AAC Certified Installer
Drives: 2011 Mini Cooper S Convertible
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Fort Worth
Posts: 145
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Some Texas Lighting Laws
I had this post on my DFWLX.Com site where i am a vendor thought iy would be usefull here.....
OK recently folks have been getting pulled over to tinted tails, questions Halo colors, and the like.
I successfully beat a ticket for tinted tails because after i got the ticket i researched the law and i knew more then the cop and DA. as GI JOE used to say. "Knowing is half the battle"
Know this law if you are going to tint your lights front or back.
i also included other lighting codes.
I will try and highlight important parts and explain it.
ok on with legalize.
Quote:
SUBCHAPTER E. GENERAL LIGHTING REQUIREMENTS FOR VEHICLES
§ 547.321. HEADLAMPS REQUIRED. (a) A motor vehicle
shall be equipped with at least two headlamps.
(b) At least one headlamp shall be mounted on each side of
the front of the vehicle.
(c) Each headlamp shall be mounted at a height from 24 to 54
inches.
Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 165, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1995.
§ 547.3215. USE OF FEDERAL STANDARD. Unless
specifically prohibited by this chapter, lighting, reflective
devices, and associated equipment on a vehicle or motor vehicle
must comply with:
(1) the current federal standards in 49 C.F.R. Section
571.108; or
(2) the federal standards in that section in effect,
if any, at the time the vehicle or motor vehicle was manufactured.
Added by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 324, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.
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that explains itself
Quote:
§ 547.322. TAILLAMPS REQUIRED. (a) Except as provided
by Subsection (b), a motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, pole
trailer, or vehicle that is towed at the end of a combination of
vehicles shall be equipped with at least two taillamps.
(b) A passenger car or truck that was manufactured or
assembled before the model year 1960 shall be equipped with at least
one taillamp.
(c) Taillamps shall be mounted on the rear of the vehicle:
(1) at a height from 15 to 72 inches; and
(2) at the same level and spaced as widely apart as
practicable if a vehicle is equipped with more than one lamp.
(d) A taillamp shall emit a red light plainly visible at a
distance of 1,000 feet from the rear of the vehicle. Can also be used against tinted tails
(e) If vehicles are traveling in combination, only the
taillamps on the rearmost vehicle are required to emit a light for
the distance specified in Subsection (d).
(f) A taillamp or a separate lamp shall be constructed and
mounted to emit a white light that:
(1) illuminates the rear license plate; and
(2) makes the plate clearly legible at a distance of 50
feet from the rear.
(g) A taillamp, including a separate lamp used to illuminate
a rear license plate, must emit a light when a headlamp or auxiliary
driving lamp is lighted. Meaning dont change the color of the lic. plate bulb must be white
Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 165, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1995.
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Important parts there are the lic plate bulb must be white.
Quote:
§ 547.323. STOPLAMPS REQUIRED. (a) Except as provided
by Subsection (b), a motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, or pole
trailer shall be equipped with at least two stoplamps.
(b) A passenger car manufactured or assembled before the
model year 1960 shall be equipped with at least one stoplamp.
(c) A stoplamp shall be mounted on the rear of the vehicle.
(d) A stoplamp shall emit a red or amber light, or a color
between red and amber, that is:
(1) visible in normal sunlight at a distance of at
least 300 feet from the rear of the vehicle; and
(2) displayed when the vehicle service brake is
applied. Opps another possible tinted tail light loop hole
(e) If vehicles are traveling in combination, only the
stoplamps on the rearmost vehicle are required to emit a light for
the distance specified in Subsection (d).
(f) A stoplamp may be included as a part of another rear
lamp.
Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 165, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1995.
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damn more Tinted tail crap
Quote:
§ 547.324. TURN SIGNAL LAMPS REQUIRED. (a) Except as
provided by Subsection (b), a motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer,
or pole trailer shall be equipped with electric turn signal lamps
that indicate the operator's intent to turn by displaying flashing
lights to the front and rear of a vehicle or combination of vehicles
and on that side of the vehicle or combination toward which the turn
is to be made.
(b) Subsection (a) does not apply to a passenger car or
truck less than 80 inches wide manufactured or assembled before the
model year 1960.
(c) Turn signal lamps:
(1) shall be mounted at the same level and spaced as
widely apart as practicable on the front and on the rear of the
vehicle; and
(2) may be included as a part of another lamp on the
vehicle.
(d) A turn signal lamp shall emit:
(1) a white or amber light, or a color between white
and amber, if the lamp is mounted on the front of the vehicle; or
(2) a red or amber light, or a color between red and
amber, if the lamp is mounted on the rear of the vehicle.
