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New York Ride Height & Lift Laws (2026)

Info: Bumpers are required. Under NY Vehicle & Traffic Law 375(48), a passenger car registered in New York must have both a front and rear bumper, securely fastened, with some part between 16 and 20 inches above the ground (historical vehicles exempt).

InfoVerified Jul 27, 2026

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Bumpers are required. Under NY Vehicle & Traffic Law 375(48), a passenger car registered in New York must have both a front and rear bumper, securely fastened, with some part between 16 and 20 inches above the ground (historical vehicles exempt). For 1990-or-newer model-year vehicles whose body clears more than 30 inches off the ground at the front or rear when empty, bumpers must have some part at least 16 but not more than 30 inches above the ground.

Official source: nysenate.gov →

General legal information, not legal advice — verify important decisions with a licensed attorney.

Ride Height & Lift in states bordering New York

The same rule in each neighboring state LawLert has verified, from that state’s own official source.

ConnecticutInfo
In Connecticut, suspension changes can't raise the body more than 4 in above the factory (unladen) height, or drop ground clearance below 4 in. (RCSA §14-137-25, under Conn. Gen. Stat. §14-80.)
Verified Jun 19, 2026 · Source: eregulations.ct.gov · Full Connecticut rule →
MassachusettsInfo
No elevating/lowering a vehicle (GVWR up to 10,000 lbs) more than 2 inches from manufacturer's height via lift kits, springs, or tires; MGL c.90 s.7P.
Verified Jun 19, 2026 · Source: malegislature.gov · Full Massachusetts rule →
New JerseyInfo
Bumpers must be no lower than 16 inches from the ground to the bottom of the bumper. For vehicles with a GVWR of 10,000 lb or under, maximum tire diameter is 38 inches OR six inches more than the largest tire offered by the original manufacturer as standard or optional equipment — whichever is less (N.J.A.C. 13:20-37.3(a)).
Verified Jul 30, 2026 · Source: nj.gov · Full New Jersey rule →
PennsylvaniaInfo
No statutory suspension-lift limit. Bumpers are required front and rear unless the vehicle was originally designed and manufactured without them (75 Pa.C.S. Sec. 4536), and state safety inspection rejects a vehicle if no part of the main horizontal bumper bar falls within 16-20 inches above ground level on passenger vehicles, or within 16-30 inches on multipurpose passenger vehicles and light trucks (67 Pa. Code Sec. 175.80).
Verified Jul 28, 2026 · Source: pacodeandbulletin.gov · Full Pennsylvania rule →
VermontInfo
At Vermont inspection, bumper height caps at 22 in on cars, and 24-28 in front / 26-31 in rear on trucks and multipurpose vehicles by weight class. The gap between the body and frame can be no more than 4 in. (Vermont DMV inspection rule VN-113.)
Verified Jun 19, 2026 · Source: legislature.vermont.gov · Full Vermont rule →

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