Semi Truck Mud Flap Laws By State

You probably don't think about mud flaps as you climb in your truck, but don’t let your record get dinged on account of ignorance. Did you know there are no federal mud flap laws? Because each state sets laws, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) doesn't mention them in its list of safety regulations.

So what mud flaps should you put on your truck? Here’s what you need to know before adding mud flaps to your rig:

Mud Flap Requirements By State

In Texas, Arizona, Delaware, and Missouri, your mud flaps should be no more than 8 inches from the ground.

If you’re driving through Alaska, your mud flaps only need to hang 14 inches from the surface of the ground.

Maryland requires that mud flaps extend from the truck to the ground the same length as the tire’s width. For example, if the tire is 12 inches wide, the mud flap should be 12 inches long.

While some states are more lenient, others have stricter guidelines. In Michigan, Oklahoma, and Pennsylvania, mud flaps must prevent debris from leaving the tire at a minimum 22.5-degree tangent angle.

Last but not least, New York law states that your mud flaps can’t be more than 1/3 of the distance from where the bottom of the mud flap makes contact with the back wheel.

With so many states having different requirements for mud flaps, how do you obey all the laws? To be on the safe side, general guidelines recommend that your mud flaps don’t hang more than 6 inches from the ground.

If you are curious about any of the other 40 states’ specific rules regarding mud flap laws, check the Department of Transportation website for that particular state.

Mud Flaps and Reflective Conspicuity Tape

It's also important to note that there are federal regulations regarding the use of conspicuity tape (also known as reflective tape) on or near mud flaps.

You can find information on those regulations on our Reflective Conspicuity Tape page. For a full breakdown of the rules, check out the FMCSA Conspicuity Requirements for Commercial Motor Vehicles Guide.

For any questions regarding our products, please contact our experts at (877) 595-0495 or by emailing customerservice@uscargocontrol.com.