towing. Check the owner’s manual.
• Load heavier at the front: Kentucky says 60% of the cargo weight should go at the front and 40% at the back. Kentucky calls a back-heavy trailer a leading cause of trailer crashes because it makes the trailer sway.
• Keep heavy items on the trailer floor and tie everything down. Kentucky says a load is only secure when nothing can slide, shift, fall or blow off.

Kentucky’s checklist: load heavier in front, hitch tight, chains attached, lights working, tire pressures OK. Repeat the walkaround at every fuel stop.

Driving with a trailer

Speed and lanes

• Kentucky recommends a maximum of 55 mph for most car-and-trailer combinations, and never above the posted limit.
• California sets a 55 mph speed limit for vehicles towing trailers. You must use the far-right lane, or a lane marked for slower vehicles. On roads with four or more lanes in your direction and none marked, you may use only the two right-hand lanes.
• Oregon says use the right lane on multi-lane roads, and pull off at the first safe turnout if traffic is stacking up behind you.

Stopping and following distance

A car pulling a trailer needs more distance to stop (Kentucky, Louisiana, Oregon). Leave extra space ahead, and even more in rain, snow or fog. See following distance and space cushion.

Turns and passing

• The trailer doesn’t follow directly behind your car on a turn, so it needs extra room (Kentucky). Watch it in your mirrors.
• You need much more distance to pass, and you shouldn’t pass on hills or curves (Kentucky). Louisiana also says to leave extra passing room for bicyclists.

Hills

Kentucky says slow down before you start down a grade, not halfway down. Louisiana says use engine braking (a lower gear) as the main way to control speed on long downgrades, not constant braking. More in mountain and hill driving.

If the trailer starts to sway

1. Ease off the gas and slow down gradually.
2. Steer straight. Don’t fight the sway with big steering moves.
3. Don’t hit the brakes, and never speed up.
4. Stop as soon as you can get fully off the road, then check the load is heavier at the front.

That is Kentucky’s advice.

Backing up a trailer

Kentucky’s method: go slowly with one hand at the bottom of the steering wheel. Move your hand left to send the trailer left, and right to send it right. If the trailer starts to jackknife, stop, pull forward to straighten out, and start again. Basic reversing skills are in backing up on the road test.

Rules that catch people out

• No passengers in trailers. Oregon bans riding in most trailers (fifth-wheel trailers have strict exceptions), and Louisiana bans riding in a house trailer being moved on the highway.
• One trailer only: Oregon allows only one boat, utility trailer or other vehicle behind a passenger vehicle.
• Tow bars: in Louisiana, the connection when towing another vehicle must not exceed 15 feet.
• Breakdowns: if you hear an odd noise or suspect trouble, stop somewhere safe off the road and check (Kentucky). See vehicle emergencies.

For how licensing works in each state, start with learning to drive in the USA. Oregon notes that vehicles towing trailers take longer to speed up, which matters when merging; see freeway driving for new drivers.

Sources

• Kentucky State Police, “Kentucky Driver Manual” (updated July 2026), Section Eleven: Safe Trailering, and Secure Your Load (kentuckystatepolice.ky.gov)
• Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles, “Class D & E Driver’s Guide” (DPSMV 2052, R08/25), Classes of License, Chapter 10-A Trailer Safety and equipment rules (public.powerdms.com)
• California DMV, “California Driver’s Handbook, Section 7: Laws and Rules of the Road” and “Section 8: Safe Driving” (dmv.ca.gov)
• Oregon DMV, “Oregon Driver Manual: Driving a Large Vehicle or Towing” (oregon.gov)
• Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, “Alabama Driver Manual”, license classes (alea.gov)

Photo: Stephen Leonardi, Pexels

Alcohol starts to affect your driving from the first drink, well before you feel drunk. At a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of just 0.02%, NHTSA says your visual tracking and your ability to handle two tasks at once already decline. By 0.05% steering, coordination and emergency responses suffer. Once alcohol is in your blood, only time removes it. The rate differs from person to person, so there is no drink-per-hour countdown that tells you when you are safe or legal to drive. Coffee, food, exercise and cold showers don’t speed it up.

What counts as one standard drink in the US?

The CDC defines a US standard drink as 0.6 ounces (14 grams) of pure alcohol. That is about:

Drink	Size	Typical strength
Beer	12 ounces	5% alcohol
Malt liquor	8 ounces	7% alcohol
Wine	5 ounces	12% alcohol
Distilled spirits (vodka, rum, whiskey)	1.5 ounces	40% (80 proof)

A serving that is bigger or stronger than these counts as more than one drink, so a large glass of wine or a strong beer can easily be two. Louisiana and Alabama both make the same point: beer, wine or whiskey, it’s the amount of alcohol that reaches your blood that counts.

