Illinois Laws: Driving With A Dog In Your Lap–Legal Or Illegal?

Summer driving season has already started, even though the first day of summer 2025 is still around a week away. Nicer weather in Illinois means more people are getting out and about after a few months of snow, ice, and frigid conditions--and they're bringing their dogs with them.

We've already covered whether driving barefoot or in flip-flops is legal in Illinois (click here for the answer), so now we're going to see if driving around Illinois with your dog in your lap is going to get you an up-close-and-personal meeting with the police or not.

The state of Illinois is currently running a series of public service announcements about distracted and impaired driving called "It's Not A Game Illinois," but I couldn't find a single mention of vehicle drivers with a canine copilot in their laps.

Maybe it's just me, but my dog deciding to stomp all over my groin area while we're traveling down the road is probably going to distract me a little bit a great deal.

Early In 2023, A Bill Was Introduced In Springfield That Would Have Made It Illegal To Drive Illinois' Roads With A Pet In Your Lap, And It Included A $50 Fine

That bill, House Bill 2910 (HB2910), sponsored by Illinois state Representative Jawaharial Williams, failed to pass once it hit the House floor, not unlike a similar bill put forth back in 2013 here in Illinois.

Only two other states have specific legislation against driving with a pet in your lap, and they are Hawaii and New Jersey.

So, there's your bottom line. It's not illegal to drive with your dog in your lap in Illinois...but (and there's always a but) that doesn't mean that you're not going to find yourself in trouble for doing it.

Remember the word "distracted."

The Dog In Your Lap As You Drive Scenario Isn't Illegal, But Do You Know What Is? Distracted Driving, That's What

The Illinois Secretary Of State's Office says that they consider driving with a pet in your lap to be distracted driving, and that is something you can be ticketed and fined for.

From their office:

Do you do any of these things while driving?

• Text or read messages on your mobile device
• Talk on your mobile device
• Adjust your vehicle GPS
• Adjust the radio/music
• Eat
• Handle children or pets
• Apply makeup or look at yourself in the rearview mirror
• Daydream

If you perform any of these, you are driving while distracted and are 23 times more likely to cause a vehicle crash.