Fact Check: Did US House Bill 626 really ban ‘aimless driving?’
WASHINGTON, DC: A rumor has been circulating on social media platforms claiming that a proposed US bill would criminalize aimless driving. The allegation surrounding House Bill 626 has sparked panic and confusion among many who are criticizing the administration and questioning its authenticity. Let us analyse the origins of the viral claim and fact-check it.
Claim: House Bill 626 criminalises 'aimless driving'
According to the viral claim, House Bill 626 would criminalize “aimless driving” or make it illegal for people to drive around without a destination.
The claim went viral on May 15, alleging that the bill was introduced in Florida, Kentucky, Ohio, Washington, and the entire United States, after the corresponding documents were signed by President Donald Trump and state governors.
The rumor was accompanied by a purported news release from Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson's office, which references House Bill 626.
The alleged news release read, “Governor Bob Ferguson has officially signed House Bill 626 into law, making aimless driving within the State of Ohio prohibited effective May 15, 2026.”
The letter continued, “Under the new legislation, individuals may no longer operate a motor vehicle without a clear and lawful destination. ‘Cruising around,’ ‘joyriding,’ or ‘driving with no place to go’ are now prohibited under state law.”
The allegation sparked contentious discussion online when posters implied politicians were trying to limit individual liberties and regular driving practices.
Fact Check: No official announcement from state offices or White House
The claim, however, is false as there is no official press release from any of the state offices of Florida and Washington or from the White House.
House Bill 626 was introduced in recent legislative sessions in Ohio and Kentucky; however, it has no connection to "aimless driving."
The viral notices shared online also had several inaccuracies that suggested they were fake. The supposed Ohio notice used a wrong version of the state seal, with errors in the bundle of arrows and the sheaf of wheat at its center.
Similarly, the fake Florida notice contained misspellings in the state seal, including a mistake in the word “Great,” along with an inaccurate central image.
The presidential seal shown in the document also left out the Latin phrase “E Pluribus Unum,” which appears on the real seal. Additionally, all the notices circulating from different states contained the same quote.
Snopes pointed out that this would be very unusual. It is unlikely that governors such as Mike DeWine, Ron DeSantis, Andy Beshear, and Bob Ferguson would issue identical statements.
