VA Lift Laws
January 1st, 2010, 7:02 PM
#1
CF Junior Member
Thread Starter
VA Lift Laws
<!--EXPIRE_CHECKBOX--> <!--POLLS--> <!--FILES--> Anybody know how strict va is on the lift laws. I was told if it looks too high or too noticable you get pulled over. If you look not to be high on the bumper height from the ground they wont do anything. I have a 90 c2500hd chevy its 8600 buts its registered at 6500. I have 16in wheels/245-7516 on it now. I think already close to the 29in-30in mark. I want to do 35's or 38's.
January 1st, 2010, 9:50 PM
#2
CF Junior Member
Thread Starter
What are the bumper height laws in the state of Virginia? Section 46.2-1063 states:
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.
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.
January 2nd, 2010, 5:40 AM
#3
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Glad we could help you with that.
Maryland has similar laws, but it is at the discretion of the officer, in Virginia you go for inspection on a regular basis.
Maryland has similar laws, but it is at the discretion of the officer, in Virginia you go for inspection on a regular basis.
January 2nd, 2010, 7:39 AM
#4
CF Junior Member
Thread Starter
We once a year for safety inspection unless it tagged antique but I cant do that for other 6 years yet though. I know of alot of trucks and suvs that are illegal according to the law listed above. But never heard of anybody getting pulled over for being lifted too high though. I heard of people getting pulled over illegal exhaust though. I think the cops are more concerned of the loudness of the car/truck than a lifted/lowered one.
January 2nd, 2010, 11:57 AM
#6
CF Junior Member
Thread Starter
CALIFORNIA
What you can do is dependent on the GVWR. If your truck's is 4,500 pounds, the maximum frame height is 27 inches. If the GVWR is 4,501 to 7,500 pounds, it's 30 inches, and for 7,501- to 10,000 pounders, it's 31 inches. Also keep in mind that the lowest portion of the body floor can't be more than 5 inches above the top of the frame. More info. max headlight hieght is 54", max tail light hieght is 72", and the reflectors on your headlights can't be higher than 60". Max width of tires on the roads is 102", and if your GVWR is over 10,000 pounds there is no frame height rule.
What you can do is dependent on the GVWR. If your truck's is 4,500 pounds, the maximum frame height is 27 inches. If the GVWR is 4,501 to 7,500 pounds, it's 30 inches, and for 7,501- to 10,000 pounders, it's 31 inches. Also keep in mind that the lowest portion of the body floor can't be more than 5 inches above the top of the frame. More info. max headlight hieght is 54", max tail light hieght is 72", and the reflectors on your headlights can't be higher than 60". Max width of tires on the roads is 102", and if your GVWR is over 10,000 pounds there is no frame height rule.
January 5th, 2010, 9:23 AM
#7
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Speaking from experience in VA, unless your riding on 40's or more I don't think you'll get pulled. But you need to make sure you have marker lights that stick out from the body to within an inch of the tire width. I got pulled for that one three times in my Suzuki Samurai that had 35's on it.