Remove your blindfold before driving, no driving on the roads, and no horn honking where sandwiches are present. They might seem ludicrous, but across North America, there are some unusual road rules that could land you a ticket if you don't obey them. As you climb into a car rental vehicle in any state or province, you'll likely be driving through a region with its own unusual, strange, or even wacky driving laws. Although most aren't enforced, here are some of the strangest road rules to watch out for on your next car rental excursion.
Dress Codes, Sidewalks and Horns
Did you know that in California it's illegal for women to drive in a house coat? It's also illegal for a car without a driver to travel more than 60 mph or to jump from a vehicle moving more than 65 mph. In Oregon, you must yield to pedestrians while driving on the sidewalk. In one town in Georgia, it's illegal to drive through playgrounds. In Little Rock, Arkansas, it's illegal to honk your horn anywhere that beverages or sandwiches are sold after 9pm. And in Rhode Island, you must make an audible noise when passing someone in your car.
Those Crazy Canucks
Unusual driving laws aren't unique to the United States. In New Brunswick, Canada, there is actually a law that says it is illegal to drive on the road. One would wonder why they've built thousands of kilometers of highway in this beautiful province? If that isn't confusing enough, one practical rule to learn is that if you're driving a car rental in Quebec, it's illegal to turn right on a red light, but only minutes south in Ontario, this isn't a problem. Make sure you watch for signs telling you you've entered a new Province, because these road rules can change quickly.
Around the World in Strange Laws
Did you know in Luxembourg, Europe, it is a requirement to have windshield wipers on your vehicle... but not a windshield? In Singapore, you can't come within 50 metres of a pedestrian crossing the street (that's half a football field!), and in Beijing, it's illegal to stop at a crosswalk. In Denmark it is illegal to start a car with someone underneath it — and someone must walk in front of your vehicle with a flag to warn horse-drawn carriages. And in Switzerland, if your car rental has snow tires, be sure to check for a sticker telling you it's illegal to drive at more than 160 km/h with those snow tires on. Many of these weird driving laws will never apply to you, but before you get into your car rental, be sure to ask if there are any strange local laws you should know about.
Every region has its own driving quirks. While most of these strange laws are rarely enforced, it's always a good idea to familiarize yourself with local road rules before hitting the highway in an unfamiliar destination.
Compare car rental deals from independent agencies and ask the locals about any unusual driving rules in your destination.