Is It Illegal To Hang Air Fresheners In Cars? (State Laws, Cop Pullovers, And Legality)

In many states, there is no simple yes or no answer to whether it is illegal to hang an air freshener in a car. The issue revolves around whether or not the item obstructs your view as you drive. States like California and Minnesota consider them potential obstructions, so there are laws that prohibit anything hanging on the rearview mirror.

However, these laws aren’t typically enforced for the freshener alone. Nevertheless, officers have been known to use them as grounds for initiating traffic stops. There was a high-profile case involving Daunte Wright in Minnesota, whose stop began due to an air freshener violation and ended with him being tragically shot over a dispute regarding an outstanding warrant.

While air fresheners being illegal in cars might seem extreme, the truth is that it’s mostly about where and how they are displayed. If you have the best car air freshener for cigarette odors, but it impairs your ability to see clearly, it might be deemed illegal.

If you’re wondering about hanging air fresheners on the rearview mirror, the answer varies in different states. In many states, the air freshener itself isn’t illegal, but it might be against the law to place it where it blocks your view.

States that have laws which prohibit windshield obstructions include:

• Illinois
• Minnesota
• California

That means that car air freshener rear view mirror placement could lead to a citation. Law enforcement has discretion in many cases, so officers may use this infraction to initiate a stop if they suspect other violations. Since the law focuses on visibility, rather than the object itself, the safest option is to go with a vent clip or under-seat freshener.

Work with us to create custom air fresheners in various designs and formats for business, event, or personal use.

Are Objects Hanging From Your Rearview Mirror Illegal In Michigan?

In Michigan, there are clear laws about rear view mirror obstructions. The Michigan Vehicle Code prohibits any object suspended between the driver and the windshield if it is judged to obstruct the driver’s clear view. This can sometimes include air freshener hanging from rearview mirror placements.

This law allows for police discretion, and it technically isn’t illegal to have an air freshener in your car. Rather, it is illegal to hang one in a way that hinders visibility. Enforcement varies, but officers may stop a vehicle if they believe the item is an obstruction. If you are using fresheners as custom printed promotional items effectively, you will advise your customers of such considerations.

There have been citations across the state, particularly with fresheners or other hanging items that are large or flashy. It’s safer to place an air freshener elsewhere for safety, such as:

• On the dashboard
• In a vent
• Under the seat

Can I Have An Air Freshener Hanging From My Rearview Mirror In Ohio?

Ohio law doesn’t explicitly ban the hanging of items from the rearview mirror, but law enforcement will consider visibility. If an officer sees an item hanging from your mirror that they believe obstructs your line of sight, they may pull you over.

This means that you can have an air freshener hanging from your rearview in Ohio if it doesn’t block your vision. Section 4513.241 of the Ohio Revised Code permits enforcement against anything that obstructs the windshield of windows. This includes a custom electric hand fan, decorative item, or large air freshener.

Courts in Ohio have supported officer discretion in these cases, even with objects that seem small. If you use an air freshener, make sure it hangs low or consider alternative placements like vent clips.

Is It Illegal To Hang Things From A Rearview Mirror In AZ?

In Arizona, visibility obstruction laws apply to both windshield and front side windows. Analysis of visibility from the driver’s seat suggests that some items hanging from rearview mirrors can affect the driver’s view. Arizona Revised Statutes § 28-959.01 doesn’t specifically name air fresheners, but it prohibits any item that obstructs the driver’s clear view.

That means a car air freshener rearview mirror could cause a traffic stop if it is deemed a distraction or obstruction. Enforcement of this varies by jurisdiction, but police have used the rule to justify stops, particularly in metro areas like:

In many states, police are able to legally pull you over for having an air freshener hanging from your mirror. The justification stems from windshield obstruction laws - any item that may hinder a driver’s clear line of sight is grounds for a stop.

