He's talking about the bottom of the bumper, not the bumper cover.
Example, you take ^^^^(sloRSX's) sig pic. Look right above where it says MI-4. See the lines where the bumper cover covers the bumper. Take the bottom of where the bumper is and measure that point to the ground. Under 14 inches = possible ticket. If your tires rub anywhere in the fenderwell or on the fender = possible ticket.
I'll post the state code on it. The site I go to is down right now.

 

Exactly. If your tires rub your fenders, I believe you are supposed to fail inspection as well.

 

sure they are ticketable offenses...but altering any stock part is illegal and people pass with after-market exhaust all the time. I still think you will be fine.

 

Actually you're wrong!

§ 46.2-1063. Alteration of suspension system; bumper height limits; raising body above frame rail.

No person shall drive on a public highway any motor vehicle registered as a passenger motor vehicle if it has been modified by alteration of its altitude from the ground to the extent that its bumpers, measured to any point on the lower edge of the main horizontal bumper bar, exclusive of any bumper guards, are not within the range of fourteen inches to twenty-two inches above the ground. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this section, the range of bumper heights for motor vehicles bearing street rod license plates issued pursuant to § 46.2-747 shall be nine to twenty-two inches.

No vehicle shall be modified to cause the vehicle body or chassis to come in contact with the ground, expose the fuel tank to damage from collision, or cause the wheels to come in contact with the body under normal operation. No part of the original suspension system of a motor vehicle shall be disconnected to defeat the safe operation of its suspension system. However, nothing contained in this section shall prevent the installation of heavy duty equipment, including shock absorbers and overload springs. Nothing contained in this section shall prohibit the driving on a public highway of a motor vehicle with normal wear to the suspension system if such normal wear does not adversely affect the control of the vehicle.

No person shall drive on a public highway any motor vehicle registered as a truck if it has been modified by alteration of its altitude from the ground to the extent that its bumpers, measured to any point on the lower edge of the main horizontal bumper bar, exclusive of any bumper guards, do not fall within the limits specified herein for its gross vehicle weight rating category. The front bumper height of trucks whose gross vehicle weight ratings are 4,500 pounds or less shall be no less than 14 inches and no more than 28 inches, and their rear bumper height shall be no less than 14 inches and no more than 28 inches. The front bumper height of trucks whose gross vehicle weight ratings are 4,501 pounds to 7,500 pounds shall be no less than 14 inches and no more than 29 inches, and their rear bumper height shall be no less than 14 inches and no more than 30 inches. The front bumper height of trucks whose gross vehicle weight ratings are 7,501 pounds to 15,000 pounds shall be no less than 14 inches and no more than 30 inches, and their rear bumper height shall be no less than 14 inches and no more than 31 inches. Bumper height limitations contained in this section shall not apply to trucks with gross vehicle weight ratings in excess of 15,000 pounds. For the purpose of this section, "truck" includes pickup and panel trucks, and "gross vehicle weight ratings" means manufacturer's gross vehicle weight ratings established for that vehicle as indicated by a number, plate, sticker, decal, or other device affixed to the vehicle by its manufacturer.

In the absence of bumpers, and in cases where bumper heights have been lowered, height measurements under the foregoing provisions of this section shall be made to the bottom of the frame rail. However, if bumper heights have been raised, height measurements under the foregoing provisions of this section shall be made to the bottom of the main horizontal bumper bar.

No vehicle shall be operated on a public highway if it has been modified by any means so as to raise its body more than three inches, in addition to any manufacturer's spacers and bushings, above the vehicle's frame rail or manufacturer's attachment points on the frame rail.

This section shall not apply to specially designed or modified motor vehicles when driven off the public highways in races and similar events. Such motor vehicles may be lawfully towed on the highways of the Commonwealth.

(1973, c. 498, § 46.1-282.1; 1978, c. 605; 1980, c. 342; 1986, c. 570; 1989, c. 727; 1991, c. 688; 1992, c. 864; 1993, c. 73.)

 

VA Inspection allows aftermarket exhaust as long as it exits at the rear of the vehicle with no leaks from front to back. That has nothing to do with the LAW against it. Two different things. Screwy, isn't it?

 

vbgsx - Great post .. they have changed the heights .. was 14.5 3 years ago .. and 26" i belive but they change them so often.

Those are the VA. Law .. not the State inspection rules. Your car must be able to be lifted or be put on a jack with out any help. So if you can take a regular floor jack (not a miny jack) or a normal lift and get you car in the air to have the underbody (floorpans front\rear suspension) and brakes checked you should pass, this is how it was stated (by the State Trooper inspecting my uncle's shop) to me when I recieved my SI lisence.

The exhaust (factory or after market) must come out of the vehicle, with out having a leak, atleast 3 inchs past the last passenger compartment opening (ie 4 door must be behind the back seat door and 2 door must be atleast 3 inchs from the door jamb). These may all have changed since I do not carry the SI anymore., but these were the rules @ the time.

 

You will be fine, they might get mad casue they have to get ramps or 2x4 to get your car on the car port ramps. Thats all they did or said for me. But pretty much anything you do to your car or change or modify is illegal or has restrictions to it. Thats VA for you.

 

as long as you dont have any exhaust leaks and you have cats you can run straight pipes, it doesnt matter how loud it is and you will still pass inspection.

now.... cities and counties have noise laws, but thats a whole different thing, has nothing to do with passing inspection or not.

 

Code of Virginia is your friend. Don't take what people say as truth, look at all the disinformation in this thread, look it up for yourself.

Ride Height: http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp...+cod+46.2-1063
Exhaust: http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp...+cod+46.2-1049

 

ive been nailed plenty of times for being too low. the officer told me my car had to be 14"....i measured 11". not once did i ever get ticketed for my exhaust (custom cat-back set-up) or my windshield banner (long white strip that measured 6" wide..can only be 3" wide i believe) i had. everytime i went to get the car inspected i would crank my coilovers up some and it would pass. i did ask a cop one time about coilovers and if it was considered adjustable suspension and he said no it wasnt. of course this was info given to me about 3-4 years ago so things may have changed since then.