Are Brake Light Masks Legal?
10-20-2008, 11:48 AM
#8
Zoom Zoom....
Just to stir the pot....
No, technically, anything that modifies a DOT approved housing is no longer approved. All required light housings have a DOT approval number imprinted on the case. The approval involves (among many other things) light output, color, angle of view, material, area, etc., etc., etc. So, any changes (including bulbs) or tinting, to the housing will be technically illegal.
Now, this is hair-splitting, I agree.
Consider, though, an accident: and a diligent lawyer. Barring that, a cop looking for an excuse to pull you over just found one! I understand that your State regs. can be different, but Federal Law says....
My flame suit is on, but I do like the masks, just like I like MY JDM clear corners (which are also not DOT approved).
No, technically, anything that modifies a DOT approved housing is no longer approved. All required light housings have a DOT approval number imprinted on the case. The approval involves (among many other things) light output, color, angle of view, material, area, etc., etc., etc. So, any changes (including bulbs) or tinting, to the housing will be technically illegal.
Now, this is hair-splitting, I agree.
Consider, though, an accident: and a diligent lawyer. Barring that, a cop looking for an excuse to pull you over just found one! I understand that your State regs. can be different, but Federal Law says....
My flame suit is on, but I do like the masks, just like I like MY JDM clear corners (which are also not DOT approved).
10-20-2008, 11:53 AM
#9
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I am sure the OP has thought about this but it bears mentioning that this may not be a good idea to begin with.
There is a road (US-19) in my area and sometimes I would never want to be anything but as visible as possible on that stretch of highway. The types and speeds of drivers vary so much on that road... less visibility is an accident just waiting to happen.
ymmv
There is a road (US-19) in my area and sometimes I would never want to be anything but as visible as possible on that stretch of highway. The types and speeds of drivers vary so much on that road... less visibility is an accident just waiting to happen.
ymmv
10-24-2008, 07:35 AM
#10
FYI there's no telling how many times a buddy of mine has gotten pulled over for his tail lights. He drove an FD for years and every where he went the cops thought his tails were blacked out. Then you have to go through and explain thats the way the car was made then they just look at you like your full of ****. 
Then for making them look like an idiot they get all pissy search your car for illegal parts, drugs, anything. NO tail light mods for me in tennesse thats for sure
Then for making them look like an idiot they get all pissy search your car for illegal parts, drugs, anything. NO tail light mods for me in tennesse thats for sure
10-24-2008, 08:08 AM
#11
RX8 & RX7 owner
In California..... If u see beemers u never see the go Super Dark TINT
Its not in the book therfore u can fight it as long as u can see them from the distance below..
24600. During darkness every motor vehicle which is not in combination with any other vehicle and every vehicle at the end of a combination of vehicles shall be equipped with lighted taillamps mounted on the rear as follows:
(a) Every vehicle shall be equipped with one or more taillamps.
(b) Every vehicle, other than a motorcycle, manufactured and first registered on or after January 1, 1958, shall be equipped with not less than two taillamps, except that trailers and semitrailers manufactured after July 23, 1973, which are less than 30 inches wide, may be equipped with one taillamp which shall be mounted at or near the vertical centerline of the vehicles. If a vehicle is equipped with two taillamps, they shall be mounted as specified in subdivision (d).
(c) Every vehicle or vehicle at the end of a combination of vehicles, subject to subdivision (a) of Section 22406 shall be equipped with not less than two taillamps.
(d) When two taillamps are required, at least one shall be mounted at the left and one at the right side respectively at the same level.
(e) Taillamps shall be red in color and shall be plainly visible from all distances within 500 feet to the rear except that taillamps on vehicles manufactured after January 1, 1969, shall be plainly visible from all distances within 1,000 feet to the rear.
(f) Taillamps on vehicles manufactured on or after January 1, 1969, shall be mounted not lower than 15 inches nor higher than 72 inches, except that a tow truck, in addition to being equipped with the required taillamps, may also be equipped with two taillamps which may be mounted not lower than 15 inches nor higher than the maximum allowable vehicle height and as far forward as the rearmost portion of the driver's seat in the rearmost position. The additional taillamps on a tow truck shall be lighted whenever the headlamps are lighted.
Amended Ch. 924, Stats. 1988. Effective January 1, 1989.
Its not in the book therfore u can fight it as long as u can see them from the distance below..
24600. During darkness every motor vehicle which is not in combination with any other vehicle and every vehicle at the end of a combination of vehicles shall be equipped with lighted taillamps mounted on the rear as follows:
(a) Every vehicle shall be equipped with one or more taillamps.
(b) Every vehicle, other than a motorcycle, manufactured and first registered on or after January 1, 1958, shall be equipped with not less than two taillamps, except that trailers and semitrailers manufactured after July 23, 1973, which are less than 30 inches wide, may be equipped with one taillamp which shall be mounted at or near the vertical centerline of the vehicles. If a vehicle is equipped with two taillamps, they shall be mounted as specified in subdivision (d).
(c) Every vehicle or vehicle at the end of a combination of vehicles, subject to subdivision (a) of Section 22406 shall be equipped with not less than two taillamps.
(d) When two taillamps are required, at least one shall be mounted at the left and one at the right side respectively at the same level.
(e) Taillamps shall be red in color and shall be plainly visible from all distances within 500 feet to the rear except that taillamps on vehicles manufactured after January 1, 1969, shall be plainly visible from all distances within 1,000 feet to the rear.
(f) Taillamps on vehicles manufactured on or after January 1, 1969, shall be mounted not lower than 15 inches nor higher than 72 inches, except that a tow truck, in addition to being equipped with the required taillamps, may also be equipped with two taillamps which may be mounted not lower than 15 inches nor higher than the maximum allowable vehicle height and as far forward as the rearmost portion of the driver's seat in the rearmost position. The additional taillamps on a tow truck shall be lighted whenever the headlamps are lighted.
Amended Ch. 924, Stats. 1988. Effective January 1, 1989.
Last edited by ZumnRx8; 10-24-2008 at 08:12 AM.
10-24-2008, 08:21 AM
#13
SHKWAV
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10-24-2008, 08:24 AM
#14
SHKWAV
FYI there's no telling how many times a buddy of mine has gotten pulled over for his tail lights. He drove an FD for years and every where he went the cops thought his tails were blacked out. Then you have to go through and explain thats the way the car was made then they just look at you like your full of ****. Then for making them look like an idiot they get all pissy search your car for illegal parts, drugs, anything. NO tail light mods for me in tennesse thats for sure
Then for making them look like an idiot they get all pissy search your car for illegal parts, drugs, anything. NO tail light mods for me in tennesse thats for sure
10-24-2008, 08:35 AM
#15
weird... my previous car i had blackened out the tails and the brake light and never had a single problem. I live not even 5 miles from a sheriff's station, so they are always patrolling the area and believe me, they are sticklers about keeping the area safe. Had them behind me many a time at stop lights and signs and never had a single problem. i think your cops are just bored lol
10-29-2008, 09:29 AM
#16
SHKWAV
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