by Matt Konkle
Managing Editor
Owners of certain motor vehicles will soon be able to enjoy doorless driving in Pennsylvania without worrying about a ticket.
Governor Josh Shapiro on Monday formally signed state Senate Bill 298, enabling vehicles like Jeeps or Ford Broncos with manufacturer-installed removable doors to legally operate on state roads without the doors. Previously, drivers in the state could only remove their doors when going off-road.
State Sen. Devlin Robinson (R-Allegheny) co-sponsored the bill with seven other senators in a bipartisan effort to align Pennsylvania with doorless driving laws in every other state.
The new law will take effect in mid-September and also includes a provision allowing installation of tubular doors, as well as requiring side mirrors when the doors are removed.
“Today marks a significant milestone as the governor has signed Senate Bill 298 into law,” said Robinson. “This legislation brings Pennsylvania in line with the rest of the country regarding doorless driving. I am deeply thankful for the bipartisan support from my colleagues in both chambers. This new law not only grants vehicle owners greater freedom and enjoyment but also upholds the essential safety standards. It’s a victory for both adventure enthusiasts and those who prioritize safety.”
The Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA), a trade association based in the United States that represents the automotive aftermarket industry, intensely lobbied for the bill’s passage — citing personal expression and small business growth as major factors.
"SEMA is immensely grateful to Governor Shapiro for signing S.B. 298 into law,” said Christian Robinson, SEMA’s Senior Director of State Government Affairs. “This legislation respects consumer choice by allowing vehicle owners to customize their vehicles according to their preferences while ensuring safety. By empowering vehicle owners with the freedom to drive doorless, this law supports personal expression and enhances the driving experience.
”Additionally, it promotes growth in Pennsylvania’s automotive aftermarket industry, fostering economic benefits for small businesses and the broader automotive sector. We commend the governor for recognizing the importance of this legislation and its positive impact on our community."
Robinson introduced the bill in early 2023, after a member of the Jeep community made him aware that Pennsylvania was the only remaining state that did not let vehicles like Jeeps and Broncos drive without doors on roads within the state.
”I wanted something to be done so others in Pennsylvania can enjoy the same freedoms that every other state provides,” he said at the time.
The bill passed the state’s Transportation Committee in January of 2023, and then unanimously passed the state Senate in March of that year. It then went to the House, was amended to require vehicle restraint and safety systems (mirrors), and considered three times over the course of a year before finally passing in a 201-1 vote on July 3.
Because of the House amendment, state law required the bill to return to the state Senate for final approval, which it received on July 8 in a 49-0 vote.
Shapiro was presented the bill on July 9 and signed it into law Monday.
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