| lightpost12 | 12-27-2004 02:02 PM |
Light Modification is Illegal
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Hey,
For all of you guys wondering about the light mod in California, here is an answer from the highway patrol regarding clear headlights. Sucks!
The modifications you have made are illegal. California law does not allow you to modify lighting equipment on vehicle. I know you see it all the time but it is just a matter of time before they (or you ) will get a fix-it ticket. A fix-it ticket is a bother but the fact that you drive around and always give law enforcement a reason to pull you over should be your main concern.
You also need a front license plate.
I hope this answers your inquiry, if not please feel free to contact me again.
Thanks,
Sergeant Bill Languemi
California Highway Patrol
Community Outreach and Partnership Section
2555 1st Avenue
Sacramento, CA 95818
(916) 657-8810
For all of you guys wondering about the light mod in California, here is an answer from the highway patrol regarding clear headlights. Sucks!
The modifications you have made are illegal. California law does not allow you to modify lighting equipment on vehicle. I know you see it all the time but it is just a matter of time before they (or you ) will get a fix-it ticket. A fix-it ticket is a bother but the fact that you drive around and always give law enforcement a reason to pull you over should be your main concern.
You also need a front license plate.
I hope this answers your inquiry, if not please feel free to contact me again.
Thanks,
Sergeant Bill Languemi
California Highway Patrol
Community Outreach and Partnership Section
2555 1st Avenue
Sacramento, CA 95818
(916) 657-8810
| moss | 12-27-2004 02:05 PM |
[QUOTE=lightpost12]
You also need a front license plate.
[/QUOTE]
:lol:
You also need a front license plate.
[/QUOTE]
:lol:
| Kenji815 | 12-27-2004 02:07 PM |
:banana: :banana:
| CoopsCustomz | 12-27-2004 02:21 PM |
Front license plate... Check! :banana:
[img]http://pic4.picturetrail.com/VOL751/2946953/5955961/78101176.jpg[/img]
[img]http://pic4.picturetrail.com/VOL751/2946953/5955961/78101176.jpg[/img]
| Mulder | 12-27-2004 02:35 PM |
Many if not most of the mods people do on their cars are illegal. It's just a matter of whether you are willing to accept the risk, and what the chances are of being summonsed or fined in your state or locality. California is not unique with regard to lighting mods being illegal, it is illegal everywhere to modify or replace the lights that came on your car (and this includes aftermarket bulbs that don't meet OEM specs, even the ones that say "DOT Approved").
And then there's the matter of things like removing cats, also illegal in all states but in CA that's much worse than modding your lights.
And then there's the matter of things like removing cats, also illegal in all states but in CA that's much worse than modding your lights.
| jedi_master | 12-27-2004 03:51 PM |
I get a laugh out of cops pulling people over for crap like this. They need to realize that they risk their lives every time they pull someone over. Do they really want to risk pulling someone over and the possibility of a dangerous person inside because someone uses clear turn signals?
| WRXplatinum | 12-27-2004 03:55 PM |
That would bight the big one. Your pulling someone over cause they cleared there turnsignal. U walk up to the car. Just gonna issue a warning and all of a sudden the suspect pulls a gun and fires 3 rounds into ur chest. It makes u think.
| OneOBS | 12-27-2004 03:59 PM |
Generally speaking, you will not get pulled over for this stuff. However, if you have somehow drawn attention to yourself (borderline reckless or careless driving, street racing, etc) and you do get pulled over, be very polite. If you start "copping" (sorry) an attitude, out comes the ticket book. The police are very aware of mods. Once they start looking, you're in trouble. Don't give them a reason to look. They've got better things to do.
| North Ursalia | 12-27-2004 04:00 PM |
[QUOTE=jedi_master]I get a laugh out of cops pulling people over for crap like this. They need to realize that they risk their lives every time they pull someone over. Do they really want to risk pulling someone over and the possibility of a dangerous person inside because someone uses clear turn signals?[/QUOTE]
[QUOTE=WRXplatinum]That would bight the big one. Your pulling someone over cause they cleared there turnsignal. U walk up to the car. Just gonna issue a warning and all of a sudden the suspect pulls a gun and fires 3 rounds into ur chest. It makes u think.[/QUOTE]
Police catch drug dealers, drunk drivers, rapists, child molesters, serial killers, etc. with simple traffic stops as well. It makes you think ;).
