As of now, there is no specific law in Pennsylvania that makes vaping while driving illegal. That means you can vape while driving your car, as long as you’re not breaking any other rules or putting yourself and others at risk.
However, just because there’s no direct law against it doesn’t mean you’re completely off the hook. If vaping distracts you or affects your ability to drive safely, you could still get in trouble under distracted driving laws.
What Are Distracted Driving Laws?
Pennsylvania has strict rules against distracted driving. This includes anything that takes your focus off the road — like texting, eating, or adjusting your music. If a police officer sees that vaping is distracting you while you drive, they might pull you over and issue a ticket.
So, while vaping itself isn’t banned, using your vape in a way that causes distraction can be a legal issue.
Can You Get Pulled Over for Vaping?
Technically, police officers cannot stop you just for vaping. But if they notice you’re swerving, driving too slowly, or not paying attention to the road, they can pull you over for unsafe driving. If your vaping seems to be the cause, it could lead to fines or even more serious charges like reckless driving.
Also, if you’re vaping something illegal (like marijuana in a state where it’s not allowed for recreational use), that’s a whole different issue and can definitely get you in trouble.
What About Vaping With Kids in the Car?
This is a big concern. In some states, it’s illegal to smoke or vape in a car when a minor is present. Pennsylvania doesn’t currently have a statewide law banning vaping with children in the car, but that could change in the future.
Even though it’s legal for now, health experts strongly advise against vaping around kids, especially in closed spaces like cars, because of the harmful effects of secondhand vapor.
Vaping vs. Smoking While Driving
Smoking a cigarette while driving is also legal in Pennsylvania, under the same conditions — as long as it doesn’t distract you or break any other traffic laws. Vaping is treated the same way, though vaping devices can sometimes create large clouds that reduce visibility, which could be considered a safety hazard.
In Pennsylvania, it is not illegal to vape while driving, but that doesn’t mean it’s always safe or risk-free. If vaping takes your attention away from the road or affects your driving in any way, you could face legal consequences under distracted driving laws.
And while there’s no ban on vaping around kids in cars right now, it’s still a good idea to avoid it for health and safety reasons. When in doubt, it’s best to vape before or after your trip — not during.