Last updated on July 12th, 2023 at 09:39 am
If you are thinking of rock and rolling it with your doorless Jeep Wrangler or Jeep Gladiator, but you are not sure if it’s legal or not? Then don’t worry; we’ve got you covered in this article where we address the question “Is it legal to drive a car without doors?”, most especially “Is it legal to drive a jeep without doors?” And the query can you drive a jeep without doors on the highway?
We will take you through the laws surrounding driving a Jeep without doors and whether it’s legal or not. Plus, we’ve also included a list of restrictions and requirements for each state in the United States to keep you safe and legal while driving your Jeep vehicle without a door.
And additionally, on a general note, we are also going to touch on the following questions in the FAQ section toward the end of this article:
- What do you call a Jeep without doors?
- Can you take the doors off every Jeep?
- Is it legal to drive a car without doors besides Jeep Wrangler?
- Is it legal to drive a Jeep without doors in Australia?
- Is it illegal to drive with no doors in a Jeep Grand Cherokee in Texas?
So make sure to stay with me as I uncover every bite of the legalities and laws on driving a Jeep without doors or doorless.
Before hitting the road for a trail ride, make sure to read through our guide on laws and regulations for Jeep Wrangler and other models without doors in various states. It might just save you from fine big time!
So, first of all, let’s quickly answer the question, “Is it legal to drive a Jeep without doors?”
Is It Legal to Drive a Jeep Without Doors?
The good news is that there are no federal laws that kick against driving a Jeep without doors, and you can legally drive doorless in most US states. However, there are some US states that have laws requiring a minimum number of side mirrors on Jeep before they are considered within legality. So, it’s crucial to meet the requirements for each of these states, especially when you’re considering crossing United State lines.
So we’ve put together a list of the number of required side view mirrors for Jeep Vehicles when driving doorless and other safety requirements for each state while including the links to all the current and relevant laws.
Why are Jeeps So Fun Without The Doors?
Have you never driven your Jeep Wrangler or Jeep Gladiator without doors yet? If no, well, boy, you are missing out on some serious fun. Nothing quite compares to the feeling of wind blowing through your hair and bugs smacking against your face while riding and traversing through nature’s bounty.
Not only is driving your Jeep vehicle without doors an exhilarating experience, but it also offers very nice and incredible visibility. You’ll be able to spot every rock, tree, and mud puddle that stands in your path when off-roading with your jeep or exploring unfamiliar terrain.
The thing is removing those doors from your Jeep can be likened to giving your Jeep a facelift that’ll have all other Jeeps on the block jealous. You’ll be turning heads left and right with your unique, eye-catching ride by must passersby!
So as you enjoy those amazing experiences riding your Jeep doorless be sure to acquaint yourself with the state’s guidelines and the required number of mirrors to have before riding doorless.
Jeeps Are So Fun Without The Doors!
Customizing your Jeep not only separates it from a lot of other 4x4s users out there in the street but also adds a whole lot of uniqueness to your Jeep.
Also removing tops and doors off Jeeps helps cut down some weight and adds to the look of your car and in my view it’s just plain fun!
The removal process of jeep tops and doors usually implies getting rid of not just your door alone but it goes with alongside pre-attached side view mirrors that come with your jeep making driving the vehicle in such a state unsafe for you and other drivers making it a safety and legal matter.
So the first step to keep your doorless jeep legal is to find a way of reattaching the side view mirrors back. Though most states require Jeep drivers to have at least two side view mirrors, some states might let you ride with one mirror.
States That Allow No Doors On Your Jeep, But Require At Least One Mirror
As I previously mentioned before, whether or not you can drive your Jeep without doors depends on where you live.
Some states have simply outlawed this practice, while others state made exceptions if drivers can ensure safety and increase visibility to prevent accidents. Why is this necessary?
Well, you see, without side view mirrors, changing lanes or reversing is challenging and can lead to an unsafe situation that could lead to an accident.
So, the laws regarding this matter are different from state to state, so we have done the legwork for you so you don’t have to.
Here is a list of US states that permit vehicle owners to drive without doors, provided at least one mirror can be seen for navigational assistance.
| States That Allow for Doorless Driving with One Side Mirror | Number of Must Have Mirror |
| Alabama, | One (1) Mirror |
| Connecticut, | One (1) Mirror |
| Delaware, | One (1) Mirror |
| Florida, | One (1) Mirror |
| Hawaii, | One (1) Mirror |
| Illinois, | One (1) Mirror |
| Indiana, | One (1) Mirror |
| Maine, | One (1) Mirror |
| Massachusetts, | One (1) Mirror |
| Minnesota, | One (1) Mirror |
| Mississippi, | One (1) Mirror |
| Montana, | One (1) Mirror |
| New Mexico, | One (1) Mirror |
| North Carolina, | One (1) Mirror |
| North Dakota, | One (1) Mirror |
| Oregon, | One (1) Mirror |
| South Carolina, | One (1) Mirror |
| South Dakota, | One (1) Mirror |
| Tennessee, | One (1) Mirror |
| Texas, | One (1) Mirror |
| Utah, | One (1) Mirror |
| Wisconsin. | One(1) Mirror |
States That Require You To Have At Least Two Mirrors
Here you can find a list of states that will allow you to have or drive your Jeep vehicle without doors, with the exception that you must have at least a minimum of two mirrors to guide you which could be either the two sides mirror (left & right mirror) or a center and one side mirror.
| States That Allows for Doorlless Driving with at leat two(2) Side Mirrors | Number of Must Have Mirror |
| Arizona, | Two(2) Mirrors |
| California, | Two(2) Mirrors |
| Colorado, | Two(2) Mirrors |
| New Hampshire, | Two(2) Mirrors |
| Oklahoma, | Two(2) Mirrors |
| Rhode Island, | Two(2) Mirrors |
| Washington. | Two(2) Mirrors |
States With Additional Laws along side having one or two mirror)
So some states have additional requirements based on your Jeep model and registration. To help you out, we’ve compiled a list of all these other states with amendments to either the singular or double mirror rule and guideline. Take a look at the following before heading out with your doorless jeep.
