Tail light cover ticket
11-13-2016, 02:41 PM
#2
Melting Slicks
A friend of mine got pulled over in his C6 Corvette for taillight tint while I was in the car with him. He ended up removing the tint and took a picture of the car before and after. He brought the pictures to court and they dismissed it. I know taillight tint looks good and all, but it's definitely not for me. With all the distracted drivers out there, I want my taillights to be as bright and noticeable as possible. I even had a red LED taillight kit installed on my C6 not long ago. The last thing I want to do is cover that up. It looks so much better IMO. I also have the full width LED lip spoiler. Combined with the taillights, it looks incredible in both day and night.
11-13-2016, 03:03 PM
#3
I used to have them on my Z06, and took them off not because of worry of getting pulled over, but because I realized that I could be found at fault if someone were to be rear-ended, somewhat like if I had burned out taillights or brake lights.
I love the look, but ultimately not worth the worry.
I love the look, but ultimately not worth the worry.
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bama6872 (11-14-2016)
11-13-2016, 03:05 PM
#4
Pro
Posts #2 and #3
11-13-2016, 03:12 PM
#5
Le Mans Master
I don't know anybody who has been pulled over for them. Kind of like having no front plate. They will nail you for it if something else comes up. The tinted covers seems to me like a built in excuse if someone were to rear end you. "I couldn't see his brake lights officer"
Love the look but not worth it to me.
Love the look but not worth it to me.
Last edited by HBsurfer; 11-13-2016 at 03:12 PM.
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bama6872 (11-14-2016)
11-13-2016, 08:58 PM
#6
Team Owner
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Location: Oklahoma City OK
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C6 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
I had them on the 07 that I sold earlier this year and I was never pulled over for them.
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bama6872 (11-14-2016)
11-13-2016, 09:28 PM
#7
Melting Slicks
Lucky you didn't have the LEO look on the front for no plate, or do you have one? I understand that in the Palm Springs/Cathedral City et al have cracked down on no front plate. I visit your area(I'm in coastal North San Diego County) in January and drive another car to avoid the hassle.
11-13-2016, 10:06 PM
#8
Safety Car
Yes, I've known people get tickets like this on cars and motorcycles in CA.
Tail lights are designed to illuminate for braking and turning. They are also reflectors when they aren't illuminated. If you tint them, the prisms in the lens don't reflect light. That's why you got a ticket. It isn't safe if they don't reflect light at night while parked.
Tail lights are designed to illuminate for braking and turning. They are also reflectors when they aren't illuminated. If you tint them, the prisms in the lens don't reflect light. That's why you got a ticket. It isn't safe if they don't reflect light at night while parked.
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bama6872 (11-14-2016)
11-14-2016, 12:23 AM
#12
Let me ask you guys this simple question. If Chevrolet had come out with a C6 Corvette with darkened Taillights or bars across the taillights would you change them to the brighter more simplistic look? 
11-14-2016, 05:46 AM
#13
Move Down to Florida.
I can t believe how many safety violations I see every day. Have yet to see any type of enforcement for anything.
If they were to have a mandatory inspection, I would guess 20% of the cars would be removed from the road.
JB
I can t believe how many safety violations I see every day. Have yet to see any type of enforcement for anything.
If they were to have a mandatory inspection, I would guess 20% of the cars would be removed from the road.
JB
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bama6872 (11-15-2016)
11-14-2016, 05:47 AM
#14
Team Owner
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St. Jude Donor '15
"In honor of jpee"
I haven't but I don't have my tail lights darkened, nor would I. I figure as in vetteoholic's post, there are odds against me with all the drivers who refuse to concentrate on their driving.
But, as a sidenote, you can and will be pulled over for one allegedly minor thing---like no-plate front end. Twice, with tickets and court appearance made no difference to "judges."
But, as a sidenote, you can and will be pulled over for one allegedly minor thing---like no-plate front end. Twice, with tickets and court appearance made no difference to "judges."
11-14-2016, 06:39 AM
#15
Burning Brakes
I had them on my previous 07 then took them off right before I traded it for a 13 GS. Thought about putting them back on but like many have said already decided it's not smart because I want people to see me brake. Thinking about the LED tail lights but that will be for another day. Sold the covers to someone here on the forum loved the look but never had trouble driving around with them.
11-14-2016, 06:41 AM
#16
Racer
Doesn't matter. They would never be DOT approved for a new vehicle.
11-14-2016, 11:28 AM
#17
Racer
As a former LEO in California, I can tell you that any covering placed over head or tail lamps not Federal DOT approved (and original OEM equipment) is a violation. The CHP and/or other agencies might stop you and issue (most likely) a fix-it ticket.
Steve
Steve
11-14-2016, 11:43 AM
#18
Team Owner
Rules for the visibility of taillights are clearly spelled out in the federal standards. If the lights meet those standards, all is good, if not then a LEO could write a ticket. Simple.
