Is it Illegal to Sleep in your Car? (Everything to Know)

Is it illegal to sleep in your car? The few exceptions we’ll outline below will prove to you that it’s not illegal for you to sleep in the car according to federal law.

However, some United States cities have local laws (ordinances) in place to help control or stop sleeping overnight in vehicles.

Research shows that these laws control living in the car for longer. Therefore, you need to know of legalities as someone who travels by road to find places where you rest legally and confidently.

This will help if you would like to take a break from driving during a long-distance journey with your car. 

This article will provide you with information on visiting rest area on the highway, legalities, and situations that comes with parking at Walmart overnight.

Let’s get started!

In some states, staying overnight in rest shops is prohibited to help control loitering. With all these being said, it’s important to pick designated areas for your car; you shouldn’t just park & sleep anywhere you want.

Federal law prohibits:

• Falling asleep in your vehicle when you trespass without permission
• Sleeping at your wheel
• Sleeping in your car when you’re intoxicated

So that you know, Federal Laws are United States’ national laws that preside over local laws. Because of this, most travelers suggest getting some sleep anywhere as long as it’s only for a short break. Some travelers recommend being discreet, so you don’t get hung up on an ordinance. But then I suggest you always find designated stops!

Because of a link to people being homeless, laws that consider sleeping in vehicles in the cities are complex and sensitive. So I think it’s important to know the context, whether you agree with them or not.

To ensure you comply with the law when needing sleep:

• Avoid parking or sleeping within residential areas.
• If you do not have permission on private property, avoid it.
• Obey signage
• Avoid highway shoulders
• Stay clear of busy cities
• Avoid very popular tourist places like the beach when picking a sleeping site.

Why Is It Illegal to Sleep in One’s Car in Some Places?

Your question to yourself is probably, “why is sleeping in the car illegal?” Whereas it’s safer to sleep by the roadside than drive while drowsy. The answer to the question is up to local and state policies, designed for two reasons: to make insecurities in housing more challenging and making it safer to drive.

Most laws that do not support sleeping in cars can be linked to reasons regarding safety. Falling asleep in your vehicle when intoxicated can lead to very dangerous situations. The same thing applies to sleeping in the car when it’s parked on busy highway sides.

Other laws that are not in support of sleeping in cars

ẞcan be linked to homelessness. This law is designed for fishing out people who live in their cars and restricts places they can sleep. Most times, all the laws are not always enforced.

Also Read: How Long Does an Alternator Last (Every Factor Explained)

Places Where You Can Legally Sleep in Your Car

There are many US places where one can legally sleep in their car. However, it’s important to be aware that many local governments and states have rules

 that are against sleeping in your car all through the night. Some states have limited time (3 to 6-hour naps) to sleep in your car.

Few areas sleeping in cars are legally allowed generally are listed below.

Highway Rest Stops

It’s good news that many states are okay with rest areas on the highway and overnight parking. Generally, these states let you sleep at rest stops throughout the night, expecting you to continue your trip the next day.

States with a strict policy of “no” to sleeping in rest stops include Virginia, South Carolina, Tennessee, Colorado, Nebraska, Maryland and North Carolina

Walmart Parking Lots

One big topic for answering the question; “Is sleeping in my car here legal?” Is Walmart You can park legally and sleep throughout the night at most Walmarts. But the rule is not overarching, and not all Walmarts allow you to park your car overnight.

The official Walmart website stated they’re trying to accommodate parking overnight for RVs. Practically, this extends to all other car types as well. The ultimate decision lies in the hands of local laws and the Walmart manager.

It’s best to call the particular Walmart you want to park your car in so you can inquire from the management if it’s okay for you to park your car in their parking lot throughout the night. Getting an affirmation from the manager that Walmart is a good way of avoiding potential harassment when you’re trying to rest. Apps like AllStays can be used to find Walmarts that are open to parking overnight.

Dispersed Camping on Public Land

This is option campers, and seasonal road tippers have used for years. Unfortunately, many people aren’t aware of dispersed camping, as it’s part of America’s best-kept secret.

It’s unlikely for most people to think of the Bureau of Land Management during their daily routine. However, it’s a body it’s their responsibility to maintain some campsites ion the stunning country. These lands are public and off-beaten paths.

Two compact cars parked on a beach that’s beside a lake. Staying the night on public land not designated for camping can be referred to as dispersed camping. It has a simple rule.

One can camp at BLM sites for like fourteen days. These sites are natural gas pristine landscapes; you’re meant to leave the place neater than the way you met it. All you need is to be attentive to any signage which says that an area is not suitable for camping to ensure you’re not disrupting the land.

For more information, check the Bureau of Land Management dispersed camping website.

Can You Sleep in Your Car While Drunk?

As a young driver, you will likely want to sleep inside your car mostly after nights out. You can be prosecuted when you’re caught in the car, sleeping under the influence of drugs or drinks. This is so because, asides from it being illegal to drive after drinking, it’s also illegal to take drugs or be drunk in your car.

