Is the ‘Carolina Squat’ Truck Trend Legal in Florida?
If you’re not familiar with the ‘Carolina Squat” trend going around on lifted trucks and SUVs, that might be a good thing.Across the United States, people are starting to lift the front end of their vehicle and lower the rear making it look like a squat. But, is the Carolina Squat legal in Florida? We’re here to tell you.
The headlights are one of the biggest concerns. Oncoming drivers face blinding headlights because of the angle of the trucks. Something I notice with the ‘Squat’ is that the driver often cannot fully see the road in front of them. The angle of the driver’s seat is lower than the dash and hood making it hard for the drivers to actually see what’s happening in front of them.
Trooper Steve from the Orlando 6 News team said, “Some beaches have created ordinances that restrict this modification on the vehicle. But there are specific Florida laws that do govern the height of vehicles and placement of their headlights…Florida law states that a vehicle’s headlights shall be no lower than 24 inches and no higher than 54 inches. A violation of this would be a non-moving violation, punishable by a traffic citation.”
Where has the “Carolina Squat” been banned?
Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood proposed to ban squatted trucks on the beaches. Back in August 2023, Volusia City Council voted to approve the proposal. Any vehicle that is “raised or lowered four or more inches greater than the height of the rear fender” is included in the city ordinance.
In North Carolina, Virginia and South Carolina, the Carolina Squat trend is completely banned. It is completely illegal to own a vehicle with this type of modification. In those states, you’ll face a fine of $100 for the first offense, $300 after the third offense and the driver will face a suspended license for a year.
Vehicle owners that squat their trucks where it is still legal, face serious performance and handling issues. If you’re thinking about the Carolina Squat, you might want to opt for a traditional lift instead. So, is the Carolina Squat legal in Florida? Yes, in most areas of the state.
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