For many tourists, “Las Vegas” conjures images of flashing casino lights, glittering musical extravaganzas, and spinning roulette wheels. But for some visitors, the rugged Nevada countryside just beyond the sparkle of the strip is a large part of the draw of the Silver State. For this reason, many travelers to Nevada enjoy the glitz of the Las Vegas strip for a weekend and then spend the remainder of their vacation time enjoying the rugged countryside and backwoods adventures in the surrounding unique Nevada terrain and nearby national parks. For some, this means enjoying an exhilarating ride in a jeep or other off-roading vehicle with the doors removed for a more authentic experience. But before you head out to Red Rock Canyon, Wheeler Pass, or the scenic desert, it’s important to know the legalities of driving without doors in Nevada.
Can I Drive Without Doors in Nevada?
Why keep anything between you and the rugged outdoors? For many who enjoy limitless adventure, exploring the countryside in a jeep or other 4-wheel drive vehicle with the doors removed is the best way to be IN the great outdoors rather than looking at it through windows. Removing the doors also makes the vehicle lighter and potentially more fuel-efficient. However, getting an expensive ticket definitely isn’t anyone’s idea of a vacation souvenir. So, is it legal to drive without doors in Nevada, or should drivers worry about possible penalties? Fortunately, Nevada is one of 49 states that allow motorists to drive without doors, with Pennsylvania the only exception. However, like most states, Nevada does add some important safety qualifiers to their open-door driving policy.
Mirror-Laws for Door-Free Driving in Nevada
Removing a vehicle’s doors also removes the side mirrors—a significant safety risk. Most states require vehicles to have one or two mirrors in place even after removing the doors. In Nevada, motorists who remove doors from their off-roading vehicles or other 4-wheel drives must follow the following mirror requirements in order for the vehicle to be street-legal:
- A left-side mirror, plus
- an unobstructed center mirror, or
- A right-side mirror with a minimum rear view of 200 feet
In Nevada, drivers can only drive on private property with no doors and no mirrors. Driving on any public access road requires mirrors.
How Do I Attach Side Mirrors Without Doors?
There are multiple ways to put mirrors in place after removing the doors from your vehicle. One of the simplest and most effective methods is to reattach the side rear-view mirrors to the top door hinge after removing the door. It’s important to check the view from the driver’s seat and angle the mirror up a bit since this places it at a lower height than when it’s in place on the door. You can also choose a quick-release base bracket that attaches to the pillar frame bolts by the windshield. This requires some installation but places the mirror at a better angle than the hinge method and reduces wind noise and vibration.
Remember, it’s fun to enjoy an exhilarating ride in the open air, but removing them leaves the driver and passenger more exposed to weather and vulnerable to injuries in the event of a Las Vegas car accident. Be sure to wear seatbelts and carefully adhere to traffic laws.