Brian
[url=http://www.ravensblade.com][img]http://www.northursalia.com/hosting/home.jpg[/img][/url] [url=http://www.northursalia.com][img]http://www.northursalia.com/hosting/impreza.jpg[/img][/url] [url=http://www.imprezamods.com][img]http://www.northursalia.com/hosting/imprezamods.jpg[/img][/url] [url=http://www.deniedmywarranty.org][img]http://www.northursalia.com/hosting/dmw.jpg[/img][/url] [url=http://brat.northursalia.com][img]http://www.northursalia.com/hosting/bratthumb.jpg[/img][/url]
[QUOTE=WRXplatinum]That would bight the big one. Your pulling someone over cause they cleared there turnsignal. U walk up to the car. Just gonna issue a warning and all of a sudden the suspect pulls a gun and fires 3 rounds into ur chest. It makes u think.[/QUOTE]
Police catch drug dealers, drunk drivers, rapists, child molesters, serial killers, etc. with simple traffic stops as well. It makes you think ;).
Brian
[url=http://www.ravensblade.com][img]http://www.northursalia.com/hosting/home.jpg[/img][/url] [url=http://www.northursalia.com][img]http://www.northursalia.com/hosting/impreza.jpg[/img][/url] [url=http://www.imprezamods.com][img]http://www.northursalia.com/hosting/imprezamods.jpg[/img][/url] [url=http://www.deniedmywarranty.org][img]http://www.northursalia.com/hosting/dmw.jpg[/img][/url] [url=http://brat.northursalia.com][img]http://www.northursalia.com/hosting/bratthumb.jpg[/img][/url]
| WRXplatinum | 12-27-2004 04:02 PM |
[QUOTE=North Ursalia]Police catch drug dealers, drunk drivers, rapists, child molesters, serial killers, etc. with simple traffic stops as well. It makes you think ;).
Brian
True True. But do we realy want drug dealers off of the streets? j/k :)
Brian
True True. But do we realy want drug dealers off of the streets? j/k :)
| brunetmj | 12-27-2004 09:01 PM |
Some common sense comes into play here. An extra set of fog lights is not going to get you a ticket. They would have to stop every small snow plow jobber in the states. However if your fogs are purple and pulse to the rythem of santana ..your in trouble.
| Leandro | 12-27-2004 09:58 PM |
[QUOTE=lightpost12]Sergeant Bill Languemi
California Highway Patrol
Community Outreach and Partnership Section
2555 1st Avenue
Sacramento, CA 95818
(916) 657-8810[/QUOTE]
Yea right. :rolleyes:
California Highway Patrol
Community Outreach and Partnership Section
2555 1st Avenue
Sacramento, CA 95818
(916) 657-8810[/QUOTE]
Yea right. :rolleyes:
| ej20love | 12-27-2004 11:14 PM |
this thread is crap.
| Brahmzy | 12-27-2004 11:17 PM |
This thread IS crap. :huh:
| lowendfrequency | 12-28-2004 11:56 AM |
A cop would have to be a true enthusiast to notice that someone cleared their headlights. I'd give him a cookie.
| satrya | 12-28-2004 12:28 PM |
[QUOTE=lowendfrequency]A cop would have to be a true enthusiast to notice that someone cleared their headlights.[/QUOTE]
That depends.
If it is simply the removal of amber covers for the forward facing turn signals, then most if not all states in the US would not consider that illegal, because afaik, forward facing turn signals may vary in color from white to amber.
If it is the removal of the only amber-colored, side-facing reflectors on the front side of the vehicle, then it is very easy to notice. In the USDM my2004+ imprezas & my2003+ foresters for example, clearing the amber sidemarkers inside the oem headlight clusters leaves no amber reflective side-facing element on the front side of the vehicle.
