Jeep Mirror Laws: Stay Legal with Doors Off!
Sometimes you must learn lessons the hard way – you go on a road trip across a few states and before you know it, you’re being pulled over and ticketed for driving without mirrors. You think to yourself for a minute “but the doors come off as a feature from the factory” – Sadly, some states simply don’t care.
The real question you may be asking yourself is “Is it legal to drive with the doors off?” – The answer is “Yes” but the law applies to MIRRORS not to DOORS. There are no state laws requiring doors, however, on most Jeeps, the mirrors are attached to the doors so that is where you may violate local laws.
Here are the state laws for all fifty states regarding mirror requirements. We’ve tried to distill them down to “Required“, “unobstructed rearview mirror ok” (no trailer), or “Vague” if there is too much gray area. All states have links to the applicable code.
State Mirror Laws
Alabama:
Unobstructed Rear View Mirror OK
Every motor vehicle, operated singly or when towing any other vehicle, shall be equipped with a mirror so located as to reflect the driver a view of the highway for a distance of at least two hundred feet to the rear of such motor vehicle.
Alaska:
Required
The motor vehicle must be equipped with a mirror mounted on the left side of the vehicle AND the right if towing.
Alaska Administrative Code AAC 04.220.Mirrors
Arizona:
Unobstructed Rear View Mirror OK
A motor vehicle that is constructed or loaded in a manner that obstructs the driver’s view to the rear of the vehicle from the driver’s position shall be equipped with two mirrors located in a manner to reflect to the driver a view of the highway for a distance of at least two hundred feet to the rear of the vehicle.
Arkansas:
Unobstructed Rear View Mirror OK
Every motor vehicle shall be equipped with a rearview mirror. If a rearview mirror is obstructed then a mirror which provides a view of the highway for a distance of at least 200 feet to the rear of the vehicle is required.
PDF: Arkansas Code – § 27-37-305
California:
Unobstructed Rear View Mirror OK
Out of state registration only requires an unobstructed rear-view mirror. In state registration requires at least two mirrors with one on the left. Vehicles that are towing require unobstructed mirrors.
Colorado:
Required
Every motor vehicle shall be equipped with a mirror or mirrors so located and so constructed as to reflect to the driver a free and unobstructed view of the highway for a distance of at least two hundred feet to the rear of such vehicle
Jeepers Notice: Appears that the Colorado statue beats around the bush and says “any vehicle not equipped with a rear window and rear side windows” which means with no doors you would have no side windows and potentially violate the mirror law. Flagging this Required… Jeep Mirror Laws can unfortunately be vague.
Whenever any motor vehicle is not equipped with a rear window and rear side windows or has a rear window and rear side windows composed of, covered by, or treated with any material or component that, when viewed from the position of the driver, obstructs the rear view of the driver or makes such window or windows nontransparent, or whenever any motor vehicle is towing another vehicle or trailer or carrying any load or cargo or object that obstructs the rear view of the driver, such vehicle shall be equipped with an exterior mirror on each side so located with respect to the position of the driver as to comply with the visual requirement of subsection (1) of this section.
PDF Model Traffic Code for Colorado
Connecticut:
Unobstructed Rear View Mirror OK
Commercial for-hire vehicle specific laws require rear and left side viewing.
General Statutes of Connecticut
Delaware:
Unobstructed Rear View Mirror OK
All motor vehicles and motorcycles shall be equipped with a mirror so placed that the driver thereof may readily ascertain the presence of any vehicle traveling in the same direction and overtaking the driver’s vehicle.
Delaware Code 1935, § 5663; 21 Del. C. 1953, § 4308;
- Note Bumper Height Laws
- Note Light Accessory laws
Florida:
Unobstructed Rear View Mirror OK
Every vehicle, operated singly or when towing any other vehicle, shall be equipped with a mirror so located as to reflect to the driver a view of the highway for a distance of at least 200 feet to the rear of the motor vehicle.
