Getting a traffic ticket that affects ones driving license is the very last thing anyone would want in their life. Whatever the situation may be, driving a car without a front and back bumper is a stunning vehicle that stands out among the others on the road.
Yet, is it illegal to drive without a rear bumper? Even though it may vary heavily depending on where you live, you might be lucky enough by the law to get permitted to drive without one. Moreover, even if you come across a charge with proper knowledge, you will be able to fight in the court!
Let’s bump into it!
Is It Illegal To Drive Without A Rear Bumper?
In most states, driving a car without bumper is allowed, but if you reside in one where it is, you will almost certainly receive a penalty. Some states, on the other hand, help the manufacturers by considering bumper-less automobiles acceptable.
Nevertheless, it’s always best to talk to your local legal counsel to make sure that your state is not opposed to a vehicle without a rear bumper.
Furthermore, having a bumper that is not properly affixed to the vehicle and instead uses something adhesive to hold it in place is not safe and will result in a penalty.
Why Is It Illegal In Some States
As it has come to the safety of people, the law is not going to compromise on this. Moreover, as the number plate is not going to be on the bumper, it will automatically draw attention. Thus, it will be very easy for the cops to identify your car without a front bumper or a back one.
Additionally, if you have a bumper that is not correctly attached to the vehicle and instead use anything sticky to hold it somehow, that is not safe and will get you a ticket. Driving with bumper damage is seen as a severe crime as it adds up to the list where your vehicle’s fitness is not right.
Legal Bumper-less Cars In States Where It Is Illegal
Then comes the lucky ones who just might be able to beat the law in a swaggy way. If your car was manufactured without a bumper in the first place, then you have a big chance of getting away with it. A few vehicles on the market come with no bumper, neither at the front nor back, and as per regulatory laws, you can fight.
However, a police officer may still stop you and issue you a ticket for a variety of reasons, such as a lack of fitness to run on the street. You have no choice but to take your case to court, claiming that the manufacturers declined to provide you with a bumper.
Moreover, the state you are currently living in also plays a significant part in the rules and regulations you need to follow. Riding a car without a bumper might not be on their traffic offences list, and you might be able to drive free without any charges.
Non-Passenger Vehicles
If you are a non-passenger vehicle driver such as a truck, then there might be some compromises for you. As a result, you are not endangering any passengers, and the lack of a rear bumper will have no effect on anyone, and you may be able to drive freely in your state.
State-by-State Bumper Requirements
As you may expect, the requirements regarding rear bumpers differ from state to state. There are few states where a bumper isn’t considered to be as essential as having good brakes. Nonetheless, we’ve gone over the many state-specific bumper standards and put together a table for passenger-carrying automobiles.
Before we go into the states and bumper legalization, it’s important to note that there are three sets of requirements, one of which is followed in each state. Some jurisdictions need both front and rear bumpers, while others merely require the manufacturer’s design to be followed.
On the other hand, the second most number of states support no bumper legalization.
On the other hand, the second most number of states support no bumper legalization.
States Where Bumper-less Vehicles Are Illegal
As far as states go, it has been observed that states with dense populations have laws requiring individuals to keep bumpers. As a result, automobiles without bumpers are prohibited in 22 densely populated states, including New York, Florida, California, and Minnesota.
If you drive one, you will almost certainly receive a ticket, as these states have officers everywhere.
