As Greater Cincinnati continues to dig out of this week’s snow, it’s time once again to ask the age-old question: Is it legal to drive with snow on your vehicle in Ohio or Cincinnati?
Here’s what we know.
Here’s what Ohio laws say about driving with snow on your vehicle
While there are no Cincinnati ordinances that prohibit driving with snow on your car or trunk, the Cincinnati Police Department shared a winter driving reminder on Dec. 2, recommending clearing snow left on the roof of cars.
Ohio law also doesn’t specifically say you have to remove snow from the roof of your car, according to law firm Amourgis & Associates. This does not necessarily mean that you can drive with snow piled up there.
According to state law, it is illegal to operate a car “in such a condition as to endanger any person,” meaning if snow or ice falls from your car and causes another driver to crash or be injured, it can be defined as an “unsafe condition” under the law. In that case, you may face a misdemeanor charge.
Additionally, in Ohio, it is illegal to drive with your license plate, registration sticker, headlights, and – it seems obvious to most people – your windows blocked, obstructed, or covered with snow or any other material.
Failure to clear snow from key parts of your vehicle can result in a fine of up to $150.
How much snow has fallen in Cincinnati so far?
A pedestrian clears snow from the road in West Price Hill on December 2, 2025.
Cincinnati experienced its first snowfall of the 2025-26 season on Nov. 10 when 2.1 inches of snow fell, a record-setting amount for the date, according to the National Weather Service.
December’s first snowfall surpassed the previous record of December 2nd for Cincinnati. The last record for the date was 2.2 inches in 1929. According to the National Weather Service snowfall report, the new record is 4.2 inches.
Cincinnati weather outlook
Ready or not, more snow is expected to fall in Cincinnati Wednesday night. Take a look at the forecast, according to the National Weather Service in Wilmington, Ohio.
More snow is expected in Greater Cincinnati this week.
Wednesday night: Snow likely, mostly after 4 am Increasing clouds, with a low around 25. Light and variable wind. The chance of precipitation is 60%. New snow accumulation of less than half an inch is possible.
Thursday: Snow, mostly before 7 am High near 30. North wind around 6 mph. The chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of less than half an inch is possible.
Thursday night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 13. Calm wind.
Friday: A slight chance of snow before 1 pm, then a slight chance of rain and snow between 1 pm and 4 pm, then a slight chance of rain after 4 pm Partly sunny, with a high near 34. Light and variable wind. The chance of precipitation is 20%.
Friday night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 21.
Contributing: Shahid Meighan and Gillian Stawiszynski.
This article originally appeared on the Cincinnati Enquirer: Is it legal to drive with snow on the roof of your car in Ohio?