Is It Illegal To Drive Without A Shirt On In Iowa Or Illinois?

The beginning of September was a warm one across Iowa and Illinois. It was hot enough that my family had a chance to do some boating on the Mississippi River.

After a fun river day, we went back to my mom's to have some dinner, get cleaned up, and head back home. But since it was a short drive from the slip to the house, I decided to drive that short distance shirtless. While no one but Mrs. Kenney wants to see that, I was a little nervous about getting pulled over for driving shirtless.

But is it illegal to drive without a shirt in Iowa, Illinois, or anywhere else in the U.S.?

Like many traffic laws, every state can be different. Every officer can perceive "violating the law" in different ways too. If you're now ready to put on a shirt but you need to drive, you should know the law a little bit if you get pulled over for not having a shirt on.

States Where It's Illegal To Drive Without A Shirt

Just a reminder, it's kind of dangerous to drive shirtless or with a lot of skin showing, especially if you get into an accident. Clothes can be a barrier from glass and other debris that could cause injuries. And on hot days, who wants a burning seat belt to leave a sear mark across their chest? Not this guy.

Right now, there are only three states that say driving shirtless - especially for women - is against the law. Those states are:

• Utah
• Tennessee
• Indiana

Although there isn't a specific state law in Iowa or Illinois that says it's illegal to drive shirtless, being shirtless in public could get you a different type of ticket or even arrested.

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Driving Shirtless Could Be Indecent Exposure Or Cause Distracted Driving

If someone sees you driving and calls the police to complain, or a police officer finds you being shirtless is obscene or qualifies for indecent exposure, you could be pulled over.

At the federal level, indecent exposure refers to the act of intentionally exposing one's private parts in public, typically in a manner considered offensive, lewd, or indecent, according to Tom Fowler Law. Indecently exposing yourself is when you intentionally display your intimate body parts, like genitals or breasts, in a public place where others can see them.

Driving shirtless could also constitute distracted driving for others which would be causing the roadways to be unsafe. Guys, if you saw a woman driving without a top on, you can't tell me your life wouldn't be in immediate danger. It's no different than driving with a shirt that might have flashing lights on it that could be distracting for others. I'm talking about those light-up ugly Christmas sweaters.

The next time you want to drive home without a shirt on or just a bikini top, let me give you a little advice:

• Make sure it's a short distance to your next destination
• Check with local laws about appropriate clothing while driving
• Have an actual shirt handy in case it's needed
• Use your best judgment