There’s nothing better than cruising down the boulevard in a donk decked out in candy paint and the cleanest wheels imaginable. But an otherwise pleasant ride can be interrupted by the surprise appearance of Johnny Law and his trusty ticket book. Donks are no stranger to controversy, but it’s possible your donk could catch an officer’s eye for all the wrong reasons.
The following explains how the various laws and vehicle codes in your state affects donks, hi-risers and other similar vehicles. You’ll also learn how you can keep your donk on the right side of the law.
Riding Tall Could Mean Riding Dirty
While there’s absolutely nothing illegal about a donk in of itself, certain aspects of it may be subject to a variety of state laws governing things like bumper height, frame height and suspension lift. However, these laws tend to vary among states and some states (like Idaho, for instance) may not have any such laws on the books at all. So while you’re able to ride legally in one state, you could wind up riding dirty in another.
As an example, Florida’s vehicle code doesn’t deal with suspension lift limits or frame heights. However, it places restrictions on bumper heights based on your vehicle’s gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR). If your donk’s GVWR is between 2,000 and 2,999 pounds, you’re limited to a maximum bumper height of 27 inches up front and 29 inches out back.
Georgia’s vehicle code, on the other hand, has no restrictions on bumper heights. Instead, suspension lifts are limited to a maximum of 2 inches and frame heights are limited to 27 inches for vehicles with a GVWR of less than 4,500 pounds.
Keep It Legal
The law can seem unfair at times, especially when it seems to target your prized ride. But these laws exist to help keep your fellow motorists safe by preventing modifications that could potentially compromise handling and make accidents more likely.
Before you invest in a new custom lift kit for your donk build, it’s worth taking a quick yet thorough look at your state’s vehicle codes. This way, you can make the appropriate changes to keep your donk nice and legal for yourself and Johnny Law. If you need a little help with picking the right lift kit that best suits your donk, give us a call or contact us online.