Georgia:
Unobstructed Rear View Mirror OK
Every motor vehicle which is so constructed or loaded as to obstruct the driver’s view to the rear thereof from the driver’s position shall be equipped with a mirror so located as to reflect to the driver a view of the highway for a distance of at least 200 feet to the rear of such vehicle.
Georgia Code – § 40-8-72 Mirrors
Hawaii:
Unobstructed Rear View Mirror OK
Every motor vehicle shall be equipped with a mirror or mirrors so located as to reflect to the driver a view of the highway for a distance of at least 200 feet to the rear of such vehicle.
PDF ROH Chapter 15 Article 19 Section 15 Code 19.29
Idaho:
Unobstructed Rear View Mirror OK
Every motor vehicle shall be equipped with a mirror so located as to reflect to the operator a view of the highway for a distance of at least two hundred (200) feet to the rear of the vehicle.
Illinois:
Unobstructed Rear View Mirror OK
Every motor vehicle, operated singly or when towing another vehicle, shall be equipped with a mirror so located as to reflect to the driver a view of the highway for a distance of at least 200 feet to the rear of such motor vehicle.
Illinois 625 ILCS 5/12-502 Sec 12-502
Indiana:
Unobstructed Rear View Mirror OK
A motor vehicle that is constructed or loaded so as to obstruct the driver’s view to the rear from the driver’s position must be equipped with a mirror located so as to reflect to the driver a view of the highway for a distance of at least two hundred (200) feet to the rear of the vehicle.
Iowa:
Unobstructed Rear View Mirror OK
Every motor vehicle shall be equipped with a mirror so located as to reflect to the driver a view of the highway for a distance of at least two hundred feet to the rear of such vehicle. Any motor vehicle so loaded, or towing another vehicle in such manner, as to obstruct the view in a rear view mirror located in the driver’s compartment shall be equipped with a side mirror so located that the view to the rear will not be obstructed; however, when such vehicle is not loaded or towing another vehicle the side mirrors shall be retracted or removed
Kansas:
Required
After January 1, 1975, every motor vehicle shall be equipped with a mirror mounted on the left side of the vehicle and so located as to reflect to the driver a view of the highway to the rear of the vehicle.
Every motor vehicle, except a motorcycle, shall be equipped with an additional mirror mounted either inside the vehicle approximately in the center or outside the vehicle on the right side and so located as to reflect to the driver a view of the highway to the rear of the vehicle.
Kentucky:
Required
Except as provided in subsection (4) of this section, every motor vehicle shall be equipped with the following mirrors so located and adjusted as to reflect to the driver a view of the highway to the rear of the vehicle:(a)One (1) mirror mounted on the left side of the vehicle; and(b)One (1) mirror mounted either inside the vehicle approximately in the center or on the right side of the vehicle
Kentucky Legislature § 189.130
Louisiana:
Required
After January 1, 1975, every motor vehicle manufactured or assembled after December 31, 1972, of a type subject to registration in this state shall be equipped with a mirror mounted on the left side of the vehicle and so located as to reflect to the driver a view of the highway for a distance of at least two hundred feet to the rear of the vehicle.
Louisiana Revised Statutes RS 32:354
Maine:
Unobstructed Rear-View Mirror OK
A person may not operate on a public way a vehicle so constructed, equipped, loaded or used that the operator is prevented from having a constantly free and unobstructed view of the way immediately to the rear, unless there is attached a mirror or reflector placed and adjusted to afford the operator a clear, reflected view of the highway to the rear of the vehicle for a distance of at least 200 feet.
Maine Revised Statutes – 29-A §1913
Maryland:
Required
Every motor vehicle shall be equipped with at least one mirror located to reflect to the driver a view of the highway for a distance of at least 200 feet to the rear of the vehicle.
Every motor vehicle registered in this State shall be equipped with an outside mirror on the driver’s side located to reflect to the driver a view of the highway for a distance of at least 200 feet to the rear of the vehicle and along the driver’s side of the vehicle. This subsection does not apply to motorcycles, which are governed by subsection (c) of this section.
Maryland Statue Transportation – §22–403.
Massachusetts:
Vague – better safe than sorry to have mirror.
