Lift Laws

PurpleHayes519

PurpleHayes519

New member
Have any of you had any run-ins with the boys in blue because of anything rig related? Just stumbled upon the idea and curious as to who has had any trouble. If you're curious, check out liftlaws.com for more laws state by state.

Adam
 
Very interesting site. Especially for us military types. I am currently in a state with no lift laws and will be in another state in a little over a year with a 2" max lift law. That sucks!! So I guess I am going with the 2.5 BB and call it good.

Thanks for the info.
 
Well from Prince Edward Island, Canada, I've asked around and the things that your vehicle inspection can be rejected for are:

1) Lift (any combination of lift+body lift+larger tires) that raise the bumper height more than 4" over stock.
2) Tires that stick out past the flares by more than 3".

I installed a 2.5" BB and then took my Jeep in to get some exhaust work done. The shop didn't know it was lifted at all until I told them.

It's pretty laid back here so I think most shops would pass the above until you were WAY over restrictions. I don't think you'd ever have an issue with being pulled over for it as long as your inspection sticker was up to date.
 
Jethro71 said:
Very interesting site. Especially for us military types. I am currently in a state with no lift laws and will be in another state in a little over a year with a 2" max lift law. That sucks!! So I guess I am going with the 2.5 BB and call it good.

Thanks for the info.
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If you are in the military and are leaving on your home state plates the lift laws shouldn't apply to you. That would be like nailing tourists passing through the state for having a lift that is legal in their home state.
 
Jkzinger said:
If you are in the military and are leaving on your home state plates the lift laws shouldn't apply to you. That would be like nailing tourists passing through the state for having a lift that is legal in their home state.
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First off let me say that I am a police officer in GA and most equipment laws on the books are not enforced such as the 2"above or below stock suspension modification law.
This will prob piss ppl off but Jkzinger is incorrect.

Just because your vehicle is not registered in the given state your are currently within the borders of does not make you exempt from that state's equipment laws or any other motor vehicle laws. ( case law repeatedly affirms that ignorance of the law is not a valid defense)

For example: if its legal in your state to not wear a seatbelt.... Doesn't mean you can travel to GA and not be expected to follow GA seatbelt law or any other GA law that may not exist in your home state.

Research the laws in the states that you are traveling to and or are going to spend time in and expect to have to abide by them.

Most officers will use discretion regarding residency however they do not have to and a violation IS a violation regardless of residency.
 
White_JKU said:
First off let me say that I am a police officer in GA and most equipment laws on the books are not enforced such as the 2"above or below stock suspension modification law.
This will prob piss ppl off but Jkzinger is incorrect.

Just because your vehicle is not registered in the given state your are currently within the borders of does not make you exempt from that state's equipment laws or any other motor vehicle laws. ( case law repeatedly affirms that ignorance of the law is not a valid defense)

For example: if its legal in your state to not wear a seatbelt.... Doesn't mean you can travel to GA and not be expected to follow GA seatbelt law or any other GA law that may not exist in your home state.

Research the laws in the states that you are traveling to and or are going to spend time in and expect to have to abide by them.

Most officers will use discretion regarding residency however they do not have to and a violation IS a violation regardless of residency.
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Thanks for the clarification. I wasn't going to go there but I also had been told the same thing by my wife's brother who is CHP.
 
Also..... The state you go to MAY give immunity to out of state residents passing through.... Just don't assume that every state will.
 
I just find it...funny I guess is the word, that you have 0 lift laws but then go to other states and they'll say 2" lift maximum. I've also never heard of someone getting a ticket for a lift kit, in fact I've seen a cop tell a guy in a truck that his truck was nice (probably 10"+ lift, IL has 3 inch law). Another thing I heard was that window tints are really what to be careful for as most cops will not be concerned with a lift, unless it's obnoxious of course.

Also, thank you for protecting the people of our country to those who are police. I should have included that in my first post.
 
Most things like lifts or bumper height laws are enforced if your breaking another law, ie window tint too dark. They will get you on other things too if you let the conversation go that way. I don't think I have heard of anyone get pulled over for just the lift law though.
 
