Can You Legally Drive a Jeep Without Doors? State Laws Explained
Driving a Jeep without doors can provide an exhilarating open-air experience. But is it actually legal to operate your Jeep on public roads once you remove the doors? Let’s explore the laws and best practices around driving a doorless Jeep.
Table of Contents
An Overview of Driving a Jeep Without Doors
Jeep Wranglers and other Jeep models are commonly driven without doors during nice weather. Owners enjoy the wind-in-your-hair feeling and improved visibility. Some models like the Jeep Wrangler even make it easy to remove the doors.
However, removing the doors takes away a protective barrier in the event of an accident. It also removes side mirrors that are often attached to the doors. So it raises the question – can you legally drive without doors, and if so, are there any special requirements?
The legality, mirror requirements, and safety precautions around driving without doors differ by state. So it’s important to check your local laws before taking the doors off your Jeep and hitting the open road.
Driving Without Doors is Legal in Most States
The good news is that it is legal to drive without doors in most states. Most states do not expressly prohibit driving a vehicle without doors, as long as certain mirror requirements are met.
However, a few states like Pennsylvania do specifically require doors as standard equipment. So it’s not legal in PA to drive your Jeep on public roads once you remove the doors.
Overall though, doorless driving is permitted as long as you take steps to comply with your particular state’s mirror regulations. This mainly involves having side mirrors to ensure you can still see alongside and behind the vehicle.
Mirror Requirements Vary By State
Since factory side mirrors are usually attached to the doors on Jeeps, removing the doors also removes the side mirrors. So you’ll need to consider how to replace them in a doorless setup.
Most states require at least one external side mirror on the driver’s side. Some states require just one mirror, while others require both a driver’s side and passenger’s side mirror.
For example, states like Texas require only a single mirror on the left or driver’s side. Meanwhile, Pennsylvania specifies that two mirrors are required – one on each side of the vehicle.
Some states may also specify details like the minimum mirror surface area. So check your local laws to determine the exact side mirror requirements in your state before driving without doors.
States That Require At Least One Mirror
The following states require only one mirror:
- Alabama
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Hawaii
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Maine
- Oregon
- South Dakota
- South Carolina
- Texas
- Tennessee
- Wisconsin
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Massachusetts
- Montana
- North Dakota
- New Mexico
- Utah
States That Require Two Mirrors Include
The following states require two mirrors:
- Arizona
- California
- Colorado
- Oklahoma
- Rhode Island
- Washington
- New Hampshire
How Many Mirrors Are Needed?
Given the variability in laws, the number of mirrors you should have if you want to drive doorless can vary.
Three Mirror Setup
To ensure you meet all regulations, a common setup is to have three mirrors:
- Interior rearview mirror
- Driver’s side mirror
- Passenger’s side mirror
This setup with three mirrors provides you with rearview and side visibility to safely operate your vehicle with the doors off. However, it’s important to note that while this setup is commonly accepted, the requirement for mirrors can vary by state.
Aftermarket Mirrors
Many doorless setups use aftermarket mirrors that attach to the windshield frame or other secure locations on the vehicle. Just make sure they meet your state’s size and mounting requirements. It’s crucial to ensure they are in compliance with your local laws when driving doorless.
Do Jeep Doors Provide Safety?
A common concern around driving without doors is safety. Do Jeep doors actually provide meaningful protection in a crash?
The doors certainly supply some safety benefits. They create a barrier between the passengers and road. They also contain components like side impact beams to disperse crash forces.
However, Jeep doors are much lighter than doors on other vehicles. They are designed more for weather protection than crash safety. Side rollover cages and your seat belts will provide more meaningful impact protection.
So while the doors do supply a layer of safety, other features are likely more important for protecting passengers in a serious accident. Proper seat belt use is critical in a doorless Jeep.
Driving on Public Roads Without Doors
Given the safety tradeoffs, is it actually advisable to drive your Jeep without doors on public roads?
The short answer is yes, as long as you follow safety precautions. The doors provide only limited extra protection, and most states allow driving without them.
The key is taking steps to ensure you remain visible to other drivers. Following mirror requirements, using seat belts, and driving defensively all help keep you safe.
You should also consider risks like road debris and car doors opening. A doorless Jeep leaves you more exposed to elements outside the vehicle. So keep hazards in mind, especially at higher speeds.
Special Requirements for Doorless Driving
While driving without doors is generally allowed, there are some special requirements to keep in mind:
- Meeting mirror regulations
- Ensuring seat belts function properly
- Using tube doors or door surrounds in some states
- Keeping the doors with you in the vehicle
- Following seat belt and passenger age requirements
- Watching for loose objects that could fly out
Make sure to look into the specific laws for your state. For example, some states require supplemental tube doors or door surrounds for safety. Others may prohibit unsecured passengers. Following the special rules helps ensure your doorless Jeep stays street legal.
How to Keep Your Jeep Street Legal?
Here are some tips for prepping your Jeep so it remains street-legal and safe to operate without doors:
- Check your state’s door and mirror laws to identify requirements
- Add aftermarket mirrors on both sides if needed
- Consider attaching tube doors or door surrounds
- Ensure the seat belts are in good working order
- Tuck away or remove loose objects in the cabin
- Bring the doors along and keep them secured
- Only carry passengers permitted by your state’s laws
- Adjust your mirrors for optimal visibility before driving
Meeting the mirror requirements and following safety precautions allows you to hit the road legally in your doorless Jeep. Just take steps to ensure visibility and safety based on your state’s regulations.
Steps Before You Drive Doorless
Before heading out in your Jeep without doors, make sure to:
- Remove debris, loose items from the cabin
- Secure items so they don’t fly out
- Adjust mirrors for optimal rear and side visibility
- Have all passengers buckle up seat belts
- Attach tube doors if required or for added safety
- Check tire pressure and vehicle fluid levels
- Bring removed doors along for re-attachment later
- Verify door hinge mechanism is in good condition
- Plan your route accounting for higher highway speeds
Taking these precautions helps you drive as safely as possible without doors. You’ll have peace of mind knowing your Jeep is prepped properly for the open road.
Tips for Safely Driving Your Doorless Jeep
Here are some best practices for safely operating your Jeep once the doors are removed:
- Drive defensively and keep situational awareness
- Brace yourself firmly in seat when accelerating
- Watch for opening car doors in traffic
- Secure loose hair or clothing before driving
- Keep speed moderate when off-roading
- Use added caution at highway speeds
- Avoid areas with potential for side-impact collisions
- Pull over if weather conditions worsen
- Reattach doors if it begins raining heavily
- Let passengers enter/exit vehicle before driving
Exercising additional care and vigilance helps compensate for the increased risks that come with driving doorless. Prioritizing safety ensures the doorless experience remains fun.
Enjoy the Ride – Safely!
Removing the doors from your Jeep Wrangler or similar vehicle allows you to enjoy an exhilarating open-air ride. Just be sure to check your state’s regulations and follow the proper precautions.
With the right mirrors, restraints, and defensive driving, your doorless Jeep can legally and safely cruise the open road. Use your best judgment, drive cautiously, and relish the feeling of freedom that comes from wheeling with no doors!
