New York’s laws are very difficult to read and it appears as though a vehicle’s bumper height is the only significant restriction. There are no suspension lift limits or frame height restrictions listed in the state’s laws. As long as bumper height is kept legal, suspension lift kits, aftermarket wheels and tires, performance shocks, aftermarket bumpers, and grille guards are allowed.
 Code |
The Laws of New York (LNY) specify the state’s street legal laws. |
LNY VAT 9 |
 Dimensions |
Overall vehicle size in New York is limited to 102 inches wide, 13 feet 6 inches tall, and 45 feet long for a single vehicle. A vehicle’s body is limited to a width of 96 inches. |
LNY VAT 10-385 |
 Tires |
New York requires only that tires be in safe operating condition, without any bulges or exposed cords. There is no listed minimum tire tread depth and there is no reference to tire grooving in the code. |
LNY VAT 9-375-35 |
 Wheels |
New York’s laws do not reference wheels. |
|
 Brakes |
All vehicles in New York are required to have functional brakes. A secondary, mechanical, parking brake is also required. |
LNY VAT 9-375-1 |
 Steering |
New York does not have any specific rules for a vehicle’s steering system other than it needing to be in good operating condition. |
|
 Suspension |
There are no suspension lift limits in New York. |
|
 Frame |
There is no vehicle frame height restriction in New York. |
|
 Bumpers |
All cars and SUVs in New York are required to have front and rear bumpers. The required mounting height for bumpers is between 16 and 20 inches. For trucks, the code is not as clear. It is likely that the maximum bumper height for trucks in New York is 30 inches. |
LNY VAT 9-375-48 |
 Fenders |
New York only requires that commercial vehicles be equipped with fenders and mud flaps. |
LNY VAT 9-375-25 |
 Lights |
At least 2 headlights and 2 tail lights are required on vehicles in New York. It is unclear if auxiliary lighting is allowed. |
LNY VAT 9-375-2 |
 Windows |
Windshields and windshield wipers are required in New York. |
LNY VAT 9-375-1b LNY VAT 9-375-12a |
 Exhaust |
In New York, vehicles are required to have mufflers and it is prohibited to install exhaust cutouts. |
LNY VAT 9-375-31 |
 Engine |
It is unclear whether or not New York has any engine swap or engine performance modification rules. |
|
 Emissions |
New York currently requires both safety inspections and emissions testing. |