Driving Out of State? 7 Traffic Laws That Vary by State

Planning a road trip? You’ve probably thought about where to stop, what to pack, and how long the drive will take. But have you checked the driving laws in different states along your route?

Traffic laws can change when you cross state lines, even between neighboring states. From accident reporting deadlines to motorcycle lane splitting, drivers generally must follow the rules of the state they’re traveling through, regardless of where their license was issued.

7 Traffic Laws by State: What to Check Before Your Trip

Here are seven traffic laws worth checking before driving through Oregon, Nevada, Arizona, or another state, along with practical tips to help you prepare.

1. Cell Phone Laws: What Can You Do While Driving?

Distracted driving is a common contributing factor in traffic accidents. That’s why California and neighboring states have similar laws restricting cell phone use behind the wheel, although the rules and exceptions aren’t identical.

Here’s how cell phone laws compare:

• California: Prohibits holding and operating a phone while driving. Hands-free use is permitted for drivers 18 and older, and limited single-swipe or single-tap use of a properly mounted phone is allowed.
• Oregon: Generally prohibits holding or using a mobile electronic device while driving, including at red lights. Hands-free use is permitted for drivers 18 and older, subject to certain restrictions.
• Nevada: Prohibits texting, accessing the internet, and making handheld phone calls while driving. Hands-free calls and voice-operated navigation are generally permitted.
• Arizona: Prohibits holding or supporting a phone while driving, as well as manually reading or sending messages. Hands-free calls and navigation are permitted.

What about teen drivers? Drivers under 18 may face stricter restrictions, including limits on hands-free phone use. Check the rules for younger drivers before allowing a teen to drive across state lines.

2. Accident Reporting: Deadlines and Requirements

If you’re involved in an accident out of state, don’t assume the reporting rules are the same as California’s. You generally must follow the laws where the crash happened, even if you don’t live there.

Reporting deadlines and requirements differ by state:

• California: File an SR-1 within 10 days if someone is injured or killed, or property damage exceeds $1,000.
• Oregon: Requires an Oregon Traffic Collision and Insurance Report within 72 hours if someone is injured or killed, your vehicle has over $2,500 in damage, any vehicle has over $2,500 in damage and a vehicle is towed, or other property damage exceeds $2,500. Reporting is required even if police investigate.
• Nevada: Requires an SR-1 report within 10 days if a crash causes injury, death, or $750 or more in damage to any one person’s property or vehicle. A separate SR-1 is generally unnecessary if police investigated and their report includes the required insurance information.
• Arizona: Requires immediate notification to law enforcement if a crash causes injury or death. Under ARS § 28-667, investigating officers must complete a written report within 24 hours after finishing their investigation. Drivers generally do not need to file a separate DMV report.

Important: Reporting a crash to police doesn’t always satisfy DMV reporting requirements. Your insurance company may also have separate notification deadlines, so check your policy and notify your insurer promptly.

3. Turning at Red Lights: What’s Allowed?

Most drivers know they can generally turn right on red after stopping and yielding, unless a sign prohibits it. But turning left on red is more restricted, and the rules vary depending on whether you’re turning from a one-way or two-way street.

Here’s how left-turn-on-red laws compare:

• California, Nevada, and Arizona: Generally allow left turns on red only from a one-way street onto another one-way street, after stopping and yielding.
• Oregon: Allows left turns on red from both one-way and two-way streets onto a one-way street, after stopping and yielding.

What’s the difference? In California, Nevada, and Arizona, a left turn on red generally requires both the street you’re leaving and the street you’re entering to be one-way. Oregon also permits the turn from a two-way street, provided you’re entering a one-way street in the permitted direction.

4. Pedestrian Crosswalk Laws: When Must Drivers Yield?

A pedestrian is crossing a wide intersection, but they’re still several lanes away from you. When is it safe—and legal—to proceed?

The answer can depend on the state’s pedestrian right-of-way rules.

Each state has its own requirements for yielding to pedestrians:

• California: Requires drivers to yield to pedestrians crossing within marked and unmarked crosswalks.
• Oregon: Requires drivers to stop and remain stopped for pedestrians entering or crossing a crosswalk until they have cleared the driver’s lane and the adjacent lane.
• Nevada: Requires drivers to yield to pedestrians in marked or unmarked crosswalks when they are crossing the driver’s half of the roadway or approaching closely enough from the opposite half to be in danger.
• Arizona: Generally requires drivers to yield when a pedestrian is on their half of the roadway or approaching closely enough from the opposite half to be in danger.

These rules depend on the roadway, traffic signals, and the pedestrian’s location. Drivers should never assume they can proceed simply because a pedestrian is several lanes away.

What is an unmarked crosswalk? Many intersections have legally recognized pedestrian crossings even without painted crosswalk lines. Drivers should not assume that the absence of markings means pedestrians have no right-of-way.

5. Motorcycle Lane Splitting: Where Is It Allowed?

If you’re used to seeing motorcycles travel between lanes of traffic on California freeways, you might assume the same rules apply in neighboring states. But that’s not always the case.

