James92

I was with a friend yesterday in his 2005 mustang and we got pulled over yesterday by the CHP on the 101 fwy. We were going 65 m.p.h and were wondering what the problem was. So, he approached the car and asked for the usual stuff, license, reg, insurance. My friend asked what's wrong? CHP said I pulled youover for the tinted tail lights on your car. My friend asked if it was a fix-it ticket and the CHP said NO and that it was a $500 dollar fine!!!!!!! Luckily my friends tail lights weren't painted, they were the GTS covers. My friend asked "If I can take them off right now, will you let me go". The officer said yes. My friend got out of the car, pulled off the covers and put them in the trunk, the chippie let us go. Whew!!!! So, just a warning for you guys out there with "painted" tail lights, BEWARE!!!!
More proof that our state is desperate for cash!!!!

madmatt9471

Good to know, mine are covers too!

Thanks,Matt

04_Z06_CE

no surprise...most times its a matter of luck ...

PLRX

Dirty Howie

Stick on covers here

CHP was cool, he could have still wrote you up.


DH

MrMojoRisin921

The State is desparate....desparate for new leadership

0331MARINE

I got a ticket for going more the 200' in a turn lane and the officer is the one that caused me to do it so yeah, they are pretty desparate.......

1bdasvt

I have tinted tailights and have never been puled over.

bearphoto

You guys crack me up. Ok, the state is in a financial mess, no one argues that. So the officer writes you up or in this case lets you go with a warning and on the spot removal. But if he had written you up, where do you think the "fine" money goes to? The state? nope. The chp? nope. It goes to the city/county where the cite was written. (Assuming the cite is issued by CHP)

Now, you ask, why would'nt it have been a fix it ticket? The general concensus is that if you modify the car in violation of the vehicle code it usually is not a "fix it" ticket because you did it intentionally, such as this case of tinting or smoking out the tail lights. Or it could be a modified exhaust or illegal lighting.

A fix it ticket might be issued for a violation such as having a headlight out or brake lights go out. Its not something you intentionally did. But the bottom line is that the officer will have the latitude to check the box or not check the box but that is generally how they decide to check or not check the box.

If you happen to get a "fix it" ticket, chp will sign the ticket off for free once the violation is corrected. Most sheriff departments and some police departments will charge you roughly $15 to sign off your ticket, then you have the "administrative fee" from the court which is normally about $25.

OP's friend should be really glad he was given the chance to remove the covers on the spot, that does not happen too often. Glad you guys made out ok!

James92

I wrote this more to let you guys know what they are charging for this violation rather than to complain about being pulled over. I sold my c5z and bought a mint XLR which I am not going to modify externally at all with the exception of some wheels which I have not decided on yet.

DarkSpeed

Hey James....i remember seeing your car with blackouts as well @ the burbank GTGs.....yea its a matter of luck unfortunately....it depends on the cop, so i always try to drive respectfully with my B&B Bullets....but no way to escape the stupid laws and fines

quickc6

Tinted prety cool on dark colored car. But they can be hard to see at night. If you get rear ended the LEO could put the blam on the tinted tail lights. Just my 2 cents.

James92

Hey man. Haven't seen you for a while. I sold my C5Z and bought an XLR, I love it. Way more luxurious and still plenty fast

04_Z06_CE

Like I said its all luck , you may get a cop that just hammered a hottie that is in a good mood or you may get a old fart whos wife just kicked him to the couch and hes in a baaaad moooood...I know sad but thats how all my tinted windows tickets have been.
By the way Iam not complaining either, its illegal ..I get it!

bearphoto

James, your car is way hot. I remember seeing them when they were new, I think it was at the LA auto show. Nice!

DarkSpeed

Sweet ride man....I personally love the XLR as well, just wish it came in stick not auto

But congrats and enjoy

thevaliantknight

That is interesting. I have gotten a few tickets for tinted lights...ive actually had to sand it off twice for the fix it, and then they changed it and got one of those. I got mine last year I think...and it was only $100. I have also been pulled over for exhaust and received the $100 non fix it ticket. I really hope that the cop was trying to scare you by saying it was a $500 fine, cuz that would suck.

brucemc

Sweet. We looked at the CTS coupe this weekend. Nice ride but only 300 hp. Didn't want to cough up another $20k for 600hp.

DSOMC6

I have become paranoid having tinted windows that are illegal, no front plate, and a pillar full of guages (illegal modifications). When I see the popo I generally roll my windows down ahead of time trying not to attract his attn. I never drive the Vette to/in LA any more (only place I was ticketed for no front plate).

thrasher949

I bought a little honda hybrid a few months ago cause i drive the freeway alot to and from work. I tinted all my windows and even went the lightest shade on my windshield (same as my vette). I got pulled over in traffic on the 5 just for window tint (non correctable $204). 2 weeks later on the 241, same thing. I didnt have a copy of the ticket with me, he walks to the front of my car, says.... no front plate ahhh. Writes me another ticket for tint and no front plate. Never got on in the 3 years in my vette, only get one for "speeding" on the 55. And... my light were blacked out in the back with paint. They are broke as ever!

FYI new SS/RS camaro tail lights have a black tint