No. Squatted trucks—vehicles modified to ride higher than factory specifications—are illegal in South Carolina under state and local codes. The South Carolina Department of Public Safety (SCDPS) enforces vehicle equipment standards, and the South Carolina Code of Laws §56-5-4100 prohibits alterations that compromise safety or visibility. Municipalities like Charleston and Columbia have additional ordinances targeting modified suspensions, with 2026 compliance reviews underway to tighten enforcement.
Key Regulations for Squatted Trucks in South Carolina
- State Equipment Standards: S.C. Code Regs. 63-7-10 prohibits modifications that alter a vehicle’s original height by more than 3 inches, classifying squatted trucks as “unsafe” under §56-5-4110.
- Local Ordinances: Cities such as Greenville and Mount Pleasant have enacted municipal codes (e.g., Greenville Municipal Code §11-4) banning vehicles with suspension lifts exceeding 6 inches, enforceable via traffic stops and fines.
- Inspection Failures: Vehicles failing SCDPS inspections due to squatting face mandatory repairs or registration suspension, per 2024 DPS bulletin updates requiring annual compliance checks.