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MLL67RSSS · 04-22-2014, 09:14 AM

Answer to question @ http://www.michigan.gov/msp/0,4643,7...3839--,00.html

Question: Is having smoked tail light/brake covers legal in Michigan? How about the smoked ones with slashes or vents in them showing a small part of the original red lens?

Answer: MCL 257.686 requires a tail lamp to emit a red light plainly visible for at least 500 feet to the rear of the vehicle.

MCL 257.697 requires stop lamps to emit a red or amber light and be capable of being seen and distinguished from other lamps for a distance of 100 feet, including during normal daylight.
If the cover you apply prohibits the lamp from meeting these requirements then it is unlawful.

You may also want to note the last post in this law enforcement forum thread:

http://www.realpolice.net/forums/archive/t-100370.html

"McNulty 02-06-12, 08:55 PM
I worked a rear-end collision where a guy had applied this spray to his tail/brake lamp enclosures. It was daytime and not only did his lenses no longer reflect, they were no longer plainly visible. He braked for a stopped bus and was struck from the rear by another driver that was following him too close. I found them both contributing to the collision and he later told me that he ended up paying for the damage to his own vehicle because I found him partially at fault for the illegal vehicle modification.

Take what you want from that story."

So if you do tint them, you may want to prepare for that possibility should you be rear-ended.

04-22-2014, 09:14 AM	#3
MLL67RSSS Account Suspended Drives: car Join Date: May 2008 Location: location Posts: 1,569	Answer to question @ http://www.michigan.gov/msp/0,4643,7...3839--,00.html Question: Is having smoked tail light/brake covers legal in Michigan? How about the smoked ones with slashes or vents in them showing a small part of the original red lens? Answer: MCL 257.686 requires a tail lamp to emit a red light plainly visible for at least 500 feet to the rear of the vehicle. MCL 257.697 requires stop lamps to emit a red or amber light and be capable of being seen and distinguished from other lamps for a distance of 100 feet, including during normal daylight. If the cover you apply prohibits the lamp from meeting these requirements then it is unlawful. You may also want to note the last post in this law enforcement forum thread: http://www.realpolice.net/forums/archive/t-100370.html "McNulty 02-06-12, 08:55 PM I worked a rear-end collision where a guy had applied this spray to his tail/brake lamp enclosures. It was daytime and not only did his lenses no longer reflect, they were no longer plainly visible. He braked for a stopped bus and was struck from the rear by another driver that was following him too close. I found them both contributing to the collision and he later told me that he ended up paying for the damage to his own vehicle because I found him partially at fault for the illegal vehicle modification. Take what you want from that story." So if you do tint them, you may want to prepare for that possibility should you be rear-ended.