I've read a powerpoint presentation (probably briefing for highway patrol officers) emphasizing the loss of functionality (such as the removal of amber side reflectors) as definite grounds for issuing a citation, whereas the mere fact that headlights or corner lights are replaced by aftermarket lights is not a worthy ground for issuing a citation.
This way, highway patrol officers need not be familiar with what is oem for each make, model, and year. What's more important is whether or not they comply with safety-related standards. Makes sense imho.
Here's a link to the presentation I'm referring to:
[url]www.aamva.org/Documents/[/url] vehEquipmentLightingFedMotorVehiclePresentation.PDF
That depends.
If it is simply the removal of amber covers for the forward facing turn signals, then most if not all states in the US would not consider that illegal, because afaik, forward facing turn signals may vary in color from white to amber.
If it is the removal of the only amber-colored, side-facing reflectors on the front side of the vehicle, then it is very easy to notice. In the USDM my2004+ imprezas & my2003+ foresters for example, clearing the amber sidemarkers inside the oem headlight clusters leaves no amber reflective side-facing element on the front side of the vehicle.
I've read a powerpoint presentation (probably briefing for highway patrol officers) emphasizing the loss of functionality (such as the removal of amber side reflectors) as definite grounds for issuing a citation, whereas the mere fact that headlights or corner lights are replaced by aftermarket lights is not a worthy ground for issuing a citation.
This way, highway patrol officers need not be familiar with what is oem for each make, model, and year. What's more important is whether or not they comply with safety-related standards. Makes sense imho.
Here's a link to the presentation I'm referring to:
[url]www.aamva.org/Documents/[/url] vehEquipmentLightingFedMotorVehiclePresentation.PDF
| greg donovan | 12-28-2004 12:31 PM |
[QUOTE]Originally Posted by lightpost12
Sergeant Bill Languemi
California Highway Patrol
Community Outreach and Partnership Section
2555 1st Avenue
Sacramento, CA 95818
(916) 657-8810
Yea right.[/QUOTE]
a simple google search yielded enough info for me to belive this is real.
Sergeant Bill Languemi
California Highway Patrol
Community Outreach and Partnership Section
2555 1st Avenue
Sacramento, CA 95818
(916) 657-8810
Yea right.[/QUOTE]
a simple google search yielded enough info for me to belive this is real.
| Chris Cuevas | 12-28-2004 01:36 PM |
Well the way I see it is...
If you look like trouble, they will always pull you over..
My Honda I used to drive was heavily modded and was loaded with things that werent street legal or CARB exempt/certified. I never had a problem. I wear a suit and tie to work everyday. It also attracted a lot of attention because the vinyl graphics that were on it, not to mention the high flow cat, HKS Hiper cat back, and DC 4-1 headers....
I also did not have a front license plate...
I also had an HID Headlight conversion that was blue...
But I didnt drive like a jackass either and beg for harassment...
NEVER GOT PULLED OVER..... NOT ONCE !!!!
If you look like trouble, they will always pull you over..
My Honda I used to drive was heavily modded and was loaded with things that werent street legal or CARB exempt/certified. I never had a problem. I wear a suit and tie to work everyday. It also attracted a lot of attention because the vinyl graphics that were on it, not to mention the high flow cat, HKS Hiper cat back, and DC 4-1 headers....
I also did not have a front license plate...
I also had an HID Headlight conversion that was blue...
But I didnt drive like a jackass either and beg for harassment...
NEVER GOT PULLED OVER..... NOT ONCE !!!!
| GotTurbo | 12-28-2004 02:02 PM |
well i have to agree with everyone about be nice to cops. i got bagged doing 109 in a 50 in the bronx on the hutch. i should have been arrested and gone to jail for the night. the cop let me go cause i was polite and wasnt an ass. it would have suxed to be the only white boy in the booty house (training day).
