Pages of Interest to 4x4ers
Click on a topic or the '+' to expand the topic.
(menu created with TreeView)
Click on a topic or the '+' to expand the topic.
(menu created with TreeView)
1.10 Vehicle Requirements
(or "I made modifications to my 4x4; am I still 'street' legal?")
It all depends!!!
In the State of Washington, the legislature has passed some laws pertaining to vehicle requirements/equipment.
Below are some of the significant requirements you should be aware of if you modify your 4x4.
Links are provided so you may read the most up-to-date laws!
If all of the following seems a bit daunting, click on the following link. It's a copy of the handout the Washington State Patrol uses to summarize vehicle requirements.
Vehicle Height — No part of the vehicle may be lower than the lowermost portion of the rim of any wheel in contact with the roadway.
Other Restrictions and Requirements:
After-Market Lighting Devices:
In the State of Washington, the legislature has passed some laws pertaining to vehicle requirements/equipment.
Below are some of the significant requirements you should be aware of if you modify your 4x4.
Links are provided so you may read the most up-to-date laws!
If all of the following seems a bit daunting, click on the following link. It's a copy of the handout the Washington State Patrol uses to summarize vehicle requirements.
The above document requires the free Adobe Reader. If you do not have it, you can get a copy here:
Extracts of Various Rules and Regulations
Vehicle Height — No part of the vehicle may be lower than the lowermost portion of the rim of any wheel in contact with the roadway.
Reference:
RCW 46.61.680
Reference: WAC 204-10-022 (body requirements)
| * Bumper (4.5" min. width) | Front | Rear |
|---|---|---|
| GVWR 7501 and up | 28" | 30" |
| GVWR 4501 — 7,500 | 27" | 29" |
| GVWR 4500 and under | 24" | 26" |
| Car | 22" | 22" |
Other Restrictions and Requirements:
Required —
All vehicles, trailers, and semi-trailers must be equipped with fenders, covers, flaps, or splash
aprons adequate for minimizing the spray or splash of water and mud to the rear of the vehicle.
All such devices shall be as wide as the tires behind which they are mounted, and extend down to
at least the center of the axle.
Fenders/Mud Flaps — Must cover the entire tread width, at least 15 degrees to the front, and 75 degrees to the rear. Shall extend down to at least the center of the axle.
Reference:
RCW 46.37.500
Fenders/Mud Flaps — Must cover the entire tread width, at least 15 degrees to the front, and 75 degrees to the rear. Shall extend down to at least the center of the axle.
References:
RCW 46.37.500
&
WAC 204-10-022
After-Market Lighting Devices:
Covers —
No additional lamp, reflective device, or other motor vehicle equipment shall be added which impairs
the effectiveness of the lamp standard. See individual lamp RCW/WAC.
Maximum Number — A maximum of four of the below listed lamps may be on at one time.
Fog Lamps — Two or less. They must be white or amber in color and mounted between 12" and 30" off the ground with the inner edge of the retaining rings no closer than 4" to the optical center of the front turn signal lamp.
Auxiliary Passing Lamps — Two or less. Must be white to amber in color, and mounted between 24" and 42" off the ground.
Auxiliary Driving Lamps — Two or less. Must be white in color and mounted between 16" and 42" off the ground.
Spot Lamps
Note: No additional lamp shall be used in lieu of headlamps.
Maximum Number — A maximum of four of the below listed lamps may be on at one time.
References:
WAC 204-21
&
RCW 46.37.270
Fog Lamps — Two or less. They must be white or amber in color and mounted between 12" and 30" off the ground with the inner edge of the retaining rings no closer than 4" to the optical center of the front turn signal lamp.
References:
RCW 46.37.180
&
WAC 204-21-080
Auxiliary Passing Lamps — Two or less. Must be white to amber in color, and mounted between 24" and 42" off the ground.
References:
RCW 46.37.180
&
WAC 204-21-100
Auxiliary Driving Lamps — Two or less. Must be white in color and mounted between 16" and 42" off the ground.
References:
RCW 46.37.180
&
WAC 204-21-090
Spot Lamps
Reference:
WAC 204-21-110
Note: No additional lamp shall be used in lieu of headlamps.
Frame last updated: July 15, 2011