Heading to Louisiana or Mississippi with your load? Before you take off, make sure the mud flaps on your truck or trailer conform with the rules and regulations in those states. It’s too late to think about it when you’re pulled over and cited for being non-compliant!
Keep in mind that state rules can change without notice, so consult each state’s DOT for revisions or additional details. (NOTE: To date, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina and West Virginia don’t have mud flap requirements.)
As for specific height requirements, generally speaking, you want the mud flaps to hang no more than 6 inches from the ground when the vehicle is in its typical loaded condition. But always check local DOT regulations. Also, the mud flaps should cover the full width of the tire, so spray stays behind the wheel.
Louisiana Department of Transportation & Development
- Every motor vehicle, other than a motorcycle or motor-driven cycle, when operated upon a highway of this state, shall be equipped with fenders, covers, or such devices, including flaps or splash aprons, or fender flares to effectively minimize the spray or splash of water or mud or loose material on the highways to the rear of the vehicle unless the body of the vehicle or attachments thereto afford such protection. The width of such fenders, covers, or other devices shall be at least the width of the tires of the motor vehicle.
- This Section does not apply to those vehicles exempt from registrations, nor to any other vehicle having an unladen weight of under one thousand five hundred pounds, nor to those vehicles which were not supplied with the equipment required in Subsection A of this Section at the time of manufacture, nor to trucks and farm vehicles handling and hauling agricultural and forestry products. (Acts 1962, No. 310, §1. Amended by Acts 1968, No. 399, §1; Acts 1999, No. 1121, §1; Acts 2003, No. 236, §1.)
Mississippi Department of Transportation
(1) No person shall drive or operate or cause to be driven or operated, upon the public highways, streets, bridges and culverts within the State of Mississippi, or any subdivision thereof, any car, truck, truck-tractor, trailer or semi-trailer or bus used for the transportation of property or persons the gross weight of which, including load, exceeds ten tons unless such motor vehicle is equipped with suitable metal protectors or substantial flexible flaps on the rear-most wheels of such vehicle or combination of vehicles, so as to prevent as far as possible such wheels from throwing dirt, water and other materials on the windshields of following motor vehicles. However, pole trailers, dump trucks, and all trucks carrying an “F” license tag shall be exempt from the provisions of this section.
(2) Such protectors or flaps shall be constructed of substantial and suitable materials approved by the commissioner of public safety and shall have a ground clearance of not more than one-fifth of the distance from the center of the rear-most axle to the center of the flaps under any conditions of loading operation of the motor vehicle. They shall be at least as wide as the tires they are protecting. However, if the motor vehicle is so designed and constructed that the purposes of this section cannot be met, then, in the discretion of the commissioner of public safety, no such protectors or flaps shall be required. If the said rear-most wheels are not adequately covered at the top by fenders, body or other parts of the vehicle, the said protectors or flaps shall be extended to a point directly above the rear-most axle. Lamps or wiring shall not be attached to protectors or flaps, and any reflectors or reflectorized material attached to or made a part of the protectors or flaps shall be in addition to the reflectors required by law on the vehicle.
(3) The commissioner of public safety is hereby charged with the duty of administering the provisions of this section.
(4) Any person convicted for a violation of any of the provisions of this section shall for the first violation thereof be punished by a fine of not more than twenty-five dollars ($25.00) or by imprisonment for not more than ten (10) days; for a second conviction such person shall be punished by a fine of not more than one hundred dollars ($100.00) or by imprisonment for not more than twenty (20) days. (Mississippi Title 63. Motor Vehicles and Traffic Regulations (Chs. 1 — 39)
General Mud Flap Advice
Regardless of any applicable mud flap requirement, for the sake of your truck and other vehicles on the road, make sure your mud flaps are in good shape before heading out on the highway.
Check for the following:
- Cracks or tears
- Warping or bending
- Discoloration
- Loose or detached portions
- Broken mounting hardware
- Cosmetic damage
If you see any of these issues, then it’s time to replace them. In general, you want your mud flaps to be the right size and in good condition to improve aerodynamics and fuel efficiency. But that won’t happen if you go for the cheapest option on the rack. Instead, install premium mud flaps to get the best ROI. And for that, you can rely on Briargate Supply.
We specialize in high-quality rubber and poly mud flaps for trucks, trailers, and commercial vehicles available in standard sizes and in a variety of materials to suit your specific needs. We also offer custom logo options. Browse our catalog or contact us today to find the perfect replacement mud flaps for your vehicle.