Laws for Traveling with Pets: State by State

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By: Taranjit | Last Updated: October 5, 2020

Seeing dogs roam around freely in the car as the owner drives is something I see way more often than not, and I always think to myself, is that safe? Is that legal? That shouldn’t be allowed, right? A dog (or any pet) can be a huge distraction to the driver and we all know (or at least I hope we all know) that distracted driving is extremely dangerous, and if you are not careful, it can end in a disaster. So, what does your state say in regards to this issue and do they have a law against it? Keep reading to find out!

States that have laws about properly restraining dogs in a vehicle:

Note: For updated information on your state’s laws, be sure to visit your state’s website.

Connecticut

There is no law that requires dog to be restrained while riding in a vehicle, but drivers can be written up for distracted driving if the pet is riding in their lap.

As for riding in the truck bed, your pet must be properly secured to prevent them from being thrown out, jumping out, or failing out.

Maine

There is no law that requires dog to be restrained while riding in a vehicle.

But it is prohibited for a dog to ride in the open portion of that vehicle (whether it be in the truck bed or in a convertible) unless the dog is secured in some humane way that will prevent it from being thrown or jumping out.

Be careful with allowing your pet to ride on your lap because you could get a distracted driving ticket.

Massachusetts

There is no law that requires dog to be restrained while riding in a vehicle.

As for riding in the truck bed, your dog must be properly restrained in a humane way.

Massachusetts does not tolerate animal and you could face jail time as a result of it; however, the law doesn’t clearly state what is considered an “inhumane” way to transport an animal.

Minnesota

There is no law that requires dog to be restrained while riding in a vehicle.

But you could be charged with a misdemeanor if your dog is not properly secured when being transported in the truck bed.

New Hampshire

There is no law that requires dog to be restrained while riding in a vehicle.

But you could be charged with a misdemeanor if your dog is not properly secured when being transported in the truck bed.

Rhode Island

As of 2012, dogs are required to be properly secured or restrained while being transported in a vehicle or under the physical control of a passenger.

States that do not have laws about properly restraining dogs in a vehicle:

Note: For updated information on your state’s laws, be sure to visit your state’s website.

Alabama

An officer can ticket you for animal cruelty if the way you transport an animal is found to be inhumane.

Alaska

Even though there is no state law, individual cities may have their own laws in regards to unrestrained animals in moving vehicles.

Arizona

Riding with your dog in your lap or allowing it to roam freely in your vehicle while you drive can cause you to get a distracted driving or unsafe drive ticket if an officer deems it to be unsafe.

Arkansas

There is no law, but if an officer deems it to be unsafe, the driver could be ticketed for unsafe driving.

Hawaii

There is no seat belt or restraint law for dogs, but you could get ticketed with distracted driving for allowing your dog to ride in your lap while you are driving.

Iowa

There is no law requiring a dog be properly restrained in vehicle during transport, but, Iowa does have a law stating that driving with an obstructed view is a violation and can result in a fine. Although, this doesn’t specifically state that obstruction by an animal is a violation, this is where discretion of an officer comes into play in determining whether having your pet ride on your lap is obstructing your view.

Mississippi

There is no law, but cruel and inhuman animal transport practices are banned in the state.

Nevada

There is no law requiring a dog be properly restrained in vehicle during transport, but, the Mississippi Dog and Cat Pet Protection Law of 2011 states that you can be charged with a misdemeanor for unsafely transporting your pet.

North Dakota

Did you know…that the Cruelty in Transportation law was repealed in 2013 in the state of North Carolina? The proposed law had stated that you would not be allowed to transport live animals in a vehicle without the proper restraints or in an inhumane way.

Ohio

There is no law requiring a dog to be properly restrained in vehicle during transport, but there is a law prohibiting animal cruelty.

Oklahoma

There is no law requiring a dog be properly restrained in a vehicle during transport, but there is a law prohibiting transporting an animal in a cruel manner and can result in a misdemeanor.

South Carolina

There is no law requiring a dog be properly restrained in vehicle during transport, but you can be ticketed if an officer thinks your pet (whether they are sitting on your lap or not) is obstructing your view and making it unsafe for you to drive.

Tennessee

There is no law requiring a dog be properly restrained in vehicle during transport, but there are laws in place prohibiting cruel confinement and transport of animals.

There were two different bills that were proposed in regards to transporting animals in a vehicle, but both were defeated: TN H 2998 which would have made it illegal to drive with an animal on your lap or between the driver and his door and TN H 212 which would have required animals be properly and safely restrained in a vehicle while being transported.

Texas

There is no law requiring a dog be properly restrained in vehicle during transport, but there are laws in place prohibiting cruel confinement and transport of animals.

Utah

There is no law requiring a dog be properly restrained in vehicle during transport, but there are laws in place prohibiting cruel confinement and transport of animals.

Vermont

There is no law requiring a dog be properly restrained in vehicle during transport, but there are laws in place prohibiting cruel confinement and transport of animals.

