WEST virginia legislature

2024 regular session

Introduced

House Bill 5385

By Delegates Sheedy and Stephens

[Introduced January 31, 2024; Referred to the Committee on Technology and Infrastructure]

A BILL to amend and reenact §17C-17-2 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to regulating the modification of vehicle tires.

Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia:

ARTICLE 17. Size, Weight, and Load

§17C-17-2. Width of vehicles.

(a) The total outside width, exclusive of safety equipment authorized by the United States Department of Transportation, of any vehicle or the load thereon may not exceed 96 inches except as otherwise provided in this article: Provided, That any vehicle with a total outside width of 102 inches, exclusive of safety equipment authorized by the United States Department of Transportation, may be operated on any highway within the State designated by the United States Department of Transportation or the Commissioner of the Department of Highways or on any highway having a minimum lane width of 10 feet.

(b) Motor homes, travel trailers, truck campers, motor buses and trackless trolley coaches with a total outside width of 102 inches, excluding safety equipment authorized by the United States Department of Transportation, may operate on any highway.

(c) Vehicle tires are to be covered by rigid, fixed extensions when said tires are protruding beyond the manufacturer's original factory body dimensions. These body types are commonly referred to as "Bro Trucks" and can be used in SUVs as well. Additional front, rear, and side Federal Department of Transportation marker lighting is required if the total width exceeds 102 inches.

NOTE: The purpose of this bill is to regulate the modification of vehicle tires.

Strike-throughs indicate language that would be stricken from a heading or the present law and underscoring indicates new language that would be added.