Click here for the VA lift laws.


? 46.2-1063. Alteration of suspension system; bumper height limits; raising body above frame rail.

No person shall drive on a public highway any motor vehicle registered as a passenger motor vehicle if it has been modified by alteration of its altitude from the ground to the extent that its bumpers, measured to any point on the lower edge of the main horizontal bumper bar, exclusive of any bumper guards, are not within the range of fourteen inches to twenty-two inches above the ground. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this section, the range of bumper heights for motor vehicles bearing street rod license plates issued pursuant to ? 46.2-747 shall be nine to twenty-two inches.

No vehicle shall be modified to cause the vehicle body or chassis to come in contact with the ground, expose the fuel tank to damage from collision, or cause the wheels to come in contact with the body under normal operation. No part of the original suspension system of a motor vehicle shall be disconnected to defeat the safe operation of its suspension system. However, nothing contained in this section shall prevent the installation of heavy duty equipment, including shock absorbers and overload springs. Nothing contained in this section shall prohibit the driving on a public highway of a motor vehicle with normal wear to the suspension system if such normal wear does not adversely affect the control of the vehicle.

No person shall drive on a public highway any motor vehicle registered as a truck if it has been modified by alteration of its altitude from the ground to the extent that its bumpers, measured to any point on the lower edge of the main horizontal bumper bar, exclusive of any bumper guards, do not fall within the limits specified herein for its gross vehicle weight rating category. The front bumper height of trucks whose gross vehicle weight ratings are 4,500 pounds or less shall be no less than 14 inches and no more than 28 inches, and their rear bumper height shall be no less than 14 inches and no more than 28 inches. The front bumper height of trucks whose gross vehicle weight ratings are 4,501 pounds to 7,500 pounds shall be no less than 14 inches and no more than 29 inches, and their rear bumper height shall be no less than 14 inches and no more than 30 inches. The front bumper height of trucks whose gross vehicle weight ratings are 7,501 pounds to 15,000 pounds shall be no less than 14 inches and no more than 30 inches, and their rear bumper height shall be no less than 14 inches and no more than 31 inches. Bumper height limitations contained in this section shall not apply to trucks with gross vehicle weight ratings in excess of 15,000 pounds. For the purpose of this section, "truck" includes pickup and panel trucks, and "gross vehicle weight ratings" means manufacturer's gross vehicle weight ratings established for that vehicle as indicated by a number, plate, sticker, decal, or other device affixed to the vehicle by its manufacturer.

In the absence of bumpers, and in cases where bumper heights have been lowered, height measurements under the foregoing provisions of this section shall be made to the bottom of the frame rail. However, if bumper heights have been raised, height measurements under the foregoing provisions of this section shall be made to the bottom of the main horizontal bumper bar.

No vehicle shall be operated on a public highway if it has been modified by any means so as to raise its body more than three inches, in addition to any manufacturer's spacers and bushings, above the vehicle's frame rail or manufacturer's attachment points on the frame rail.

This section shall not apply to specially designed or modified motor vehicles when driven off the public highways in races and similar events. Such motor vehicles may be lawfully towed on the highways of the Commonwealth.

 

More light reading:

Below is the inspection procedure, and THIS LINK has all the official rules and regulations to be concerned with.




REQUIRED OFFICIAL INSPECTION PROCEDURE

Each inspection consists of the following items – for further details consult the "Official Inspection Manual":

1. - REMOVE OLD INSPECTION STICKER.

2. - DRIVE VEHICLE INTO INSPECTION LANE.

3. - INSPECT BRAKES FOR:

*Worn, damaged or missing parts.
*Worn, contaminated or defective linings or drums.
*Leaks in system, proper fluid level.
*Worn, contaminated or defective disc pads or discs.
(NOTE: A minimum of two wheels and drums must be removed from each vehicle at the time of inspection. Consult the official inspection manual for exceptions.)

4. - INSPECT PARKING BRAKE FOR:

*Broken or missing parts.
*Proper adjustment.
*Standard factory equipment or equivalent.

