Is It Illegal to Drive A Truck Without Mud Flaps?

Have you ever driven by a semi-truck and noticed the flaps behind the wheels and wondered what that was? Those are called mud flaps and they are a very essential part of the truck that is often overlooked. While it is mainly used in large trucks and semis, it is a vital part that is required and if you drive a truck without it, you may be subjected to a series of fines and tickets and even a serious truck accident. Let’s explore why it is illegal to drive a truck without mud flaps and what the consequences are for not having them onto your truck. 

What Do Mud Flaps Do?

Mud flaps are essentially splash guards for large trucks and semis and they are designed to protect trucks and surrounding traffic from any debris that is thrown up by the tires. Without mud flaps, debris such as dirt, rocks, water, trash, and other materials can be picked up from the road and can inflict damage on the underside of the truck and can possibly spray onto surrounding traffic and unintentionally damage them in the process. Mud flaps can also serve as a means to protect the truck’s body from corrosion and other elements during long drives in areas with severe or constantly changing weather. 

What Are the Legal Requirements for Mud Flaps in California?

According to California Vehicle Code 27600, mud flaps are required by law to be installed on large trucks and semis, especially those that weigh over 1,500 pounds. This is due to the fact that semi truck tires can throw up larger pieces of debris that can cause significant damage to nearby vehicles and depending on the type of debris, it can cause a severe car accident. The law also states that mud flaps should be as wide as the tire treads and should not be making any contact with the pavement. 

What Happens If I Don’t Put Mud Flaps on My Truck?

If you do not put mud flaps onto your truck, you will be pulled over by local enforcement and will be issued a fix it ticket. These tickets are correctable violations that can be dismissed once the necessary adjustments are made and any associated fines are paid for. Failure to make the correct adjustments will result in additional fines that can range up to $325 and additional penalties that could result in the suspension of your driving privileges. 

In addition, not putting any mud flaps to your truck can also increase the amount of wear and tear onto your truck, especially to the undercarriage of the vehicle. This can not only result in increased maintenance costs over time, but for commercial trucks and semis, it can make your truck fail various safety inspections. Should a commercial truck get pulled over for driving without mud flaps, the penalties would be more severe due to the amount of collateral damage they can cause under the right conditions. 

Do Mud Flaps Affect Gas Mileage?

Driving a truck with mud flaps does affect gas mileage slightly because they would create drag. While mud flaps can slightly reduce the fuel efficiency of a truck, it is meant to serve as a means to protect the undercarriage of the vehicle and any nearby drivers. However, there are mud flaps that are more aerodynamic in design in order to reduce drag and turbulence without sacrificing safety and speed. As a result, aerodynamic mud flaps are available for use for any fuel conscious truck drivers or trucking companies out there. 

Can You Drive With a Broken Mud Flap?

In California, driving with a broken or damaged mud flap can lead to legal consequences, especially for those who are driving commercial vehicles. If a truck driver gets pulled over for driving with a damaged mud flap then they will be issued a fix it ticket and will be forced to address the broken part and any failure to do so will result in additional fines and penalties.

Additionally, driving with a broken mud flap will make the truck driver liable for any damages in a traffic accident case where the cause was derived from a broken mud flap. With that in mind, it is crucial for truck drivers to ensure that every part of their vehicle is up to code and is in complete operational standard.  

What Should You Do if You Get Ticketed for Driving Without Mud Flaps?

If you have been ticketed for driving a truck without mud flaps, it is vital to pay off the associated tickets and fines in a timely manner or else you will face fines and penalties that could affect your driving privileges and possibly your work. However, if you have been involved in a truck accident and would like to seek legal representation regarding the matter then West Coast Trial Lawyers is here to help. 

Contact us today by calling (213) 927-3700 or by filling our contact form to schedule a free consultation with our compassionate and talented legal team.