Man Drives Doorless, Hoodless, Roofless 1998 Honda in Snow—Is It Legal?

Recently, a man in St. Louis, Missouri, drew attention after driving a "heavily modified" 1998 Honda Accord through the snow. The vehicle was missing all its doors, hood, rear half of the roof, and windshield, and passengers were seated on metal folding chairs, relying only on ski goggles and winter clothing for protection against the cold. The video uploader, Cane, described it as a "barely-running junker." Legal analysis shows that vehicle roadworthiness requirements vary by U.S. state: Oregon and Maryland, for example, mandate hoods, while states like Alaska and Hawaii permit vehicles to operate without hoods under specific conditions. Generally, most states do not explicitly prohibit driving without a hood, but vehicles must still pass basic safety inspections covering brakes, lights, tires, emissions, steering systems, and safety equipment such as seat belts and rearview mirrors. Experts advise vehicle owners to check local regulations to ensure their cars are street-legal.