When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
I really like the looks of darkened side marker/brake lights, but I didn't want to be ticketed for doing so to my vette.
I read the city's statues, and that just raised further questions.
So down to the local station I went. The helpful volunteer at the front desk had an officer come out and talk with me. A section of our local law is that darkened lenses must be at a reading of 35%. Officers have the availability of equipment to obtain this reading, but both sides of the darkened item need to be accessible, such as testing window tint. This would very difficult on our tail lights, if not impossible.
Bottom line: Officer said to go ahead and tint away, just make sure that turn/brake lights are able to be seen during daylight hours.
I'm a happy man. Now to do research for the proper paint...
Last edited by (hmmm); 08-26-2016 at 11:28 PM.
Reason: added info
When you get a ticket, don't expect that saying "officer so and so said it was alright" will be a good defense.
You need to have red reflectors on the back of your car. I didn't dig to deeply into the laws, but I wouldn't be surprised if there's something about visible distance when lighted too, which you'll most likely violate also.
When you get a ticket, don't expect that saying "officer so and so said it was alright" will be a good defense.
You need to have red reflectors on the back of your car. I didn't dig to deeply into the laws, but I wouldn't be surprised if there's something about visible distance when lighted too, which you'll most likely violate also.
Yes dad, I'll be good. lol j/k
I'm not looking for a get out of jail card, just what is allowed by local pd. It was mentioned that some officers can be a bit critical, but for the most part I should be fine.
I did ask about the two reflectors for the rear, and the side markers which are required to reflect, and he said that is not an issue.
Mine have been tinted since 08. Got pulled over once for the tinted tails but it was just an excuse to look for other violations. Went with tinted LED tails and they are brighter than stock. And they reflect the correct color.
Now Texas has passed alaw that any modifications to lights is a safty inspection fail. Mine has passed every year.
I got Arizona legal window tint and at nite in rural areas its still tough to see.
I also did my headlights & tail lights with Lamin-X gun smoke film and light shines thru as well as reflection when outside lights hits them.
Also did side markers with Plasti-Dip and same results.
NSF
That's one clean Vette! Very nice! How do you like that billit grille, and how does it attach to the car?
I like it. Installation is quite simple if my memory serves me correctly there are 4 toggle bolts that attach the billet grill directly over the oem grill.
I really like the looks of darkened side marker/brake lights, but I didn't want to be ticketed for doing so to my vette.
I read the city's statues, and that just raised further questions.
So down to the local station I went. The helpful volunteer at the front desk had an officer come out and talk with me. A section of our local law is that darkened lenses must be at a reading of 35%. Officers have the availability of equipment to obtain this reading, but both sides of the darkened item need to be accessible, such as testing window tint. This would very difficult on our tail lights, if not impossible.
Bottom line: Officer said to go ahead and tint away, just make sure that turn/brake lights are able to be seen during daylight hours.
I'm a happy man. Now to do research for the proper paint...
While the local LEO's may have their own individual opinion and/or interpretation of the rules and laws, they only enforce them. The courts do interpretation according to local ordinances and state laws.
Your defense to avoid a court appearance, would be to carry a copy of the applicable Idaho Title 49, Chapter 9, statute that relates to your mods. https://legislature.idaho.gov/idstat/Title49/T49CH9.htm If your car complies with the letter of the law, any LEO in Idaho would be hard pressed to issue you a ticket after seeing it. Local ordinances withstanding.
There are so many distracted drivers out there, that I do not want to do anything that will make my taillights less visible. I do not understand why people want to darken/blacken the taillights! It make NO good sense what so ever. Screw the looks I do not want some dingbat hitting me in the reared because of not paying attention. I feel the bright red might catch his eye better than a black dim little glow plug.
There are so many distracted drivers out there, that I do not want to do anything that will make my taillights less visible. I do not understand why people want to darken/blacken the taillights! It make NO good sense what so ever. Screw the looks I do not want some dingbat hitting me in the reared because of not paying attention. I feel the bright red might catch his eye better than a black dim little glow plug.
Yep that is my old man .02 worth.
Old people suck! Hey wait a minute I'm old too To each his own I guess but I'm thinking if some dingbat that isn't paying any attention or actually probably is paying attention its just that the phone call or text message is their main attention get-er and w/that being said the dingbat probably wouldn't see a light w/the intensity of a bolt of lighting before they plowed right thru the middle of it. Welcome to the wonderful world of distracted drivers.
There are so many distracted drivers out there, that I do not want to do anything that will make my taillights less visible. I do not understand why people want to darken/blacken the taillights! It make NO good sense what so ever. Screw the looks I do not want some dingbat hitting me in the reared because of not paying attention. I feel the bright red might catch his eye better than a black dim little glow plug.
Yep that is my old man .02 worth.
Unfortunately, it's not going to make much difference to the texting driver whether your tail lights are tinted or airplane landing lights, because frankly, when a driver is distracted like that, they hit you with no skidmarks at all. In other words, they weren't even looking up.
There are so many distracted drivers out there, that I do not want to do anything that will make my taillights less visible. I do not understand why people want to darken/blacken the taillights! It make NO good sense what so ever. Screw the looks I do not want some dingbat hitting me in the reared because of not paying attention. I feel the bright red might catch his eye better than a black dim little glow plug.
Me too. These kids at work removed the mirrors on their sportbikes so it would look cool. I can't imagine not having mirrors. I can't roll without stick on spot mirrors for that matter.
There are so many distracted drivers out there, that I do not want to do anything that will make my taillights less visible. I do not understand why people want to darken/blacken the taillights! It make NO good sense what so ever. Screw the looks I do not want some dingbat hitting me in the reared because of not paying attention. I feel the bright red might catch his eye better than a black dim little glow plug.
08-26-2016, 11:25 PM
face to face with leo...
To each his own I guess but I'm thinking if some dingbat that isn't paying any attention or actually probably is paying attention its just that the phone call or text message is their main attention get-er and w/that being said the dingbat probably wouldn't see a light w/the intensity of a bolt of lighting before they plowed right thru the middle of it. Welcome to the wonderful world of distracted drivers. 
