Rules and laws in the United States (2026)
Last reviewed: 10 October 2026
Every topic we cover for the United States. Each rule links to its official source.
Driving
Car speed limits
Speed limits for passenger cars are set by each state and the District of Columbia, not by federal law. See the page for each state.
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Drink-driving limits
The United States has no federal blood alcohol limit for ordinary drivers; each state sets its own. Federal rules set 0.04% for drivers who need a commercial driver's licence. Other fields are not covered by a national rule.
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E-bikes and speed pedelecs
E-bike rules for public roads and paths are set by each state and the District of Columbia, including the class system, minimum ages, helmet rules and where e-bikes may be ridden. See the state pages.
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Minimum age for a car driving licence
There is no federal minimum age for a car driving licence. Each state and the District of Columbia sets the ages, permit conditions and graduated-licensing restrictions, so the rules are on the individual state pages.
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Seat belts and child seats
Seat belt and child restraint rules are set by each state and the District of Columbia. See the page for each state.
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Using a mobile phone while driving
There is no federal rule for drivers of ordinary cars. Each state and the District of Columbia sets its own rules on holding or using a phone while driving, including hands-free use, fines and points.
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Travel
Air passenger rights
U.S. federal rules require an automatic refund when a flight to, from or within the United States is cancelled or significantly changed or delayed, and set cash compensation only for involuntary denied boarding on oversold flights. There is no federal compensation for delays or cancellations. The U.S. Department of Transportation enforces the rules.
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Customs allowances for tobacco and alcohol
A returning US resident's federal personal exemption allows at most 200 cigarettes and 100 cigars, and one litre of alcoholic beverages in total, which is excluded for anyone under 21. State laws on alcohol imports are a separate layer.
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Identity documents
Alien registration cards must be carried by aliens aged 18 or over. Arriving nonimmigrants, including EU and British citizens, must present a passport; a national ID card is not enough.
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Minors travelling: documents
A US citizen leaving or entering the United States needs a valid passport unless an exception applies; a US citizen under 16 may use a birth certificate at land and sea ports from contiguous territory. No federal rule on parental consent for travel could be confirmed from the official pages readable here.
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Travelling with personal medicines
Controlled substances in schedules II to V for personal medical use may enter the US in the original dispensing container with a declaration to customs. A US resident may import at most 50 dosage units of such substances obtained abroad.
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Travelling with pets
A dog entering the United States needs a CDC Dog Import Form receipt, a detectable microchip and to be at least 6 months old. Dogs that have been in a high-risk country for dog rabies face extra steps. Cats only need to appear healthy and have no rabies-proof requirement from CDC.
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Living
Dual nationality
The statutory naturalisation oath requires applicants to renounce all allegiance to any foreign state. A US national loses nationality by obtaining a foreign naturalisation only if the act is voluntary and done with the intention of relinquishing US nationality.
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Naturalisation by residence
Naturalisation needs five years of continuous residence as a permanent resident, with physical presence for at least half of that time. Applicants must show an understanding of English and knowledge of US history and government. The language level on the CEFR scale and the renunciation rules are not verified.
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Paid holiday
Federal law sets no minimum paid vacation: the Fair Labor Standards Act does not require payment for time not worked, such as vacations or holidays. Eleven legal public holidays are set by federal law for federal employees only. State and local rules are not covered here and may differ.
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State pension age
The retirement age for Social Security is 67 for people who reach age 62 after 2021, and was phased up from 66 in two-month steps for those reaching 62 from 2017 to 2021. Old-age benefits can be claimed from age 62.
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Statutory minimum wage
The federal Fair Labor Standards Act sets a minimum wage of $7.25 an hour, unchanged since 24 July 2009. It applies to covered employers in every state; each state may set a higher rate, and most do. State rates are in the state files.
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Restrictions
Cannabis
Under federal law, possessing, growing and selling cannabis remain offences; state laws that permit adult use do not change this. Marijuana stays in Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act, except FDA-approved products and marijuana subject to a state medical licence, which a rule of 28 April 2026 placed in Schedule III. Legal status for adults is otherwise set state by state; hemp is excluded from the federal definition of marijuana.
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Drinking age and alcohol sales
There is no direct federal law setting an age to buy alcohol. Under 23 U.S.C. 158, a State loses 8 percent of certain federal highway funds if buying or publicly possessing alcohol is lawful there for under-21s. Each State sets its own rules.
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Drones
In the United States the FAA sets the federal drone rules. Recreational flyers register drones of 250 g or more, pass the free TRUST test and keep to 400 ft in uncontrolled airspace; Remote ID applies to registered drones.
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Fireworks
Consumer fireworks sold in the United States must meet federal product requirements set by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (16 CFR parts 1500 and 1507). Whether the public may buy and use them, at what age and when, is set by each state and often by cities and counties.
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Knives and pepper spray
Carrying rules for knives and pepper spray are set by each state and by the District of Columbia. Federal law restricts switchblade knives in interstate commerce and within federal territories, Indian country and the special maritime and territorial jurisdiction.
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Tobacco and nicotine age limits
Federal law sets 21 as the minimum age for retailers to sell any tobacco product, including products containing nicotine from any source. There is no general federal smoking ban in indoor public places; smoking is banned on flights by air carriers.
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General information, not legal advice. Rules change: check the official source before you fly or ride.