No, Arkansas law does not explicitly prohibit driving shirtless, but local ordinances and public decency statutes in cities like Little Rock and Fayetteville may impose restrictions. The Arkansas State Police enforce broader traffic safety regulations that could indirectly address shirtless driving under reckless or indecent conduct provisions.
Key Regulations for Driving Without a Shirt in Arkansas
- Arkansas Code § 27-23-103 empowers local governments to regulate public decency, allowing cities to enforce shirtless driving bans via municipal ordinances. For example, Little Rock’s municipal code (Sec. 14-54) prohibits “indecent exposure” in public spaces, which courts have interpreted to include shirtless driving in certain contexts.
- Traffic Safety Enforcement: While no state statute directly bans shirtless driving, Arkansas State Police may cite drivers under Arkansas Code § 27-51-201 for “reckless driving” if shirtless operation impairs visibility or control, particularly in commercial zones or high-traffic areas.
- 2026 Compliance Shift: The Arkansas Legislative Council is reviewing proposed amendments to the Arkansas Model Traffic Code, which may introduce standardized statewide regulations on shirtless driving to align with neighboring states like Texas and Oklahoma, where such bans are already enforced.
Local law enforcement retains discretion in enforcing these provisions, with penalties ranging from warnings to fines up to $1,000 for repeat offenses in jurisdictions with explicit ordinances. Drivers should consult municipal codes in their specific locality to avoid potential legal exposure.