4501-43-04. Specifications

(A) The horizontal bumper shall be at least 4.5 inches in vertical height, centered on the vehicle's centerline, and extend no less than the width of the respective wheel track distances. Bumpers shall be horizontal load-bearing bumpers and attached to the vehicle frame to effectively transfer impact when engaged.

(B) Maximum bumper heights shall be determined by the type of vehicle at time of manufacture. If other than a passenger vehicle, the maximum bumper height shall be determined by the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) at the time of manufacture. The height shall be measured in terms of the vertical distance between the ground and the bottom of the bumper. Maximum bumper heights are as follows:

Bumper Height FRONT REAR

Passenger vehicles 22 inches 22 inches

All other vehicles

4,500 lbs. and under GVWR 24 inches 26 inches

4,501 lbs. to 7,500 lbs. GVWR 27 inches 29 inches

7,501 lbs. to 10,000 lbs. GVWR 28 inches 31 inches

(C) If the body and/or truck bed height is altered, the difference in height between the body floor and/or the truck bed floor to the top of the frame rail shall not exceed four inches.

(D) For any vehicle with bumpers or attaching components which have been modified or altered from the original manufacturer's design in order to conform with the maximum bumper requirements of this rule, the bumper height shall be measured from a level surface to the bottom of the vehicle frame rail at the most forward and rearward points of the frame rail.

Frame Rail Height if bumper modified or altered Front Rear

Passenger vehicles 22 inches 22 inches

All other vehicles

4,500 lbs. and under GVWR 24 inches 26 inches

4,501 lbs. to 7,500 GVWR 27 inches 29 inches

7,501 lbs. to 10,000 lbs. GVWR 28 inches 31 inches

(E) The height restriction in this rule applies to the distance from the ground to the bottom of the frame rail under any one or more of the following conditions:

(1) A motor vehicle is not equipped with a front and rear bumper.

(2) The bumper height relative to the frame rails has been altered.

(3) A supplemental bumper has been installed or an addition to the original or replacement has been made.

Five Year Review (FYR) Dates: 03/08/2017 and 03/01/2022
Promulgated Under: 119.03
Statutory Authority: 4513.021
Rule Amplifies: 4513.021
Prior Effective Dates: 01/16/89, 08/16/07

Prior History: (R.C. 119.032 review dates: 03/09/2012 and 03/09/2017
Promulgated Under: 119.03
Statutory Authority: R.C. 4513.021
Rule Amplifies: R.C. 4513.021
Prior Effective Dates: 1/16/89, 8/16/07 )