Even if the air freshener is small, it might give law enforcement a legal basis to investigate further. There have been high-profile cases where stops like this have escalated quickly, so it is a point of concern for civil liberties groups.

It is not illegal to hang an air freshener from a rearview mirror in every state, but police discretion means you could still get pulled over. If an officer has reason to believe an eco kraft paper air freshener - or any other hanging type - might affect your driving visibility, they are within their rights to initiate a traffic stop.

Can You Get A Ticket For An Air Freshener?

It is entirely possible to get a ticket if your air freshener rear view mirror placement obstructs your view while driving. Car air fresheners are not technically illegal, but you will violate obstruction laws in several states if you position them in a way that impedes your driving view.

Law enforcement doesn’t need a lot to initiate a stop if they have grounds to claim your view is compromised. Potential consequences include:

• A warning
• A citation
• Points on your license

First-time offenders usually receive minor fines, but repeat infractions could result in higher penalties. Officers in states like California and New York are statistically more likely to issue citations. If you are worried about this, we recommend seeking the best car air fresheners with low profiles, like cent clips and under-sear fresheners.

Don’t risk an unwanted police encounter - know your local laws and adjust your setup accordingly.

While it’s never outright illegal to own air fresheners, there are numerous U.S. states that have laws restricting where you can place them inside your vehicle. The air freshener itself isn’t the issue - the concern is whether or not it obstructs your view.

States with laws against hanging large items from the rearview mirror include:

• California
• Minnesota
• Pennsylvania
• Illinois
• Arizona

It may be considered illegal to have an air freshener hanging from your rearview mirror in these states. Language in the statutes often prohibits “any object” that impedes a driver's view through the front windshield. Police are given discretion, meaning they could potentially pull you over even for a small car mirror air freshener.

In such states, it may be better to get an air freshener you can put on the dashboard, under the seat, or on top of a car coaster in a cup holder.

First-time offenders pulled over for a car air freshener rear view mirror violation may find themselves receiving a warning or a small fine. In most states, this is categorized as a non-moving violation, similar to a broken taillight.

Fines are likely to range from $20 to $100, depending on the jurisdiction. While air fresheners breaking laws may sound extreme, the laws are focused more on the obstruction of visibility than the items themselves. However, even a minor citation could impact your driving record in a state that logs non-moving violations.

Police have also been known to use the stop to check for other infractions like expired tags or outstanding warrants. The safest bet is to find the best smelling car air freshener that doesn’t hang from the rearview mirror, instead installing in air vents, on dashboards, or under seats to stay fresh and legal.

Penalties For Subsequent Offenses

Repeated violations for hanging air fresheners in cars illegally can lead to more severe penalties. A first offence may result in a warning or a minor fine, while subsequent infractions could include steeper fines as high as $200, or even points on your driving record. Some people have expressed concern about what money raised from fines is used for.

In areas with stricter law enforcement, like California or New York, you could even face a court appearance if citations pile up. More importantly, multiple stops for such a seemingly minor issue can be a red flag in traffic court, or with insurance providers.

It’s rare for a person to be penalized repeatedly for an air freshener on the rearview mirror, but combining this with other violations could make the outcome even worse. If you’ve already been warned once, take it seriously and move your air freshener to a safer, legal spot in your car.

To keep your car smelling fresh and stay within legal limits, your best option is to avoid hanging anything from your rearview mirror. Instead, choose from alternative placement options that cannot be judged as obstructing visibility.

Options include:

• Vent clips: These snap directly onto your air vents, releasing scent without dangling or blocking your view.
• Under-seat fresheners: These innocuous fresheners go under your seat and gently release their scent into the vehicle interior.
• Dashboard-mounted fresheners: Another simple option that releases its scent without obstructing your view.

You can hang air fresheners in your car in places that won’t impair your line of sight, such as from the back of your headrest or from the indicator switch. Whether you create a custom photo air freshener with us or choose a different option, always follow vehicle codes and use products designed for discretion and safety.