Street Racing Laws by State (2026)
How each state handles street racing and the penalties, from each state's code.
| State | Street racing |
|---|---|
| Alabama | Racing on a public highway (drag races, speed contests, exhibitions of speed or speed-record attempts) is punished by a $500 fine and 5 to 90 days in jail for a first conviction (jail suspended for 30 days' probation), $3,000 and 10 days to 6 months for a second, and $6,000 and up to 1 year for a third, with the court ordering a driving ban of up to 6 months (first) or up to 1 year (repeat) and the vehicle impounded at arrest. A separate law bans speed contests, exhibitions of speed, street 'sideshows,' burnouts and donuts on roads or parking lots without the owner's consent: a Class C misdemeanor first, a Class B misdemeanor after that, a Class A misdemeanor with injury or property damage (6-month driving ban), a Class C felony with serious injury (2-year ban) and a Class B felony if someone dies; vehicles may be towed and held at least 48 hours. Ala. Code 1975 §§ 32-5A-178, 13A-11-300; §§ 13A-5-6, 13A-5-7 |
| Arizona | Racing, drag racing, acceleration contests or exhibitions of speed on a street or highway are a class 1 misdemeanor for a first violation, with a fine of at least $250 and a possible license suspension of up to 90 days. A second violation within 24 months is a class 6 felony, with at least 10 days in jail before release, a fine of at least $500, and a one-year suspension of driving privileges. Knowingly aiding or abetting a race is a class 2 misdemeanor (class 1 for a repeat within 24 months). A.R.S. § 28-708; §§ 13-702(D), 13-707 |
| Arkansas | Knowingly racing or drag racing on a public highway, or taking part in, promoting or collecting money for a race, is a Class A misdemeanor (up to 1 year); a repeat offense within five years is also a Class A misdemeanor but adds a six-month driver's license suspension. Racing that blocks or stops traffic, or happens as part of a gathering of ten or more people doing the same, is a Class D felony (up to 6 years). Knowingly watching a drag race and encouraging it to start is a Class B misdemeanor (up to 90 days). Officers may impound the vehicle, at the owner's cost, for a repeat or felony racing offense within five years of a prior one. Ark. Code § 27-50-309; §§ 5-4-201, 5-4-401 |
| California | Racing another car or a clock on a highway or in a parking facility (a 'speed contest') is a misdemeanor: 24 hours to 90 days in county jail and/or a $355 to $1,000 fine, plus 40 hours of community service, and the court may suspend the license for 90 days to 6 months. If the race injures someone else, it is 30 days to 6 months and/or $500 to $1,000; if it causes serious injuries such as a concussion or broken bone, it can also be punished as a felony under Pen. Code 1170(h). A second race within 5 years is 4 days to 6 months and $500 to $1,000. Exhibitions of speed, aiding a race, or blocking a road for one are misdemeanors up to 90 days and/or $500, and an officer may arrest the driver and impound the car for up to 30 days. Cal. Veh. Code 23109, 23109.1, 23109.2; Pen. Code 17, 18, 19, 1170(h) |
| Colorado | Knowingly taking part in a speed contest (racing or time trials on a highway) is a class 1 misdemeanor traffic offense, and a speed exhibition (such as burnouts, rapid acceleration, weaving or leaving tire marks to show off speed or power) is a class 2 misdemeanor traffic offense. Blocking a road to help a race or exhibition is charged as the offense the person aided. On a second conviction the court may order the vehicle immobilized for up to 14 days, and on a third or later conviction for more than 14 up to 30 days, in addition to any impound before sentencing. Organized events on authorized tracks are exempt. C.R.S. § 42-4-1105 |
| Connecticut | Driving on a public highway or parking area in a race, contest, demonstration of speed or skill, or 'street takeover' (blocking traffic intending to cause disorder or a nuisance) is a class A misdemeanor (up to 1 year) for a first offense and a class D felony (up to 5 years) for a later offense, with a fine of at least $2,000. Possessing a car meant for such an event, acting as starter, timekeeper or judge, betting on it, or recruiting participants (including on social media) is a class B misdemeanor (up to 6 months). The court may impound the driver's own vehicle for up to 30 days, or, if the car is registered to someone else, fine the driver up to $2,000 ($3,000 for a later offense). Conn. Gen. Stat. § 14-224(c), (g), (h); §§ 53a-35a, 53a-36 |
