(not my image. I just find these comical and incredibly dangerous)
this post was submitted on 28 Sep 2026
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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.