Delaware Lift Laws and Vehicle Equipment Laws

The Delaware Code (DC) and Delaware DMV Regulations (DDMVR) specify the street legal laws for the state.

Overall vehicle size in Delaware is limited to 102 inches wide, 13 feet 6 inches tall, and 40 feet long for a single vehicle.

Delaware requires only that tires be in safe operating condition, without any bulges or exposed cords. There is no listed minimum tread depth and there is no reference to tire grooving in the code.

Delaware’s codes do not reference wheels.

A vehicle’s brakes must be capable of stopping the vehicle within 30 feet from a speed of 20 mph. A secondary, mechanical, parking brake is required in Delaware.

Delaware does not have any specific rules for a vehicle’s steering system.

There are no suspension lift limits in Delaware, however, vehicles are limited by frame and bumper heights.

In Delaware, the frame of a vehicle must not be higher than the bumpers. The body of the vehicle can be no higher than 3 inches above the frame.

All vehicles with a GVWR of less than 10,000 lbs. have a maximum bumper height of 30 inches in Delaware.

( Measured to the bottom of the bumper. )

Delaware only requires commercial vehicles to have fenders and mud flaps.

In addition to headlights and tail lights, vehicles in Delaware are allowed to have several additional lights installed. When a vehicle is equipped with extra lighting, the maximum number of lights that can be on in the front of the vehicle is 4.

( Measured to the center of the light. )

Delaware’s codes do not specifically state whether or not windshields are required, although, vehicles with windshields are required to have windshield wipers.

In Delaware, vehicles are required to have mufflers and it is prohibited to install exhaust cutouts.

There is a maximum hood scoop height of 3 inches in Delaware.

Emissions testing is required for certain model year vehicles in Delaware.