I posted over the in the "Appearance/Body Kits" forum asking if anyone had any good links for websites that might specifically state what is and is not legal to do to a car in California. But seeing as how I'm interested primarily in California law, I figured I'd post a little quickie here to make sure I hit both audiences.

...Paul

 

The California Vehicle Code Website?

See Chapter 12: Equipment of Vehicles.

Makes great bedtime reading material.

 

A little drier than I'd hoped, but thanks! I queried the CHP about it, too, I think they might have a more readable publication about the whole thing. I'll let you all know what I find out.

...Paul

 

Click here to to be street legal If you are asking about SMOG legal things look up on the net CARB SMOG and the US 50 State SMOG guidlines. That is if you are actually tuning the car other than an underbody neon kit, also illegal FYI.

 

Actually, I have to wonder about the underbody stuff. The Vehicle code (link posted earlier) actually has a section about "diffused lighting". As long as it's less than 0.05 candelas per square inch, it's legal... Of course, I have NO clue how bright that is, I'm betting it's pretty dim, and most neons probably pump out a lot more than that.

I really have to wonder, though, cuz watching Pimp My Ride (which is obviously filmed in California) often does a lot of 'diffused lighting' type of stuff, and I'd be relatively surprised if they were sending people off with illegal cars... when there's obviously videotaped evidence.

I haven't heard back from the CHP yet about my request for documentation -- maybe they've sent me something in the mail and just haven't answered my email.

Kind of a shame I won't be able to do the "Tron-inspired" RX-8, though -- imagine a car where all the exterior seams were lined with EL spaghetti.

...Paul

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by CryoMax
[B]Actually, I have to wonder about the underbody stuff. The Vehicle code (link posted earlier) actually has a section about "diffused lighting". As long as it's less than 0.05 candelas per square inch, it's legal... Of course, I have NO clue how bright that is, I'm betting it's pretty dim]

My vidoe equipment shoots in 0.05 lux. this is very very dark//

that means, light a candel, cut the light output down to lees than 25% and your still brighter than 0.05 lux.

So yes one Led is about 1.0 lux.


However, depending on the county and city your in most cops wont bug you unlless you have bright white lights in the eyes of oncomming traffic. Like our Headlights. Cops hate the new xenon headlights. atleast ours auto level

 

It is not illegal to have the underbody lights, it IS illegal to drive around with them on.

 

cops dont really care for simantics (spelling) if you **** them off they can and will stop you for being a smart ***. then they will write you for everything they find. On or Off ..


Sorry but i have had my share of harrasment by cops.

 

Pretty much what thew said, if a cop wants he will write you a ticket for what ever he feels like is illegal on your car. Neons are illegal so I don't know where you are saying they are not, when you buy the set it clearly states for use off road/ show use only.

 

Illegal decorative lights (24003 VC)

If you read through all that really dry stuff basically it says don't do it unless you use it to illumintae cargo area.

 

If they are illegal they would not be for sale in the open market. As I stated above they are not illegal to have on the car but they ARE illegal to drive with them on.... hence "off road/show use only."

 

The point is that they are ILLEGAL no matter if your car is moving or not trust me, my friend got a ticket for a blue LED in his car while the car was parked. So you tell that to a cop and lets see what he has to say.

Also they sell tons and tons of things that are illegal to use while you are driving or not hence the warnings on the packages for off road use only. Illegal in the sence that if you use it violates a Vehicle Code not saying that the product is illegal like an AK-47, which you are confusing it with.

 

Good one, but no.

Maybe you are right; I mean, I'm only a member of The State Bar of California so what do I know...

 

Illegal lights, whether or not they are operating. It is illegal just to have them on the vehicle (24003 VC).

 

I received a packet in the mail on Saturday, with a copy of CHP 885 and a hardcopy of the pamphlet I found online. Unfortunately, it's not much more than a reprint of the vehicle code. And as stated, the code does NOT permit even the MOUNTING of illegal lamps on a car on the road, even if they are not in operation. As pointed out, section 24003 spells this out pretty specifically.

This is really quite surprising to me, given the results from "Pimp My Ride" (I just find it very shocking that a program would be giving people vehicles to drive that are in knowing violation of the law).

Also interesting to note, there are requirements for "fog taillamps" (24602), which requires, if you have only one, that they be mounted "as close as practical to the left side". Which kinda puts a crimp in that "use the rotary logo space for a fog taillamp" idea.

If anyone's planning on modding their RX-8, I do suggest checking out this publication. I simply sent an email to publicaffairs@chp.ca.gov and requested it be sent to me. Took 'em about a week.

...Paul

 

I saw the back fog lights in the emblem. it was a red light, not sure if that makes any difference. It just looks like another brake light when it's not turned on. Is there a limit to the number and location of red lights on the back of a vehicle?