I was driving to work this morning and got pulled over for taking a corner too fast. After I made sure the police officer was finished writing me up, I asked him if I could step out and ask him a few questions. I pointed to the clear side markers I ordered from JT-Imports and told them that they used to be amber in color and I had switched them to clear with an amber bulb inside. Upon asking him if the setup I had was legal or not, he replied it was legal and that I am not in violation of any vehicle code by having the clear side marker. Just for reference, he was LAPD.

 

what did i tell u guys?

 

wow,
you must of have a newbie cop

I hope the cops treat me like that when I get pulled over

 

I think the key here is the side marker "projects an amber light", per the CVC link already posted. If the clear lens is used with an amber lamp, it will, in fact, project an amber light.

Good money says that LAPD officer pulling traffic duty knows this part of the CVC...

 

Aiyo
So many stingy cops here in California

You can get pulled for putting plastic on your license plate (the ones that will reflect the speed gun away fron your car)

And then

You can get pulled for merely tilting your license plate frame (so the speed gun will reflect to the ground)

I heard about a kid who did all sorts of stuff with his car..

As for blinkers, if you live around the L.A. area, I suggest you forget the hassle and keep them the same!

 

It is true, I checked the DMV site.
http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/vctop/d12/vc24953.htm
I just ordere my clear side markers!! wohoo!!

 

who did you order from

 

I ordered from http://www.jt-imports.com/Mazda_RX8_JDM_Parts.htm
Who did you order from?? I noticed you have yours. NICE!!!

 

jt also
and mazdatrix for the strakes

 

How long did it take for you to receive the clear markers from JT?

 

it took about one week
worth the wait and the install only takes about 5 minutes

 

sheesh legal and illegal debates again

it's pretty simple actually for CA
just one sentence:

everything you do to your car that makes it not stock anymore is illegal
end case :P

 

Pretty close! Actually there is a section in the Calif. Veh. Code that states that it is illegal to modify any "safety equipment" unless that modification has been approved by the Dept. That section goes on to state that unless a piece of equipment is specifically approved it is assumed to be illegal.

 

quick question. how much was shipping for the corners at jt?

 

This is an excerpt from a ODOT rep siting the Federal Statute.

"Depending upon the year, 1968 and newer cars were required to have a side
marker light and amber reflex side reflector.
If you are replacing a stock or original equipment manufacturers lens with
an after-market product, make sure the after-market product meets the
standard and has the side reflex reflector that the original did, if it had
one."

So the question is did California adopt the federal statute, most states have. Since I always drive with my lights on I plan to use a chrome amber bulb behind my clear corners and hope I get away with it.

 

as long as the Light Blub is Amber your ok.. the Lens can be Black for all the cops here in CA care. you have to have the amber lights on the front thow...

And yes a cop may still pull you over in the day and give you a hard time if he sees clears but they are legal. I sell them in CA ..