Virginia

There is no law requiring a dog be properly restrained in vehicle during transport, but their DMV website states that pets can be a distraction while driving and they do recommend that pets be properly secured.

Washington

There is no law requiring a dog be properly restrained in vehicle during transport, but there is a law prohibiting transporting an animal in a cruel or unsafe manner and can result in a misdemeanor.

Additionally, in 2017, a distracted driving law went into effect, but doesn’t specifically state that driving with unrestrained pets is a type of distraction; however, if the situation is deemed safe by an officer, it may be considered a secondary violation if a driver is pulled over for reckless or careless driving. (since it’s secondary offense, riding with a pet in your lap can not initiate a traffic stop, but your behavior as a result of being distracted by your pet or driving recklessly can initiate the stop , followed by a secondary violation of the pet being the distraction)

Washington D. C.

There is no law about restraining pets in a vehicle, but interacting with pets has been listed as a distraction in D.C.’s distracted driving laws. Participating in such a distraction can result in a moving violation and a fine of $100 for first time offenders.

Wisconsin

There is no law requiring a dog be properly restrained in vehicle during transport, but there are laws in place prohibiting cruel confinement and transport of animals.

However, driving with a dog in your lap can result in a distracted driving citation because there is a law that states drivers should not be participating in any type of activity that interferes with their ability to safely drive their vehicle.

States that have ambiguous laws about driving with unrestrained dogs:

Note: For updated information on your state’s laws, be sure to visit your state’s website.

California

There is no law about properly securing a dog during transport, but there is a law stating that dogs must be properly secured when riding in the truck bed.

Even though the law that would have made driving with your pet in your lap illegal was vetoed, police officers can still write you up for driving at an unsafe speed when a pet is riding in your lap (because no speed is safe for doing so).

Illinois

There is no law about properly securing a dog during transport; however, in 2012, the state senator had proposed two methods of keeping dogs safe while driving. The first was a bill that would make it illegal to drive with your dog in your lap, and the second was a Safe Driving with Pets Task Force which would have provided recommendations on safely transporting an animal. But both were defeated.

Indiana

There is no law about properly securing a dog during transport, but a bill was proposed in 2017 stating that it would be illegal to drive with a dog in your lap, but that bill is no longer active.

Louisiana

There is no law about properly securing a dog during transport; however, there was a bill that was proposed about properly restraining a dog when being transported in a truck bed, but it was vetoed in 2014.

New Jersey

There is no law about properly securing a dog during transport; however, inhuman or cruel methods of transporting an animal will result in a disorderly offense and the driver could be fined anywhere between $250-1000.

In 2012, a bill was proposed that would require proper restraint of dogs in a vehicle, but the bill failed to be passed.

New York

There is no law about properly securing a dog during transport; however, a bill was proposed in 2012 that would prohibit driving with an unrestrained animal in vehicle, front or back; however, it did not pass.

States that don’t have any current laws about driving with unrestrained dogs:

Note: For updated information on your state’s laws, be sure to visit your state’s website.

Florida

There is no law about transporting unrestrained dogs, but unsecured pets are listed as one of the common distractions under a distracted driving campaign (in addition to, eating, daydreaming, and checking GPS app).

There was a bill proposed in 2017 that would prohibit dogs from being transported in a truck bed without restraint, but it was withdrawn.

Maryland

A bill was proposed about prohibiting drivers from driving with a dog on their lap, but the bill has not passed (as of Aug. 2018). Even though there is no law that exists that states that dogs should be properly secured while be transported, there is a Maryland Transportation Code that states you should drive with anything that may cause obstruct the driver’s view (doesn’t specifically say pets, but can apply to dogs riding in a driver’s lap).

Michigan

In 2017, A bill was proposed about prohibiting dog’s from riding in a driver’s lap, but it did not pass.

Interestingly, they do have a restriction when it comes to wolf-dog hybrids. These hybrids must be transported in compliance with the International Air Transport Association’s Live Animal Regulation for Dogs.

North Carolina

A bill was proposed in 2017 to prohibit pets from riding in a driver’s lap, but it did not pass. However, the state does have laws about transporting animals in cruel and inhumane ways, and doing so will result in a misdemeanor charge.

Oregon

Oregon has a law about properly securing a dog when riding in the bed of the truck (to prevent it from failing out); however, the laws that were proposed in 2018 & 2019 in regards to making transportation of a dog requirements stricter failed to pass.

Pennsylvania

In 2005, a bill was proposed to require pets to be properly secured while be transported in a vehicle, in addition, to proposing that all parts of the dog should remain inside the window at all times; however, it did not pass.

Final Thoughts:

Whether traveling with your pets or not, make sure you make the smart choice and reduce or eliminate all means of distractions. You have a huge responsibility when you take the wheel, and not taking this responsibility seriously can have severe consequences.

Comment down below your thoughts on this and whether you believe it should be a law or not in your state. Anyone live outside the U.S.? I am curious to know what the laws are in your country. Share them with us below!