"Blackout" taillight

7147 Views 46 Replies 25 Participants Last post by DUSM, Oct 23, 2005

Net4n6

Discussion Starter · Nov 17, 2004

Hi guys,
I really want to "blackout" the taillight on my Titan (Galaxy). I know it is illegal but have any of you have it done? Do the cops ignore it most of the time or they are very strict with it and give you "fixer" ticket. I live in So. Cal - Orange County.

1 - 20 of 47 Posts

BiXLL

· #2 · Nov 17, 2004

I go to another Nissan site about the wifes Altima, and there has been many options discussed about blacking out and even tinting tail lights over there. Do a search and you will find all the info you need.
http://www.nissanclub.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=4

DeesT

· #3 · Nov 18, 2004

I dont know about cali, but here in fla it is a no no. tails or headlights are not to be tampered with. I dont have my fla traffic statute book handy, so I cant tell you the number, but it is refered to as a "improper equiptment violation" (aka the "fixer" ticket you mentioned).In my teenage years before I was what I am now, I got a ticket for tinted covers on the front at night(to lazy to take them off) and the blackout spray paint stuff on the rear

And as far as enforcing it by other law officers..well, it is a deal where its officer discretion. they might or might not ticket, depends on the mood or personality of the cop :roll:

Caltitan

· #4 · Nov 18, 2004

Here's the written law:

CA Vehicle Code Div. 12,Chap. 2, article 3,24600(e)
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.

Source: http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/vctop/vc/vctoc.htm

Net4n6

Discussion Starter · #5 · Dec 7, 2004

I just installed the "blackout" tail light cover on my truck. They look great. Now, I try to stay away from the cop. I hope they don't give me fixer ticket. It is very easy to take on and off.

Unfortunately, I live almost next to the Highway Patrol office.

I will post the pictures tommorrow with my new nerf bar. I have the Westin nerf bar install later today.

MsTitan

· #6 · Dec 8, 2004

Just be aware that some insurance companies do charge you for fix it tickets and improper equip tickets. Thats going to be more expensive then the ticket

Net4n6

Discussion Starter · #7 · Dec 8, 2004

Thank you, MsTitan.

I will call my insurance tomorrow and ask them about that. Of course, I won't give them my name and policy #

SMOKEDYA2

· #8 · Dec 11, 2004

ive also been thinking about some smoke colored tail light covers, but would like to see what it looks like first. lets see some pics

Net4n6

Discussion Starter · #9 · Dec 11, 2004

I will take the pics tomorrow after I wash it. It's been raining here the last couple days.

SMOKEDYA2

· #10 · Dec 11, 2004

Its snowing here in michigan, I can give you some white out pics tomorrow. lol

shift

· #11 · Dec 14, 2004

DeesT... is it true that you cant do that in FL? my friend suggested i do it to my titan and says that he nos ppl that have it done to their cars, but if what u say is true it i might reconsider. also do u have to have them tinted and spray painted or is there a way that u can "smoke" them with a cover or somethin so that u can easily take them off if u do get warned?

ttammunek04

· #12 · Dec 14, 2004

http://www.titantalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=13356&highlight=Tinted+Tail+lights

Here's a link to a thread on Titan Talk on the tinted tail lights if any one wants more info.

DeesT

· #13 · Dec 15, 2004

shift said:
DeesT... is it true that you cant do that in FL? my friend suggested i do it to my titan and says that he nos ppl that have it done to their cars, but if what u say is true it i might reconsider. also do u have to have them tinted and spray painted or is there a way that u can "smoke" them with a cover or somethin so that u can easily take them off if u do get warned?

Florida Statute 316.241(1) No person shall have for sale,sell or offer for sale for use upon or as a part of the equipment of a motor vehicle,trailer, semi trailer, or pole trailer or use upon any such vehicle any headlamp,auxiliary or fog lamp,rear lamp,signal lamp,or reflector,which reflector is required hereunder,or parts of any of the foregoing,which tend to change the original design or performance,unless of a type which has been submitted to the department(Florida Department of Highway Safety Motor Vehicles) and approved.
(3)No person shall use upon any motor vehicle,trailer,semi trailer,or pole trailer any lamps mentioned in this section.

That is what they will give you the ticket on. Some cops may not mess with ya, but some will. FHP are notorious for enforcing this.I know because I talk to officers day in day out. Years ago I bought some stuff in a spray can that permanantly tinted the rears....called "the shade" or something like that(my memory is fading in my old age :lol: ). It said on the can "not legal for highway use", but I did it anyways.Took a little while, but I was stopped told to ditch them or I would get a ticket. The tinted covers look good, but all in all its not worth the hassle in my opinion. You might forget to take them off, or do like me and be lazy and leave them on and get a ticket. Also when mine were tinted, alot of people couldnt see my brake lights to good....had some close calls being hit in the back 8O

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Net4n6

Discussion Starter · #14 · Dec 15, 2004

2

Tyltan said:
Hi guys,
I really want to "blackout" the taillight on my Titan (Galaxy). I know it is illegal but have any of you have it done? Do the cops ignore it most of the time or they are very strict with it and give you "fixer" ticket. I live in So. Cal - Orange County.

Picture of my taillight.
In California, police "only" stop and give you fixer ticket for your tail light if you violated one of the traffic infraction. They won't stop you and give you ticket just because you tinted your tail light. As far as I know the above information. Correct me if I am wrong.

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DeesT

· #15 · Dec 15, 2004

Tyltan said:
In California, police "only" stop and give you fixer ticket for your tail light if you violated one of the traffic infraction. They won't stop you and give you ticket just because you tinted your tail light. As far as I know the above information. Correct me if I am wrong.

FLORIDA=fixer ticket,and a moving violation to stop you.Yes, you are correct,but let me put it this way, if you have them on your vehicle they(cops)look at you a little harder than the norm. Remember only 1 mile over the speed limit is speeding,know what I mean? I am a cop myself and I work with those guys day in day out like I said before, so I know what they look for here. Also here in Florida we have traffic safety check points on a "suprise" basis(you never know where they will set up),they do not need a "reason" for that.Just some food for thought man, i'm not saying what the folks should do with their rides, just trying to help by letting shift know the legalaties here in Florida not California. 8)

Oh by the way, those do look nice on your truck Ty. :wink:

Net4n6

Discussion Starter · #16 · Dec 15, 2004

Wow, Thanks shift. I din't know you are a cop. It is nice to have a cop on board. We might need your help/traffic legal informaion in the future.

I couldn't resit to have those lights tinted. I leave them on for now. If I get stop, then I'll take them off.

Net4n6

Discussion Starter · #17 · Dec 15, 2004

Tyltan said:
Wow, Thanks shift. I din't know you are a cop. It is nice to have a cop on board. We might need your help/traffic legal informaion in the future.

I couldn't resit to have those lights tinted. I leave them on for now. If I get stop, then I'll take them off.

I am sorry. The message was meant to Dees not shift

DeesT

· #18 · Dec 15, 2004

8) Thanks for the kind words Ty. I dont mind at all with the law questions, good to know my 15 years experience is worth something :roll: :lol:

italia490

· #19 · Aug 16, 2005

Hey guys,
I live in socal and had a black 2002 camry before I got my Titan and I had smoked tail lights on my camry and got pulled over for just that. I ahd to clean off the spray. From what the Sheriff told me, it wouldn't be considered a fix-it ticket, but more of a moving voilation/expensive ticket if he caught me again with the smoked tailights.

TITAN57

· #20 · Aug 16, 2005

I would never put smoked covers on the tail lights. There is
fog often here & I do not want the tail lights dimmed by covers.

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