Question: The other night my coworker got pulled over and was given warning about ride height. It was not slammed to the ground but the trooper said that it was illegal. What is the Minnesota state law for ride height?

Answer: Minnesota law states that if a vehicle’s suspension has been altered by more than six inches either higher or lower, it is illegal, unless the bumper is modified to within the six inches of the original manufactured bumper height.

All passenger vehicles must be equipped with front and rear bumpers that do not exceed a height of:

•20 inches on any passenger automobile or station wagon

•25 inches on any four-wheel drive multipurpose type vehicle, van, or pickup truck, when the vehicle is being operated on a public highway.

The height of the bumper shall be determined by measuring from the bottom of the bumper, excluding any vertical bumper attachments, to the ground.

A vehicle which has an original bumper and does not exceed a height of 30 inches, may be modified by attaching a full width bumper to the original bumper to meet the height requirement. The attached bumper must be at least 4.5 inches vertically, be centered on the vehicle’s centerline, extend at least 10 inches on either side of the frame, and be attached to the frame in at least four places with angle braces at no less than 45 degrees so that it effectively transfers impact to an extent equal to or greater than the original bumper.

You can avoid a ticket — and a crash — if you simply buckle up, drive at safe speeds, pay attention and always drive sober.  Help us drive Minnesota Toward Zero Deaths.

If you have any questions concerning traffic related laws or issues in Minnesota send your questions to Sgt. Troy Christianson – Minnesota State Patrol at 2900 48th Street NW, Rochester MN 55901-5848.  (Or reach him at, Troy.Christianson@state.mn.us)