NH Height Legality Question
- Thread starter JJS
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fourlow&go
@ the speed of plaid
JJS, this is what I found, source/link at the bottom. Technically we are to have flares that cover the tread of the tire and flaps that stop spray, debris etc. from being trown out the back that are of a size described by the Director of DMV. Typical NH "Gray Laws" I call them. Do your best , don't be an ass and all will be well.
266:9 Height of Motor Vehicle Body and Chassis. – No person shall change the height of, or alter a bumper of, a private passenger vehicle so that the height of any horizontal bumper falls below the minimum distance of 16 inches or above the maximum distance of 20 inches. No person shall change the height of, or alter a bumper of, any vehicle other than a private passenger vehicle so that the height of any horizontal bumper falls below the minimum distance of 16 inches or above the maximum distance of 30 inches. Measurement shall be made from the level ground to the bottom of the bumper with tires inflated to manufacturer's maximum air pressure. If a vehicle is not commonly manufactured with a rear bumper, measurement shall be made to the bottom edge of the chassis frame siderails. No motor vehicle that has been changed or altered so as to exceed the limitations of this section shall be driven on any way without the prior approval of the director. For the purpose of this section, in addition to the definition contained in RSA 259:81, the term ""private passenger vehicle'' shall mean a vehicle that has no provision for carrying a load other than a conventional trunk or the cargo area of a station wagon or similar type of vehicle.
Source. RSA 263:6-b. 1975, 176:1. 1979, 358:5, II. 1981, 146:1. 1985, 213:23. 1987, 404:14. 1994, 384:1, eff. June 9, 1994.
CHAPTER 266 EQUIPMENT OF VEHICLES
266:9 Height of Motor Vehicle Body and Chassis. – No person shall change the height of, or alter a bumper of, a private passenger vehicle so that the height of any horizontal bumper falls below the minimum distance of 16 inches or above the maximum distance of 20 inches. No person shall change the height of, or alter a bumper of, any vehicle other than a private passenger vehicle so that the height of any horizontal bumper falls below the minimum distance of 16 inches or above the maximum distance of 30 inches. Measurement shall be made from the level ground to the bottom of the bumper with tires inflated to manufacturer's maximum air pressure. If a vehicle is not commonly manufactured with a rear bumper, measurement shall be made to the bottom edge of the chassis frame siderails. No motor vehicle that has been changed or altered so as to exceed the limitations of this section shall be driven on any way without the prior approval of the director. For the purpose of this section, in addition to the definition contained in RSA 259:81, the term ""private passenger vehicle'' shall mean a vehicle that has no provision for carrying a load other than a conventional trunk or the cargo area of a station wagon or similar type of vehicle.
Source. RSA 263:6-b. 1975, 176:1. 1979, 358:5, II. 1981, 146:1. 1985, 213:23. 1987, 404:14. 1994, 384:1, eff. June 9, 1994.
CHAPTER 266 EQUIPMENT OF VEHICLES
You could call and ask how they handle it...Just ask if is a big deal or not. Maybe get an opinion from a few counties.
Sullivan County Sherrif: 603-863-4200
Sullivan County Sherrif: 603-863-4200
fourlow&go
@ the speed of plaid
The way I understand it, and your friend will have to look at their registration to see how it's classed, "passenger" vehicles can be no higher than twenty inches to the bottom of bumper. While "all purpose" vehicles can be no higher than thirty inches to the bottom of the bumper.
Ya, this is pretty much how I interpreted it too, as did the shop I use for my stickers. What's weird about this is, my pickup is OK (barely, like 1/2" under the max), but a similarly lifted 4Runner wouldn't pass. Makes no sense.
My son has a friend that works in a shop that does inspections, and he swears that the law in NH on tires is that you are allowed 1-1/4" of tread hanging out beyond the fender. I don't think that is correct, but I haven't looked it up, since I don't have the issue.
Honestly, a lot of it comes down to the shop you use for inspections. The year after I did my SAS, I went to several places to get a sticker, most took one look at it and said "no way, the suspension has been modified too much, it doesn't pass". I asked them to show me the rule, but got the "I'm not taking the risk" BS. Then I pulled into a place in Plaistow, the guy did the sticker in the driveway, he never even pulled a wheel or opened the hood. But I also have used another place here in Salem for years since then, they are very fussy, and they don't give me any trouble, because they know I am really careful on my vehicles. Every time I take my pickup over them, all the mechanics stand around it and say "how many miles on this thing again?" Shoulda seen the look on the guys face the first time he saw my transfer-case e-brake...
And, you can get by on the road with being a little over the rules, but you just have to not drive like a jerk. I run my 35's all summer, which puts me over the height and they do stick out almost 2", but I've never been hassled.
My son has a friend that works in a shop that does inspections, and he swears that the law in NH on tires is that you are allowed 1-1/4" of tread hanging out beyond the fender. I don't think that is correct, but I haven't looked it up, since I don't have the issue.
Honestly, a lot of it comes down to the shop you use for inspections. The year after I did my SAS, I went to several places to get a sticker, most took one look at it and said "no way, the suspension has been modified too much, it doesn't pass". I asked them to show me the rule, but got the "I'm not taking the risk" BS. Then I pulled into a place in Plaistow, the guy did the sticker in the driveway, he never even pulled a wheel or opened the hood. But I also have used another place here in Salem for years since then, they are very fussy, and they don't give me any trouble, because they know I am really careful on my vehicles. Every time I take my pickup over them, all the mechanics stand around it and say "how many miles on this thing again?" Shoulda seen the look on the guys face the first time he saw my transfer-case e-brake...
And, you can get by on the road with being a little over the rules, but you just have to not drive like a jerk. I run my 35's all summer, which puts me over the height and they do stick out almost 2", but I've never been hassled.