- Kentucky: You will also require either a left side mirror and either a right-side or center mirror for proper positioning.
- Nevada: A left-side mirror as well as an unobstructed center or right-side mirror providing 200 feet of visibility behind the vehicle are required.
- Maryland: A left-side mirror is required, along with an unobstructed center or right-side mirror that gives 200 feet of visibility behind the vehicle.
- Virginia: A left-side mirror as well as an unobstructed center or right-side mirror that provides 200 feet of visibility behind the vehicle is required.
- Kansas: For proper reflection, you will need a left side mirror in addition to either a right-side or center mirror.
- Michigan: If your Jeep is registered as a historic vehicle, there may be an exception to this clause; however, for newer models, a left-side mirror is mandatory.
- Missouri: You need side mirrors on either side of the center mirror is blocked and you can’t see behind you without physically looking back.
- New Jersey requires drivers to have both a left-side mirror and either a right-side or center mirror, depending on the car model. These requirements may change based on model type.
- New York: If the car is registered in New York, a left-side mirror is required. However, older models such as 1967 may be exempt from this requirement. On other states’ vehicles registered outside New York, only an unobstructed center mirror and no side mirrors are needed.
- Ohio: If the view from your center mirror is impaired or obscured, side mirrors may be necessary or required to enhance clarity.
- Vermont: InVermont, vehicles do not mandatorily need mirrors unless for pulling trailers and tucking.
For those of you driving Jeep Gladiators or Renegades, it is less likely that you will get pulled over. But for everyone else, it’s best to avoid any hassle and ensure you adhere to every state regulation as closely as possible. And don’t forget to check the weather before your doorless road trip!
Now can you drive a Jeep without doors on the highway see my response below.
Can you drive a Jeep without doors on the highway?
My answer is absolute yes, you can drive your Jeep without doors on the highway and it is legal to drive your Jeep on the highway without doors. But the caveat is that you must comply with the state’s laws and regulations where you live. And that is because driving without doors can be riskier than driving with them, especially when speeding on the interstate and so these rules are there to keep everyone safe
FQA
1. What do you call a Jeep without doors?
A Jeep without doors is often referred to as an open-air Jeep or a doorless Jeep. This configuration is popular among Jeep fanatics or Jeep lovers to make their off-roading tips very adventurous and to enhance their car’s sense of freedom and off-cause for fans.
2. Why are jeeps allowed to have no doors?
Well, the answer is simple, Jeeps are allowed to have no doors, particularly because most models like the Jeep Wrangler, are designed with removable doors as a feature to enhance the off-road experience and provide an open-air feel for owners, drivers, and passengers. This design choice appeals to adventurers and off-roaders who value such versatility and unique experience.
3. Can you take the doors off every Jeep?
While it’s a common practice to remove the doors on specific types of Jeep models like the Wrangler, you must know that not all Jeeps are designed for easy door removal. It’s essential to consult your owner’s manual and ensure your specific jeep model supports and allows for easy door removal.
4. Is it legal to drive a car without doors besides Jeep Wrangler?
The legality of driving a car without doors varies by location and vehicle type. For instance, the Jeep Wrangler is designed explicitly for door removal, but other vehicles may not be designed to accommodate this feature. So you should always check your car owner’s manual and the local laws to ensure that your car meets safety standards before considering going doorless.
5. Is it legal to drive a Jeep without doors in Australia?
In Australia, driving a Jeep without doors may be considered illegal as it might not comply with the Australian Design Rules (ADRs). However, there are no specific laws requiring actual doors, and these laws may vary between states and territories. Be sure to check your local regulations before driving doorless.
6. Is it illegal to drive with no doors in a Jeep Grand Cherokee in Texas?
Driving a Jeep Grand Cherokee without doors in Texas could be considered illegal if it doesn’t meet safety standards. The Grand Cherokee is designed for something other than door removal, like the Wrangler. It’s crucial to check state laws and ensure your vehicle meets safety requirements before driving doorless.
Conclusion
Though driving a Jeep without doors may be an ultimate Jeep experience, safety should always come first. No matter what kind of vehicle you drive, accidents can happen at any time – so ask yourself, “Do I really need this?” Take precautions and wear your seatbelt for a worry-free journey that doesn’t break the bank.
Finally, be aware of your state laws, abide by the rules, and drive safely – but most importantly: enjoy your ride!
So, is it legal to drive a jeep without doors, or can you drive a jeep without doors on the highway? I am sure you know what is required of you have read through this article to this point.
Uchenna is a Radiographer and Auto parts mechanic who recently got his automotive diploma as an auto repair technician, and since then, has worked on fixing various car problems.
Working as just a radiographer, Uchenna didn’t just get all the fulfillment he desired, because he truly loved doing things tilted toward cars. As a kid, he would take apart his toy cars to see how they worked and would spend hours tinkering with his bike.
So, in 2017 he made the tough decision to become an auto mechanic. He threw himself into his studies and now loves every aspect of what he does.
He gets to work with his hands, solving problems and bringing cars back to life, and sharing his knowledge and easy quick-fix guide online are all part of what makes him feel fulfilled.
