Rules of the road by state
Most driving rules are the same everywhere, but the details that show up on permit tests often differ: the alcohol limit for young drivers, phone rules for permit holders, the following-distance rule, school bus laws. Compare them across all states, from each state's own handbook.
- Blood alcohol limits by stateThe legal blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit for adult drivers, drivers under 21 and commercial drivers in every state, from each state's handbook.
- Cell phone and texting laws by stateWhether you can hold a phone while driving, the texting ban, and the extra rules for permit holders and teen drivers in every state.
- Safe following distance by stateHow far behind the vehicle in front each state's handbook tells you to stay, and when to leave more room.
- Right turn on red by stateWhen you may turn right on a red light after stopping, and where a left turn on red from a one-way street is allowed.
- School bus stopping laws by stateWhen you must stop for a school bus with its red lights flashing, including on divided highways, and how far back to stay.
- Move over laws by stateWhat to do when you pass a stopped emergency, police, tow or service vehicle with flashing lights.
- When to use headlights, by stateWhen each state requires your headlights on: between sunset and sunrise, in poor visibility and when your wipers are on.
- Seat belt and child seat laws by stateWho must wear a seat belt and the basic child seat rules in every state.
- Default speed limits by stateThe speed limits each state's handbook gives for school zones, residential streets, business districts and highways when no sign says otherwise.