How to Pray While Traveling by Bus or Car
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Question
I pray the Shacharit prayer every morning on my way to work. Should I bow during the blessings and Modim? And how should I perform Oseh Shalom?
Answer
Praying while sitting is really only a last resort, but if you can pray with more intention this way because if you delay and pray at home you won't be able to concentrate due to the delay in travel, you can pray while sitting.
During the bowings and Modim, you should stand to bow, and if you cannot stand, make a semblance of bowing while sitting. Similarly, for Oseh Shalom, if you can stand and take three steps back, it is preferable, and if you cannot stand and step back, you can ask the driver to reverse a little and then say Oseh Shalom, this is also good, and as a last resort, bow for Oseh Shalom while sitting.
Source
Shulchan Aruch, Siman 94, Se'if 5: "If he is sitting in a boat or a carriage, if he can stand at the place of bowing, he should stand, so that he bows from a standing position and takes three steps back."
The Rema writes: "Even if he sits for the entire prayer, nevertheless, if he can stand, he should stand, in order to perform the bowings and steps as they should be done. (Beit Yosef in the name of Orchot Chaim). And if he cannot, such as riding on an animal, let the animal take three steps back, and it counts as if he himself took the steps."