-matt
-matt
| lightpost12 | 01-03-2005 08:17 PM |
There's no reason for me to make this up. I really wanted to do a light modification because it looks so much better. However, before I stick my lights in the oven, I was smart enough to write an email to the California Highway Patrol. You can call him and ask. Now why would I make that up?
| wrxsubaruwrx | 01-03-2005 08:59 PM |
[QUOTE=lightpost12]There's no reason for me to make this up. I really wanted to do a light modification because it looks so much better. However, before I stick my lights in the oven, I was smart enough to write an email to the California Highway Patrol. You can call him and ask. Now why would I make that up?[/QUOTE]
Thats what I was thinking..That you asked someone first . Otherwise they wouldnt figure it out . Cops arent that observant of something like that .
Thats what I was thinking..That you asked someone first . Otherwise they wouldnt figure it out . Cops arent that observant of something like that .
| Skell | 01-03-2005 09:16 PM |
I had oem corners with the regular bulbs, then I put on black corners, and changed the bulbs to ambers, looks hot at night and I havent been bothered by the cops around here..
| 2.5RSMatt | 01-04-2005 12:32 AM |
Holy smokes. Sacramento! haha
<-- wonders if he's being pulled over by him :(
<-- wonders if he's being pulled over by him :(
| gerbs | 01-04-2005 12:51 AM |
[QUOTE=ej20love]this thread is crap.[/QUOTE]
~~~~
~~~~
| Mechkiller31st | 01-04-2005 01:26 AM |
Interesting... Here In Lake County IL I have talked to numerous cops about some of the mods I have done to my car, Interior Neon's are Legal as long as the bars do not flash while driving and you dont have red and blue on at the same time, CAI is legal so long as you pass the Emissions testing, No front LIcences plate, this I got to quote one of the cops. "There is only one way I would chase after someone and pull them over because they didnt have a front licences plate on and that would be if I need to make my Quota." Lowering your car - "hey its your fault if you rip the bottom out from under your car", Underglow neons - Legal as long as the lights arnt flashing and the bars are not visible. and here is the best and this has happened to me. Doing Doughnuts in the snow - "It is illegal becasue it is recklass driving but most of the time I just join in and have fun"
| iofdetiger | 01-04-2005 02:17 AM |
Wtlw
| Filanwizard | 01-04-2005 02:46 AM |
in CT i know the under-car neon is illegal.
| jedi_master | 01-04-2005 08:19 AM |
Um, yeah, I used to do that. What I'm saying is risking your life on account of a modified headlight is pretty stupid.
[QUOTE=North Ursalia]Police catch drug dealers, drunk drivers, rapists, child molesters, serial killers, etc. with simple traffic stops as well. It makes you think ;).
Brian
[url=http://www.ravensblade.com][img]http://www.northursalia.com/hosting/home.jpg[/img][/url] [url=http://www.northursalia.com][img]http://www.northursalia.com/hosting/impreza.jpg[/img][/url] [url=http://www.imprezamods.com][img]http://www.northursalia.com/hosting/imprezamods.jpg[/img][/url] [url=http://www.deniedmywarranty.org][img]http://www.northursalia.com/hosting/dmw.jpg[/img][/url] [url=http://brat.northursalia.com][img]http://www.northursalia.com/hosting/bratthumb.jpg[/img][/url][/QUOTE]
[QUOTE=North Ursalia]Police catch drug dealers, drunk drivers, rapists, child molesters, serial killers, etc. with simple traffic stops as well. It makes you think ;).
Brian
[url=http://www.ravensblade.com][img]http://www.northursalia.com/hosting/home.jpg[/img][/url] [url=http://www.northursalia.com][img]http://www.northursalia.com/hosting/impreza.jpg[/img][/url] [url=http://www.imprezamods.com][img]http://www.northursalia.com/hosting/imprezamods.jpg[/img][/url] [url=http://www.deniedmywarranty.org][img]http://www.northursalia.com/hosting/dmw.jpg[/img][/url] [url=http://brat.northursalia.com][img]http://www.northursalia.com/hosting/bratthumb.jpg[/img][/url][/QUOTE]
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