| Delaware | Driving in or helping promote a race, speed competition, drag race, acceleration contest or speed exhibition on a highway is illegal, as is deliberately spinning tires to make smoke or marks, or letting one's car be used for these. A first offense is an unclassified misdemeanor with at least 16 hours of community service and a 6-month license suspension; a repeat offense within 5 years is a class A misdemeanor with at least 40 hours of community service and a 1-year suspension (tire-spinning alone does not trigger suspension). Police generally impound the car for 72 hours, the court may impound it or take its plates for up to 90 days (1 year for a repeat), and the State may seek forfeiture if someone is seriously injured or killed. 21 Del. C. § 4172 |
| Florida | Driving in a street takeover, stunt driving, race, drag race or exhibition of speed on a highway, road or parking lot, or organizing, promoting, filming from a vehicle, blocking traffic for or riding as a passenger in one, is a first-degree misdemeanor with a $500 to $2,000 fine and a 1-year license revocation. A second violation within 1 year is a third-degree felony with a $2,500 to $4,000 fine and a 2-year revocation, and a third within 5 years is a second-degree felony with a $3,500 to $7,500 fine and a 4-year revocation; taking part in a coordinated takeover of 10 or more vehicles, or blocking an emergency vehicle, is a third-degree felony. Being a spectator is a $400 noncriminal infraction, and the court may order the vehicle impounded or immobilized. Fla. Stat. § 316.191; §§ 775.082, 775.083 |
| Hawaii | Driving in or taking part in a race, speed contest, drag race, acceleration contest, endurance test or speed exhibition on a highway is punishable by a fine of up to $500, up to 6 months in jail, or both; an exhibition of speed or acceleration alone is punished by a fine of up to $500, community service, or both. A violation that involves exceeding the speed limit by 30 mph or more carries up to a $2,000 fine and 1 year in jail, a 1-year license suspension with one prior conviction within 5 years, and a 3-year suspension plus possible vehicle forfeiture with two priors. HRS § 291C-103 |
| Idaho | Idaho bans driving in any race, speed competition or contest, drag race or acceleration contest, exhibition of speed or acceleration, or attempt to set a speed record on a highway, and bans taking part in one. It is a misdemeanor, punishable by up to 6 months in county jail, a fine up to $1,000, or both. Organized events that measure time and distance within the speed limit, or speed events held with written permission and notice to police, are exempt. Idaho Code §§ 49-1424, 49-236(1), (4), 18-113 |
| Illinois | Street racing (for example 2 or more vehicles racing side by side, a timed or course race, or trying to outdistance or block another vehicle), taking part in a street sideshow (blocking traffic for stunts, speed contests or exhibitions of speed), or slowing or stopping traffic to make either possible is a Class A misdemeanor (under 1 year) with a minimum $250 fine for a first offense and a Class 4 felony (1 to 3 years) with a minimum $500 fine for a second. A street-racing conviction leads to revocation of the driver's license. An owner who knowingly lets their vehicle be used for street racing or a sideshow commits a Class B misdemeanor (Class A for a repeat). Aggravated street racing, where the race causes a crash with great bodily harm or permanent disability or disfigurement, is a Class 4 felony with 1 to 12 years if prison is imposed. 625 ILCS 5/11-506; 730 ILCS 5/5-4.5-25 to -65 |
| Indiana | Engaging in a motor vehicle speed contest on a highway or street, or blocking or barricading a road to aid a speed contest, is a Class B misdemeanor (up to 180 days). A speed contest in the immediate vicinity of a highway worksite while workers are present is a Class A misdemeanor (up to 1 year), raised to a Level 6 felony with a prior worksite conviction in 5 years, while driving drunk, or if a worker is injured, and to a Level 5 felony if a worker is killed. Drag racing or a speed contest also counts toward habitual traffic violator status (3 qualifying judgments within 10 years). IC 9-21-6-1, 9-21-6-2, 9-21-6-3; IC 9-21-8-56(d), (f)-(h); IC 9-30-10-4(b)(7); IC 35-50-2-4 to -7, 35-50-3-2 to -4 |