If you’re planning on driving back after hanging out at night, sleeping in your car for a while may seem like a bad idea to give yourself time for the alcohol to leave the system.

However, it won’t matter that you weren’t driving or were asleep while parked in a legal space; once the law is involved, you can still be found guilty of “possession of a car while drunk .”

You can be fined for that and earn some points on your driver’s license. This means that your car insurance may go up.

It’s not worth risking, so don’t…! Don’t sleep off in your vehicle once you’ve had something to drink. Instead, let a taxi or lift take you home. You could eventually go back to get your vehicle the following day when you’re no longer drunk.

Sleeping in Lorries, Motorhomes, and Caravans

Seeing parked cars and lorries in lay-bys late at night is common. Rules guiding sleeping and parking your car are the same.

But bigger cars might find it difficult to get safe parking space. There’s a local bylaw and height restriction in most car parks, which might prevent cars like motorhomes or caravans from parking in spaces with these exceptions overnight.

While parking a caravan on roadsides is not illegal, make sure it’s not parked dangerously and that it doesn’t cause any form of obstruction.

How to safely sleep in your car.

It’s important to prepare yourself if you plan to go on a long journey in your car. Adding to your already packed emergency kit, consider getting things for your comfort as you might sleep in the car and pack them in your car boot.

• Consider packing:
• Energy bars
• Water and snack
• A blanket/sleeping bag
• A pillow

Avoid parking your car in areas you feel are vulnerable, lock your car doors and open the window a bit for fresh air to come in, and exercise caution.

It’s advisable to turn off the car’s heater or air conditioning because not only is it bad for our environment, it wastes fuel, and running the car’s engine places unnecessary pressure on the car.

To avoid breathing toxic fumes, don’t leave the car’s engine running, particularly in a closed space.

It’s advisable to rest from time to time when you’re on a long journey, especially when You’re tired. Just try doing it safely and legally, and maybe welcome the novelty doing it brings.

Is sleeping in your car in Walmart illegal?

In some United States cities, sleeping in the car in Walmart is illegal if there’s an ordinance and the area has a local parking restriction.

Sleeping at Walmart overnight was originally made countrywide to welcome RV customers on road trips. But then people abused the offering, littering, disrupting, and causing damage to the place. So currently, individual discretion has been granted to the managers of Walmart stores.

To be able to stay the night at Walmart:

• To avoid nodding off, do not park around the street lamp
• Don’t be disrespectful to customers or staff
• Do not create a bad impression of road trippers, so as to avoid banning it by management.
• Before you do anything, ask for permission by calling or going into the store to as for permission.

Use Walmart Store Finder to get details of nearby Walmart stores and call them. Ask the Walmart store manager if there is space, to tell you of any local ordinances and whether you have their permission.

Where is it illegal to sleep in your car?

Location-wise, it’s not illegal to sleep in your car according to federal law unless you go to private property with no permission from the owner. Rest areas and durations you’re allowed to rest are referred to in state laws. For example, in Hawaii, it’s illegal from 18:00 to 6:00. In busy cities like San Diego, Key West, Minneapolis, and Los Angeles, sleeping in the car on private lands and public roadways is prohibited.

Popular tourist locations like busy cities and beaches are known for being strict on matters concerning parking policies, don’t ever assume that you can park anywhere overnight or just stop for a snooze.

This takes me to the last part, where one can sleep in their car!

How to Get Your Car Set for Sleeping

We have some ways for you to sleep in your car. This is dependent on the type of car that you have. I’m aware of people that sleep in hatchbacks, small sedans, pickup trucks, and vans. Some sleep in their car by reclining the front seat.

If you have a small car

Try accessing your trunk area by folding your back seats, staying down on a camping mat, then lying down with your head placed towards your front seats and your feet in your trunk.

Ensure the back window is covered somehow or tinted so that no one will be able to see you when they try looking inside your car. Hang a blanket or sheet over your front seats. No one can see the back if they peep from the front window. Try keeping everything tidy when you do this.

Also Read: Is Driving Barefoot Illegal (Everything to Know)

If you have a hatchback.

Hatchbacks like Toyota Prius will provide you with a bigger sleeping area. Fold the back seats, giving you a big space to create your bed.

Also, ensure your back windows are covered up or tinted so that no one will see them when they look through the window.

If you’re alone and will likely live in the car for a longer period, you can consider creating a dedicated area for your bed by removing your front passenger’s seat, with storage beside you.

Frequently Asked Questions – Is it illegal to sleep in your car?

Conclusion – Is it illegal to sleep in your car?

For any reason you consider sleeping in your car, you must be aware that local and state laws guide when and where it is allowed. If you’re not sure, search for the laws of your location on the internet. And ensure you use correct safety precautions when you want to park overnight or sleep in the car.