Tail Light Tinting

[robrj]

Is tail light lens tinting illegal? I've said it's illegal in the past based on these laws I could find in the VC (I'm not law enforcement).
I'm wondering if these apply to tail light tint (or what do you use).

Tail lights other than red (24600 VC). (lights as opposed to the lens or is the lens included?)
Lack of rear reflectors. Two red reflectors are required on the rear of cars and trucks (24607 VC) (is the lens considered the reflector?).
Tail lights that are too dim, washed out or show yellow, white or other colors (24600 VC).

I'm wondering if 26101 applies because people say if it's for sale in California it must be legal according to this law:
26101. No person shall sell or offer for sale for use upon or as part of the equipment of a vehicle, nor shall any person use upon a vehicle, any device that is intended to modify the original design or performance of any lighting equipment, safety glazing material, or other device, unless the modifying device meets the provisions of Section 26104. This section does not apply to a taillamp or stop lamp in use on or prior to December 1, 1935, or to lamps installed on authorized emergency vehicles.

Thanks

[icrys20]

26101 is a good friend. It does apply to tinted taillights. In fact, it applies to the 3rd brake light being tinted too. It is a NONCORRECTABLE violation.

[robrj]

26101 is a good friend. It does apply to tinted taillights. In fact, it applies to the 3rd brake light being tinted too. It is a NONCORRECTABLE violation.Noncorrectable means it's not the $10 fix-it ticket, correct? What's the fine for that violation?

[cg+fd2chp]

6 years ago I was issued a ticket ($80 / no proof of correction required) for tint on I-5 in Kings County. I had always thought tint was a $10 fix-it ticket. :noidea:

[PapaBear]

If you can tint the lamps and/or lenses and still be in compliance with the following go ahead...

13 CA ADC § 621


13 CCR § 621

Cal. Admin. Code tit. 13, § 621




BARCLAYS OFFICIAL CALIFORNIA CODE OF REGULATIONS
TITLE 13. MOTOR VEHICLES
DIVISION 2. DEPARTMENT OF THE CALIFORNIA HIGHWAY PATROL
CHAPTER 2. LIGHTING EQUIPMENT
ARTICLE 1. LIGHTING EQUIPMENT SUBJECT TO REGULATION
This database is current through 8/22/08, Register 2008, No. 34
§ 621. Federally Regulated Equipment.


Lighting equipment for which the department is authorized to establish requirements and for which there is a mandatory Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) or Federal Consumer Product Safety Commission Regulation (CPSC) shall comply with the requirements in that standard or regulation. This provision applies not only to federally required original equipment devices and their replacements but also to additional devices of the same type that are not required by those standards but are regulated by the Vehicle Code. Such equipment shall be exempt from the requirements of this subchapter except for Section 625 of this Article and all of Articles 6 and 7. This provision applies to the following items:

Type of Equipment CPSC No. FMVSS No.
Bicycle reflectors, reflectorized
pedals and reflectorized tires.................. Part 1512 ___
Clearance lamps.................................. ......... 108
Emergency reflex reflectors...................... ......... 125
Hazard warning flashers.......................... ......... 108
Hazard warning switches.......................... ......... 108
Headlamps........................................ ......... 108
Licence plate lamps.............................. ......... 108
Reflex reflectors................................ ......... 108
School bus warning lamp systems.................. ......... 108
Semiautomatic headlamp beam switching devices.... ......... 108
Sidemarker lamps................................. ......... 108
Stop lamps....................................... ......... 108
Taillamps........................................ ......... 108
Turn signal flashers............................. ......... 108
Turn signal lamps................................ ......... 108

<General Materials (GM) - References, Annotations, or Tables>

Note: Authority cited: Section 26103, Vehicle Code. Reference: Sections 21201, 21201.5, 24006, 24012, 24411, 24603, 24607, 25102.5, 25106, 25252.5, 26103, and 26104, Vehicle Code.

HISTORY

1. Amendment of first paragraph filed 2-8-2008; operative 3-9-2008 (Register
2008, No. 6).

13 CCR § 621, 13 CA ADC § 621
1CAC

13 CA ADC § 621

END OF DOCUMENT


By the way, the above are Federal Regualtions dealing with motor vehicles. They address the lamp intesity, reflection, refraction, visibility, etc. When you alter or modify a lamp or lense with after market products you realign and/or modify those requirements and are far less likely to be within compliance. Best bet, don't chance it!

[iakona]

I had always thought tint was a $10 fix-it ticket. :noidea:

Usually, if something breaks on its own, that would be considered a "fix-it ticket". If you do something to your vehicle intentionally to violate the code of regulations, then it's non-correctable, because you should have known better. :biggrin:

[cg+fd2chp]

that makes sense. :biggrin:

[icrys20]

Bail on that should be around 25. Then after court costs and the such, you are looking at 100-125 out the door.

[bcjack]

2008 Santa Barbara County Uniform Bail Schedule = 26101 = $25 + fees = $137.50