Ticket For lowered vehicle, WTF!

[jtmny1999]

Just wanted to share my story about the ticket I got yesturday. So as I was waiting on a red light, a cop decided to to stop right on side of me as he saw I guess my car being to ghetto to be around the streets of Calabasas, CA(where I work).

So he pulls me over and says "I pulled you over because you have modified exhaust and your car is too low". I said my exhaust is Stock what are you talking about. (its not, has gutted cat, no res and cheap no name muffler with dual tips but black, looks stock). So he ask me for registration license and all the BS.

He then goes back to check my info, comes back, he says that he will let me pass for my exhaust but he will fine me for the car being lowered. So then I asked him before I sign the ticket what makes my car illegal I want an explanation. He says sign the ticket first then ill explain.

I was like WTF u serious, so I guess I have to sign it and not be booked in Jail.
Then he tell me this BS story, "Your tire cannot be tucked in the fender that makes is too low". Now thats bullshit, I've seen old school cars with tires tucked in all the time. So basicly he doesnt know what the fuck he is talking about and to top it off he checked that it is not correctable infraction.


So has anyone got a ticket like this, whats the price of it and is it even worth fighting is and miss a day off work?

here is my bucket


Heres my infraction...

Modification of Vehicles

24008 VC. 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 Ch. 462, Stats. 1984. Effective January 1, 1985.

[FU12]

That code doesn't pertain to your vehicle from what I can see. See how much the ticket is then go from there. I have a feeling that your exhaust being loud is the reason you got pulled over in the first place. So fix that so cops dont have a reason to stop you.

[Knuckles]

California Car height laws:

1. 24008. 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 Ch. 462, Stats. 1984. Effective January 1, 1985.

2. Frame and Floor Height

24008.5. (a) No person shall operate any motor vehicle with a frame height or body floor height greater than specified in subdivisions (b) and (c).

(b) The maximum frame height is as follows:
[This table lists the maximum frame height for various types of vehicles.] *
Vehicle Type Frame Height

(1) Passenger vehicles, except housecars 23 inches

(2) All other motor vehicles, including housecars, as follows:
Up to 4,500 pounds GVWR 27 inches
4,501 to 7,500 pounds GVWR 30 inches
7,501 to 10,000 pounds GVWR 31 inches

(c) The lowest portion of the body floor shall not be more than five inches above the top of the frame.

(d) The following definitions govern the construction of this section:

(1) "Frame" means the main longitudinal structural members of the chassis of the vehicle or, for vehicles with unitized body construction, the lowest main longitudinal structural members of the body of the vehicle.

(2) "Frame height" means the vertical distance between the ground and the lowest point on the frame, measured when the vehicle is unladen on a level surface at the lowest point on the frame midway between the front axle and the second axle on the vehicle.

(3) "GVWR" means the manufacturer's gross vehicle weight rating, as defined in Section 390, whether or not the vehicle is modified by use of parts not originally installed by the manufacturer.

* The bracketed information has been added editorially to meet accessibility requirements and is not part of statute.

Amended Ch. 718, Stats. 1987. Effective January 1, 1988.

you're no where near "too low" that cops an ass....I don't believe there is a minimum ground clearance, BUT your car has to be from 21" or 22" off the ground from middle of your headlights to ground. next time if you're on a curb and cop pulls you over, ask him if he could measure it on a straight road because a curb changes your height and you will be cited even if you know it's a legal drop so break out that measuring tape.

I also herd a long time ago but i could be wrong that the lowest portion of your body can not be lower than the lowest part of your rim but like i said i could be wrong about that.

[zooopreme]

Cops in Calabasas are punks, anyway.

Not sure what's required of you at this point but if you have to show up to court as if it's a fix it ticket raise the car, show the judge, lower again, and be on your merry way.

Like somebody already said, you were pulled over for your exhaust. Bring less attention to yourself & put the stock one back on.

[Z_Spool]

Yeah, fight it... the officer blatantly misinterpreted (or just plain didn't read) that version of the law. There are a lot of things sketchy about the whole stop from what you said and I'd make sure to tell the judge that as well. The law clearly states no part of the car can be lower than the bottom of your wheel's lip. (this is to ensure that if you were to have a blowout driving up the 5, you wouldn't slide to a stop on your frame rails, but would instead be able drive safely off the motorway) It sounds like the cop was profiling you for your vehicle's appearance, and had to come up with a reason to have pulled you over to check your info.

Long story short, driving a modified car (especially a sport compact) is a pain in SoCal, mainly because of these types of encounters. Know your rights and the law because you will continue to get pulled over, return the car to stock or move. Sorry Dude.

[jtmny1999]

Yeah I think my paint and exhaust is whats getting the attention, Anyone know anything about them checking the box on the ticket that says not correctable? because thats what the officer checked.

