are taillight blackouts illegal??

 

They are in Texas. So are the headlight blackouts. Even the slotted taillight covers are illegal. Just have to see what regulations you're state has on the subject.

 

Anything that obstructs the passage of light through the colored lens is technically illegal. . .so as long as there is still unobstructed light passing through your lenses. . .you are OK. If there is a part of your lens that is not backlit, then that part can be any color it wants.

The early model Nissan Pulsar, and the 87-93 Mustang GT both had the 'cheese-grater' style tail lenses and were dubbed OK by the D.O.T. . . .so tail lens covers- as long as they don't totally obstruct the flow of light (like the GTS style covers) are legal.

At least everywhere but Texas, that is.


Later,

 

The new Ventshade Tailshades II slotted ones are semi-transparent, will let some light thru the whole cover, supposed to get around the issues.

 

Check the local DMV laws.

In IL, nothing is the only legal thing to have on the tail light or head light.

Same for license plate covers, not even supposed to have a clear one on.

I'd have to check the DMV book again, but I think in JAN-01 IL made these moving violations ( counts against your license ), not just equipment violations ( fine and you're on your way ).

The DOT rulling on these may hold true, but that is a federal DOT ruling, state DOT / DMV can change the law as they see fit for the state.

The thing to keep in mind, if tail ight covers are legal in your state, that does not make them ok to use in another state ( TX or IL for instance ).

 

A state can only make the laws more restrictive or stricter, they cannot loosen or lower the requirements of a federal law.

Technically anything that completely covers your lights is illegal. On our trucks the required reflector is part of the taillight lens and cannot be covered. Check the box they came in. They are usually marked for show or offroad use only although some manufacturers do not care how you use them. It is your responsibility. Most police officers have better things to do than pester people for light covers. Some of them have trucks themselves and enjoy customizing them as well.

 

The Mustangs don't count. Anything from the factory is deemed the be acceptable.

What most of it boils down to is the Lumens, or measured light output from the headlights, marker lights and brake lights. They have to put out a minumum amount. Any type of taillight cover will restrict that.

When you buy these things, they all say for off-road and show car use only.

The same reason some cops hassle people with euro style heads and tails (altered lumen output)

 

my vtech slotted taillight covers have the 3 slots in them and on the package it says 50 state DOT legal, and has a card that you punch out incase you get pulled over that says they are approved in all 50 states.

 

Where did you find the TX DMV law that states that the tailights are illegal? I would like to research it myself before buying blackouts, but I can't seem to find a law that states that. Any help would be appretiated.

 

I had them on my truck. They were one of those things that are illegal, but cops won't say anything. I've never heard of anyone gettin pulled over for having blackouts on their truck.