It is nothing that is legislated but it is a rule like the Secret Service – the federal police organization responsible for protecting the president and vice president, both current and former.
The rule appeared after President John F. Kennedy was shot to death in 1963.
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Driver for life
Although JFK wasn’t driving the car when he was shot, the rule was put in place right after.
This means that both the president (and the vice president) get to live with a driver for the rest of their lives.
Nor is it just any driver, but a specially trained bodyguard who is trained for safe driving.
The last president to actually run himself was Lyndon B. Johnson who became president right after JFK.
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There are exceptions
That being said, US presidents and vice presidents are allowed to drive in fenced areas or their own land. It is something that both Ronald Reagan and George Bush took note of.
There are also cases when presidents have driven cars in connection with car factory visits and the like, for example when Joe Biden drove a Ford F-150 Lightning during a visit to a plant in Michigan.
In fenced areas, presidents are allowed to drive. (Photo: Evan Vucci/AP)