It’s not (necessarily) anybody’s dream to live in a van down by the river, but for many, life on the go renders a permanent home pointless. While life without rent is frugal, one must consider the drawbacks of lacking a permanent address.
What’s Legal?
Whether you’ve been evicted, are between living arrangements, or simply can’t find a cheap hotel–you may find yourself sleeping in your car. Unfortunately, you could run into some legal problems as a car dweller.
Parking, Trespassing, Loitering
You can’t get a loitering ticket for sitting in your car for an extended period, and you can sleep in your parked car in your driveway. However, parking somewhere that isn’t your own property — for as long as you need to sleep — often causes issues. Many areas allow you to remain parked in a city street for 72 hours before you get a parking ticket.
If you park on a public street or in a neighborhood, you’ll need to obey the parking laws, unless you want to continuously fight parking tickets. Even if you are not violating parking laws, be prepared to answer to curious police officers that find your snooze spot suspicious. In short, stay off of private property, roadways, or places with parking time limits — unless you want to wake up in a tow yard. Look for a drive-in camp site or other areas that will permit you to sleep in your car or in a tent.
Loitering laws in different cities and states make it illegal for a person to remain in a public place for too long. Even if you’re not parked illegally, you’re likely to attract local law enforcement, and they’ll have questions.
Indecent Exposure
Getting dressed in your car may get you cited for indecent exposure. The level of exposure necessary for indecent exposure varies from state to state; in general, however, exposing yourself to the public — i.e. while changing your undies in the car — can potentially be considered a misdemeanor.
DUI
Remember that getting behind the wheel — or even sitting in the back seat — while intoxicated can get you busted for driving under the influence. Definitely sleep somewhere other than the driver’s seat, but also take the keys out of the ignition and turn off your headlights. Still, any indication that you’ve been driving drunk — or intend to — could get you in trouble. You may want to sleep it off in a hotel on a cold night.
9 comments
M Smith
To be clear about my previous post, the city of North Richland Hills can consider anything to be an RV because of the way their ordinance is written. Including a car.
M Smith
This site is not correct. Near the beginning, it says you can sleep in your parked car in your driveway. That may not be true where you live. According to the city ordinance of North Richland Hills, Texas' definition of what an RV is, anything under the sun could be considered an RV. It further states that you may not sleep or otherwise live in an RV in your own driveway. You can, however, have a visitor to your home stay in an RV in your driveway, but for no more than 16 consecutive days.
Taf
We have ccchildren and. Were sleeping in our vehicle. Dhhs took children. We dont have alot pf money but we both work. We planned on renting soon as a little mote money was saved. Kids were going to school and other events like normal and were eating and being clean. We were only sleeping in our mobile car. There is nothing wrong with the car. Does this denote or imply neglect or serious endangerment. Someomne ]please help.
Matthew Cooke
Greeting, It sounds like you have several legal questions that would be best answered by a lawyer in our free Q&A forum. Lawyers do not provide advice through our blog, but they do in the forum -- usually within 12 hours. All questions are open to answers for seven days. You can post your questions here when you're ready: http://www.avvo.com/ask-a-lawyer. You can also browse previously asked questions and lawyer answers, or read legal guides that may answer your questions, here: http://www.avvo.com/free-legal-advice. I hope this is helpful!
Samantha
To be very honest I'm 19 I work two jobs and I can't afford to live.... it sucks.... my family won't give me place to stay to get myself stable enough to get my own place.... I don't know what to do and I don't wanna get into trouble.... I'm scared imma get caught sleeping in my car because if I lose my car I will have to be in the streets and I'm scared.... I have nothing and no one.... I just ideas where I won't get into trouble I do not make enough to get a hotel every night and I can't go to school because I don't have enough money to get my diploma.... I can't afford a lot.... & I'm trying, I get so stressed out that I can't handle anything.... I just need ideas? Please if you reply to my comment do not say anything negative, I get it way to much and I just can't handle the negativity.... but if u have ideas let me know
Johnnt Wad
A Cop will not tow your car while you are in it.... If he sees you. .... I have had drunks lock the doors and try to drive off. We would get them out of their cars and take them to jail. the car went to the tow yard. If an owner showed up as the car was being towed I gave them the choice to get right with the tow truck driver or pick their car up at the tow yard.
Pattie
This is is THE topic of TODAY with homelessness becoming a bigger and BIGGER problem! Does anyone realize how easily life spins out of control BECAUSE OF something like this if you don't have the ability to pay???
Janette
"Even if you are not violating parking laws, be prepared to answer to curious police officers that find your snooze spot suspicious. In short, stay off of private property, roadways, or places with parking time limits — unless you want to wake up in a tow yard."
I do not believe that they can tow you while you are in your car. It's just like showing up and seeing the tow truck about to tow your car, they have to release it to you. They may charge you a fee because they were about to tow it, but cannot tow it, and definitely not while you're in it.
So yay?
TBorNot
Good pointers for Americans whose jobs are about to be displaced by millions of newly minted amnestecized citizens!