5. - INSPECT HEADLIGHTS FOR:

*Approved type, aim, and output.
*Condition of lamp, wiring and switch.
*Beam indicator.

6. - INSPECT OTHER LIGHTS FOR:

*Approved type, proper bulbs, condition of lenses, wiring and switch.
*Aim of fog and driving lamps.
*Illumination of all lamps, lens color, and condition of lens.
(NOTE: Every vehicle must have a rear lamp showing a red light to the rear, a white light illuminating the rear license plate; vehicles over 7 feet wide or extending 4 inches or more beyond the front fender extremes must be equipped with approved clearance lamps and reflex reflectors. Count load in measuring.)

7. – INSPECT SIGNAL DEVICE FOR:

*Approved type, proper bulbs, condition of lenses, wiring and switch.
*Correct indications and tell-tale (visual or audible).
*Illumination of all lamps, lens color, and condition of lens.

8. – INSPECT STEERING & SUSPENSION FOR: (Jack up front end as shown in Manual)

*Wear in bushings, kingpins, ball joints, wheel bearings, tie rod ends.
*Looseness of gear box on frame, condition of drag link and steering arm.
*Play in steering wheel.
*Wheel alignment and axle alignment.
*Broken spring leaves, and worn shackles.
*Shock absorbers.
*Broken frame.
*Broken or missing engine mounts.
*Lift blocks.

9. – INSPECT TIRES, WHEELS & RIMS FOR:

*Condition of tires including tread depth.
*Mixing radials and bias ply tires.
*Wheels that are cracked or damaged so as to affect safe operation.

10. – INSPECT MIRROR FOR:

*Rigidity of mounting.
*Condition of reflecting surface.
*View of road to rear (Truck mirrors must extend at least halfway beyond edge of body) – (Visibility 200 feet to rear).

11. – INSPECT HORN FOR:

*Electrical connections, mounting and horn button.
*Emits sound audible for a minimum of 200 feet.

12. – INSPECT WINDSHIELD AND OTHER GLASS FOR:

*Approved type safety glass.
*Cloudiness, distortion or other obstruction to vision.
*Cracked, scratched or broken glass.
*Stickers. ALL UNAUTHORIZED STICKERS MUST BE REMOVED.
*Sunshading material attached to the windshield to ensure it does not extend more than 3 inches downward from the top of windshield, unless authorized by Medical Waiver Certificate.
*Operation of left front door glass.

13. – INSPECT WINDSHIELD WIPER/DEFROSTER FOR:

*Operating condition.
*Condition of blade.

14. – INSPECT EXHAUST SYSTEM FOR:

*Exhaust line-manifold, gaskets, pipes, mufflers, connections, etc.
*Leakage of gases at any point from motor to point discharged from system.

15. – INSPECT LICENSE TAGS FOR:

*Illumination of rear plate.

16. – INSPECT HOOD AND AREA UNDER THE HOOD FOR:

*Operating condition of hood latch.
*Presence of emissions system -Evidence that any essential parts have been removed, rendered inoperative or disconnected.
*Fluid levels that are below the proper level
1. Brake fluid.
2. Power steering fluid.

*Power steering belt - proper tension, wear, or absence.

17. – INSPECT AIR POLLUTION CONTROL SYSTEM (1973 and Subsequent Models) FOR:

*Installation.
*Operation.
(NOTE: This includes the catalytic converter and the fuel tank filler pipe.)

18. – INSPECT DRIVER’S SEAT FOR:

*Anchorage.
* Location.
*Condition.

19. – INSPECT SEAT BELTS FOR:

*Approved type.
*Installation.

20. – INSPECT DOORS AT THE RIGHT & LEFT SIDE OF THE DRIVER’S SEAT FOR:

*Handle or opening device which will permit the opening of the door from the outside and inside of the vehicle.
*Latching system which will hold door in its proper closed position.

21. – INSPECT FUEL SYSTEM FOR:

*Any part that is not securely fastened.
*Liquid fuel leakage.
*Fuel tank filler cap for presence.

