Tinted tail lights in TX?

[Goblue]

Are they illegal? Are there any that are legal if they are illegal? Where to get them?

Thanks for any help.

[black.]

i see quite a bit of people with them but never heard of anyone getting stopped for them.

[Goblue]

I was curious about state inspections?

[GoPaul]

I got mine from Big Worm Graphics. Never had a problem, though I haven't had my first state inspection yet either. I think as long as they reflect red when lights are shone on them then you are good.

[Angrybird 12]

Originally Posted by Goblue

Are they illegal? Are there any that are legal if they are illegal? Where to get them?

Thanks for any help.

I know that in Tennessee tail light covers are not legal, I would venture to say as long as they are no darker than the RS lights there would be no problems.
Here is the actual law as written:

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.



§ 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.
(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 whiteActs 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 165, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1995.

§ 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.
(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.

§ 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.

[UT-Engineer]

Originally Posted by black.

i see quite a bit of people with them but never heard of anyone getting stopped for them.

I see them often as well. Never heard of someone in TX being pulled over for tinted lights. Tinted windows, however, may not pass inspection if too dark.

[Goblue]

Thanks for the help.

[Kicknyoace]

Got mine from Big Worm as well and also did the headlights. All I have seen is the cops giving me the thumbs up, lol. Knock on wood.

[SUX2BU]

Any kind of tint or darker cover over lights is illegal in Texas. That being said, i love my tinted rear and side lights.

Before:




After:

[Chrisrp454]

I have the hard covers on mine, double sided clear 3M holds them on. No issues with being stopped so far in the 6 months I have had them.

[Pro-Tect Mobile]

They are illegal in Texas yet I have never been pulled over for them. I install the tinted film and have had to remove them both times to pass the state inspection. I also got pulled over once with them on and the officer did not say anything about no front plate, my dark tint, or the tinted tail lights... he only said my liscense plate frame barely went over the "T" in the word Texas.

Thats why I recommend the film as opposed to spraying them. The film can be removed and then install another kit. Sprayed lights are permanent.

[Chrisrp454]

Its about time for my inspection now that I have had it for 2 years we will see what happens these will be harder to take off and put back on :(

[Pro-Tect Mobile]

Chrisrp454, the double sided tape wil be fairly easy to remove. Make sure to be patient with it. Heat it up before trying to remove them and them lift slowly. They should come off fairly easily. You can also buy the 3M double sided tape at just about any autoparts store. Keep us posted on how things go.

[Irby]

As stated previously they are legal if they can be seen from 300 feet ,however, when u go to get it inspected the inspection station may say something and all u have to tell is that the dealership did it and u picked it up that way