[yingiang]

you californians got it bad. My friend received a ticket in dallas for his aero being lower than his rim. state trooper gave up the ticket also. a ticket no more than $50 dollars. it was pretty stupid and the first incident that i know of in dallas for getting a ticket for being too low. he said we were going to ruin the roads from us bottoming out...

[snafupossum]

get your body fixed and cops will leave you alone a LOT more. i know from experience, when i had a multicolored s14 I got pulled over almost daily. Never got a ticket because it was all legal but because of profiling the car they pulled me over with bs stuff like windshield having a crack, license plate light being to bright, etc etc. now that I have a single colored car ive gotten pulled over once for a legit reason.

[1on1]

You're definitely in the clear. You car cannot be lower than 23" (as knuckle's posted) and also, nothing can be lower than the rim (I got pulled over for that once). However, it's a fix it ticket which is a $25 fee and I would fight it.

Also, it depends if the cop wants to be an ass as well. From my experience, most of the cops I run too in San Diego are pretty chill besides one (K. Allison). She was an upcoming cop (I spoke to her partner about it) and went by the rulebook, which I understand, but she could have let me go as a warning as the other cops did. Majority of the time, I got pulled over for no plate/bumper on the car.

[Piggy]

Wow, sucks over in SoCal huh? A cop here would just laugh and give you a Good luck driving that here stare.

[ghoti]

He was probably just hating on your two-door corolla

[YoungGun]

Cant be rolling around calabasas like that man.

you sir, just got fucked with


thats what happened when you drive a modified car. dont like it? drive a normal car.


when i drive my normal cars, this never happens. when i drive my modified cars, shit like this happens.


lesson: do not rely on your modified car to be a daily driver. buy a normal car.

[jtmny1999]

Originally Posted by YoungGun

Cant be rolling around calabasas like that man.

Lol yeah but can't be DD'ing my S30 everyday might get jacked

[jeremyuhh]

i got pulled over on the 101 north, while passing calabasas in my 83 corolla. clean paint, lowered, stretch, tucking tire, 4ac, and shitty aftermarket exhaust. I got pulled over for doing 75mph but he left with me with a fix it ticket for my exhuast.

and in THousand oaks, where i live, i got pulled over and my hood popped for no reason. i had my brother, sister, and mom in my car on my way to hop on the freeway and got pulled over. the cop talked like he knew cars but i knew he didnt. luckily he let me go.

shit happens man, sorry to hear that. ventura county cops are fucking assholes

[420sx]

it not the car. its the state. fuck california. nazi state with nazi car laws and anti gun rhetoric. move to a state that doesnt care. problem solved.

[Naim]

Just do like me and get Dealer plates. Problem Solved.

[S-Nation S13]

Fuck America and its laws..it all depends on cop discretion .. If one cop say your fine and other one might think other wise..it's the truth sorry man..

[Hashiriya415]

You could have asked to speak to the sergeant/commander. And tell the cop, you do not want to speak with him, only sergeant/commander. Roll up the windows and tell him your calling the police, and really do call them and say you are being harassed for invalid reasons.

[RyanS13]

Originally Posted by jtmny1999

Just wanted to share my story about the ticket I got yesturday. So as I was waiting on a red light, as he saw I guess my car being to ghetto to be around the streets of Calabasas, CA

Where did you come up with this reason from? Maybe he did actually pull you over because your exhaust . You drive around a modified car. You admit your car has modified exhaust. You should expect to get pulled over. I doubt its because your car is "too ghetto". Of course its a pain in the ass, but that just what happens when you drive a modified car in california. Your gonna get pulled over.

Originally Posted by jtmny1999

So he pulls me over and says "I pulled you over because you have modified exhaust and your car is too low". I said my exhaust is Stock what are you talking about. (its not, has gutted cat, no res and cheap no name muffler with dual tips but black, looks stock). So he ask me for registration license and all the BS.

He then goes back to check my info, comes back, he says that he will let me pass for my exhaust but he will fine me for the car being lowered. So then I asked him before I sign the ticket what makes my car illegal I want an explanation. He says sign the ticket first then ill explain.

I was like WTF u serious, so I guess I have to sign it and not be booked in Jail.
Then he tell me this BS story, "Your tire cannot be tucked in the fender that makes is too low".

If you really says "what are you talking about", maybe you pissed him off? Being polite and respectful goes a looooooonggggg way with cops. Even if you feel like you weren't pulled over for a legitimate reason, it still helps a lot to be polite to them.




I'm not siding with the cop here, I know all the laws in california suck. But that just something we have to deal with driving around modified cars. If it were me I'd fight the ticket. Your car obviously isn't too low, so I would definitely try to fight it.

I wonder why he put non-correctable though? I always thought the too low tickets were just fix it tickets. If I was you I'd try to find out why it was marked non-correctable.