| Iowa | Iowa's drag racing law bans engaging in, or aiding or abetting, any motor vehicle speed contest or exhibition of speed on a public street or highway, meaning competing in speed above the speed limit (a passenger is not treated as aiding). It is a simple misdemeanor, punishable by up to 30 days in jail and a fine of $105 to $855. Unintentionally causing a death while drag racing is a class D felony (up to 5 years). Iowa Code §§ 321.278, 707.6A(3), 903.1, 902.9 |
| Kansas | No one may drive in, or take part in, any race, speed competition or contest, drag race or acceleration contest, test of endurance, exhibition of speed or acceleration, or attempt at a speed record on a Kansas highway. Racing is a misdemeanor; under the traffic code's default rule an unclassified traffic misdemeanor is a class C misdemeanor (up to 1 month and $500), a class B misdemeanor (up to 6 months and $1,000) for a second offense within one year, and a class A misdemeanor (up to 1 year and $2,500) for a third offense within one year. K.S.A. 8-1565, 8-2116(b), 21-6602, 21-6611 |
| Kentucky | No one may engage in motor vehicle racing, drag racing or any other form of motor vehicle competition on a Kentucky street or highway, except at a racing event permitted by a local government under KRS 189.503. KRS 189.505, 189.503 |
| Louisiana | Louisiana bans drag racing, racing, speed contests, exhibitions of speed or acceleration and speed-record attempts on public roads or on public or private property open to the public, and participating in them. Without serious injury, it is punished under the general traffic penalty: up to $175 and/or 30 days for a first violation and up to $500 and/or 90 days for a later one. If serious bodily injury or death is connected to the race, the penalty is a fine of $500 to $2,000, 1 to 5 years with or without hard labor, or both. Police may impound the vehicle at the owner's expense for up to 14 days to gather evidence, and added fines of $10 to $100 apply by offense number. Events sanctioned by local governing authorities are exempt. La. R.S. 32:65; R.S. 32:57(A)(1) |
| Maryland | Driving in a race or speed contest on a highway or on private property used by the public, whether or not for a bet or prize, is prohibited, as is acting as a timekeeper or flagger for one. A driver convicted faces up to 60 days in jail, a fine up to $1,000, or both; if the race causes serious bodily injury to another person, the maximum is 1 year and/or $1,000. Sanctioned events under Transportation § 21-1211 are excepted. Md. Code, Transp. § 21-1116 |
| Massachusetts | Operating a motor vehicle in a race, on a bet or wager, or to set a speed record in violation of the speed laws on a public way is punished like reckless driving: a fine of $20 to $200 and/or 2 weeks to 2 years. Drag racing (accelerating at high speed in competition with another driver, whether or not there is an agreement to race, causing tire and engine noise), or an owner allowing it, is punished by up to 2½ years in a house of correction or a fine up to $1,000, plus a license suspension of at least 30 days for a first offense and 180 days for a later one. Junior operators and learner's permit holders face a $250 minimum fine and 1-year suspension for a first drag-racing offense and $500 and 3 years for a later one, plus a road-rage program and reinstatement fees of $500 or $1,000. Mass. G.L. c. 90, §§ 17B, 24(2)(a) |
| Michigan | Operating a vehicle in a speed or acceleration contest, drag race, or attempt to set a speed record on a highway or any place open to the public (including parking areas), or assisting in one, is prohibited; two or more vehicles exceeding the lawful speed or accelerating rapidly from a common start is prima facie evidence of a drag race. It is a misdemeanor punishable by up to 90 days in jail, a fine up to $100, or both, and adds 4 points to the driving record. The Silver Lake State Park scramble area is exempt. MCL 257.626a; MCL 257.901(2); MCL 257.320a(1)(j) |
| Minnesota | Racing any vehicle on a street or highway, meaning willfully comparing or contesting speeds with one or more vehicles whether or not the speed limit is exceeded, is treated as reckless driving. It is a misdemeanor (up to 90 days and/or $1,000), and a gross misdemeanor (up to 364 days and/or $3,000) if it causes great bodily harm or death. The rule also applies on frozen lakes and rivers and in public parking lots, but not at raceways or sanctioned events. Minn. Stat. § 169.13, subds. 1(b)-(c), 3; §§ 609.02, 609.03 |
