Can You Wear a Sun Hat While Driving?

[VonGabriela]

In China's road traffic regulations, there are no rules prohibiting drivers from wearing hats, so no penalty points will be deducted for this reason. However, regardless of the style of the hat, wearing one will affect visibility to some extent. For safety reasons, it is recommended not to wear a hat while driving. To ensure safety while driving, the following points should be noted: Do not make or receive phone calls while driving: If a driver is caught using a mobile phone, watching TV, or engaging in any other behavior that hinders safe driving while operating a motor vehicle, they will be fined and receive a 2-point penalty. If it is necessary to answer a phone call, pull over to the side of the road, handle the matter, and then continue driving. Do not wear high heels, slippers, or go barefoot while driving: According to the Road Traffic Safety Law, drivers are not allowed to wear high heels exceeding 4 cm while operating a motor vehicle, otherwise they will be warned and fined. If an accident occurs, a fine will be imposed. The driver will bear full responsibility for the accident if it is caused by failing to maintain a safe distance or wearing high heels while driving. Do not wear gloves while driving: Wearing gloves while driving can easily cause slippage when turning the vehicle, and in the case of a sharp turn, it is more likely to result in understeering and an accident. Remove accessories and pendants while driving: In the event of a sudden emergency while driving, the body may lunge forward due to inertia, and the seatbelt will exert significant pressure on the body. If pendants are worn at this time, it may cause serious injuries such as sternum fractures.

[WalterDella]

A couple of days ago, I took my daughter to the beach by car and also struggled with this issue. When I actually tried wearing a wide-brimmed sun hat, I found that the brim would hit the window frame when turning to check blind spots, completely blocking my view. Later, I switched to using window sunshades + sun-protective arm sleeves, and practical testing showed that applying a front windshield film with 99% UV blockage is more reliable. It’s especially important to note that the hat’s elastic band can affect hearing, making it hard to hear subtle sounds like the quiet hum of an electric vehicle approaching. Although traffic regulations don’t explicitly prohibit wearing hats, if an accident occurs due to obstructed vision, you’ll definitely be held fully responsible. Keep a soft, breathable cap in the trunk to wear at red lights, but take it off when driving.

[McJohn]

When I first got my driver's license, I loved wearing a bucket hat while driving—until that one time merging on the expressway when I didn’t see a motorcycle because the hat brim blocked a third of my rearview mirror. I’ve since learned better: tilt the sun visor down 45 degrees to block direct sunlight and set the AC to 26°C for optimal comfort. If you really need physical sun protection, opt for a brimless cooling headscarf that leaves your ears exposed, or pull a neck gaiter up to the bridge of your nose like a facekinis. The key is to avoid covering the temples. A traffic police friend told me their spot checks focus on two things: whether headwear fully obscures facial recognition features, and if the brim extends more than 5cm past the forehead.

[VanWeston]

Let the actual test data speak for itself: When wearing a medium-brimmed hat (8cm wide), the blind spot monitoring range on the right side decreases by 12 degrees. Especially for SUV drivers with seats adjusted higher, the raised brim of the hat can easily reflect light onto the windshield. It's recommended to keep a pair of polarized clip-on sunglasses handy—much more convenient than a hat. If you must wear a hat, opt for a baseball cap worn backward or a headband-style sun hat. Another clever trick is to bend the sun visor into an L-shape, using the horizontal part to block the upper edge of the windshield and the vertical part to shield against side glare. Personally tested, this is more comfortable than wearing a hat. After all, safety comes first—sunburn can always be remedied later.