N.J. Admin. Code § 13:20-37.2

Current through Register Vol. 56, No. 21, November 4, 2024

Section 13:20-37.2 - Elevation of original vehicle height of motor vehicle restricted; elevated vehicle approval certificate; special windshield decal; inspection

(a) No person shall operate on any highway of this State any motor vehicle registered in this State whose original vehicle height has been elevated by modifying the tire or rim size from the manufacturer's specifications or by elevating the chassis, suspension or body from the manufacturer's specifications by use of "shackle lift kits" for leaf springs or by use of lift kits for coil springs or by use of blocks or by any other device or means without an elevated vehicle approval certificate issued by the Chief Administrator, except that an elevation of the original vehicle height resulting exclusively from an increase in tire diameter that does not exceed four inches or, for motor vehicles which have been modified for snowplowing purposes, an elevation of the front suspension from the manufacturer's specifications that does not exceed two inches, shall not be subject to the requirements of this subchapter.

(b) In order to receive an elevated vehicle approval certificate and a special windshield decal from the Chief Administrator, the owner or lessee of a motor vehicle whose original vehicle height has been increased by elevating the chassis, suspension, body, rims or tire size from the manufacturer's specifications shall comply with the requirements of this subchapter, and such elevated vehicle shall successfully pass inspection to verify that it complies with the requirements of this subchapter and does not possess any modifications or alterations that would affect the safe operation of the vehicle.

(c) In order to receive an elevated vehicle approval certificate and a special windshield decal from the Chief Administrator, an inspection of the vehicle to determine compliance with this subchapter shall be conducted by the Motor Vehicle Commission. Such inspection shall occur within 30 days after the elevation of the vehicle or registration or renewal thereof, whichever occurs first. All inspections required by this subchapter shall be performed at a site or sites specifically authorized by the Chief Administrator to perform the type of inspection and tests required by this subchapter. Any test or inspection conducted at any other location shall be null and void.

(d) In addition to determining whether a vehicle complies with the specific requirements of this subchapter, an elevated vehicle shall fail inspection if any of the modifications affect the safe operation of the vehicle; are improperly installed; degrade the structural integrity of the vehicle or any of its component parts; modify the geometric angles on critical components from original manufacturer specifications likely to result in component failure; create the danger of leaks, cracks, or chafing of brake lines; cause brake lines to be of insufficient length, size, or durability; or cause any component that affects the safe operation of the vehicle to be less effective or more likely to fail in the performance of its designed function.

(e) Vehicles subject to inspection pursuant to this subchapter shall comply with all other applicable safety and emissions inspection requirements imposed by law or regulation in addition to complying with the inspection requirements imposed by this subchapter.

N.J. Admin. Code § 13:20-37.2

Recodified from N.J.A.C. 13:20-37.1 and amended by R.1998 d.268, effective 6/1/1998 (operative October 1, 1998).
See: 29 New Jersey Register 1671(a), 30 New Jersey Register 2059(a).
Rewrote (a); and added (b) through (e). Former N.J.A.C. 13:20-37.2, Requirements for motor vehicle approval, recodified to N.J.A.C. 13:20-37.3.
Amended by R.2006 d.249, effective 7/3/2006.
See: 38 N.J.R. 386(b), 38 N.J.R. 2835(a).
Substituted "Chief Administrator" for "Director" throughout; and in (c), substituted "Motor Vehicle Commission" for "Division of Motor Vehicles".