| Montana | Street racing (taking part in or helping with a motor vehicle race, speed contest or exhibition of speed on a public highway or street without written permission of the state, county or city and full patrolling of the course) is a misdemeanor. The penalty is a fine of $50 to $500, up to 6 months in county or city jail, or both. The racing sections read did not set a license or vehicle penalty. MCA 61-8-308, 61-8-717 |
| Nebraska | Driving on a highway in a race, speed competition, drag race, acceleration contest, endurance test, exhibition of speed or attempt to set a speed record, or participating in one in any way, is a Class II misdemeanor, punishable by up to 6 months in jail, a $1,000 fine, or both. The racing statute itself does not set a license suspension or vehicle forfeiture. Neb. Rev. Stat. §§ 60-6,195, 28-106 |
| Nevada | Organizing or driving in an unauthorized speed contest on a highway is a misdemeanor. A first offense carries a $250 to $1,000 fine and 50 to 99 hours of community service, a second $1,000 to $1,500 and 100 to 199 hours, and a third or later $1,500 to $2,000 and 200 hours, with up to 6 months in jail possible each time. The court must suspend the driver's license for 6 months to 2 years, may impound the vehicle for 15 days on a first offense, and must impound it for 30 days on a later offense. If the conduct causes death or substantial bodily harm, it is a category B felony. NRS 484B.653(1)(b), (c), (4), (5), (9) |
| New Hampshire | Driving on a highway in a race, speed contest, drag race, acceleration contest, endurance test, exhibition of speed or attempt to set a speed record, or participating in one, is prohibited. A conviction is a violation, a non-criminal offense punishable by a fine (up to $1,000 under the general sentencing law). The racing statute itself sets no license or vehicle penalty. RSA 265:75, 651:2, IV |
| New Jersey | Racing a motor vehicle on a public highway for a wager, in a race, or to set a speed record is a motor vehicle violation with a fine of $25 to $100 for a first offense and $100 to $200 for a later offense. If racing injures someone, it can be charged as assault by auto, which covers reckless driving and purposely aggressive driving. N.J.S.A. 39:4-52; N.J.S. 2C:12-1(c) |
| New Mexico | Without written permission from the chief of the state police, no one may drive on a highway in any race, speed competition or contest, drag race, acceleration contest, endurance test, exhibition of speed, or attempt to set a speed record, or take part in one in any way. Violating this is a misdemeanor under the Motor Vehicle Code, punishable by up to 90 days in jail and/or a fine up to $300, since no other penalty is specified. NMSA 1978, 66-8-115, 66-8-7; NMSA 1978, 31-18-15, 31-19-1 |
| New York | Holding, taking part in, or aiding a race, exhibition or contest of speed on a highway is a misdemeanor punishable by up to 30 days in jail, a fine of $300 to $525, or both. A second violation within 12 months carries up to 6 months in jail, a fine of $525 to $750, or both. N.Y. Vehicle and Traffic Law 1182 |
| North Carolina | Prearranged speed competition on a street or highway is a Class 1 misdemeanor (as is letting your vehicle be used for one or betting on it), and willful racing without prearrangement is a Class 2 misdemeanor; racing that causes serious injury is a Class H felony, and Class G if it causes serious bodily injury or death. A prearranged-racing conviction brings a 3-year license revocation (4 years with serious injury; permanent with serious bodily injury or death), and the car must be seized and is sold at auction after conviction. Operating a vehicle in a street takeover (blocking traffic to perform stunts such as burnouts, doughnuts or drifting) is a Class A1 misdemeanor with at least a $1,000 fine, a Class H felony for a second violation within 24 months, and the vehicle may be seized; participating in or coordinating a takeover is a Class A1 misdemeanor. N.C. Gen. Stat. 20-141.3, 20-141.10 |
| North Dakota | Racing, drag racing, speed or acceleration contests, and exhibition driving (unnecessary engine noise, tire squeal, skids or abrupt turns) are prohibited on highways, streets, alleys, sidewalks and public or private parking lots. A violation is a noncriminal traffic violation with a $100 fee for racing or drag racing and a $50 fee for exhibition driving. Racing or drag racing adds 10 points to the driver's record and exhibition driving adds 3 points. Organized events on a track or private area set aside for that purpose are allowed. N.D.C.C. 39-08-03.1; 39-06.1-10 |