| States | Requirement of Bumper |
|---|---|
| Alaska | Driving with bumpers or other equipment removed is prohibited. |
| Wyoming | If the vehicle is equipped with bumpers, they should be in a safe and undamaged condition. |
| Ohio | If modified, the bumpers should be of appropriate height and in a safe condition, matching the manufacturer’s specifications. |
| New Jersey | The vehicle must match the manufacturer’s specifications. |
| West Virginia | The vehicle must maintain the manufacturer’s design. |
| Maine | The vehicle must maintain the manufacturer’s design. |
| Michigan | The vehicle must have front or rear bumpers, or another energy absorption system, that is in good condition. |
| Maryland | The vehicle must have front and rear bumpers with no extensions, modifications, broken parts, or sharp edges. |
| Washington | The vehicle must have front and rear bumpers unless the vehicle’s original configuration did not include them. |
| California | The vehicle must have front and rear bumpers unless the vehicle did not originally have them. |
| Idaho | The vehicle must have front and rear bumpers unless the manufacturer did not originally include them. |
| Pennsylvania | The vehicle must have front and rear bumpers that are either original equipment or suitable replacements. |
| Vermont | The vehicle must have front and rear bumpers of the type installed by the manufacturer. |
| Utah | If the vehicle was originally designed with front and rear bumpers, they must be present. |
| Indiana | The vehicle must have front and rear bumpers if they were originally included by the manufacturer. |
| Louisiana | The vehicle must have front and rear bumpers if they were originally included by the manufacturer. |
| New Hampshire | The vehicle must have front and rear bumpers as intended by the manufacturer. |
| South Carolina | The front and rear bumpers must be designed by the manufacturer. |
| Florida | Having front and rear bumpers is compulsory for the vehicle |
| Hawaii | Having front and rear bumpers is compulsory for the vehicle |
| Illinois | Having front and rear bumpers is compulsory for the vehicle |
| Iowa | Having front and rear bumpers is compulsory for the vehicle |
| Massachusetts | Having front and rear bumpers is compulsory for the vehicle |
| Minnesota | Having front and rear bumpers is compulsory for the vehicle |
| Missouri | Having front and rear bumpers is compulsory for the vehicle |
| New York | Having front and rear bumpers is compulsory for the vehicle |
| North Dakota | Having front and rear bumpers is compulsory for the vehicle |
| Rhode Island | Having front and rear bumpers is compulsory for the vehicle |
| Wisconsin | Having front and rear bumpers is compulsory for the vehicle |
| Tennessee | The vehicle must be equipped with front and rear bumpers, unless an equivalent energy absorption system is present. |
| Montana | Most vehicles are required to have both front and rear bumpers, except for cycles, tractors, and vehicles with attached work equipment, which are exempt from having a rear bumper. |
Legal Manufacturer’s Designed Bumper-less States
There are only 19 states out of 50 that support car manufacturers providing vehicles without bumpers. These are Kentucky, Mississippi, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Virginia, Kansas, Georgia, Delaware, Connecticut, Colorado.
| States | Requirement of Bumper | |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | None | |
| Arizona | None | |
| Arkansas | None | |
| Colorado | None | |
| Connecticut | None | |
| Delaware | None | |
| Georgia | None | |
| Kansas | None | |
| Kentucky | None | |
| Mississippi | None | |
| Nebraska | None | |
| Nevada | None | |
| New Mexico | None | |
| North Carolina | None | |
| Oklahoma | None | |
| Oregon | None | |
| South Dakota | None | |
| Texas | None | |
| Virginia | None | |
What Penalties Can You Get For Driving Without Bumpers
Before you start violating traffic rules and other regulations, you should be informed of the potential consequences. The fines and penalties are worth looking at since you may not like them and can decide whether or not you can take them on yourself just to make your vehicle stand out. Traffic congestion will be less of a burden when you come to know of the penalties.
First and foremost, we recommend speaking with your local legal counsel to learn more about the consequences. The majority of what you will hear is about jail time and a considerable sum of money that you do not want to pay. These two factors are entirely dependent on your current situation.
However, because of the constant changes in the law, we recommend consulting a local legal counsel. You could think it’s fine to ride without a front or back bumper, only to find out later that the rules have shifted towards the south.
Furthermore, your insurance will not cover the damage. You may not realize it, but automobiles without bumpers are not deemed to fall under the insurance company’s duty to reimburse you for the money they would have saved if you had bumpers.
Conclusion
Riding a car without front bumper or a rear one is, first and foremost, extremely dangerous, especially for someone who uses their vehicle regularly. Without a bumper, not only the driver but also the passengers in the rear seat are at risk.
However, if you don’t care if is it illegal to drive without a rear bumper, go ahead and do it. Yet, if your heart desires it, but you are not prepared to face charges from the authorities, you should consult a local advisor to determine whether it is acceptable or not.
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