I know people's opinions on drop visors are different. Some say they're dangerous and unnecessary and others appreciate their mean look and the way they keep the cab a little cooler in the summer...but I'm not interested in the debate and that's not what my thread is about. I'm just wondering if anyone knows the DOT regulations for them. I run my truck locally in Arkansas. I love the look of a drop visor and have always ran 14.5 drops on my 379 Petes (the lowest chrome shops offered). But I've always seen show trucks that looked like they had lower visors than mine. I had heard they were custom made. Anyways, recently I was looking online to buy one and now I see that they offer 16 inch drop visors that fit closer to the window, which also makes them look lower when standing in front of the truck. The listing for it says to check on DOT regulations before installing the visor. Does anyone know the regulations? Specifically for Arkansas? Thanks in advance.
16 inch drop visor...legal?
- Thread starter wjhuskey
- Start date
mndriver
curmudgeon extraordinare
Edjumacate yersev.
And then come back and learneded us some.....
Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards and Regulations
And then come back and learneded us some.....
Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards and Regulations
joseph1135
Well-Known Member
You must have 14" of unobstructed view. That's the federal regulation. If you have it, then it's legal. If you do not, it is not legal.
That's exactly what I did when I had a question about steering wheel spinner knobs in Washington State. For the record, spinners are not legal, it's a $150 fine, it will count against your personal safety score under 392 and it's one of Washington's favorite violations.
The diesel bear I talked to even made a copy of the statute from the RCW book and a copy of the FMCSR it falls under (local laws).
joseph1135
Well-Known Member
Washington likes to give those interesting fines. People talk a lot about Cali, which is fair, but Washington is a damned stickler on a lot of things, and they don't want to hear about it.
mndriver
curmudgeon extraordinare
Even cops don't always know the correct information.
But I will always discuss it with them and will often look up and find the correct information and get their insight and interpretation and see if it matches mine.
although true, many cops may not know the answer, the o/p was specific to his state of Arkansas. he really should just check that himself. on a federal level, we may be able to help with the regs from the green book. but for us to look up each state is insane. if per some chance another Arkansas driver were here and knew the answer, so be it.
Even cops don't always know the correct information.
But I will always discuss it with them and will often look up and find the correct information and get their insight and interpretation and see if it matches mine.
otherwise, he could just as easily check with his state's DOT office/scale house, just take a box of donuts with him.....
Thanks for the helpful answer joseph1135. Trouble is, I'm not sure if I will know how many inches of unobstructed view I will have until the visor is installed. Maybe I could call the company selling the visor to see if they know.
joseph1135
Well-Known Member
You have a pretty good idea how it will be set up, right? Measure from the bottom to where 14 inches will be. Then measure from the top to 16 inches. It should give you a pretty good idea whether it'll be legal or not.
vaportrail
Well-Known Member
he could travel all around arkansaws and get 100 different answers to that Q. Even though there are only 2
...and that's why your next question should be, "Where can I find the state statute or FMCSR on that?"
Even cops don't always know the correct information.
But I will always discuss it with them and will often look up and find the correct information and get their insight and interpretation and see if it matches mine.
mndriver
curmudgeon extraordinare
It won't be in fmcsr, it is a vehicle safety standard issue fmvss
JunkYardDog5958
Well-Known Member
They try to write me fine for spinner and shove up their arse. My SPE (skill performance evaluation) says I'm required to have one with my prosthetic. Promise you there are officers who would still write me. I'd have to fight it. Easy fight but still.
mndriver
curmudgeon extraordinare
mndriver
curmudgeon extraordinare
This is the closest I can find to anything specifying a size.
And that's a side window must be a 13" x17" minimum size.
Regulations Section
And that's a side window must be a 13" x17" minimum size.
Regulations Section
Yes, there is an exception specifically written into the RCW to cover requirements like yours and medically documented disabilities.
Tazz
Infidel
Just out of curiosity do you have to keep a copy of your SPE with your med card?
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