(e) A turn signal lamp must be visible in normal sunlight at
a distance of:
(1) at least 500 feet from the front and rear of the
vehicle if the vehicle is at least 80 inches wide; and
(2) at least 300 feet from the front and rear of the
vehicle if the vehicle is less than 80 inches wide.
Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 165, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1995.
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Doesnt apply to our cars
Quote:
§ 547.325. REFLECTORS REQUIRED. (a) Except as
provided by Subchapter F, a motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, or
pole trailer shall be equipped with at least two red reflectors on
the rear of the vehicle. A red reflector may be included as a part
of a taillamp
(b) A reflector shall be:
(1) mounted at a height from 15 to 60 inches; and
(2) visible at night at all distances:
(A) from 100 to 600 feet when directly in front of
lawful lower beams of headlamps; or
(B) from 100 to 350 feet when directly in front of
lawful upper beams of headlamps if the vehicle was manufactured or
assembled before January 1, 1972.
Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 165, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1995.
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One way to beat the tinted tail light ticket. i used this section and beat the ticket.
Quote:
§ 547.327. SPOTLAMPS PERMITTED. (a) A motor vehicle
may be equipped with not more than two spotlamps.
(b) A spotlamp shall be aimed so that no part of the
high-intensity portion of the beam strikes the windshield, window,
mirror, or occupant of another vehicle in use.
Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 165, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1995.
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Thats for all your 4X4 guys. dont have more then 2 spotlights
Quote:
§ 547.328. FOG LAMPS PERMITTED. (a) A motor vehicle
may be equipped with not more than two fog lamps.
(b) A fog lamp shall be:
(1) mounted on the front of the vehicle at a height
from 12 to 30 inches; and
(2) aimed so that no part of the high-intensity
portion of the beam from a lamp mounted to the left of center on a
vehicle projects a beam of light at a distance of 25 feet that is
higher than four inches below the level of the center of the lamp.
(c) Lighted fog lamps may be used with lower headlamp beams
as specified by Section 547.333.
Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 165, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1995.
§ 547.329. AUXILIARY PASSING LAMPS PERMITTED. (a) A
motor vehicle may be equipped with no more than two auxiliary
passing lamps.
(b) An auxiliary passing lamp shall be mounted on the front
of the vehicle at a height from 24 to 42 inches.
(c) An auxiliary passing lamp may be used with headlamps as
specified by Section 547.333.
Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 165, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1995.
§ 547.330. AUXILIARY DRIVING LAMPS PERMITTED. (a) A
motor vehicle may be equipped with no more than two auxiliary
driving lamps.
(b) An auxiliary driving lamp shall be mounted on the front
of the vehicle at a height from 16 to 42 inches.
(c) Auxiliary driving lamps may be used with headlamps as
specified by Section 547.333.
Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 165, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1995.
§ 547.331. HAZARD LAMPS PERMITTED. (a) A vehicle may
be equipped with lamps to warn other vehicle operators of a
vehicular traffic hazard that requires unusual care in approaching,
overtaking, or passing.
(b) The lamps shall be:
(1) mounted at the same level and spaced as widely
apart as practicable on the front and on the rear of the vehicle;
and
(2) visible at a distance of at least 500 feet in
normal sunlight.
(c) The lamps shall display simultaneously flashing lights
that emit:
(1) a white or amber light, or a color between white
and amber, if the lamp is mounted on the front of the vehicle; or
(2) a red or amber light, or a color between red and
amber, if the lamp is mounted on the rear of the vehicle.
Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 165, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1995.
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No comment
Quote:
§ 547.332. OTHER LAMPS PERMITTED. A motor vehicle may
be equipped with:
(1) not more than two side cowl or fender lamps that
emit an amber or white light without glare;
(2) not more than two running board courtesy lamps,
one on each side of the vehicle, that emit an amber or white light
without glare; and
(3) one or more backup lamps that:
(A) emit an amber or white light only when the
vehicle is not moving forward; and
(B) may be displayed separately or in combination
with another lamp.
Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 165, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1995.
§ 547.333. MULTIPLE-BEAM LIGHTING EQUIPMENT REQUIRED.
(a) Unless provided otherwise, a headlamp, auxiliary driving
lamp, auxiliary passing lamp, or combination of those lamps mounted
on a motor vehicle, other than a motorcycle or motor-driven cycle:
(1) shall be arranged so that the operator can select
at will between distributions of light projected at different
elevations; and
(2) may be arranged so that the operator can select the
distribution automatically.
