The REAL POLICE FORUM is a leading community of police officers and law enforcement professionals. The forum includes police chat and restricted areas for police officers only. The ask-a-cop area allows you to ask questions to real police officers and only verified police are allowed to respond. REALPOLICE.com also features law enforcement jobs, news, training materials and expert articles.petrified
03-11-10, 09:46 AM
I don't know if this is the right section, but it looks like it is PA related questions, and answered by PA police.
I am building a 76 Volkswagen Rabbit. It is going to be pretty modified, but safe. My questions go with registering, true PA code answers ( i will get to that for clarification), and logistics of how it is built to where it falls.
#1. Basically, I am not doing anything to the car that is technically unsafe by the code, no open hoods, no uncovered moving parts, in fact the body of the car will remain primarily stock in appearance with bumpers lights, etc. However I am concerned about ride height, I am not just lowering it on cut springs like a mid 90's honda with a loud can exhaust. It will be properly channeled, and body dropped. This brings up question #1. The car is not old enough to get a hot rod plate, but the car is factory in appearance, is there a registration that is appropriate? I read through the code but it is not clear with what I am doing.
The ride height is on springs like factory, not hydraulics, or air. I have my inspection license, and am building the car to the book, however since the bumper height is a potential issue, I am looking for a better registration idea. Plus this car is not going to be daily driven, just a nice weather summer car.
#2. True PA code: (this will probably get heated, i hope not though) I have been pulled over for things that are not exactly defined, and the officer is kind of iffy on his explanations. For instance, exhaust decibels. I have personally been pulled over for an exhaust that is "too loud" when i show the officer the 50 state legal card, unmodified from purchase, he then said "well if it was a mustang of something you would be fine" This is not a state trooper, and I know they have authority. I mean no disrespect, but isn't the sound level the same for all cars? My friends have also been pulled over by various officers and told similar things. I am only bringing up the car to car comparison though, not harley's, mack trucks, or stereos.
Last question for this post, answer might bring up more:
#3. I can not find the written code, specifically PA Vehicle Code 4704, my questions on this are if i was to be pulled over, it happens, but what are my rights, and the officers rights? I saw a post here about removing the inspection sticker, etc. But then I would need towed from that spot. The car stays with me though right? An officer can not tow my car for that?
Also is there any type of training required for doing a inspection on the road, and i mean beyond honest safety violation: Sharp metal, holes, lights etc? Because I am planning on having a appropriate licensed vehicle, it will be built safe and appropriate (hoping it will be specially constructed, or classic qualifying based on what you say here as my start). I ask because from my experience it has been the officer "does what he wants" and you argue it out in court.
Mostly I am asking because it seems locally whom I have talked to it is mostly up to the discretion of the officer, but then they say things like "if it were a muscle car, or rat rod you would be ok" even under regular registration. But because it is stigmatized as an import "i am just looking for trouble." But I need clarification because I have had hot rods, and american muscle with more done that this car (lowered 64 impala on regular registration, mini trucks, etc). But it seems I am looking for trouble buy building an import.
Thank you.
I am building a 76 Volkswagen Rabbit. It is going to be pretty modified, but safe. My questions go with registering, true PA code answers ( i will get to that for clarification), and logistics of how it is built to where it falls.
#1. Basically, I am not doing anything to the car that is technically unsafe by the code, no open hoods, no uncovered moving parts, in fact the body of the car will remain primarily stock in appearance with bumpers lights, etc. However I am concerned about ride height, I am not just lowering it on cut springs like a mid 90's honda with a loud can exhaust. It will be properly channeled, and body dropped. This brings up question #1. The car is not old enough to get a hot rod plate, but the car is factory in appearance, is there a registration that is appropriate? I read through the code but it is not clear with what I am doing.
The ride height is on springs like factory, not hydraulics, or air. I have my inspection license, and am building the car to the book, however since the bumper height is a potential issue, I am looking for a better registration idea. Plus this car is not going to be daily driven, just a nice weather summer car.
#2. True PA code: (this will probably get heated, i hope not though) I have been pulled over for things that are not exactly defined, and the officer is kind of iffy on his explanations. For instance, exhaust decibels. I have personally been pulled over for an exhaust that is "too loud" when i show the officer the 50 state legal card, unmodified from purchase, he then said "well if it was a mustang of something you would be fine" This is not a state trooper, and I know they have authority. I mean no disrespect, but isn't the sound level the same for all cars? My friends have also been pulled over by various officers and told similar things. I am only bringing up the car to car comparison though, not harley's, mack trucks, or stereos.
Last question for this post, answer might bring up more:
#3. I can not find the written code, specifically PA Vehicle Code 4704, my questions on this are if i was to be pulled over, it happens, but what are my rights, and the officers rights? I saw a post here about removing the inspection sticker, etc. But then I would need towed from that spot. The car stays with me though right? An officer can not tow my car for that?
Also is there any type of training required for doing a inspection on the road, and i mean beyond honest safety violation: Sharp metal, holes, lights etc? Because I am planning on having a appropriate licensed vehicle, it will be built safe and appropriate (hoping it will be specially constructed, or classic qualifying based on what you say here as my start). I ask because from my experience it has been the officer "does what he wants" and you argue it out in court.
Mostly I am asking because it seems locally whom I have talked to it is mostly up to the discretion of the officer, but then they say things like "if it were a muscle car, or rat rod you would be ok" even under regular registration. But because it is stigmatized as an import "i am just looking for trouble." But I need clarification because I have had hot rods, and american muscle with more done that this car (lowered 64 impala on regular registration, mini trucks, etc). But it seems I am looking for trouble buy building an import.
Thank you.