Lowering Laws by State
Compare lowering regulations across all 50 states.
| State | Status | Key limits | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Legal | — | Details → |
| Alaska | Legal | — | Details → |
| Arizona | Legal | Headlamp height: 22 in minimum Statewide minimum: none | Details → |
| Arkansas | Legal | — | Details → |
| California | Conditional | Rule: no part of the body (except wheels) below the lowest point of any wheel rim | Details → |
| Colorado | Conditional | Rule: no suspension alteration from the manufacturer's original design except per department specifications | Details → |
| Connecticut | Conditional | Max raise: 4 in above unladen factory height Min clearance: 4 in from level ground to sprung portion | Details → |
| Delaware | Legal | Bumper max cars: 22 in Body above frame: 3 in Bumper max others: 30 in | Details → |
| Florida | Legal | Minimum: none Headlamps: ≥24 in | Details → |
| Georgia | Conditional | Max variance: 2 in above or below factory recommendation | Details → |
| Hawaii | Legal | Lowering minimum: none Body to frame gap: 3 in Bumper max by gvwr: 29 in up to 4,500 lb; 33 in 4,501-7,500 lb; 35 in 7,501-10,000 lb +1 more on the state page | Details → |
| Idaho | Conditional | Rule: no part other than wheels below the lowest point of any wheel rim Bumper min height: 4.5 in tall Bumper height cars: max 22 in | Details → |
| Illinois | Conditional | Bumper max cars: 22 in Lowering minimum: none Bumper min height: 4.5 in tall replacement bumpers | Details → |
| Indiana | Conditional | Max variance: 3 in from original manufactured bumper height | Details → |
| Iowa | Legal | — | Details → |
| Kansas | Legal | — | Details → |
| Kentucky | Legal | — | Details → |
| Louisiana | Conditional | Equipment: operational shock absorbers and springs required Ground clearance min: 4 in, measured from the frame with the vehicle on a level surface Suspension travel min: 3 in | Details → |
| Maine | Conditional | Min frame height: 10 in (or original height if built lower) | Details → |
| Maryland | Conditional | Minimum height: none specified Bumper max passenger: 20 in (Class A) Bumper modification ban: bumpers may not be modified or extended up or down to compensate for suspension or body alterations | Details → |
| Massachusetts | Conditional | Max variance: 2 in above or below manufacturer's specified height | Details → |
| Michigan | Conditional | Fuel tank: may not expose the fuel tank to damage from collision Suspension: original suspension may not be disconnected or modified to defeat safe operation Ground contact: body or chassis may not contact the ground +2 more on the state page | Details → |
| Minnesota | Conditional | Max variance: 6 in from original manufactured height Bumper max mpv: 25 in Bumper max cars: 20 in | Details → |
| Mississippi | Conditional | Penalties: $100 / $200 / $300, 12-month suspension on the third offense within 5 years Squat rule: front fender may not sit 4 or more inches higher than the rear fender Minimum height: none | Details → |
| Missouri | Legal | — | Details → |
| Montana | Legal | — | Details → |
| Nebraska | Legal | — | Details → |
| Nevada | Legal | — | Details → |
| New Hampshire | Conditional | Max bumper height: 20 in passenger, 30 in MPV/light truck Min bumper height when altered: 16 in | Details → |
| New Jersey | Legal | Note: NJ regulates raised vehicles, not lowered ones | Details → |
| New Mexico | Legal | — | Details → |
| New York | Conditional | Bumper: some part of front and rear bumper within 16–20 in | Details → |
| North Carolina | Conditional | Squat rule: front fender may not sit 4 or more inches higher than the rear fender Minimum height: none | Details → |
| North Dakota | Legal | — | Details → |
| Ohio | Conditional | Fuel tank: may not expose the fuel tank to damage from collision Suspension: no part of the original suspension may be disconnected to defeat safe operation Frame rail max: where bumpers are lowered or modified, the bumper maximums are measured to the bottom of the frame rail: 22 in cars; 24/26, 27/29, 28/31 in front/rear by GVWR +2 more on the state page | Details → |
| Oklahoma | Legal | — | Details → |
| Oregon | Conditional | Rule: no part other than the wheels may have less clearance than the lowest point of any wheel rim | Details → |
| Pennsylvania | Conditional | Rule: inspection rejects spring shackle kits or blocks used to lower the front suspension; shackle kits may not exceed 2 in over OEM | Details → |
| Rhode Island | Conditional | Max variance: 4 in above or below the manufacturer's specified height | Details → |
| South Carolina | Conditional | Fender rule: front fender may not differ 4 or more inches from rear Max variance: 6 in elevated or lowered (passenger vehicles; pickups exempt) | Details → |
| South Dakota | Legal | — | Details → |
| Tennessee | Conditional | Rule: no modification may cause the body or chassis to contact the ground or expose the fuel tank Squat rule: front fender may not sit 4 or more inches higher than the rear fender (2024 Pub. Ch. 541) Max bumper height cars: 22 in | Details → |
| Texas | Legal | Minimum: none Headlamps: ≥24 in | Details → |
| Utah | Conditional | Min clearance: 3 in for any part other than tires, rims, and mudguards Frame height max: 24/26/28 in by GVWR | Details → |
| Vermont | Conditional | Scrub line: applies only to street rods, homebuilt, exhibition vehicles, and NEVs Bumper max cars: 22 in front / 22 in rear (maximums only — no minimum) Bumper max trucks: 24/26 in up to 4,500 lb; 27/29 in 4,501-7,500 lb; 28/30 in 7,501 lb and over; 28/31 in 4WD and dual-wheel | Details → |
| Virginia | Conditional | Bumper min: 14 in (cars must stay within 14–22 in) | Details → |
| Washington | Conditional | Rim line rule: no part of the vehicle except the wheels may have less road clearance than the lowest point of any wheel rim Rolling clearance: must be able to move on its four rims on a flat surface with no other part touching Height change while driving: may not be raised or lowered while travelling over 15 mph on a road posted 25 mph or less | Details → |
| West Virginia | Conditional | Max bumper height: 31 in Min bumper height: 6 in | Details → |
| Wisconsin | Conditional | Rule: no part below the bottom of the wheel rims | Details → |
| Wyoming | Legal | — | Details → |
Limits shown apply to sedans, or to all vehicles where the law doesn't distinguish. Vehicle-specific rules, exceptions, and statute citations are on each state's page.
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