[Skeeter]

Hey all,

Anyone know if tinting your tail-lights is legal in California? I think there's a vendor here who offers this service, and no question that black tail lights look tough. But I HATE giving the law an easy excuse to pull me over. Stress!

Anyone know the status of the laws on this in CA? I remember that clear tail lights used to be illegal as well, but I think this changed a year or two ago. Now even factory cars (like the infiniti) have partially clear tail lights...

Skeeter

 

[roadracerx72]

Basically doing anything to your lights in CA is illegal. If your lights on your car did not come that way and you change them, chances are what you did has not been approved through DOT.

If you change your tail lights to black, the violation is 24600 (e) VC - which states your tail lights shall be red.

 

[Mat347]

As long as your lights still "light up" red, and with the minimum lumens(if defined by law) you'll be OK. With the clear lights being OK with the law now, there should be no discriminating against the non-operational state of the lights.

 

[roadracerx72]

If he changes the color of his tail lights he will be pulled over and cited.

 

[OldRoadDawg]

FYI:
Calif Veh Code, Div 12, Chptr 1
24012. All lighting equipment or devices subject to requirements established by the department shall comply with the engineering requirements and specifications, including mounting and aiming instructions, determined and publicized by the department. The 'department' means CHP. The 'engineering requirements and specifications' used are the specs from Title 13, Calif Admin Code. Those specs are adopted from the FMVSS established by Title 49 USC.

Short answer: Yes, they would be illegal.

 

[Sandyfoot-V]

My wife rear-ended some numb-nut who had darkened taillights five years ago. They were barely visible, even in the dark. It caused an accident (his FOURTH rear-end collision in three years :thepan: ) and HE was cited and fined.

 

[tedcmiller]

Doing anything that reduces the light from your vehicle is ill-advised. The DOT specs provide the maximum light for maximum visibility without being blinding or interfering with other signals such as brake or turn signals. My philosophy is to have a much light as possible without creating other problems. Application of this principal is why the "third brake light" and "Daytime Running Lights" have been so successful and are now found on all vehicles coming from the factory. I apply this philosophy to my cars and especially to my motocycle. Anyone who deliberately violates the laws in this respect should have their license to drive revoked and their vehicles confiscated, permanently.