# Is it illegal to drive with a hood on? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [October 30, 2005, 5:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-illegal-to-drive-with-a-hood-on/328563 "2005-10-30T05:25:05Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![PinkShoes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/76d3ee/32.png) [@PinkShoes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PinkShoes)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2005, 5:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-illegal-to-drive-with-a-hood-on/328563/1 "2005-10-30T05:25:05Z")
Is it illegal to drive with a hood on because I did that tonight. I was cold so I thought it was OK. A cop drove right past me and didn’t do anything, but I got scared and pulled it down so I wouldn’t get pulled over. I thought it has something to do with obstructing the view of driving. ---
**Author:** ![danceswithcats](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9e8a1a/32.png) [@danceswithcats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/danceswithcats)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2005, 6:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-illegal-to-drive-with-a-hood-on/328563/2 "2005-10-30T06:54:28Z")
Is it illegal to drive with a hard on because I did that tonight. I has horny so thought it was OK. A cop drove right past me and didn’t do anything, but I got scared and pushed it down so I wouldn’t get pulled over. I thought it has something to do with obstructing the view of my member. ---
**Author:** ![PinkShoes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/76d3ee/32.png) [@PinkShoes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PinkShoes)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2005, 8:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-illegal-to-drive-with-a-hood-on/328563/3 "2005-10-30T08:19:58Z")
:rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![SleepyDuck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a183cd/32.png) [@SleepyDuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SleepyDuck)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2005, 9:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-illegal-to-drive-with-a-hood-on/328563/4 "2005-10-30T09:00:19Z")
> [@PinkShoes](#): > > :rolleyes: Hey, I know everybody hates the “google ad hijack”, but what’s up with these? > [@](#): > > Get Paid to Drive > Drive a Free New Car or Get Paid up to $3200 /mo. to drive! > > Get Paid to Drive Scams > Do not join a “get paid to drive” website until you read this. :dubious: ---
**Author:** ![snailboy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/97f17d/32.png) [@snailboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snailboy)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2005, 1:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-illegal-to-drive-with-a-hood-on/328563/5 "2005-10-30T13:58:15Z")
Uhh… I hope it’s not because I’m not going to unbolt my hood so people can steal my battery. ---
**Author:** ![Khadaji](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Khadaji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khadaji)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2005, 2:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-illegal-to-drive-with-a-hood-on/328563/6 "2005-10-30T14:29:14Z")
> [@PinkShoes](#): > > Is it illegal to drive with a hood on because I did that tonight. I was cold so I thought it was OK. A cop drove right past me and didn’t do anything, but I got scared and pulled it down so I wouldn’t get pulled over. I thought it has something to do with obstructing the view of driving. IANAL or a law enforement agent, but I have never heard of it being illegal to drive with a hood on. However, if it obstructs your vision in any way, it may not be wise or safe. ---
**Author:** ![kanicbird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/5f8ce5/32.png) [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2005, 2:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-illegal-to-drive-with-a-hood-on/328563/7 "2005-10-30T14:54:13Z")
I just got it, you mean a hood on a jacket. I thought you ment the hood of a car, which I think is a good idea to have on, though I don’t think it’s illegal to drive w/ it off. I don’t know but I don’t think it’s illegal. ---
**Author:** ![Harmonious\_Discord](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/74df32/32.png) [@Harmonious\_Discord](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harmonious_Discord)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2005, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-illegal-to-drive-with-a-hood-on/328563/8 "2005-10-30T15:07:57Z")
I was about to post that if you heard “It’s illegal to drive with you hood up.” they meant vehicle hood. I could see the police giving a ticket for obscured vision if it was one of those parka coat hoods, or like Kenny on South Park. ---
**Author:** ![samclem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a9a28c/32.png) [@samclem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samclem)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2005, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-illegal-to-drive-with-a-hood-on/328563/9 "2005-10-30T15:11:24Z")
**Mod note** > [@danceswithcats](#): > > Is it illegal to drive with a hard on because I did that tonight. I has horny so thought it was OK. A cop drove right past me and didn’t do anything, but I got scared and pushed it down so I wouldn’t get pulled over. I thought it has something to do with obstructing the view of my member. **danceswithcats**. Parody threads don’t belong in GQ. Thanks for your co-operation. **samclem** GQ moderator. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2005, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-illegal-to-drive-with-a-hood-on/328563/10 "2005-10-30T18:06:34Z")
My guess is that there is no law specifically banning wearing hoods while driving, but instead there is one that bans anything that may obstruct the driver’s viewpoint. ---
**Author:** ![elfbabe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b782af/32.png) [@elfbabe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfbabe)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2005, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-illegal-to-drive-with-a-hood-on/328563/11 "2005-10-30T20:13:24Z")
I don’t know what it’s like where you are, but the hoods on all of MY jackets cover the back of my head, not the front. 😛 Seriously, though, why _would_ it be illegal? ---
