Hanging an air freshener on a rearview mirror can be a fun way to express yourself, especially since some come in the form of your favorite celebrity (who doesn’t want a George Strait decal?) However, drivers should remain aware of the restrictions mentioned in Texas law.
No law in the Texas Transportation Code explicitly mentions hanging items from one’s rearview mirror. However, wording in Section 547.613 outlines “restrictions on windows,” which, if disregarded, can land a person with a citation.
Per Section 547.613, it is a Class C misdemeanor for a person to operate a vehicle “with an object or material that is placed on or attached” to the windshield, side, or rear window” if it “obstructs or reduces the operator’s clear view.”
If the dice hanging on the rearview mirror, which is near the windshield, are large enough to block one’s line of sight, that could be considered a Class C misdemeanor. For this offense, you’re looking at a fine of up to $500, per Texas Penal Code Section 12.23.
The legality of air fresheners is also not mentioned in the Texas Transportation Code, so folks should heed guidance from the previously mentioned section regarding it becoming a visual barrier.
Hollingsworth Law Firm, which has offices in San Antonio, New Braunfels, and beyond, announced in a 2025 social media video that police can give you a ticket for the scented item if they deem it possibly obstructs your view. The attorney says it is allowed because it is considered a traffic safety issue.