Hey guys, I just blacked out my third brake light this evening, and I really like it (I think, It got dark out very quick and am waiting till the morning to really get a good look). This made me want to smoke the tail lights because it is so easy, cheap, and nice looking , but I am not sure as to whether or not it is street legal. All I want to do is darken them, not blacken. I live in Virginia and if there are any other Virginians out there who may know---Is this street legal?

Thanks for the input,
Robert Studebaker

 

Just call the DMV, they'll have all the answers.

 

Not here, you'd be lucky to get someone that knew how to speak English!

 

46.2-1014. Brake lights.

Every motor vehicle, trailer, or semitrailer, except an antique vehicle not originally equipped with a brake light, registered in the Commonwealth and operated on the highways in the Commonwealth shall be equipped with at least two brake lights of a type approved by the Superintendent. Such brake lights shall automatically exhibit a red or amber light plainly visible in clear weather from a distance of 500 feet to the rear of such vehicle when the brake is applied.

The provisions of this section shall not apply to motorcycles equipped with brake lights as required by § 46.2-1012.

(1970, c. 17, § 46.1-262.1; 1972, c. 6; 1989, c. 727; 2000, cc. 54, 63; 2003, c. 964.)








VA state law is the same as Ky's on this, visible at 500 feet. You can tint them.

 

i did a light coat on mine almost 2 years ago and havent had any problems yet with the cops. mine are still very visible at night, but like i said i didnt put so much on that it blacked them out...

i dont have any really good pcs to demonstrate the before and after, but hopefully these will give you a rough idea.

Before:



After:

 

Thanks for the help guys, guess I'm going to go ahead and do it, might mask off the reverse light though. I'm not too sure yet.
Robert Studebaker

 

Even if it's illegal, as long as you don't get rear ended, it's probably just a fix-it ticket.