PA Jeepers Be Warned - You can get fined!

[SmittyAFJL]

I'd say get to know how the local cops work. I know in my area south central pa. when car shows are in town they crack down on things they normally let slide but some of the townships surrounding the area don't care or will pull you over for anything. To me the only time I figure I would even want the doors of it when at the beach but then again sometimes having doors is the only escape from the flys.

However I'd say the new half doors might be in my future at some point.

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[sf5211]

You would think that's the case, but I have been harassed more over the past 6 months by cops, compared to previously when I owned a BMW. However, it is worth noting that the BMW was Sapphire Black and the JL is HELLAYELLA. It looks like a school bus with MT tires, and when there are no school buses, so I am sure that might be attracting the attention.....

I’m surprised Doc, my nephew just came onto the force a few months ago. The first thing I asked him after getting on the job was “what did the veteran’s say to you?” He told me they said just do what you have to do.

 

[rallydefault]

Hey all - it's been awhile. Anybody hear anything new about this? I only saw one guy on the Facebook group saying he was back in touch with Representative Masser, but I couldn't find anything else.

 

[Aloha Offroad]

Looks like a new bill was submitted April 27 but I doubt anything will come of it. I read that there is a proposed bill that would make driving with tube doors legal. Last time I contacted rep. Masser, he basically told me they have other issues they are more concerned about. The group is “Doors Off PA” for anyone who wants to join.

 

[sf5211]

That stupid law has to be so frustrating for you PA Jeepers when a motorcycle is 1000 times more dangerous than a doorless Jeep but legal.

 

[Pepe My Little Mule]

But that's what I am getting at. She lives in each state for 6 months at a time, so she would be able to fight it because it's not like she has a flight to catch that week or anything. And yet, after over 20 years of this, she has never been pulled over for items on her FL registered cars that do not meet PA vehicle codes.

Again, not being of legal profession, I will not say it with 100% certainty, but I am almost certain State X cannot enforce their vehicle inspection requirements on a vehicle registered in State Y. I've seen people use this to their advantage many times.

We all have opinions, thoughts and what we think the laws are but at the end of the day people come to this forum in search of factual information and that is why I copied and pasted the section straight from the code for everyone to read for themselves.

When driving on any public road in Pennsylvania the Vehicle Code applies to ALL vehicles regardless of which state the vehicle is registered Florida or otherwise.

When you get stopped in your Jeep for equipment violations such as running doorless, or tires that stick out past the fenders or whatever else... this is the section that gives the police officer/trooper the authority to stop you and they reference the PA Inspection Code section that has already been posted here.

Read below, section (b) 1 and (b) 2. There is no written exception for vehicles registered in other states.

§ 4107. Unlawful activities.

(a) Violation of vehicle equipment standards.--

(1) It is unlawful for any person to sell, offer for sale, lease, install or replace, either separately or as part of the equipment of a vehicle, any item of vehicle equipment affecting the operation of the vehicle which does not comply with this title or regulations promulgated thereunder, or which does not comply with an applicable Federal motor vehicle safety standard adopted by regulation by the department.

(2) Any person convicted of violating this subsection shall be subject to a civil penalty of not more than $100 for each violation. Each violation of the provisions of this subsection shall constitute a separate violation with respect to each motor vehicle or item of motor vehicle equipment or with respect to each failure or refusal to allow or perform an act required thereby, except that the maximum civil penalty shall not exceed $10,000 for any related series of violations.

(b) Other violations.--It is unlawful for any person to do any of the following:

(1) Willfully or intentionally remove (other than for purposes of repair and replacement) or render inoperative, in whole or in part, any item of vehicle equipment which was required to be installed at the time of manufacture or thereafter upon any vehicle, by any law, rule, regulation or requirement of any officer or agency of the United States or of the Commonwealth, if it is intended that the vehicle be operated upon the highways of this Commonwealth unless the removal or alteration is specifically permitted by this title or by regulations promulgated by the department.

(2) Operate, or cause or permit another person to operate, on any highway in this Commonwealth any vehicle or combination which is not equipped as required under this part or under department regulations or when the driver is in violation of department regulations or the vehicle or combination is otherwise in an unsafe condition or in violation of department regulations.

