Is there any such thing as a "ground clearance" law?

GENE328is · #1 (**permalink**) 04-25-2003, 10:41 PM

Today I was gettin harassed by a cop for speeding, and he started talking to me about my car and if it was lowered. I told him it wasn't even tho it is... but it got me thinking... is there anything they can really do about it? Also, NJ state law says a license plate has to be at least 12 inches off the ground...well... can they technically pull you over for this or is it not in their jurisdiction?

MotorWerkz · #2 (**permalink**) 04-25-2003, 10:50 PM

I believe they could not, I think the cop only want to threaten you.

most exotics are low, thus their license plate is definitely lower than LOWERED bimmer.. if they pull all those over, why U.S bother to import those exotics .. am I right?

Ghettoraid · #3 (**permalink**) 04-25-2003, 11:03 PM

I've read this online before.. there IS a height minimum for your headlights. If they're not XX" above the ground, you're gonna get a fix it.

MotorWerkz · #4 (**permalink**) 04-25-2003, 11:28 PM

erm, so those exotics like lamborghini will get a fix-it ticket whenever they are driven out?

cotmfk · #5 (**permalink**) 04-26-2003, 07:06 AM

I heard the bottom of your front bumper has to be in a certain range: Min of 2 in clearance to some thing really high for people who like to raise their SUVs. My VR-4 justy barely passes the 2 inches!! I've never had problems with my car, though... I had DC tags and am in VA almost all the time.

Stldave2 · #6 (**permalink**) 04-26-2003, 08:53 AM

At the lowest part of my front bumper i have 4.1" of clearance... the lowest part of my car is the exhaust pipe just before it goes into the muffler at a wopping 3.6", atleast its right behind the drivers rear wheel.

Joey325i · #7 (**permalink**) 04-26-2003, 09:32 AM

yes there are laws, like the front wheel well has to be a certain height form the ground or else it is a fix it, so your car cant be
super low, if it is then the cops can give you a fix it, my girlfriends brother has gotten one of these

robfrmny21 · #8 (**permalink**) 04-26-2003, 03:37 PM

the cop has to have probable cause to pull a car over. seeing you break the law or having reason to believe you are. the height this is just as bad as tints on the car th cop can pull you over if he feels its illegal mod or if hes a hatter and a dick head mother ****er

robfrmny21 · #9 (**permalink**) 04-26-2003, 03:39 PM

exotics are street legal when they leave the factory.

Ghettoraid · #10 (**permalink**) 04-26-2003, 03:43 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by MotorWerkz
erm, so those exotics like lamborghini will get a fix-it ticket whenever they are driven out?

What's so unbelievable about that?

Any car you import has to be legalized for use in your state. Be it emissions, lighting, restraints, whatever.

Just because some eye-talian thinks that left and right turn signals will spoil the looks of his car doesn't mean you can get away without them...Know what I mean?

E31 · #11 (**permalink**) 04-26-2003, 03:46 PM

There is, but it is for the impact area of the bumper that needs to be a certain height. So for those backward ass rednecks with their raised truck that flip on a dime, they are the ones that need to be busted. Those cars actually cause more harm as they climb over the other cars, so they are more dangerous than our cars.

Rob ITR1035 · #12 (**permalink**) 04-26-2003, 03:55 PM

most of these laws are designed to go against modified cars, not all cars. so the exotics probably are exceptions to the laws...

illegalprelude · #13 (**permalink**) 04-26-2003, 04:16 PM

GENE328is · #14 (**permalink**) 04-26-2003, 06:16 PM

so when i put my Rieger lip spoiler on my car and it is 4" off the ground, can I get pulled over for it?

pete · #15 (**permalink**) 04-26-2003, 06:33 PM

the laws in utah clearly state that modification of suspension that results in a lower then factory ride hight is illegal, in any circumstances... "Lifting" trucks is limited to 4 inches...

funny how lifted trucks are more deadly then lowered cars? not only are they top heavy, the large rotating mass of the bigger tires inhibits braking, but also when in an impact with even an ordinary car, they put the OTHER cars passengers at risk... yet thats legal?

on the highway today, in my gti, a guy in a lifted f-350 diesel was following so closely that all i could see out my rear window was bumper, and a little bit of grill. and that was at 95mph, imagine if i had really needed to stop.