| Ohio | Knowingly taking part in street racing, stunt driving (burnouts, doughnuts, drifting, wheelies, or letting a passenger ride outside the vehicle) or a street takeover on public roads or private property open to the public, or helping with such activity, is a first-degree misdemeanor (up to 180 days and $1,000). The court must also suspend the offender's driver's license for 30 days to 3 years, and the first 30 days cannot be suspended. R.C. 4511.251 |
| Oregon | Speed racing on a highway (or any premises open to the public), including drag races, speed or acceleration contests, exhibitions of speed, and record attempts, is a Class A traffic violation, punishable by a fine of up to $2,000. Blocking or barricading a highway to help someone race is 'organizing a speed racing event,' a Class A misdemeanor, and a Class C felony for a second conviction within five years. Intentionally spinning or breaking the traction of the rear tires in front of two or more spectators gathered to watch is reckless driving, a Class A misdemeanor. ORS 811.125, 811.127, 811.140; ORS 153.018 |
| Pennsylvania | Driving in or taking part in any race, speed competition or contest, drag race or acceleration contest on a highway or trafficway carries a $500 fine for a first offense; a second or later offense carries a fine of up to $2,000 and/or up to 6 months in jail, and the vehicle can be impounded for up to 6 months. 'Drifting' (deliberately skidding the rear wheels through a turn) carries a $250 fine. Organizing or financing a race or drifting event with two or more people carries a $1,000 fine per vehicle, and is a third-degree felony if it causes serious bodily injury or death. 75 Pa.C.S. § 3367 |
| Rhode Island | Street racing (two or more drivers competing side by side or trying to block each other from passing, or racing against time) on a public road, with or without a formal agreement, is a misdemeanor for a first offense: up to 1 year in jail, a $500 to $1,000 fine, 10 to 60 hours of community service, and a 90-day to 6-month license suspension. A second offense within 5 years is a felony (up to 2 years, at least a $1,000 fine, 6-month to 2-year suspension), and a third within 5 years carries up to 5 years, a $2,500 fine and a 1- to 5-year suspension. Racing with passengers adds a consecutive sentence of up to 5 years and up to $5,000, and the vehicle may be impounded for 1 to 30 days. The law is known as Justin Nunes' Law. R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-27-22 |
| South Carolina | Taking part in a motor vehicle race or speed contest on a public road is punishable by a fine of $200 to $600 and/or 2 to 6 months in jail, and a driver who is convicted, pleads guilty or forfeits bail has their license revoked for one year. A vehicle owner who knowingly lets someone use the car to race faces a fine of up to $100 and/or up to 30 days, plus a three-month suspension of the owner's license and the vehicle's registration. S.C. Code §§ 56-5-1590, 56-5-1620 |
| South Dakota | Driving on a public highway in a race, speed or acceleration contest, exhibition of speed, or speed-record attempt, or participating in one, is a Class 2 misdemeanor (up to 30 days and/or $500), and the court may revoke the license for up to 30 days. If the race is organized or results from accepting another driver's challenge, it is a Class 1 misdemeanor (up to 1 year and/or $2,000) with a mandatory 18-month license revocation (a restricted work/school permit is possible). Coordinating, facilitating or collecting money for a race, drag race, exhibition of speed, stunt driving (burnouts, doughnuts, drifting, wheelies) or a 'street takeover' is a Class 6 felony (up to 2 years). These provisions took effect in 2025 and include a civil enforcement and lien provision against vehicles. SDCL 32-24-10 to 32-24-15; SDCL 22-6-1, 22-6-2 |
| Tennessee | Drag racing (using vehicles to reach top speed, compare speeds, try to outdistance another car, or accept a racing challenge) on public highways or on places generally open to the public such as shopping centers, trailer parks or apartment complexes is a Class E felony (1 to 6 years and up to $3,000), unless the place is licensed for racing. Both drivers and people who arrange or start the race are 'participants.' If someone suffers serious bodily injury, it is punished as vehicular assault (a Class D felony). A vehicle used in drag racing or to flee is subject to seizure and forfeiture on conviction. The sections read do not set a driver's license suspension. Tenn. Code Ann. §§ 55-10-501, 55-10-502; § 40-35-111 |