(b) A lamp identified by Subsection (a) shall produce:
(1) an uppermost distribution of light or composite
beam that is aimed and emits light sufficient to reveal a person or
vehicle at a distance of at least 450 feet ahead during all
conditions of loading; and
(2) a lowermost distribution of light or composite
beam that:
(A) is aimed and emits light sufficient to reveal
a person or vehicle at a distance of at least 150 feet ahead; and
(B) is aimed so that no part of the
high-intensity portion of the beam on a vehicle that is operated on
a straight, level road under any condition of loading projects into
the eyes of an approaching vehicle operator.
(c) A person who operates a vehicle on a roadway or shoulder
shall select a distribution of light or composite beam that is aimed
and emits light sufficient to reveal a person or vehicle at a safe
distance ahead of the vehicle, except that:
(1) an operator approaching an oncoming vehicle within
500 feet shall select:
(A) the lowermost distribution of light or
composite beam, regardless of road contour or condition of loading;
or
(B) a distribution aimed so that no part of the
high-intensity portion of the lamp projects into the eyes of an
approaching vehicle operator; and
(2) an operator approaching a vehicle from the rear
within 300 feet may not select the uppermost distribution of light.
(d) A motor vehicle of a model year of 1948 or later, other
than a motorcycle or motor-driven cycle, that has multiple-beam
lighting equipment shall be equipped with a beam indicator that is:
(1) designed and located so that the lighted indicator
is visible without glare to the vehicle operator; and
(2) lighted only when the uppermost distribution of
light is in use.
Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 165, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1995.
§ 547.334. SINGLE-BEAM LIGHTING EQUIPMENT PERMITTED.
(a) In lieu of the multiple-beam lighting equipment required by
Section 547.333, a headlamp system that provides a single
distribution of light and meets the requirements of Subsection (b)
is permitted for:
(1) a farm tractor; or
(2) a motor vehicle manufactured and sold before
September 4, 1948.
(b) The headlamp system specified by Subsection (a) shall:
(1) emit a light sufficient to reveal a person or
vehicle at a distance of at least 200 feet; and
(2) be aimed so that no part of the high-intensity
portion of the lamp projects a beam:
(A) higher than five inches below the level of
the center of the lamp at a distance of 25 feet ahead; or
(B) higher than 42 inches above the ground at a
distance of 75 feet ahead.
Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 165, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1995.
§ 547.335. ALTERNATIVE ROAD LIGHTING EQUIPMENT
PERMITTED. In lieu of the multiple-beam or single-beam lighting
equipment otherwise required by this subchapter, a motor vehicle
that is operated at a speed of not more than 20 miles per hour under
the conditions specified in Section 547.302(a) may be equipped with
two lighted lamps:
(1) mounted on the front of the vehicle; and
(2) capable of revealing a person or vehicle 100 feet
ahead.
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i got nothing from that section
Quote:
§ 547.305. RESTRICTIONS ON USE OF LIGHTS. (a) A motor
vehicle lamp or illuminating device, other than a headlamp,
spotlamp, auxiliary lamp, turn signal lamp, or emergency vehicle or
school bus warning lamp, that projects a beam with an intensity
brighter than 300 candlepower shall be directed so that no part of
the high-intensity portion of the beam strikes the roadway at a
distance of more than 75 feet from the vehicle.
(b) Except as expressly authorized by law, a person may not
operate or move equipment or a vehicle, other than a police vehicle,
with a lamp or device that displays a red light visible from
directly in front of the center of the equipment or vehicle.
(c) A person may not operate a motor vehicle equipped with a
red, white, or blue beacon, flashing, or alternating light unless
the equipment is:HALO's
(1) used as specifically authorized by this chapter;
or
(2) a running lamp, headlamp, taillamp, backup lamp,
or turn signal lamp that is used as authorized by law.
(d) A vehicle may be equipped with alternately flashing
lighting equipment described by Section 547.701 or 547.702 only if
the vehicle is:
(1) a school bus;
(2) an authorized emergency vehicle;
(3) a church bus that has the words "church bus"
printed on the front and rear of the bus so as to be clearly
discernable to other vehicle operators;
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Quote:
§ 547.353. COLOR REQUIREMENTS. (a) A clearance lamp,
identification lamp, side marker lamp, or reflector mounted on the
front, on the side near the front, or in the center of the vehicle
must be or reflect amber.
(b) A clearance lamp, identification lamp, side marker
lamp, or reflector mounted on the rear or the side near the rear of
the vehicle must be or reflect red.
Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 165, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1995.
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MORE AS I GET THEM
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