G-ReX
08-19-2008, 02:26 PM
FYI Virginians:
I took my car in for a broken parking brake handle and state inspection today. The new handle is on order, I got the new flash (and stalled 5 or 6 times on the way home), and failed the inspection for clear corners (amber light but no amber reflector & not DOT approved), Derwankel rear rotary light (not DOT approved), and for a sticker on the 3rd brake light/CHMSL. I pulled the brake light mask & rear lamp & swapped the amber corners back to get my sticker. I'll reinstall the clears and rear lamp this afternoon.
I spoke to another tech while I was waiting and he implied that most will let that stuff by, but it technically should fail. In fact, mine's passed at the same dealer 3 times before.
If something like this went to court, I think I could argue that the inspection law stipulates "approved" lights, but does not specify "DOT approved", so, as long as Virginia law is followed per color, position & number, I'm OK. Here, though, you're at the mercy of the techs, so I'll do the inspection elsewhere in the future or swap those parts out first.
Any one else get dinged for clears?
I took my car in for a broken parking brake handle and state inspection today. The new handle is on order, I got the new flash (and stalled 5 or 6 times on the way home), and failed the inspection for clear corners (amber light but no amber reflector & not DOT approved), Derwankel rear rotary light (not DOT approved), and for a sticker on the 3rd brake light/CHMSL. I pulled the brake light mask & rear lamp & swapped the amber corners back to get my sticker. I'll reinstall the clears and rear lamp this afternoon.
I spoke to another tech while I was waiting and he implied that most will let that stuff by, but it technically should fail. In fact, mine's passed at the same dealer 3 times before.
If something like this went to court, I think I could argue that the inspection law stipulates "approved" lights, but does not specify "DOT approved", so, as long as Virginia law is followed per color, position & number, I'm OK. Here, though, you're at the mercy of the techs, so I'll do the inspection elsewhere in the future or swap those parts out first.
Any one else get dinged for clears?