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Virginia Street Legal Laws

West Virginia Street Legal Laws



Washington Lift Laws and Vehicle Equipment Laws


Washington has some of the most detailed street legal laws of any state. Suspension lifts are allowed as long as they are safe and the vehicle's bumpers remain below the bumper height limit. Aftermarket wheels and tires, performance shocks, aftermarket bumpers, and grille guards are allowed.






Governing Laws

Code

Washington details its street legal laws in the Revised Code of Washington (RCW) and the Washington Administrative Code (WAC).

RCW Title 46
WAC Title 204






Vehicle Dimensions

Dimensions

In Washington, vehicles must be no bigger than 102 inches wide, 14 feet tall, and 40 feet long.

RCW 46-44-010
RCW 46-44-020
RCW 46-44-030






Tire Restrictions

Tires

All tires on vehicles driven in Washington must be safe. There is a minimum tire tread depth requirement of 1/16 inch. Tire grooving as allowed only on tires that are designed to be grooved.

RCW 46-37-420
RCW 46-37-424
RCW 46-37-425






Wheel Restrictions

Wheels

Washington's laws require that all wheels be in safe condition. Lug nuts must not extend outside of the wheel and tire.

RCW 46-37-369






Braking Requirements

Brakes

Vehicles driven in Washington are required to have functional brakes on all 4 wheels. All vehicles need to be able to stop from a speed of 20 mph within 30 feet. A secondary, mechanical, parking brake is required.

RCW 46-37-340
RCW 46-37-351






Steering Laws

Steering

Washington has a maximum allowed vehicle turning radius of 32 feet and a minimum steering wheel diameter of 12 inches.

RCW 46-37-375
WAC 204-10-022






Suspension Laws

Suspension

There are no specific suspension lift limits in Washington. Body lifts are allowed, but they cannot be home made. Anti-sway bars are mandatory.

RCW 46-37-375
WAC 204-10-036






Frame Requirements

Frame

The street legal laws in Washington require that a vehicle's frame be no lower than the sidewall height of its tires. Replacement or aftermarket frames must be FMVSS certified.

WAC 204-10-036






Bumper Restrictions

Bumpers

Washington requires that bumpers be at least 4.5 inches tall. Bumper height is limited according to the vehicle's GVWR.


Vehicle GVWR

Max. Bumper Height

Under 4,501

Front: 24 inches | Rear: 26 inches

4,501 to 7,500

Front: 27 inches | Rear: 29 inches

7,501 and over

Front: 28 inches | Rear: 30 inches

Cars and SUVs

Front: 22 inches | Rear: 22 inches


( Measured to the bottom of the bumper. )



RCW 46-37-513
WAC 204-10-022






Fender Requirements

Fenders

Fenders and mud flaps that cover the full width of a vehicle's tires are required in Washington. Mud flaps must extend downward to at least the centerline of the wheel.

RCW 46-37-500
WAC 204-10-022






Lighting Requirements

Lights

In addition to headlights and tail lights, vehicles in Washington are allowed to have additional lights installed. When a vehicle is equipped with extra lighting, no more than 4 front lights can be on at one time while driving.


Light

Number

Min. Height

Max. Height

Headlights

2 min.

24 inches

54 inches

Tail lights

2 min.

15 inches

72 inches

Spot lights

2 max.

n/a

n/a

Fog lights

2 max.

12 inches

30 inches

Aux. passing lights

2 max.

24 inches

42 inches

Aux. driving lights

2 max.

16 inches

42 inches


( Measured to the center of the light. )



RCW 46-37-040
RCW 46-37-050
RCW 46-37-180
RCW 46-37-270






Window Laws

Windows

Windshields are not required in Washington as long as the driver wears glasses or safety goggles. Windshield wipers are required if the vehicle is equipped with a windshield.

RCW 46-37-410






Exhaust Requirements

Exhaust

In Washington, vehicles are required to be equipped with mufflers. Exhaust cutouts and bypasses are not allowed to be installed.

RCW 46-37-390






Engine Swap Rules

Engine

Engine modifications and engine swaps are not covered in Washington's laws.






Emissions Testing

Emissions

5 counties in Washington currently require emissions testing.

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