OverlanderJK said:
Most things like lifts or bumper height laws are enforced if your breaking another law, ie window tint too dark. They will get you on other things too if you let the conversation go that way. I don't think I have heard of anyone get pulled over for just the lift law though.
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Totally agree, and I'm thinking most cops will apply the "test of reasonableness" if a lift law exists, but a 2DR lifted like a monster truck might be catnip. Glad no lift laws exist in the states I wheel. It's kind of a mess like the 50 helmet laws we have. Great wake up call thread.:thumb:
 
I just found it very interesting to see what the laws actually are vs what you see. My general idea with anyone, police especially, is to treat them with respect and you'll get it In return. If you flip out on law enforcement and call them an asshole for pulling you over you can bet your ass you'll get a ticket. I've been pulled over one time, rolling a stop sign, and I was freaking out. Where I live cops are a little racist, my girlfriend drives an escalade, given to her by her parents it was their previous car, and the cop walked up to her and said "oh you're white, have a nice night" for not signaling her turn.
 
PurpleHayes519 said:
I just found it very interesting to see what the laws actually are vs what you see. My general idea with anyone, police especially, is to treat them with respect and you'll get it In return. If you flip out on law enforcement and call them an asshole for pulling you over you can bet your ass you'll get a ticket.

So right on the money.:yup::thumb:
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In addition to lift laws, it's interesting to see the windshield/windshield wiper laws. Makes me wonder, can I legally let the windshield down on my Jeep since technically the windshield is still there? What about cars such as the Lamborghini Aventador J which simply do not have a windshield? Driving without a windshield causes no harm to others, but only yourself (if the appropriate precautions are not taken). I'm guessing the law is more aimed towards people driving with a shattered windshield as that can cause safety issues with glass shards lying on the street. :thinking:
 
This is why I like Washington. There are tint laws etc etc. But they arnt enforced on anyone who's just driving and doing what they are supposed to. 35% tint is thee law here. I'm at 15% on my sides. And all I've gotten from the man is compliments :p

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ssh6314 said:
This is why I like Washington. There are tint laws etc etc. But they arnt enforced on anyone who's just driving and doing what they are supposed to. 35% tint is thee law here. I'm at 15% on my sides. And all I've gotten from the man is compliments :p

Sent from my EVO-3d using WAYALIFE app.
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I'm from Washington also and just thought I'd correct you and let you know the tint law is 24%. If you're using reflective tint, its 35%. Theres also a 3% tolerance so you can technically be safe with slightly darker... :rock:

http://tintlaw.com/law/WA/
 
Being a Military Police Officer i feel the need to add in the fact that most MP's (cant say for civilian police) will never pull someone over solely on the basis of a lift, or over size tires. Most of the time we will pull someone over for lets say speeding or running a stop sign and then possibly issue one for the lift. However, i will never cite someone for a lift itself or along with another due to the fact is I cant issue a Jeep a ticket on my own accord... Now us Military folks out there I have notices that most Civilian Police will more cite us with a warning for lifts, but will not for tint unless its factory tint. I have pulled one individual over for speeding (at night) and then noticed I could not see inside his vehicle. His tint was over the legal limit, so I have my Patrol Supervisor come over with our handy tint reader and come to find out this vehicle was installed with a tint over the limit in this area, but since its factory we can not do anything about it. But to add on to White_JKU said, the military service members do not get immunity just because they are stationed in one state but their vehicle is registered in another. Civilian Police will rarely cite someone for their ride height if they are from another state unless they break other state laws, but thats just what ive seen and interacted with them. My suggestion is though if you want to take the risk, keep your JK (or other lifted vehicles) registered in another state if possible and swap your second vehicles tags to the state your stationed in. For me I will register my JK in NYS and have my wifes car registered in the state we are in (or let hers run out in NYS before swaping over) but as I said its still a risk. I just cant wait to end this tour in Germany and get my JK and start my project. Will be almost 4 years out of the USA when i get back.

SGT (E-5) US Army MP
 
PurpleHayes519 said:
In addition to lift laws, it's interesting to see the windshield/windshield wiper laws. Makes me wonder, can I legally let the windshield down on my Jeep since technically the windshield is still there? What about cars such as the Lamborghini Aventador J which simply do not have a windshield? Driving without a windshield causes no harm to others, but only yourself (if the appropriate precautions are not taken). I'm guessing the law is more aimed towards people driving with a shattered windshield as that can cause safety issues with glass shards lying on the street. :thinking:
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Well if thats the case. Motorcycles would have to have windshields. Its an acceptable risk.
 
I have heard rumors of ambulance chasers sueing drivers of lifted vehicles after an accident. If they can prove the higher bumper or other mods caused greater damage and/or injury to their clent, they can sue. Again, just rumors I have heard. Can anyone confirm?

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Most law enforcement in my area are pretty lenient on tint, lifts, etc...

I agree with the common rule of thumb, you give respect you will get respect.

Most cops won't mess with you too bad or will just give you a warning unless you're a prick to them or doing something dangerous to harm others.


2010 JKU Sport
1977 CJ5

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