How BAC rises

Alcohol goes from your stomach and small intestine into your bloodstream. Louisiana says it reaches your brain in about 20 minutes, and NHTSA says it can be measured within 30 to 70 minutes of a drink. How high your BAC goes depends on:

• How many drinks you have.
• How fast you drink them. Drinking quickly gives a higher peak.
• Body weight. More body water dilutes the alcohol.
• Sex. NHTSA notes women generally reach a higher BAC from the same amount.
• Food in your stomach. This slows absorption, so the same drinks hit harder on an empty stomach.

Because so many factors are involved, NHTSA says it is very hard to judge your own BAC. Feeling “fine” tells you nothing. Not noticing that you’re impaired is itself a sign of impairment.

How BAC affects your driving, level by level

NHTSA’s table shows the BAC at which each effect usually first appears:

BAC	Typical effects	Effects on driving
0.02%	Some loss of judgment, relaxation, altered mood	Decline in visual tracking of moving targets; harder to do two things at once
0.05%	Impaired judgment, lowered alertness, loss of inhibition, less control of small muscles such as focusing your eyes	Reduced coordination, harder to track moving objects, difficulty steering, slower response to emergencies
0.08%	Poor muscle coordination (balance, vision, reaction time, hearing); harder to detect danger	Poor concentration and speed control, short-term memory loss, slower processing of signals and hazards
0.10%	Clearly slower reactions, slurred speech	Trouble keeping lane position and braking appropriately
0.15%	Far less muscle control, major loss of balance	Substantial impairment in vehicle control and attention

The Louisiana guide adds the effects drivers notice least: alcohol makes you take risks, forget routine tasks such as signaling or turning on headlights, misjudge speed and distance, and get angrier at other drivers. It also blunts your ability to judge your own condition.

How fast does alcohol leave your body?

Your liver does most of the work, and nothing you do speeds it up. How fast it goes varies from person to person, depending on things like your genes, how much you drink and your diet. Driver guides quote average rates, but yours may be slower, so you cannot count hours to work out when you are safe or legal to drive.

That is why “morning after” driving is a real risk. A late night out can leave you over the limit for the drive to school or work. If there is any doubt, get a lift, take a taxi or use public transport.

Myths that don’t sober you up

Myth	What the handbooks say
Black coffee	May make you feel more awake but won’t sober you (Alabama, Louisiana). You become a wide-awake impaired driver.
Cold shower or exercise	No effect on BAC (Louisiana, Alabama).
Eating	Food eaten before or while drinking slows absorption, but once alcohol is in your blood, food doesn’t remove it (Alabama, NHTSA).
“Beer is weaker than liquor”	A standard beer and a standard shot hold about the same alcohol (CDC, NHTSA).
“I feel fine”	Impairment starts with the first drink (Kentucky). You will likely be too impaired to drive before you feel drunk (NHTSA).

The legal limits, briefly

• Drivers 21 and over: 0.08% is the adult limit in most states; check your own state’s figure. You can still be arrested below it if your driving shows impairment (NHTSA, Oregon, California).
• Drivers under 21: zero tolerance in every state. California sets 0.01%, Louisiana 0.02%, and Oregon says any amount. Texas DPS says any detectable amount is a criminal offense for a minor driving. Details in zero tolerance laws for drivers under 21.
• Refusing a test: implied consent laws mean a refusal leads to license suspension. See implied consent and DUI in the US.

Mixing alcohol with cannabis or medicines makes impairment worse. See drugged driving and cannabis and prescription and over-the-counter medicines.

Plan before you drink

• Choose a designated driver who isn’t drinking at all (NHTSA).
• Arrange ahead of time to stay over, or take a taxi or ride home (NHTSA).
• Never ride with a driver who has been drinking, and don’t let a friend drive after drinking (Kentucky, Louisiana).

For how licensing works in each state, start with learning to drive in the USA.

Sources

• National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, “The ABCs of BAC” (DOT HS 809 844) (nhtsa.gov)
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “About Standard Drink Sizes” (cdc.gov)
• Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles, “Class D & E Driver’s Guide” (DPSMV 2052, R08/25), Alcohol and Blood Alcohol Concentration (public.powerdms.com)
• Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, “Alabama Driver Manual”, Chapter 4: The Driver (alea.gov)
• Kentucky State Police, “Kentucky Driver Manual” (updated July 2026), Alcohol, Other Drugs and Driving (kentuckystatepolice.ky.gov)
• California DMV, “California Driver’s Handbook, Section 9: Alcohol and Drugs” (dmv.ca.gov)
• Oregon DMV, “Oregon Driver Manual: Safe and Responsible Driving, Impaired Driving” (oregon.gov)
• Texas Department of Public Safety, “Alcohol-Related Offenses” (dps.texas.gov)
• National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, “Alcohol Metabolism” (niaaa.nih.gov)