Every motor vehicle shall be equipped with at least one mirror so placed and adjusted as to afford the operator a clear, reflected view of the highway to the rear and left side of the vehicle
Massachusetts – Chapter 90 Section 7
Michigan:
Unobstructed Rear View Mirror OK
A person shall not drive a motor vehicle if driver visibility through the rear window is obstructed, unless the vehicle is equipped with 2 rearview mirrors, 1 on each side, adjusted so that the operator has a clear view of the highway behind the vehicle.
Minnesota:
Unobstructed Rear View Mirror OK
Every motor vehicle which is so constructed, loaded or connected with another vehicle as to obstruct the driver’s view to the rear thereof from the driver’s position shall be equipped with a mirror so located as to reflect to the driver a view of the highway for a distance of at least 200 feet to the rear of such vehicle.
Mississippi:
Unobstructed Rear View Mirror OK
Every motor vehicle which is so constructed or loaded as to obstruct the driver’s view to the rear thereof from the driver’s position shall be equipped with a mirror so located as to reflect to the driver a view of the highway for a distance of at least two hundred feet to the rear of such vehicle.
Missouri:
Unobstructed Rear View Mirror OK
All motor vehicles which are so constructed or loaded that the operator cannot see the road behind such vehicle by looking back or around the side of such vehicle shall be equipped with a mirror so adjusted as to reveal the road behind and be visible from the operator’s seat.
Montana:
Unobstructed Rear View Mirror OK
A motor vehicle must be equipped with a mirror that reflects to the driver a view of the highway for a distance of at least 200 feet to the rear of the motor vehicle.
Nebraska:
Required
No person shall drive a motor vehicle, other than a motorcycle, on a highway when the motor vehicle is so constructed or loaded as to prevent the driver from obtaining a view of the highway to the rear by looking backward from the driver’s position unless such vehicle is equipped with a right-side and a left-side outside mirror so located as to reflect to the driver a view of the highway for a distance of at least two hundred feet to the rear of such vehicle.
Nevada:
Unobstructed Rear View Mirror OK
On and after January 1, 1970, every motor vehicle, operated singly or when towing any other vehicle, shall be equipped with a mirror so located as to reflect to the driver a view of the highway for a distance of at least 200 feet to the rear of such motor vehicle.
New Hampshire:
Unobstructed Rear View Mirror OK
No person shall drive upon any way any closed motor vehicle, or motor vehicle so constructed, equipped, or loaded that the driver is prevented from having a constantly free and unobstructed view of the way immediately in the rear, unless there is attached to the vehicle a mirror or reflector so placed and adjusted as to afford the driver a clear, reflected view of the way in the rear of the vehicle.
New Jersey:
Required
Every motor vehicle shall have rear view mirrors so located and angled as to give the driver adequate rear view vision. Every passenger automobile manufactured after January 1, 1965 and registered in this State, shall be equipped with an interior mirror and an exterior mirror on the driver’s side.
New Jersey Statutes – § 39:3-71
New Mexico:
Unobstructed Rear View Mirror OK
Every motor vehicle shall be equipped with a mirror so located as to reflect to the driver a view of the highway for a distance of at least two hundred feet to the rear of such vehicle.
New Mexico Statutes – § 66-3-845
New York:
Required
10-a. It shall be unlawful after July first, nineteen hundred
sixty-seven to operate on any public highway in this state any motor
vehicle registered in this state manufactured or assembled on or after
such date, and designated as a nineteen hundred sixty-eight or later
model, unless such vehicle is equipped with an adjustable side view
mirror which shall be affixed to the left outside of such vehicle and
which shall be adjustable so that the operator of such vehicle may have
a clear view of the road and condition of traffic on the left side and
to the rear of such vehicle
New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law Title 3 Article 9 Section 375 Chapter 10 – § 375-10
North Carolina:
Required on 1965 or Newer vehicles
It shall be unlawful for any person to operate upon the highways of this State any vehicle manufactured, assembled or first sold on or after January 1, 1966 and registered in this State unless such vehicle is equipped with at least one outside mirror mounted on the driver’s side of the vehicle.
