['CMV Parts and Maintenance']
['Rear bumper']
09/07/2024
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In addition to the rear impact guard and rear end protection requirements in 393.86 of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs), some states have specific rules related to this subject. This chart lists each state’s rules related to bumpers. Consult the State Specific Information for additional details.
State Comparison
State
Additional Requirements
Exceptions
A motor vehicle registered as a truck with a declared gross weight of not more than 11,000 pounds must be equipped with bumpers of substantial construction on the extreme front and the extreme rear of the vehicle.
The height of the front and rear bumpers may not exceed 30 inches when measured from level pavement to the bottom of the bumper.
A motor vehicle registered as a truck with a declared gross weight of not more than 11,000 pounds must be equipped with bumpers of substantial construction on the extreme front and the extreme rear of the vehicle.
The height of the front and rear bumpers may not exceed 30 inches when measured from level pavement to the bottom of the bumper.
Every truck with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) over 10,000 pounds and every trailer or semitrailer with a gross weight of 3,000 pounds or more which has a clearance at the rear end of more than 30 inches from the ground when empty, must be equipped with a permanent rear bumper or metal frame attached to the underside of the rear of the truck.
The bumper or frame:
- May not be any wider than the width of the truck,
- May not be more than 30 inches above the highway when moving, and
- Must be constructed of heavy gauge steel.
A truck-tractor and semitrailer combination with a semitrailer length longer than 50 feet whose frame or body extends more than 36 inches beyond the rear of its rearmost axle must not be operated on the highways of Minnesota unless equipped with a bumper or underride guard on the extreme rear of the frame or body.
The bumper or underride guard must:
- Provide a continuous horizontal beam having a maximum ground clearance of 22 inches, as measured with the vehicle empty and on level ground; and
- Extend to within four inches of the lateral extremities of the semitrailer on both left and right sides.
Bumpers must be at least 4.5 inches tall.
A vehicle with a GVWR from 9,001 to 11,500 pounds must have a maximum bumper height of 29 inches in the front, and 31 inches in the back.
No person may operate a motor vehicle or a combination of vehicles, designated as a 1990 or newer model year, if the motor vehicle is registered in New York, and is constructed that the body, or the chassis assembly without the body, has a clearance at the rear end of more than 30 inches from the ground when empty, unless the rear end of the vehicle or combination of vehicles is equipped with bumpers or devices serving similar purposes which are so constructed and located that:
- Some part of the bumpers or devices are at least 16 but not more than 30 inches above the ground with the vehicle empty;
- The maximum distance between the closest points between bumpers, or devices, if more than one is used, does not exceed 24 inches;
- The maximum transverse distance from the widest part of the motor vehicle at the rear to the bumper or device does not exceed 18 inches;
- The bumpers or devices are located not more than 24 inches forward of the extreme rear of the vehicle; and
- The bumpers or devices are substantially constructed and firmly attached.
The provisions do not apply to a:
- Tractor,
- Pole trailer,
- Vehicle engaged in saddle-mount operation,
- Motorcycle, or
- Special purpose commercial vehicle.
A semitrailer more than 48 feet long must be equipped with a rear underride guard of substantial construction consisting of a continuous lateral beam extending to within four inches of the lateral extremities of the semitrailer and located not more than 30 inches from the surface as measured with the vehicle empty and on a level surface.
The bumper's height must not exceed 27 inches, and this measurement is made from a level ground surface to the highest point on the bottom.
A horizontal drop bumper may be used to comply with this requirement and must:
- Be at least three inches in vertical width;
- Extend the entire horizontal body width; and
- Be horizontal, load bearing, and attached to the vehicle frame to effectively transfer impact when engaged.
Fifty-three foot trailers must be equipped with a rear-end protection device of substantial construction consisting of a continuous lateral beam extending to within four inches of the lateral extremities of the trailer and located not more than 22 inches from the surface of the road as measured with the vehicle empty and on level surface.
A 53-foot-long trailer must be equipped with a rear underride guard, and the distance between the kingpin of the vehicle and the center of the rear axle assembly or to the center of the tandem axle assembly if equipped with two axles may be no greater than 41 feet.
A motor vehicle must be equipped with a bumper on both front and rear. On a motor vehicle required to have bumpers, a bumper must be:
- At least 4.5 inches in vertical height;
- Centered on the vehicle’s center line;
- Extend no less than the width of the respective wheel track distance;
- Securely mounted;
- Horizontal load bearing, and
- Attached to the motor vehicle’s frame to effectively transfer impact when engaged.
A motor vehicle that was not originally designed or manufactured with a bumper or bumpers is exempt from this requirement.
A trailer or semitrailer 53 feet or less in length may be operated provided the semitrailer is equipped with a rear-end protective device of substantial construction consisting of a continuous lateral beam extending to within four inches of the lateral extremities of the semitrailer and located not more than 22 inches from the surface as measured with the vehicle empty and on a level surface.
No person may drive a motor vehicle registered as a truck if it has been modified by alteration of its altitude from the ground to the extent that its bumpers, measured to any point on the lower edge of the main horizontal bumper bar, exclusive of any bumper guards, do not fall within the following limits specified for its gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR).
The bumper height of trucks whose GVWR are 7,501 to 15,000 pounds:
- Front: 14 to 30 inches, and
- Rear: 14 to 31 inches.
Bumper height limitations do not apply to trucks with GVWR over 15,000 pounds.
['CMV Parts and Maintenance']
['Rear bumper']
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Copyright 2025 J. J. Keller & Associate, Inc. For re-use options please contact copyright@jjkeller.com or call 800-558-5011.