Just like speeding or any other vehicle code violation it is ultimately up to the discretion of the individual officer that observes the violation. He can ignore it, stop you and give you a verbal or written warning requiring you to replace the doors and submit to follow-up inspection, issue a citation or both issue a citation and a written warning requiring you to replace the doors and submit to a follow-up inspection.

Until the law is changed, you can be stopped, warned, cited or both.

Some street crimes cop in the shitty section of Philly probably isn't gonna stop you when you drive by because he has to prioritize his time and be available to handle that shooting call that will come in any minute. But when you are one of the three cars that drives past cop in small borough that has hardly any crime... and your the only one with an equipment violation that he saw drive past in the past 30 minutes, well you just might get stopped.

The law is the law... Its not harassment.

FYI... Both the current PA Governor and Lt. Governor drive Jeep Wranglers. The Lt. Gov was interviewed in the past and I believes he supported changing the law to permit door less operation of Jeeps. Fun Fact: He has also been seen driving his JL with doors removed with his PSP protective detail following behind in their police Explorer.

 

[CrimsonGhost]

Because of PA's ambiguous code, any type of tint that is not OEM is illegal "by the books". It all depends on how a cop wants to interpret. I had a State Trooper pull me over for 30% tint on a Dodge Stratus RT when I was younger.

Today, the police are spread so thin that unless you are acting like a jerk, you can avoid the random pullover in my area north of Pittsburgh.

 

[donmontalvo]

That stupid law has to be so frustrating for you PA Jeepers when a motorcycle is 1000 times more dangerous than a doorless Jeep but legal.

I rode a Harley-Davidson for years (Street Bob then Road Glide). Insurance is different for motorcycles vs Jeeps. I can see how driving without doors can be against the law, not that I like it.

 

[sf5211]

I rode a Harley-Davidson for years (Street Bob then Road Glide). Insurance is different for motorcycles vs Jeeps. I can see how driving without doors can be against the law, not that I like it.

Nah Don I still can’t see the logic on making doorless Jeep’s illegal. Especially that many use tube doors in place. The only danger I can think of is a loose rolling tire hitting you but how often does that happen? Any other dangers you readers can think about? Maybe a roll over you can still smash your head on the pavement despite your seatbelt? I can’t think of anything else.

 

[RoadiJeff]

Nah Don I still can’t see the logic on making doorless Jeep’s illegal. Especially that many use tube doors in place. The only danger I can think of is a loose rolling tire hitting you but how often does that happen? Any other dangers you readers can think about? Maybe a roll over you can still smash your head on the pavement despite your seatbelt? I can’t think of anything else.

Side impact from a t-bone accident perhaps?

 

[sf5211]

Side impact from a t-bone accident perhaps?

Yea I thought about that too Jeff but a side impact is still gonna hit the frame of the Jeep and pinball it sideways. you can even make the argument that a crushed in door could do damage to your body. I don't know brother, I'd still rather have 10 accidents in a Jeep than 1 on a motorcycle.

 

[WilhelmSR]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but my understanding is that if I do NOT live in PA. I can drive doorless in PA as long as the state my (MD) Jeep is registered in allows it?

 

[Pepe My Little Mule]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but my understanding is that if I do NOT live in PA. I can drive doorless in PA as long as the state my (MD) Jeep is registered in allows it?

That is partially incorrect. In PA your Jeep must comply with PA laws unless your Jeep is a 1986 or older.

 

[Pepe My Little Mule]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but my understanding is that if I do NOT live in PA. I can drive doorless in PA as long as the state my (MD) Jeep is registered in allows it?

But let me add this... while technically "illegal" Jeeps do run doorless in PA routinely all the time. I would ensure you have auxiliary mirrors mounted.

Kinda like speeding, lots people do it but only a select few seem to ever get penalized.

If you get stopped, you will probably just receive a warning. In the odd chance you get cited there are no points.

 

[rkammer]

That is partially incorrect. In PA your Jeep must comply with PA laws unless your Jeep is a 1986 or older.

While you correct, that all vehicles must comply with PA law. Having the doors off is an inspection code, not a law. while Jeeps registered in PA must adhere to the inspection code, Jeeps registered in other states cannot be help to the same inspection codes. That does not mean the police will not pull you over and try anyways.

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