Is It Illegal to Sleep in Your Car?
Not sure how long this has been the case...or if its a further attempt from the globalist to penalize us even further along the lines of Agenda 21.. but
This surprised me..to find that in some USA states that its illegal to sleep in ones own car ! :o or I assume a rented car.
I far as I am aware its legal in Europe and most other Countries.
Its something that I have done to save on accommodation costs on many occasion both in the UK/ Europe or when travelling in the USA.
I recall of one person who travels through the USA and sleeps ofthen in his car and probably is not aware that if he is noted by the Police that he could be arrested if in the wrong state.
There has been many a story of people who fell on hard times and have had to sleep in their cars.
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If you've ever taken a road trip, you've been here. Stuck on the side of the road at 2:47 am, you've just passed through Vermont at record-breaking speeds, you've been traveling since 6 am the previous day, your trip mates are all already sound asleep and snoring, and the six pack of 5-Hour Energy you slammed twenty minutes ago isn't doing bupkis.
You don't want to fork over the cash for a motel room, so you decide to just pull over to the side of the road, and grab a few hours of rest. Then a thought enters your mind right before you drift off to sleep. Is this legal? And two minutes later, you're enjoying the most uncomfortable sleep of your life.
We've all been there, and we've all slept in our cars a handful of times, but few of us have ever thought seriously on whether or not crashing in your car for the night could wind us up in jail or to a lesser degree, having to a fine. We thought we'd attempt to address this question due to how many crazy answers people actually believe in. Here's the simple answer though to whether or not sleeping in your car is illegal. It's complicated.
We know that's probably not what you wanted to hear when you clicked on this page and began reading this article, but it's true. Sleeping in your car is a murky at best. It could be ok to do in one state, and not ok in another. Alternatively, the states that do have laws against it could have sections of the state where it is allowed making it extremely confusing for the average driver. The laws themselves though aren't exactly targeting people just sleeping in their cars as they cross the country. But rather they were designed to address people living in their cars.
Currently, the U.S. is still going through a recession. Employment for the millennial generation is at its lowest and more and more of this age group are moving back home with their parents. However, there is a growing population of them that are forgoing the parent's wonderful hospitality and moving into their cars and vans. It has become popular enough that there are no less than a few thousand articles online devoted to How To Live in Your Car.
However, because of this growing population of car dwellers, cities have been forced to address this issue. Not only have cities put laws in place concerning sleeping in one's car due to public safety, but also because sleeping in your car can potentially be dangerous for your health and the health of others. That said, because car dwellers sleep in their cars, both the matters of sleeping and living in your car had to be handled in the same broad strokes of the law.
Is It Illegal to Sleep in Your Car?
If you've ever taken a road trip, you've been here. Stuck on the side of the road at 2:47 am, you've just passed through Vermont at record-breaking speeds, you've been traveling since 6 am the previous day, your trip mates are all already sound asleep and snoring, and the six pack of 5-Hour Energy you slammed twenty minutes ago isn't doing bupkis.
You don't want to fork over the cash for a motel room, so you decide to just pull over to the side of the road, and grab a few hours of rest. Then a thought enters your mind right before you drift off to sleep. Is this legal? And two minutes later, you're enjoying the most uncomfortable sleep of your life.
We've all been there, and we've all slept in our cars a handful of times, but few of us have ever thought seriously on whether or not crashing in your car for the night could wind us up in jail or to a lesser degree, having to a fine. We thought we'd attempt to address this question due to how many crazy answers people actually believe in. Here's the simple answer though to whether or not sleeping in your car is illegal. It's complicated.
We know that's probably not what you wanted to hear when you clicked on this page and began reading this article, but it's true. Sleeping in your car is a murky at best. It could be ok to do in one state, and not ok in another. Alternatively, the states that do have laws against it could have sections of the state where it is allowed making it extremely confusing for the average driver. The laws themselves though aren't exactly targeting people just sleeping in their cars as they cross the country. But rather they were designed to address people living in their cars.
Currently, the U.S. is still going through a recession. Employment for the millennial generation is at its lowest and more and more of this age group are moving back home with their parents. However, there is a growing population of them that are forgoing the parent's wonderful hospitality and moving into their cars and vans. It has become popular enough that there are no less than a few thousand articles online devoted to How To Live in Your Car.
However, because of this growing population of car dwellers, cities have been forced to address this issue. Not only have cities put laws in place concerning sleeping in one's car due to public safety, but also because sleeping in your car can potentially be dangerous for your health and the health of others. That said, because car dwellers sleep in their cars, both the matters of sleeping and living in your car had to be handled in the same broad strokes of the law.
However, there are still places that have been set up for people to sleep in their cars. For instance, rests stops are always cool to sleep at. They were built for that specific reason. People traveling across the country or even just across state lines need these to stop, stretch their legs, and catch a few Z's before they get back on the road. It aids in road safety, and won't be taken away any time soon. There are also camp grounds, but usually you'll need to call ahead.
Parks, parking lots, and living in a van down by the river—well, that's where you should consult your local laws to find out if it's ok or not. Or just park next to the cop sleeping below, we doubt he'd have a problem with it.
https://www.yahoo.com/autos/s/illegal-sleep-car-173037499.html
You can sleep at truck stops, rest stops on the big highways and any walmart parking lot. Be sure to go in walmart and buy a bag a chips or candy or drink and tape the receipt on the car window so when security drives by and looks in, they know its a tired shopper snoring there.