22. – INSPECT FLOOR PAN FOR:

(a) Holes which allow exhaust gases to enter occupant compartment.
(b) Conditions which create a hazard to the occupants.

23. – ISSUE STICKER:

(a) If approved, place approval sticker on the vehicle, and give pink copy of certificate to operator.
(b) ALL DEFECTS MUST BE CORRECTED AND THE VEHICLE REINSPECTED WITHIN 15 DAYS.

THE DRIVER MAY BE IN JEOPARDY OF RECEIVING A SUMMONS FOR ANY DEFECT STILL

PRESENT ANY TIME THE VEHICLE IS OPERATED ON THE HIGHWAY

 

FWIW, I have NEVER been hassled in VA for driving this pile of trash around. Got pulled over in PA and asked about my bumpers once, and that was before it was even SAS'd/lifted.

 

thanks everyone for there input on this topic and bitch sesson. Thought I was a lone soilder on this one. I understand that is a saftey matter. Thanks for the links Ric.

 

Also, thanks Beater Toyota. Here around Roanoke Va, there was a big uproar over one accident a couple years ago involving a lifted truck and afterall, it is a commonwealth state. thanks for the links and info... thanks to everyone who had input and replys. new to this website and am damn glad I found it. rock on with your bad ass self!!!!

 

Yeah our cops are going to look at your coils and say ya know why I pulled you over, you have coil spacers.

michigan has got to be one of the most lax states, over here they only pull you over if you are doing 15+ over the speedlimit. you can get away with anything.

 

Looks like I might take my Subaru to the East Coast, I'm mad illegal in most states. I guess I'm living in the west for a long time. Besides 22" that's less than 2 feet off the ground that's nothing. How many get harassed in GA? I need to go back to check some personal stuff there in a few months and I wanted to bring the 4runner.

 

I really dislike the arguement that lifted trucks are unsafe due to higher bumper heights...look what we share the road with in the form of big rigs....granted I know some of them have lower bumpers but I don't think that is going to matter much when they run over you.

 

so whats the laws for az. cuz the link that shows all states, well it didnt have much for az, is that cuz there not strict or just not listed?

 

Best option would be to check the state's dept. of motor vehicle's web site and peruse the vehicle code for the answer. You'll have to search a bit to find the various restrictions like frame/bumper/light heights, etc.

 

Trucks are still the minority and in the near future even smaller cars will be hitting the road as gas prices continue to go up. Trucks do still have the bumper laws and that's all they really can do since they do need to share the road. Your truck was sold at or below the legal limit and lifting it is your choice to break those laws.

Smaller vehicles have to deal with semis on the roads and are dangerous but lifting your truck past the legal limit just adds to the problem thus the laws.

 

I think it's more because of the level of the headlights from lifted vehicles, at least that's the complaint around here. The headlights shine right in your eyes & blind you if the owner of the lifted vehicle doesn't lower them onto the bumper or aim them correctly. I've been blinded by several lifted trucks on curvy two lane highways at night, no fun at all. I know people say "oh they can run right over you in an accident" but that's more of a speed concern than a height concern.

 

For what it's worth, I just completed LiftLaws.com and in the process of finding the laws for each state I talked to an attorney that gave me good advice. He said street legal laws can get you fix-it tickets but the worst thing is if your insurance company drops you because your vehicle violates the law. I'm writing an article on the subject now and will post it on that site soon.

Ben

edit: Darn! Sorry about bringing back such an old thread, found it doing a search.

 

better question is who even pays attention to em...

 

Lift laws here in WA, not so much, but damn them with their bumper height and mudflap laws!!! lol

 

looks like a good site man. Thanks for posting.

 

Hey.pm'ed ya.

 

a lot of states have lift laws i have also ran a tow company they will neaver mess with you over it but.. if you are doing something else wrong they will use that as reson 2 pull u over

 

Nice reference site btw.

 

The mudflap law in WA makes me mad, because 90% of the vehicles i see on the road violate that law...
And if i took off my mudflaps, i'd get ticketed instantly.