tinted tail lights, Illegal?

[geoff84]

So, the other day I got pulled over by a highway patrolman that seemed to be "fishing" (imo) and said he pulled me over for tinted tailights. I know I heard that in some states as long as the third brake light isn't tinted then your fine. I wanted to have my fellow club members or those who may know better weigh in. Is it indeed totally illegal or how big of a deal is it. I don't wanna pull my tails off unless I absolutely have too. He didn't give me a ticket, just a verbal warning so I'm not taking them off till its on paper, but just want opinions. Thanks for your input.

[Deleted]

I'll talk to one of the police officers that is in my unit and let you know what they say.

[RT722]

I would like to know as well my tails are probably illegal as hell because they are basically black

[geoff84]

please do!I've seen quite a few other cars runnin around with em tinted and assume its not a huge ordeal. Thanks in advance for asking.

[Deleted]

I should have an answer tomorrow.

[Deleted]

Well 75% of the group have tinted tail lights, some alot darker than most. Ask Christian(utecharger) he is a police officer. I am sure he would know.. I bet its similiar to window tint, and beside police or law enforcement can pretty much pull ya over for any reason. Personally it sounds like a bunch of crocksh*t, and thats why ya didnt get a fix it ticket. I think it depends on the officer and what ya are doing to stand out or draw attention to yourself. My windows are superdark, but it looks good on the car, so thats why I think I dont get pulled over plus I usually not drawing attention to myself by speeding or louder exhaust notes.

Ben and Stephen are pitch black, and I asked Ben bout it and he said the UC sheriff told him it was alright, asked him if someone runs into back of car cause they cant see brake lights as well, it would be the other drivers fault for following to close. If anything, I can possible see it be a safety issue, but I didnt think yours were too dark, but than again, mine is a light shade and looks OEM.

Found a thread on Police & Law enforcement forum
""...Taillamps shall be red in color and shall be plainly visible from all distances within 500 feet to the rear except that taillamps on vehicles manufactured after January 1, 1969, shall be plainly visible from all distances within 1,000 feet to the rear..."

Some agencies use portable measuing devices - light meters - that check to see if equipment is in compliance. Those same devices also are used to measure light penetrating window films.

I would say, don't cover your lamp lenses. It may look cool to you, but not to the law

[RT722]

I have had cops from riverton, west valley, sandy, west jordan, a sheriff all behind my at a light before and no one has ever pulled me over, in the day time pretty much no light passes through my lenses in the night time you can barely see it still. Until I get pulled over and told to change them I am going to run them dark

[Deleted]

Jun 17, 2009 7:19:13 GMT -7 RT722 said:

I have had cops from riverton, west valley, sandy, west jordan, a sheriff all behind my at a light before and no one has ever pulled me over, in the day time pretty much no light passes through my lenses in the night time you can barely see it still. Until I get pulled over and told to change them I am going to run them dark

Yeah I think ya get away with it because your car is black (Brilliant that is) and it flows together nicely IMO.. And Stephen ya will change your taillights the first time ya get pulled over, You are such a rebel ! It taken me 4 times and $40 each week in fix it tickets before I changed my tint on my Jetta, but that was 5% and front windsheild was 35%, I can understand why law enforcement didnt like that, now that I look back on it 10 yrs later, they couldnt even see my steering wheel, that car was pitch black, I will bring pics of it to M&G.

[RT722]

Cool I cant wait to see it. I am going to retint my front windows to 20% I hate how light they look compared to the back windows

[Deleted]

Jun 17, 2009 7:32:28 GMT -7 RT722 said:

Cool I cant wait to see it. I am going to retint my front windows to 20% I hate how light they look compared to the back windows

Yep thats what I have all the away around. I guess Joe(Joedodge) said he got pulled over in his red SRT8 Challenger and they made him redo his tint... Something bout Red cars standing out... Now he has lighter front windows and darker back windows. he was surprised I havent been pulled over yet. (knock on wood)

[Deleted]

I talked to 2 of the Police offficers today that I know. They said it is illegal just like tail light and head light covers, and most Police Officers won't pull you over unless they want to check you out, and they will use that as a reason. However the UHP will pull you over for it. UHP is 90% traffic. Your city and county law enforcement generally won't.

[Deleted]

there is a real why my windows are legal.

[MikEy]

I hope i dont have any problems with tinted headlights but i do want to redo my front car tint to match my rear.

[geoff84]

Jun 17, 2009 17:25:51 GMT -7 @militaryguy said:

I talked to 2 of the Police offficers today that I know. They said it is illegal just like tail light and head light covers, and most Police Officers won't pull you over unless they want to check you out, and they will use that as a reason. However the UHP will pull you over for it. UHP is 90% traffic. Your city and county law enforcement generally won't.

Thanks bud for the info, I know I've been followed numerous times before by local police and county entities, but definitely the UHP is the first to hassle me about it. Like I said though I think he was "fishing" and I'm not yanking them off till I get a ticket. I know I wasn't showing off or doing anything to draw attention either. (Which may be hard to believe for those who know me best, but its true, the wife hates my aggressive driving style) ;D

[swtchgr(Kellie)]

I agree on the UHP and their willingness to pull you over. Although WVC comes in a close second.

I won't run my halos on the highway unless my headlights are on. I will run them alone off the highway and the city cops don't seem to mind. You will run into more problems with window, headlights, and taillight tint from the UHP.