Ohio Lift Laws and Vehicle Equipment Laws
There are very few street legal laws in Ohio making it one of the most off-road vehicle friendly states in the country. Residents are free to install suspension lift kits, aftermarket wheels and tires, performance shocks, aftermarket bumpers, and grille guards.
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Code |
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Street legal laws for Ohio are listed in the Ohio Revised Code (ORC) and the Ohio Administrative Code (OAC). |
ORC Title 45
OAC Ch. 4501
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Dimensions |
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Vehicle size in Ohio is restricted to a maximum width of 102 inches, a maximum height of 13 feet 6 inches, and a maximum single vehicle length of 45 feet. |
ORC 5577-05
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Tires |
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The only requirement for tires in Ohio is that they be in safe operating condition, without any bulges or exposed cords. There is no minimum tire tread depth and no reference to tire grooving in the code. |
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Wheels |
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Ohio does not cover wheels in its laws. |
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Brakes |
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Cars and trucks driven in Ohio are required to have brakes capable of stopping the vehicle from a speed of 20 mph within 30 feet. A secondary, mechanical, parking brake is required. |
ORC 4513-20
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Steering |
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Steering is not covered under Ohio's laws. |
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Suspension |
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There are currently no suspension lift limits or suspension modification restrictions in Ohio. |
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Frame |
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Frame height in Ohio is governed by bumper height, since bumpers must be attached to the frame. If a vehicle's bumper height has been altered from the factory, or the vehicle did not come equipped with bumpers, bumper height limits will apply to the frame. |
OAC 4501-43-04
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Bumpers |
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In Ohio, bumpers must not be removed from vehicles that came equipped with bumpers from the factory. Bumpers must be at least 4.5 inches tall, be attached to the vehicle's frame, and be at least as wide as the track width of the vehicle. Bumper height depends on the GVWR of the vehicle.
Vehicle GVWR |
Max. Bumper Height |
Cars & SUVs |
Front: 22 inches | Rear: 22 inches |
4,500 and under |
Front: 24 inches | Rear: 26 inches |
4,501 to 7,500 |
Front: 27 inches | Rear: 29 inches |
7,501 to 10,000 |
Front: 28 inches | Rear: 31 inches |
( Measured to the bottom of the bumper. )
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OAC 4501-43-03
OAC 4501-43-04
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Fenders |
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It is unknown if fenders and mud flaps are required on vehicles driven in Ohio. |
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Lights |
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In addition to headlights and tail lights, vehicles in Ohio are allowed to have auxiliary lights installed. When equipped with additional lights, the maximum number that can be turned on at the front of the vehicle while driving is 5.
Light |
Number |
Min. Height |
Max. Height |
Headlights |
2 min. |
n/a |
n/a |
Tail lights |
1 min. |
n/a |
n/a |
Spot lights |
1 max. |
n/a |
n/a |
Aux. driving lights |
3 max. |
n/a |
n/a |
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ORC 4513-04
ORC 4513-05
ORC 4513-12
ORC 4513-17
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Windows |
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A windshield and windshield wipers are both required in Ohio. |
ORC 4513-24
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Exhaust |
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In Ohio, vehicles are required to be equipped with mufflers. Exhaust cutouts are prohibited. |
ORC 4513-22
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Engine |
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It is unclear whether or not Ohio has any engine swap or engine performance modification rules. |
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Emissions |
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Only 7 counties in Ohio currently require emissions testing. |
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North Dakota Street Legal Laws 