(not my image. I just find these comical and incredibly dangerous)
this post was submitted on 28 Sep 2026
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They aren't. There might be places with shitty cops that tolerate them. (Quick search shows this is mostly a Texas thing)
Confidently incorrect. Maybe they're illegal some places, but definitely not most places. In Texas, they're not illegal, but it can be illegal if they make your vehicle more than 8 feet wide. Since they're usually on sedans, they usually don't hit 8 feet.
Also they're more specifically a thing in Black culture in Houston. I see them pretty rarely in other Texas cities
Maybe they are legal in a few places. There is more places in the world than just a couple of US states.
I'd be interested to hear where they're illegal and what that law says
Edit: Coming back to this, just looked into EU regulations and it's clear these are not outright prohibited, as the laws related to hubcaps focus only on fitment and detachment risk. However, most EU countries require non-OEM parts to receive government approval prior to hitting the market, almost certainly ensuring nothing like this would ever be sold there.
Every single European country. No moving part of a car can extend beyond the fixed bodywork. Even "open wheel" cars have to have the top 180 degrees of tyre covered.
I'm reading something different in the EU, that only the tire treads can't extend beyond the car body
In Germany for example this is so unthinkable it's like somebody saying "tell me the law that says I can't steal vegetables from the super market". Please do your own research, some things just are illegal without me needing to cite a law.
My thoughts exactly. "Show a me law that says I can't attach two giant swords on each side of my car that will cut in half everyone that I pass by close enough. I'm sure you can't". American mind is sometimes hard to comprehend.
So you can't cite the law, I knew it. I won the discussion /s
"It's illegal because obviously"
You should become an attorney
It's illegal because it endangers other people. People on bicycles, motorcycles or on foot are particularly vulnerable. People don't expect literal whisks to stick out from the wheels of a car.
Without even knowing which law regulating vehicle specifications is violated, I am positive that the German §1 (2) StVO is already violated:
I appreciate you giving an actual rationale for how they might be illegal
Even Texas has unsafe protrusions rule, but a cop would have to enforce it. No part of the vehical can endanger pedestrians.
Australia, can't protrude past the factory wheel arches. Also, a trailer can't be wider than the vehicle towing it.
Sensible rules 😀
No law expert either but the pointy figurines people put on the hub front in the 70s? They are illegal; not specifically but by endangering all the other participants on the street. Bet wheel spikes fall under the same rules.
Btw, this is something i observed recently: US tends to make rules reactively and case-specific, which is why it needs to also define wrong-doing or not specifically ("don't dry your hamster in the microwave" warning label). While europe countries try to abstract general rules, just like in this case. I think the second approach works better for a healthy society.
"It is unlawful to attach stupid dangerous bullshit to your vehicle."
In the UK you'd 100% get pulled over by the first police car you crossed paths with.
I don't even know what are we talking about here. I'm 1000% sure you would not be able to drive more than 100m with rims like that in Europe. Someone would immediately call the caps and they would immediately immobilize the car and send the driver to jail.
what? they are a pedestrian hazard, how would these not be illegal in every state?
Simple, make your city unwalkable. Pedestrians are no longer a concern. Anyone dumb enough to be a pedestrian deserves it.
Obvious /s is obvious
I see you have been to many Alberta towns
AKA Notth Texas.
i mean actual policy
bet money it is illegal and just not enforced
Not illegal as long as the total vehicle width does not exceed 102 inches.
8.5 feet, 259cm
pretty sure the tire, including rim must be in the tire well (in Texas it’s to the length of the mirror specifically even)
apparently this is a moron red state kinda thing where because it is not specifically called out cops cant be assed to enforce laws for general vehicular safety
Well that's definitely commonplace with pickups having low offset wheels. I'd be curious if there is policy to support that though!
another group known for illegal vehicle mods
Having wheels and tires outside the fender is not illegal in most states, including Texas.
Considered unsafe/sharp protrusion that would endanger a pedestrian, but cops would have to enforce that subsecrion...which probably doesn't happen in texas
5 foot tall hoods are also a pedestrian hazard, but fashion trumps safety.
again that just sounds like lazy cops
Worse. Lazy rules.
Americans proving their inability to understand their country isn't the world just never stops.
You'd ever only see these in the US, it doesn't matter if they're specifically illegal elsewhere because it just doesn't happen (on normal roads, outside very rare shows etc.).
It's so fucking tiring not being able to get away from 'Muricans like you who are so deep into their own shit that you're unable to even start to understand anything else.
Welcome to a post about the US on an US-based instance. Feel free to continue acting like a total asshole
What's US-based about fuckcars? Most posts here are not about or from the US.
It’s a troll account
Texas is just a fictional place. Doesn't really exist. (/j)
If only