A deep and ponderous question. . .

[greenjeep]

about Utah safety laws.

I know this topic is heavily discussed, but I want some solid, verifiable court/law supported evidence.

Can Utah legally force out-of-state vehicles to conform to Utah safety inspection laws?

If they can, that means that if you drive across country that every state you go in, you must know and abide by all their state safety laws, which is totally unrealistic. I just can't see how a registered/licensed and insured vehicle in one state can't be accepted in another state if it is just visiting.

I have a few friends who are cops down here and this is an ongoing argument.

I need solid facts here remember.

 

[ALF]

Wheres Strobngh or whatever his name is? Isn't he a lawyer??

 

[krazz1e]

this is a interesting subject.

 

[Milner]

about Utah safety laws.

I know this topic is heavily discussed, but I want some solid, verifiable court/law supported evidence.

Can Utah legally force out-of-state vehicles to conform to Utah safety inspection laws?

If they can, that means that if you drive across country that every state you go in, you must know and abide by all their state safety laws, which is totally unrealistic. I just can't see how a registered/licensed and insured vehicle in one state can't be accepted in another state if it is just visiting.

I have a few friends who are cops down here and this is an ongoing argument.

I need solid facts here remember.

Yes, they can make you comply if you leave the intersate....
If your vehicle is legal in CO and not UT and you got on I70 in CO and never left the interstate while in UT, you are ok. However once you leave the intersate for a state highway or local road, you are now subject to the local laws....

 

[cruiseroutfit]

I don't have solid facts... but I know folks with CO plates and tickets from Moab.

I think States can expect out of state users to comply with their laws... you have to comply with their drinking, smoking, gun, sex, phone, etc laws. I'm sure a sharp lawyer and a fast tongue could prove otherwise... but like Marc said, once you leave the interstate your fair game. If you hunt out of state, you follow the laws of the state your in.

The sad fact... 99% of vehicles on the road WILL pass the inspection laws of every other state.. those of use with rigs that push the compliance laws are just asking for trouble.

 

[waynehartwig]

Yup, pretty sure you have to abide by the state laws regardless where you are registered. I think it's the same thing, just because you are ignorant and don't care to learn the laws of the states you are traveling in, doesn't make it right. And if you aren't getting pulled over (like me with WA plates in UT), then you are lucky and the local/HP aren't enforcing you.

This happened to me with UT plates driving through OR; I was pulled over for no mudflaps or flares. ...AND I was on I5 not even 20 miles in the border. So the interstate thing doesn't fly either... 'just passing through' is an excuse.

 

[NE_Utah]

Dave here are some questions. Do you work in Utah? Do you rent or own with a permanent address. Do you drive on the streets in Utah.


If those have a yes to them then Yes they can pull you over and cite you. They can also fine you up to $1000 for not registering the vehicle in Utah.


Time to get a windshield and fenders Dave.

 

[greenjeep]

I appreciate the feedback, but I'd still like to see some kind of law stating the facts specifically.

I know what Utah cops think, and what they're told, but they have to have a legal backing for their actions otherwise it won't hold up in court.

 

[notajeep]

But will your Co titled jeep hold up? :greg:
(hey Dave... How ya been?)

 

[greenjeep]

But will your Co titled jeep hold up? :greg:
(hey Dave... How ya been?)

Who knows. Being a school teacher, I claim duel residency saying that I live in CO 4 months a year. I still have my CO drivers license. I'm not only asking for me, I know my position is pushing it, but what's the legal basis for the opinions.

(I'm good, how's the buggy build?)

 

[cruiseroutfit]

I appreciate the feedback, but I'd still like to see some kind of law stating the facts specifically...

State Law 41-23-2
MULTISTATE HIGHWAY TRANSPORTATION AGREEMENT

Basically this law is what allows interstate travel amongst states, HOWEVER... it does read"

"Section 4. Vehicle Laws and Regulations. This agreement shall not authorize the operation of a vehicle in any participating jurisdiction contrary to the laws or regulations thereof."

Seems to me that is all the law they need?

 

[cruiseroutfit]

Who knows. Being a school teacher, I claim duel residency saying that I live in CO 4 months a year. I still have my CO drivers license. I'm not only asking for me, I know my position is pushing it, but what's the legal basis for the opinions...

The way the Utah state law is written... they determine you are a resident of Utah if you spend 6 months or more as a resident of the state. There are exclusions (Military, temp work assignments for under 24 months, etc). There is an entire page of laws on this.

I'm hoping to find a loop hole for you Dave, so far no luck

The Utah safety codes seem to make alot of reference to the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Act as well as the SAE Safety specs. While every state has similar laws, I bet some are more lenient than others (such as CO). I've never looked at CO laws, but I doubt everything with a plate is truly legit... I've seen some pretty scary stuff in Utah with plates... Just because they have the plate doesn't exclude them from a ticket.

 

[GOAT]

The sad fact... 99% of vehicles on the road WILL pass the inspection laws of every other state.. those of use with rigs that push the compliance laws are just asking for trouble.

I am of the 1%. Been in UT for over two years and daily drove mine for 13 months of it. I have never been stopped.

In my experience, SLC PD doesn't seem to care much about anything (including expired tags) and UTHP are the ones to look out for. However, I've driven past UTHP on E215 and they never look twice. My TJ was far from legal, even by Texas standards and won't see much street use from now on so, I'll count my blessings.

Oddly enough, this was the same experience I had back in TX when I used to take my cars out street racing with open headers....just lift when the cops go by:greg:

Just been lucky I guess:-\

 

[BroncoMama]

I think this is like so much else in life, what's it worth to you? You could spend a lot of time and I'm sure a lot of money to prove what...that there is some random law that would let you sneak by without abiding by Utah's rules because of where you've registered the vehicle? If I were in that situation, I would be weighing out how far I would be willing to go before throwing in the towel and what consequences I'm willing to pay for taking chances. I know a lot of us run non-street legal rigs from time to time, but I also know what I'm risking. If I get pulled over and ticketed, I would most likely not fight the charges because I know that it's a risky manuever to start with. Something else I would consider would be living in a small town and the fact that everyone always sees you driving around. I guess what I'm trying to say is this: You know you're breaking the law, so how far do you want to push it?

And that is my .02 cents for this evening!

 

[bobdog]

I remember in the 90s a drug case was thrown out on appeal because the trooper had used the lack of a front plate to justify the original stop, and one was not required in the home state of the vehichle.