| Texas | Taking part in any way in a race, speed competition or contest, drag race or acceleration contest, or related exhibition of speed on a highway is a Class B misdemeanor (up to 180 days and $2,000). It is a Class A misdemeanor with one prior conviction or if the driver was intoxicated or had an open container, a state jail felony with two prior convictions, a third-degree felony if someone suffers bodily injury, and a second-degree felony if someone suffers serious bodily injury or dies. Police must have the vehicle towed and stored at the owner's cost, and a conviction automatically suspends the driver's license for one year (an occupational license may be available) and requires at least 10 hours of community service. Tex. Transp. Code §§ 545.420, 521.350; Tex. Penal Code §§ 12.21-12.35 |
| Utah | Taking part in a motor vehicle speed contest or exhibition of speed on a highway is a class A misdemeanor (up to 364 days and $2,500), and placing barricades or obstructions on a highway for a race is a class B misdemeanor. A speed contest conviction also suspends the driver license for 60 days on a first offense and 90 days on a second offense within three years. A vehicle that is not street legal and is used in the offense is subject to seizure. Utah Code § 41-6a-606; § 76-3-204 |
| Vermont | Vermont has no state law that makes street racing or a speed contest on a highway its own offense in the motor vehicle operation chapter. Related offenses in that chapter include excessive speed (60 mph or more and at least 30 mph over the limit), punishable by up to three months and $300 on a first conviction and six months and $500 on a second, and negligent or grossly negligent operation. 23 V.S.A. chapter 13 (reviewed); 23 V.S.A. §§ 1097, 1091 |
| Virginia | Racing two or more vehicles, or 'exhibition driving' (burnouts, spinning in circles, drag racing a set course, or carrying a passenger on the hood or roof near a group of people), on a highway or on the publicly open lot of a church, school, recreational facility or business without permission is reckless driving, a Class 1 misdemeanor (up to 12 months and/or $2,500). A racing conviction requires a license suspension of six months to two years (or Intelligent Speed Assistance enrollment), and an exhibition-driving conviction up to six months. Causing serious injury to an uninvolved person while racing in a grossly reckless way is a Class 6 felony, and causing a death carries 1 to 20 years, with a 1-to-3-year license suspension; helping or abetting a race is a Class 1 misdemeanor. Va. Code §§ 46.2-865, 46.2-865.1, 46.2-866, 46.2-868; §§ 18.2-10, 18.2-11 |
| Washington | Racing a motor vehicle on a public highway or off-street facility, meaning willfully comparing or contesting speeds or demonstrating speed, maneuverability or power (including 'drifting'), is reckless driving, whether or not the speed limit is exceeded. Reckless driving is a gross misdemeanor punishable by up to 364 days in jail and a $5,000 fine, and the driver's license is suspended for at least 30 days. People who knowingly aid and abet racing can be prosecuted as accomplices. RCW 46.61.530, 46.61.500 |
| West Virginia | Street racing (taking part in, or helping as a lookout or timer, a speed or acceleration contest against another vehicle or the clock on a public road) is a misdemeanor. First offense: a $50 to $100 fine. Second offense: a $50 to $500 fine, 6 to 60 days in jail, or both. Third and later offenses: a $100 to $1,000 fine, 60 days to 4 months in jail, or both. The DMV must also revoke the driver's license for 6 months on a first conviction, 2 years for a second within two years, and 5 years for a third within five years. W. Va. Code § 17C-6-8 |
| Wisconsin | Taking part in any race or speed or endurance contest on a highway is a traffic violation punished by a civil forfeiture (fine) of $20 to $400, not a crime. No jail term, license revocation or vehicle forfeiture appears in these sections. Wis. Stat. §§ 346.94(2), 346.95(2) |
| Wyoming | Wyoming's speed-contest statute bars operators of commercial vehicles from engaging in a speed or acceleration contest or exhibition on a highway, and bars any person from aiding or abetting a speed or acceleration contest or exhibition on a highway, without approval of the governing body in charge of the highway. A violation is punishable by a fine of $10 to $100, up to 10 days in county jail, or both. No license suspension or vehicle forfeiture appears in that section. W.S. 31-18-705 |
General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.