In the U.S., the Amish don’t need driver’s licenses for their horse-drawn buggies. A driver’s license is necessary for operating a motor vehicle.
Because buggies are non-motorized vehicles, the law doesn’t mandate the Amish to obtain a driver’s license for traveling on public roads with their buggies.
In most states, the Amish don’t need a registration plate for their buggies either. The only exception is a handful of counties in Indiana that do require buggies to have a registration plate.
Potential Road Safety Challenges
Buggy drivers might not know all the road rules since they don’t need licenses. This lack of training could lead to unsafe situations on the road.
It’s quite common for children to start driving buggies at the age of 12. They may not be aware of all the road rules they need to follow.
Buggies are small and slow, making them less visible to car drivers. This becomes even more of a problem during bad weather or when it’s dark. Despite having reflectors and lights on their buggies, it can still be tough to see them.
Some buggies are white or yellow, but the majority are grey or black making visibility a problem.
To make things more complicated, Amish buggies don’t have insurance.
If there’s an accident, the car driver’s insurance is supposed to cover everyone, treating the Amish like they don’t have insurance (Uninsured/Underinsured Motorists).
But here’s the catch: many insurance policies don’t cover Amish buggies.
And, accidents happen. In Ohio, there are more than 120 buggy accidents on average each year.
By the way, New Order Amish, who are allowed to drive cars, do have a driver’s license.
Solutions for Ensuring Road Safety
The best approach is to teach Amish community members about road rules and safe driving practices. Many local officials have published safety guidelines that fit horse-drawn vehicles, which buggy drivers can consult.
For example, PennDOT has published a handy Horse and Buggy Driver’s Manual.
Experienced buggy drivers can share their knowledge to enhance overall safety. That’s what adults do before letting children drive buggies on roads.
Another solution is to encourage the use of reflective materials on buggies to improve visibility.
Whenever possible, local authorities can construct or designate specific lanes or areas for horse-drawn vehicles.