Motorcycle lane splitting and lane filtering laws differ significantly across state lines:

• California: Allows motorcycle lane splitting when done safely.
• Oregon and Nevada: Prohibits motorcycle lane splitting.
• Arizona: Allows a limited practice called lane filtering. Two-wheeled motorcycles may pass stopped vehicles traveling in the same direction on streets with at least two same-direction lanes and speed limits of 45 mph or less, at no more than 15 mph, when safe.

Lane splitting vs. lane filtering: Lane splitting involves riding between lanes of traffic, including moving vehicles. Lane filtering generally involves passing between stopped vehicles under specific conditions.

6. Headlight Requirements: When Must You Use Them?

Headlights aren’t just for nighttime driving. Rain, fog, snow, and poor visibility can also determine when you’re legally required to use them.

Here’s when headlights are required in different states:

• California: Requires headlights when visibility falls below 1,000 feet or windshield wipers are in continuous use due to rain, fog, snow, or other atmospheric moisture.
• Oregon: Requires headlights when conditions make people or vehicles difficult to see at 1,000 feet. Headlights are also required beginning at sunset.
• Nevada: Requires headlights starting 30 minutes after sunset and whenever poor visibility makes people or vehicles difficult to see at 1,000 feet.
• Arizona: Uses a 500-foot visibility standard and requires headlights beginning at sunset.

Travel tip: Turn on your low-beam headlights in rain, fog, snow, or poor visibility. Daytime running lights and automatic lighting systems may not activate your taillights, so check that your full lighting system is on.

7. Child Car Seat Laws: Age and Height Requirements

Traveling with children? Car seat laws vary by state, and California has new seat belt fit requirements taking effect in 2027. Depending on the state, the rules may consider a child’s age, height, weight, and seat belt fit.

Child restraint requirements vary by state:

• California: Starting January 1, 2027, under AB 435, children ages 8 through 15 must meet a five-step seat belt fit test to ride without an appropriate child restraint, such as a booster seat.
• Oregon: Requires child safety seats for children under 40 pounds and appropriate restraints until age 8 or 4 feet 9 inches tall, with proper seat belt fit.
• Nevada: Requires child restraints for children under 6 who are shorter than 4 feet 9 inches.
• Arizona: Requires child restraints for children under 5 and children ages 5 through 7 who are 4 feet 9 inches or shorter.

What is California’s five-step seat belt fit test? The test checks whether a child can sit fully against the seat, bend their knees at the seat’s edge, keep the shoulder belt across the chest and shoulder, position the lap belt low across the thighs, and maintain proper belt positioning throughout the trip.

Travel tip: Check child passenger safety requirements for every state along your route. Even if your child meets the legal minimum, a booster seat may still be necessary for the seat belt to fit properly.

Visiting California? A Few Traffic Laws Worth Knowing

If you’re visiting California, a few traffic and parking laws are worth knowing before you hit the road.

• U-Turns at Intersections: California generally permits U-turns at intersections when they can be made safely, unless signs, traffic signals, or other restrictions prohibit them. In business districts, U-turns are generally limited to intersections or designated openings in divided highways.
• Parking in Front of Driveways: California prohibits parking in front of public or private driveways, even for a brief stop. Exceptions are limited to situations specifically authorized by state law or local regulations.
• Move Over for Stopped Vehicles: Since January 2026, California’s Move Over law has also covered ordinary vehicles stopped along a highway with hazard lights or qualifying warning devices. Drivers must change lanes when safe or slow down as required when approaching qualifying stopped vehicles.
• License Plate Visibility Requirements: California prohibits covering or altering license plates in ways that interfere with their visibility, legibility, or legally required electronic recognition.

What If You’re in a Car Accident Out of State?

An accident hundreds of miles from home can raise questions you may not have considered. Will your insurance cover you? Which state’s laws apply? Can you pursue a claim after returning to California?

Here are a few important things to know:

• Insurance coverage: Most California auto insurance policies provide coverage in other U.S. states, although the specifics depend on your policy.
• State laws: Where the crash occurred may affect how fault is determined, what compensation is available, and the deadlines for taking legal action.
• Accident documentation: Keep copies of your accident report, medical records, and other evidence, especially if you continue treatment or pursue a claim after returning home.
• Legal deadlines: The time limit for filing an injury claim may differ depending on where the crash occurred and which laws apply. Don’t assume California’s two-year deadline governs an accident in another state.

If you need legal help after returning home, you may also wonder whether you can hire an attorney from a different state.

At El Dabe Ritter Trial Lawyers, our California car accident lawyers can help you understand your options and determine whether we can handle your case. If your claim is better handled by an attorney in the state where the accident occurred, we can connect you with a trusted colleague there.

Your consultation is free, with no pressure or obligation.

Before You Hit the Road

A little preparation can make driving in another state less stressful. Understanding driving laws in different states, reviewing your insurance coverage, and giving yourself extra time on unfamiliar roads can help you travel with more confidence.

You don’t need to memorize every state’s traffic laws. Just know which rules may change before you cross the state line.

From all of us at El Dabe Ritter Trial Lawyers, we wish you safe travels wherever the road takes you. And if an unexpected accident leaves you with questions, we’re always here to help.