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Mon Mar 26, 2012 5:26 am

Seems I remember seeing photos in the past of officers measuring the height of headlights. Is this still in effect in California?

Mon Mar 26, 2012 9:08 am

I don't think todays officer is smart enough to read a tape measure let alone use one.

In my experience with driving lowered cars in the last 14 years in so cal. I have been pulled over many (many, many) times. Every one of them told me I was too low and not one of them pulled out the tape measure.

Now my cars were my drivers most of the time and they wernt so low that it wound be obvious but they were visibly lowered.

In this day and age a cop will give you a ticket without actually doing any kind of work. Those days with officers actually did there jod are long gone.

That's just my experience / opinion

Dustin

Mon Mar 26, 2012 9:33 am

Thanks Dustin,

So the law was for being too low. Could not remember. They need a law for lights being too high, but of course that would envolve too much of the population. I guess the old photo I saw was the only officer with a tape measure.

Mon Mar 26, 2012 9:42 am

I think maybe the photo you are referring to is the now-famous February, 1975 Hot VWs 1st "Cal-Look" issue, that was the cover...
Interesting side note, the young lady, standing though the sunroof looking terminally bored and annoyed in that photo, is none other than Linda Dill, who is still working for Hot VWs (or, at least, was 5 years ago..)
Unless they have changed it, CA law states that the center of the headlights, to the ground, on a flat, level surface, must not be lower than 24 inches, nor higher than 48 inches. Measure the height of a stock bug, with 165-15's on it, and you'll see that doesn't leave a lot of room for lowering...it also makes me wonder how these lifted 4x4 trucks that you can darn near walk under without bending, get away with it.
In the town I used to live in, there was a Police Officer, named Mark Gotsch...everybody called him "Gotcha" and the dude was uncanny- he could spot a 23-7/8" Bug from across the street. I think he finally got transferred to a desk job, but he sure wrote a HELLUVA lot of tickets for "too low, too loud" etc in his day... I had it made, a Police Officer friend of mine had a bone stock '58, and whenever Gotcha got me, I'd just go find Officer Jimmy, and he would sign it off...Used to work on his '58 for him, and he would just smile and say "Gotcha" gotcha again, huh?"

8)

Mon Mar 26, 2012 10:15 am

Dave,

I think your probably right on the photo. I know I remembered it well and just another thing you guys have to put up with. I've had trucks behind me here in Texas where the lights went over my bug. We're fairly relaxed here on laws, maybe too relaxed on some things. Our Gotcha's in Dallas are motorcycle cops. They do one thing and one thing only--write tickets.

Lou

Mon Mar 26, 2012 1:06 pm

http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/veh_code.pdf

Quote: 24400(a)(1) Equipped with headlamps, height 22 to 54
inches.

Mon Mar 26, 2012 1:22 pm

Oh, and here's a fun one too! So much for your slammed hoodride.

VC§ 24008. Modification of Vehicles
It is unlawful to operate any passenger vehicle, or commercial vehicle under 6,000 pounds, which has been modified from the original design so that any portion of the vehicle, other than the wheels, has less clearance from the surface of a level roadway than the clearance between the roadway and the lowermost portion of any rim of any wheel in contact with the roadway.
(Amended by Stats. 1984, Ch. 462, Sec. 3.)

Mon Mar 26, 2012 1:47 pm

I read the CA laws on page 535 concerning the measurements. Couldn't find where they measured from. Center of bulb I guess.
Marvin

Mon Mar 26, 2012 1:53 pm

GA_Boy wrote: I read the CA laws on page 535 concerning the measurements. Couldn't find where they measured from. Center of bulb I guess.
Marvin

Good question. I would look in the "Definitions" section for the answer.

Mon Mar 26, 2012 2:17 pm

And here's the answer...

VC§ 24254. Mounting Height
Whenever a requirement is declared as to the mounted height of lamps or reflectors, the height shall be measured from the center of the lamp or reflector to the level surface upon which the vehicle stands when it is without a load.
(Added by renumbering Section 25952 by Stats. 1969, Ch. 341.)

Mon Mar 26, 2012 4:11 pm

Longrifle wrote: And here's the answer...

VC§ 24254. Mounting Height
Whenever a requirement is declared as to the mounted height of lamps or reflectors, the height shall be measured from the center of the lamp or reflector to the level surface upon which the vehicle stands when it is without a load.
(Added by renumbering Section 25952 by Stats. 1969, Ch. 341.)

Thank you Sir.
Marvin

Mon Mar 26, 2012 5:15 pm

Life-changing info, Thanks! :? . Since when has anyone given a FF about the law when dumping ANYTHING?

Tue Mar 27, 2012 8:16 am

Dave24 wrote: Life-changing info, Thanks! :? . Since when has anyone given a FF about the law when dumping ANYTHING?

When they need to fight (another) ticket.

Tue Mar 27, 2012 8:39 pm

Dave wrote: I think maybe the photo you are referring to is the now-famous February, 1975 Hot VWs 1st "Cal-Look" issue, that was the cover...
Interesting side note, the young lady, standing though the sunroof looking terminally bored and annoyed in that photo, is none other than Linda Dill, who is still working for Hot VWs (or, at least, was 5 years ago..)

The cover reminds me of the scene in American Graffiti when John Milner is pulled over by Officer Holstein for having a burned out license plate light and a low front end. John protests that his Deuce Coupe's front end is actually at the legal height: "No, sir. It's 12 and a half inches, regulation size".

Wed Mar 28, 2012 5:52 am

Randall,

That's it! Had a decent memory of the photo because I thought it was an odd rule. Can't believe that was 37 years ago. Thanks for the photo.

Dave pegged it well with the bored girl standing through the sun roof.

Thu Mar 29, 2012 7:31 am

Quote: 24400(a)(1) Equipped with headlamps, height 22 to 54
inches.

Pass or Fail on both?????

Thu Mar 29, 2012 9:52 am

Fish wrote: Quote: 24400(a)(1) Equipped with headlamps, height 22 to 54
inches.

Pass or Fail on both?????

Legally, Fail on both.

Thu Mar 29, 2012 3:23 pm

I know Mt View Ca. cops were real sticklers in the 1980's. One of my best friends brothers had an insanely lifted Toyota 4X4,(show truck). He got around the law by mounting a pair of headlight assemblies like a dune buggy would have,hanging from the bottom of the front bumper. Across the tailgate he had,"If you can't stop,smile as you go under".

Maybe I'm too old or look too legit these days but I feel like cops only write "fix it's" anymore for registration. My DD has broken light assemblies and bulbs out because I was too lazy to fix them,I never get hassled any more. Maybe the cops in Santa Cruz are just lazy? Even Capitola PD leaves me alone.

I still avoid Scotts Valley though......pricks!