PRIOR PRINTER'S NO. 1124 PRINTER'S NO. 2432
No. 1022 Session of 1987
INTRODUCED BY HUTCHINSON, APRIL 6, 1987
AS RE-REPORTED FROM COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION, HOUSE OF
REPRESENTATIVES, AS AMENDED, NOVEMBER 9, 1987
AN ACT
1 Amending Title 75 (Vehicles) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated
2 Statutes, further providing for tires and bumpers STANDARDS <--
3 FOR MOTOR VEHICLES WITH MODIFIED CHASSIS.
4 The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
5 hereby enacts as follows:
6 Section 1. Section SECTIONS 4103 AND 4525 of Title 75 of the <--
7 Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes is ARE amended by adding a <--
8 subsection to read:
9 § 4103. PROMULGATION OF VEHICLE EQUIPMENT STANDARDS. <--
10 * * *
11 (F) STANDARDS FOR MODIFIED VEHICLES.--THE DEPARTMENT SHALL
12 PROMULGATE REGULATIONS ESTABLISHING STANDARDS FOR THE APPROVAL
13 FOR OPERATION OF MOTOR VEHICLES WITH MODIFIED CHASSIS. THE
14 REGULATIONS SHALL INCLUDE, BUT NOT BE LIMITED TO, VEHICLE HEIGHT
15 AND WEIGHT, SUSPENSION SYSTEMS, BUMPERS, HEADLIGHTS AND OTHER
16 LIGHTING EQUIPMENT, BRAKES AND BRAKE LINES, FUEL TANKS AND ANY
17 OTHER AREAS THE DEPARTMENT DEEMS APPROPRIATE FOR THE SAFE
1 OPERATION OF MOTOR VEHICLES WITH MODIFIED CHASSIS.
2 § 4525. Tire equipment and traction surfaces.
3 * * *
4 (d.1) Tire width.--
5 (1) It is unlawful for any person to operate or move, or
6 cause or permit to be moved, any vehicle with tires that
7 extend beyond the body line of the vehicle. The vehicle body <--
8 line shall not be extended by permanent modifications or
9 alterations to the manufacturer specified wheel wells unless
10 a "reconstructed" title is issued in accordance with section
11 1103(g) (relating to specially constructed or reconstructed
12 vehicles). The installation of add-on fender flares, other
13 than flares installed by the original manufacturer, in order
14 to extend the body line is prohibited. PERMITTED IN <--
15 ACCORDANCE WITH DEPARTMENTAL REGULATIONS.
16 (2) This subsection does not apply to any vehicle which
17 is operated under a permit issued in accordance with section
18 4969 (relating to permit for movement of vehicles with
19 oversize wheels and tires) or to vehicles registered as
20 street rods.
21 * * *
22 Section 2. Section 4536 of Title 75 is amended to read:
23 § 4536. Bumpers.
24 (a) General rule.--No person shall operate any vehicle upon
25 a highway without bumpers of a type specified by regulations of
26 the department in both the front and rear unless the vehicle was
27 originally designed and manufactured to be used without bumpers.
28 (b) Height restriction.--
29 (1) No person shall operate any vehicle upon a highway <--
30 which has been modified by reason of alternation of its
19870H1022B2432 - 2 -
1 altitude from the ground if its bumpers, when level to the <--
2 ground, measured to any point on the lower edge of the main
3 horizontal bumper bar, exclusive of any bumper guards, do not
4 fall within the allowable limits as listed in the following
5 chart:
6 Registration type Front Bumper Height Rear Bumper Height
7 Minimum Maximum Minimum Maximum
8 Passenger cars 16 inch 20 inch 16 inch 20 inch
9 Class 1 truck 16 inch 24 inch 16 inch 26 inch
10 Class 2 truck 16 inch 27 inch 16 inch 29 inch
11 Class 3 truck 16 inch 28 inch 16 inch 30 inch
12 (2) Trucks in Classes 4 through 25 shall meet the same
13 requirements for front bumper height as Class 3 trucks. Rear
14 end protection shall be afforded as required in 49 C.F.R. §
15 393.86 (relating to rear end protection).
16 (3) If the bumper height, relative to the frame rail,
17 has been altered, or if a vehicle was not originally equipped
18 with a front or rear bumper, or a supplemental bumper has
19 been added, or if the manufacturer specified bumper has been
20 replaced with a bumper not identical to the manufacturer-
21 specified bumper, then the height measurement in paragraph
22 (1) shall be made to the bottom of the frame rail. UNLESS <--
23 THAT VEHICLE CONFORMS TO PROMULGATED DEPARTMENTAL STANDARDS.
24 (c) Exception.--This section shall not apply to any special
25 mobile equipment [or], implement of husbandry or farm truck that
26 is not so equipped by the original manufacturer.
27 Section 3. This act shall take effect in 180 days.
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