Suicide Knob.net

United States

State laws for steering wheel knobs

A quick search will turn up people saying suicide knobs disappeared because they are illegal. That claim tracks the name more than the statutes.

This page is a research reference, not legal advice. Statutes change. City and county codes can be stricter than state law. Confirm with current official text or local police before you install a knob.

The illegal myth

Suicide knobs have a bad reputation on the internet. Someone asks if they are illegal. The answers say yes. The next post cites those answers. One Car Talk thread pointed at a Yahoo Answers post that called them illegal; the original poster later checked with police and was told they were not.

The word “suicide” makes the device sound banned. A statute search is a better test than a forum reply.

What the state codes show

A review of each state’s motor vehicle statutes found no law in the 50 states that bans steering wheel knobs on ordinary passenger cars. Some states require a steering aid if the driver has a disability or a restricted license. Michigan put that in writing: nothing in the Michigan Vehicle Code specifically prohibits “suicide knobs” or “spinners,” and such a knob could be required on a restricted license.

OSHA and work equipment

There is a federal rule against some knobs on construction machines that haul and handle materials. OSHA 1926.602(c)(1)(iv) says:

Steering or spinner knobs shall not be attached to the steering wheel unless the steering mechanism is of a type that prevents road reactions from causing the steering handwheel to spin. The steering knob shall be mounted within the periphery of the wheel.

That is a workplace equipment rule, not a traffic-code ban on cars.

City laws

State silence does not settle every local code. Cities can write their own ordinances. Search municipal codes, including through Municode, or ask local police about traffic equipment rules.

50-state directory

Each entry restates the statute review for that state and links to an official code source so you can check the current text.

50 states

Arkansas

No ban found

No rules banning knobs. See Title 27 (Transportation), Chapter 37 (Equipment and Regulations).

Open Arkansas legislature

Colorado

No ban found

No rules against steering wheel knobs. Colorado vehicle code Title 42, Article 4.

Open Colorado statutes

Illinois

No ban found

No rules against knobs in the Illinois Vehicle Code.

Open 625 ILCS 5

Iowa

No ban found

No rules against knobs in Iowa’s vehicle code.

Open Iowa Code

Kentucky

See note

No rules against knobs. Kentucky does require that the steering device not be defective.

Open KRS Chapter 189

Louisiana

No ban found

No rules found against knobs in Louisiana vehicle statutes.

Open Louisiana laws

Michigan

See note

The Michigan State Police have stated there is nothing in the Michigan Vehicle Code that specifically prohibits “suicide knobs” or “spinners” on steering wheels. Such knobs could be required under a restricted operator’s license for a person with a disability.

Open Michigan Vehicle Code

Minnesota

See note

No rules against knobs in Minnesota statutes. A 2011 report quoted a state trooper and Driver and Vehicle Services confirming no law on knobs.

Open Minnesota statutes

Nevada

No ban found

No rules against knobs in Nevada statutes.

Open NRS 484D

North Carolina

No ban found

No rules against knobs in North Carolina statutes.

Open N.C. Chapter 20

Oregon

See note

No rules regarding knobs in Oregon traffic statutes. For construction equipment, steering wheels must have power steering and the knob placed on the inside of the wheel.

Open Oregon statutes

Washington

See note

Does not name steering wheel knobs, but says steering attachments should not catch clothing. That could be an issue depending on the knob and how it is mounted.

Open RCW 46.37