North Carolina General Statutes Chapter 20 Article 3 Code 126 – § 20-126
North Dakota:
Unobstructed Rear View Mirror OK
On and after January 1, 1964, every motor vehicle, operated singly or when towing any other vehicle, must be equipped with a mirror so located as to reflect to the driver a view of the highway for a distance of at least two hundred feet [60.96 meters] to the rear of such motor vehicle.
PDF North Dakota Century Code Title 39 Chapter 21 Section 38 – § 39-21-38
Ohio:
Vague – “Operators shall have a clear and unobstructed view to the front and both sides of their vehicles
Unobstructed Rear View Mirror OK
Every motor vehicle, motorcycle, and trackless trolley shall be equipped with a mirror so located as to reflect to the operator a view of the highway to the rear of such vehicle, motorcycle, or trackless trolley. Operators of vehicles, motorcycles, streetcars, and trackless trolleys shall have a clear and unobstructed view to the front and to both sides of their vehicles, motorcycles, streetcars, or trackless trolleys and shall have a clear view to the rear of their vehicles, motorcycles, streetcars, or trackless trolleys by the mirror.
Ohio Revised Code Title 45 Chapter 4513 Section 23 – § 4513.23
Oklahoma:
Required
Every motor vehicle shall be equipped with a mirror mounted on the left side of the vehicle and so positioned and located as to reflect to the driver a view of the highway to the rear of the motor vehicle.
Every motor vehicle shall be equipped with an additional mirror mounted either inside the vehicle approximately in the center or outside the vehicle on the right side and so positioned and located as to reflect to the driver a view of the highway to the rear of the vehicle.
Oklahoma Statutes Title 47 Chapter 12 Section 403 – §47-12-403
Oregon:
Unobstructed Rear View Mirror OK
A rearview mirror or device only meets the requirements of this section if it enables the driver of the vehicle to have such a clear and unobstructed view of the rear at all times and under all conditions of load as will enable the driver to see any other vehicle approaching from not less than 200 feet in the rear on an unobstructed road.
Oregon Volume 17 Title 59 Chapter 815 Section 235 – § 815.235
Pennsylvania:
Unobstructed Rear View Mirror OK
No person shall operate a motor vehicle or combination on a highway unless the vehicle or combination is equipped with at least one mirror, or similar device, which provides the driver an unobstructed view of the highway to the rear of the vehicle or combination.
Pennsylvania Vehicle Code Title 75 Chapter 45 Subchapter B Section 4534 – § 4534
Rhode Island:
Unobstructed Rear View Mirror OK – May require left side mirror
Every motor vehicle which is so constructed or loaded as to obstruct the driver’s view to the rear of it from the driver’s position shall be equipped with a mirror so located as to reflect to the driver a view of the highway for a distance of at least two hundred feet (200′) to the rear of the vehicle.
Caution: Second part could cover Jeep as “Passenger vehicle” – not sure if commercial or for hire.
Every motor vehicle, the primary function of which is the carrying of passengers, shall be equipped with a rear-view mirror on the left front door or fender, so located as to reflect a view of the highway for at least two hundred feet (200′) to the rear of the vehicle.
South Carolina:
Unobstructed Rear View Mirror OK
Every motor vehicle which is so constructed or loaded as to obstruct the driver’s view to the rear thereof from the driver’s position shall be equipped with a mirror so located as to reflect to the driver a view of the highway for a distance of at least two hundred feet to the rear of such vehicle.
South Dakota:
Unobstructed Rear View Mirror OK
Rear-vision mirrors required–Visibility distance–Violation as petty offense. Every motor vehicle entitled to be licensed in South Dakota shall be equipped with a mirror so located as to reflect to the driver a view of the highway for a distance of at least two hundred feet to the rear of such vehicle, whether operated singly or towing another vehicle. A violation of this section is a petty offense.
