Let's see now, 13 citations at $160 each ..... carry the ought .... = $ 2080.oo. That's $ 1.oo for every hour I'm compensated for in one year of working on my base salary, my work days, paid holidays, paid vacation. And then .... he can do it again tomorrow!

What should U do?



If it was me, not "U", but if it was me .... I'ld put them back stock.



But then, if it was me, I would never have tinted, covered, or altered the color of my vehicle's lighting.

Every state adopts the lighting regulations and approval of USDOT, manufacturers provide samples of every light for approval, once granted, that light is 100% legal in all 50 states when used in the application for which approval was granted. It's universal across the USA which is why the lights that come from the manufacturer on my truck in Virginia are 100% legal in California or Hawaii.

Deviate from that, add any tint al all, apply any covering to any part of the lense or all over it, stick on an overlay that hides part of it, you loose that. You now run the risk of tickets. It's a equipment violation here, no points, but a $30.oo fine plus $61.oo court costs for a total $91.oo each time.

Someone said they thought it was OK if you can still see some red when on. What are the chances of seeing that light as faw away as stock on a rain swept interstate at 2 am or in a fog shrouded morning commute to work? Whats the chance f confusing your brake lights barely eaking out of the tinted covers when viewed against every one elses brighter running lamps?

Those lights were approved for the benifit of not just you, the driver in front of them, but all users of the road around you.

I know of a couple here locally who chose to change back after the first warning, though some needed a ticket, but several had extra cash I guess, they took more encouragement to change.

 

Well that makes me feel a little better. Thanks!

 

I live in San Antonio too, and I have my tails tinted.


Mine were alot darker when I first did them. I have sanded on them a couple times and polished them to make them really smooth and shiny which has lightened them up a bit. I drove around for a week or so with them REALLY dark.

Tinted tail lights ARE legal here, but you do have some rules to follow. They must be visible up to 500 feet at night. And they have to be visible up to 50 feet during the daytime WHILE braking. I know.. because I have "the law" in the family. Plus I happened to have a ex-judge as a college teacher. As long as they follow those rules then you are fine. If he was being a butt-head about it and tries to write you tickets for you "illegally tinted" tail lights then take him to court on it. I can guarantee you that it either will get dropped or he wont even show up. Its just a hassle that most people don't want to deal with.

Also, if you can prove that he was being anything more than objective while he had pulled you over you can call him out on that too. The moment a cop uses his emotions is the minute that whatever he is trying to ticket you for can be used against him. They are not allowed to make calls based upon emotion.. well they can/do, but it wont hold up for crap in court. You dont have to fear the police or even get angry with them for being butt-heads.. all you have to do is know the laws, and if you know what they are allowed to get away with then that helps you too.

 

Read the box that the lights came in. It probably says something like "not intended for highway use". Tinted lights, especially on the rear are dangerous. Be thankful that you were not rear ended because some couldn't see your brake lights.

 

recon Line of fire ftw

 

yea the TX troopers can be such ***** about the tail light tint my bud had a black dodge he tinted the tail lights on, and he got harrassed all the time

 

It's "Law Enforcement". One can be gentlemanly as they write ... and write.

I see there's plenty of free legal advise here ...

... maybe it's worth what it costs?

 

contact your local state patrol office. They handle all vehicle related equipment violations and lighting violations. I doubt the officer would find 13 citations to write you for and highly doubt all would stand up in court.

Depending on state law usually it states that light must be visible in all lighting conditions (day and night) from at least 500 ft behind the vehicle. Some states say you must be able to see some type of red reflector as well. Check with your local state patrol office and see if they will sign off on your lights as legal. You do that, no judge will keep a ticket that is written by any jurisdiction.

Hope that helps.

 

see my headlights are DOT approved but my halos that came inside the headlight assemblies are illegal "technically" in PA. but since the camaros have halos now and the new mustangs have the LED lights within the headlights, i have less of a chance of being pulled over. it is a violation that now companies are making from the factory like that, so cops will be less inclined to pull you over for it, but technically, mine are still illegal in PA(aftermarket lighting), the camaros and stangs are legal(factory lighting). like i said before, in PA, and im sure its not the only state, but "technically" if you add any lighting from what came on it from the factory, it is illegal.

 

I was thinking about tinting my tail lights also, and this post caused me to re think and do a search, this is what I found for texas, hope it helps... http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/vi/Misc/faq/lens.htm