**Author:** ![mangeorge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d78d45/32.png) [@mangeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mangeorge)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2005, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-illegal-to-drive-with-a-hood-on/328563/12 "2005-10-30T20:19:09Z")
> [@elfbabe](#): > > I don’t know what it’s like where you are, but the hoods on all of MY jackets cover the back of my head, not the front. 😛 > > Seriously, though, why _would_ it be illegal? It’s illegal where I live to drive with headphones (the walkman law) on. mangeorge ---
**Author:** ![mangeorge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d78d45/32.png) [@mangeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mangeorge)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2005, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-illegal-to-drive-with-a-hood-on/328563/13 "2005-10-30T20:26:13Z")
> [@samclem](#): > > **Mod note** > > **danceswithcats**. Parody threads don’t belong in GQ. Thanks for your co-operation. > > **samclem** GQ moderator. **samclem** is so gentle, elevating **dwc’s** reply to the level of parody. 😉 mangeorge ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d26b3c/32.png) [@Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Blue_Sky)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2005, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-illegal-to-drive-with-a-hood-on/328563/14 "2005-10-30T20:27:41Z")
> [@elfbabe](#): > > I don’t know what it’s like where you are, but the hoods on all of MY jackets cover the back of my head, not the front. 😛 > > Seriously, though, why _would_ it be illegal? The hood could be pulled so far forward as to block the driver’s face. In Georgia, it’s illegal to drive with a mask on. Maybe this is related to that. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2005, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-illegal-to-drive-with-a-hood-on/328563/15 "2005-10-30T20:30:46Z")
> [@elfbabe](#): > > I don’t know what it’s like where you are, but the hoods on all of MY jackets cover the back of my head, not the front. 😛 > > Seriously, though, why _would_ it be illegal? It obscures your peripheral vision (depending on what kind of hood, and how you wear it). That’s one reason I can’t stand hoods…I don’t feel fully aware of my surroundings. Remember, you have to pass a peripheral vision test as part of your driver’s license test (at least here in Illinois), so it’s not an illogical thought that driving with hoods that obscure peripheral vision would be illegal. ---
**Author:** ![spingears](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ebca7d/32.png) [@spingears](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/spingears)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2005, 12:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-illegal-to-drive-with-a-hood-on/328563/16 "2005-10-31T00:58:26Z")
> [@PinkShoes](#): > > Is it illegal to drive with a hood on because I did that tonight. I was cold so I thought it was OK. A cop drove right past me and didn’t do anything, but I got scared and pulled it down so I wouldn’t get pulled over. I thought it has something to do with obstructing the view of driving. WAG I always keep the hood latched down tight, rain or shine, snow or sleet, tropic heat, or antartic cold. Why would anyone do otherwise? I also use a wide angle periscope for an unobstructed view. I’m not going to be hoodwinked! 😉 ---
**Author:** ![ouryL](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ouryl/32/6067_2.png) [@ouryL](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ouryL)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2005, 4:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-illegal-to-drive-with-a-hood-on/328563/17 "2005-10-31T04:35:30Z")
but don’t be suprised if they pull you over… ---
**Author:** ![elfbabe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b782af/32.png) [@elfbabe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfbabe)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2005, 6:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-illegal-to-drive-with-a-hood-on/328563/18 "2005-10-31T06:25:18Z")
> [@mangeorge](#): > > It’s illegal where I live to drive with headphones (the walkman law) on. Understandable, as having things covering your ears AND playing music into them makes it more difficult to hear important driving-related sounds. But hoods don’t play music. > [@Mr. Blue Sky](#): > > The hood could be pulled so far forward as to block the driver’s face. It COULD, I suppose, but you’d have to either have a hood with those big velcro mouth-covering flaps or pull it extremely tight in order to really get the Kenny-from-South-Park effect. > [@pulykamell](#): > > It obscures your peripheral vision (depending on what kind of hood, and how you wear it). Hmm… the majority of hooded jackets I see around DON’T have the big puffy furry edges… and people usually don’t pull them really tight unless it’s REALLY cold out. So I guess we’ve theorized ways that the wrong kind of hood, worn a certain way, could theoretically be like other things that aren’t allowed while driving… but have we found any evidence that wearing a hood while driving actually IS illegal anywhere? ---
**Author:** ![PinkShoes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/76d3ee/32.png) [@PinkShoes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PinkShoes)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2005, 8:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-illegal-to-drive-with-a-hood-on/328563/19 "2005-10-31T08:05:22Z")
> [@samclem](#): > > **Mod note** > > **danceswithcats**. Parody threads don’t belong in GQ. Thanks for your co-operation. > > **samclem** GQ moderator. Is this turning into a Weird Al thread? ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2005, 1:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-illegal-to-drive-with-a-hood-on/328563/20 "2005-10-31T13:53:55Z")
> [@elfbabe](#): > > Hmm… the majority of hooded jackets I see around DON’T have the big puffy furry edges… and people usually don’t pull them really tight unless it’s REALLY cold out. I’m not talking hooded jackets, but winter coats. I _never_ use the hood (I wear a hat) because the sides of the hood are always forward of the plain of your eyes.