[jtmny1999]

^^^^^ I wasn't rude to him he originally aproached me being a dick, I was polite thats the reason why he let me slide with the exhaust. But he couldn't have heard my "loud exhaust" as I was stoped at the light, just in idle. Then I just cruised to the shoulder when he flashed the lights.

He just assumed it was modified, but it just looks stock. I'm sure he just pulled me over for the fact my car looks different colors. My problem was that he didn't know the actual laws didn't measured anything and was profiling me.

I just wasnt aware of the lowering laws ect and maybe people can learn from my mistakes.

[fckillerbee]

I've got that ticket before. but mine was low. You should have taken a picture of the officer sigting that the lowest part of your car is lower than your rim flange. Take that to court.

Fight the ticket......these cops can't just DO WHAT THEY WANT. fuck them.


they mark non correctable so you have to pay the fine. Pay the fine in court. Fight it...get your money back.

if I were you, i'd drive down to the police station where he works with ticket in hand, and ask other officers what this ticket means, so that you get more officers opinion.

[blacksmith]

I was pulled over for being to low and all I had to do was raise it up and have it signed off. Paid $10 and I was on my merry way home to slam it back down. That's weird he marked it non correctable.

Did he pull out the measuring tape and measure from the ground to the center of your headlight? Your case will be closed as soon as its opened if he didn't follow the proper procedure.

[jtmny1999]

Originally Posted by blacksmith

I was pulled over for being to low and all I had to do was raise it up and have it signed off. Paid $10 and I was on my merry way home to slam it back down. That's weird he marked it non correctable.

Did he pull out the measuring tape and measure from the ground to the center of your headlight? Your case will be closed as soon as its opened if he didn't follow the proper procedure.

No he never measured anything. didn't even look at the damn car after he steped out his vehicle. Just spoke to me, got my info jumped in his car figured out what to write me down for came back ect.

[fckillerbee]

Originally Posted by jtmny1999

No he never measured anything. didn't even look at the damn car after he steped out his vehicle. Just spoke to me, got my info jumped in his car figured out what to write me down for came back ect.

and there's your argument. when you tell the judge, say he looked at my car, and told me it was too low. I asked what the reason was, and he said "this"....

yet the ticket was for body panel being lower than rim flange.

Brand new bmw 335's come stock lower than my car...yadda yadda...you get the idea.

You may have to pay it in order to fight it.
I would get some info on the officer. Find out his start date. Sounds like noob.

[blacksmith]

I would explain that to the judge. Tell him he "eyeballed" the height of your car without even doing any sort of proper procedures. Its clear in your photo that the lowest part of your car is higher than the bottom of your rim. A lot of stock BMW's tuck tire in the rear factory so his point is invalid. Bring the photo with the infraction and explain the situation. If you at least show up to court the ticket will be lowered or written off either way.

Edit: fckillerbee beat me to it

[!Zar!]

el oh el at people comparing brand new euro cars to this bucket.

[fckillerbee]

Originally Posted by !Zar!

el oh el at people comparing brand new euro cars to this bucket.

bro...you have a fucking pony as a replacement for the biebs. and the comparison is not about radness, it's about ride height.

[Hashiriya415]

Come to think of it, it really really would have been better if you told him to fuck himself, your not signing shit. You would've went to jail, came back out and went to the news channel to do a story about it, I'm very sure they would be interested. You would've been on TV. You could have your 240 on TV, and have another car like 335 next to it for comparison and be like, "look at these cops out here, they put me in jail because my wheels on my 240sx were in similar position like on my BMW that came factory, but I never got pulled over or asked about the height when I'm driving my 335, it makes no sense to me at all. What kind of crime did I commit that I had to be removed off the streets and put behind bars? Was it the officers mind and feelings that got hurt because the car looked better then his maybe? So he decided he could abuse the power of law and try to remove my car off the streets."

[420sx]

Originally Posted by Naim

Just do like me and get Dealer plates. Problem Solved.

usually works well if you are a dealer or work for one, like me. otherwise it is a legal consequence....



cali is bankrupt ass state. they write tickets for anything just to bring in revenues. some cops are cool but some really enjoy the power of authority.... revenue for the city is their job just as much as "crime prevention" (which is a joke btw)


this is definitely a fightable ticket. my roommate fights speeding tickets all the time. if you can find the time to go and fight it, there is a chance.... however if your county is as RIGGED as some dallas counties then you are fucked! their jury consists only of people that think you are guilty... true story (richardson, frisco, mesquite and some other towns) - they ask people to leave from jury who have tickets or who think you be let off.... its fucked up. the judge usually will deny you inquiry on things like the officers record and etc. IF your court is like that you are in no position to win however you need to show up and give it all you got. You cant fight the system by not trying. Government is there to make you think you cant.