South Dakota Codified Laws § 32-15-8
Tennessee:
Vague – Unobstructed Rear View Mirror OK
Any motor truck using the streets, roads, highways, and other public thoroughfares, which, by reason of its construction, either when loaded or unloaded, prevents the driver‘s view of the rear, shall be equipped with a mirror arranged in a manner and maintained so that the driver or operator may view the roadway to the rear and note the approach of vehicles from the rear of the motor truck.
** Unknown – Does the state license Jeep as “truck” or does the state assume “truck” is a commercial vehicle?
State of Tennessee Laws § 55-9-206
Texas:
Unobstructed Rear View Mirror OK – Required while towing.
A motor vehicle, including a motor vehicle used to tow another vehicle, shall be equipped with a mirror located to reflect to the operator a view of the highway for a distance of at least 200 feet from the rear of the vehicle.
Texas Transportation Code 602 – § 547.602
Utah:
Required
A left mirror is required along with a center rearview mirror or right mirror. Sometimes I don’t mind these simple Jeep Mirror requirements.
Vermont:
Required while towing
Requires a mirror of at least 5 inches in diameter to reflect the view of other vehicles approaching from the rear while towing.
Virginia:
Required
Every vehicle manufactured since 1968 needs at least one outside and one inside mirror.
Washington:
Required
Every vehicle shall be equipped with a mirror mounted on the left side of the vehicle and either a center mirror or right mirror.
Revised Code of Washington RCW 46.37.400
Washington DC
Required
Each motor vehicle shall be equipped with a mirror or mirrors so located as to reflect the driver, under all conditions of loading, a view of the highway for a distance of at least two hundred feet (200 ft.) to the rear of the vehicle; Provided, that all vehicles licensed under the provisions of paragraph 31(b) and (c) of the Act of July 1, 1932, shall be equipped with two (2) adjustable rear-view mirrors installed to enable the driver to obtain a reasonably clear view toward the rear.
West Virginia:
Vague
No person shall operate a vehicle upon a highway unless the vehicle is equipped with a mirror to reflect the roadway for a distance of 200 feet to the rear of the vehicle. Could be a center mirror but you may need an external mirror if your center mirror is obstructed.
Wisconsin:
Vague
No person shall operate a vehicle upon a highway unless the vehicle is equipped with a mirror to reflect the roadway for a distance of 200 feet to the rear of the vehicle. Could be a center mirror but you may need an external mirror if your center mirror is obstructed.
Does anyone have any further clarification on Jeep Mirror laws for Wisconsin?
Wisconsin Statutes and Annotations § 347.40
Wyoming:
Required
Every vehicle manufactured since 1/1/1986 is required to have a mirror on the left side of the vehicle.
Jeep Mirror Laws
Most states just require you to have a clear view and as long as you still have a rearview mirror you’re legal. Make sure you plan ahead on your trips and know when driving across states that you follow all local laws. I find it’s better to be safe than sorry so if you do a lot of door off driving, I’d recommend some side mount mirrors that can attach to your windshield frame or door mount brackets.
Non-Door Mounted Mirrors
If you need a mirror that you can use without doors installed, these simple devices work well enough to make sure you’re adhering to all applicable laws.
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Other State Laws
Don’t forget – Many states have laws on light bars, headlamp colors, turn signals/wheel flare reflectors, and other “gotchas” you should be aware of. Drop a comment below and let us know what odd state laws you have to abide by and we’ll keep our Jeep Mirror Laws post updated!
Pin It!
May you give me your thoughts on this law that I recently found? I noticed on this site, that 175.77. Body. (f) mentions that the vehicle must “…be equipped with doors of a type used as original equipment.” I also see that it says “The doors shall open and close securely unless the vehicle has been manufactured or modified to the extent that there is no roof or side.” I’m interested in making tubular style doors for my Nissan Frontier, but have heard that PA is cracking down on doorless Jeeps, and wanted to make sure I wasn’t asking for trouble by making these.
https://www.pacode.com/secure/data/067/chapter175/s175.77.html
Thanks!
It’s still illegal to remove the doors in PA.
In addition to the mirror rule, PA is the only state that also requires doors if they were original factory equipment. This means YJs and newer must have doors in PA, you could order a CJ doorless from the factory so it’s allowed.