As to the laws, I don't know, but I do know a lot of them have an engine idle law, so no idlin the engine to keep cool or warm in those states.
In the UK you are officially advised to pull up and take a nap during a long drive.
On the other hand, Scotland have/will be/want to pass a law making every baby born government property... Like overtly, cuz that's how it's always been covertly.
I never got arrested for pulling off to nap on straight through between Denver and Seattle. I never drove off the road either. Maybe I was just lucky. Thanks be that Donovan can start helping with the road trip driving in three more years.
Shasta
The one big problem I had with sleeping in places was bandits, lot lizards and people. It seemed when I parked in rest areas lot lizards would pound on the door. Same with at truck stops. I had criminal types try to get me to step out of my truck for something and I always told em that's ok, I'm fine right here.
One time late at night on I 10 east bound in the pecos of texas out in the middle of nowhere I park in a rest area all alone. I usualy sit up for a while to scope out the location before napping. Well, wouldn't ya know. In comes a station wagon and out pours a bunch a people. I go oh shit or as the safety net for bad words will go, poop.
So a girl crawls up on my steps and I'm sitting there in the seat so roll down the window some, and say, whats up. I can see a bunch of people in back of the trailer but who cares since it was empty. Ya, i'm worried cause this is the middle of nowhere and no one but these people are in this rest area.
She asked me questions and I answer in vague terms knowing this is going to be a heist if they see goodies back in the trailer. They soon realized there was nothing there for them so they all ran back to the station wagon and pulled out. Twenty minutes later so did I.
Beware of parking out in the deep dark night. Danger and death lurks for those who have no idea.
Yes that is what generally Most Drivers do when feeling tired and it should apply worldwide. Where one may decide to sleep or rest maybe part of the comments that I refer to.
but even In the UK as far as I am aware not that long ago...you could pull over almost anywhere on the public road allocated parking areas and rest or even sleep..as long as you are not in someones private area. Even a Street as long as its not one of the numerous restricted parking areas that have now evolved in many areas within the uK where you need a permit to park.
In two local main towns near to where I live.. you can often no longer park in someone else's street for free..they have brought in restricted parking for residents only... or else you have to pay at a parking meter at certain times.
In my own town that also applies but there are a few parts in certain streets where there is a FEW free parking spaces...but NOT many...
To me they have gone completely over the top with it.. as even if you want to visit a local friend...you have to park elsewhere or have a permit to do so.
due to the huge increase in people now having cars..
Yes its nice to not have anyone else park in your street and take up residents own parking spaces..
As far as I am aware you can rest or sleep if you park your car even in a paid zone....I am not aware that the police could arrest us for sleeping as yet.
In the centre of the local towns...dues to the severe restriced parking areas... it has SEVERELY stopped people visiting to do their shopping other than at the main supermarkets.. and many of the small businesses have either lost revenue or gone out of business.
The Councils have FINALLY... indicated that they have NOW reduced the parking fees as it has stopped people visiting the local town centres on a big scale..
How bloody ridiculous that its took then many years to realise this... or has it just been another globalist agenda to destroy the economy..and now its too late they now acknowledge their errors..of how much destruction this has caused local business.
But the point that I was indicating as I thought I understood it, was that in parts of the USA to park and sleep on roads or streets is now illegal...and you could be arrested.
I would hope that you could park in certain places such as service stations..and maybe some places like Walmarts without being arrested.
That to me seems like too much big brother...and another globalist part of their Agenda 21 type plans.
QuoteIn the UK you are officially advised to pull up and take a nap during a long drive.
Hi Gigas,
Yes I think in general , I would hope that almost anyone anywhere should be able to park in such areas..even in the restricted states that the article refers to.
I was mainly referring to the public drivers of cars rather than Lorry Drivers...who I suspect have different rules in general as to where they are advised to park and sleep if out on the road a few days.
I have a UK type Wallmart known as Asda near me..
and they only allow upto 3 hrs free parking even as a 24 hr store...with so much CCTV security now they can more easily monitor things.. and this seems to apply to many of the similar large supermarkets. So even in the UK there are restrictions that maybe you the USA don't have...
There are some other Shopping Zone areas that has parking areas that I think that are unrestricted other than the main supermarkets.
Generally when I have parked somewhere over night..
I try to find a out of the way place if in a country like area... and so far I have never had any issues..
and not that long ago in the last 6 months..I slept overnight in a car on / in a street in two holiday resort areas...outside someones house to one side of it out of the way of any ones windows.
QuoteYou can sleep at truck stops, rest stops on the big highways and any walmart parking lot. Be sure to go in walmart and buy a bag a chips or candy or drink and tape the receipt on the car window so when security drives by and looks in, they know its a tired shopper snoring there.
I am sure with you being a Lorry Driver and had to sleep overnight that you have had many unusual experiences and several scary situations especially in parts of the USA...
Although I am sure where ever one is in the world if they sleep in a lorry carrying expensive goods that ones always at risk to criminals..
And That there are many a time you get knocks on ones cab door from ladies of the night ! :)
Maybe you should write a book about your experiences..
QuoteThe one big problem I had with sleeping in places was bandits, lot lizards and people. It seemed when I parked in rest areas lot lizards would pound on the door. Same with at truck stops. I had criminal types try to get me to step out of my truck for something and I always told em that's ok, I'm fine right here.