Question about blacked out tail lights - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

BGPAPA · 12-30-2012, 02:13 PM

Hey everyone,

My state inspection is coming up and have a question related to blacked out tail lights. Will blacked out tail lights keep my car from passing the state inspection here in Texas. Would like to know if anyone has face this issue and if so what did you or where did you go to get it passed.

Thanks, Look forward to any responses............Rich

Slow SS · 12-30-2012, 04:17 PM

I actually just put them on my car. I spoke with some inspection guys when I got my wifes car inspected last month and when I asked they said it was ticketable by police and that it will not pass a legit inspection. I don't know the laws myself thats just secondhand from the inspection guys...

BGPAPA · 12-30-2012, 08:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Slow SS

I actually just put them on my car. I spoke with some inspection guys when I got my wifes car inspected last month and when I asked they said it was ticketable by police and that it will not pass a legit inspection. I don't know the laws myself thats just secondhand from the inspection guys...

Thanks, been checking the state regs and it looks like it won't pass.. So does anyone know a shop in SA that has passed theirs in the past?

Wooden Heart · 12-31-2012, 06:25 AM

I'm an LEO and if the tint is so dark that the red lense is no longer...well "red", then it will not pass. You can tint them as light as possible and if the inspection guy doesn't want to pass then he doesn't have to because it's not "red". Problem is, is that "red" is not defined. As you know, there are many shades of red. I had a 2007 Dodge Nitro that had tinted tail lights that wouldn't pass, but the lenses were still red. It's always better to get the clings so that you can take them off at will.

Just my two cents.

Slow SS · 12-31-2012, 08:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wooden Heart

I'm an LEO and if the tint is so dark that the red lense is no longer...well "red", then it will not pass. You can tint them as light as possible and if the inspection guy doesn't want to pass then he doesn't have to because it's not "red". Problem is, is that "red" is not defined. As you know, there are many shades of red. I had a 2007 Dodge Nitro that had tinted tail lights that wouldn't pass, but the lenses were still red. It's always better to get the clings so that you can take them off at will.

Just my two cents.

Thanks for jumping in!! Thats what I figured. I have no issues paying for the tint each year and just replacing it (my opinion). Won't bother me unless I start receiving obscene amounts of tickets...

Kewl_Blades · 01-29-2013, 11:05 PM

Here is THE solution....I use it all the time.

Get a set of stock tail lights. When you need an inspection, pull off your tinted tail lights and replace them with the stockers. Pass inspection. Go home and put the tinted tail lights back on. When the LEO pulls you over, you can say you just got them tinted yesterday. If he writes you a ticket, you go to court and take a recent or that-day pic of the car with the stock tail lights on.
I use that-day proof with that day's newspaper in the shot when you take the pic of the "clean" tail lights.
Repeat as necessary.

mp51998 · 01-30-2013, 09:00 AM

When I went to court to fight mine they sent a bailiff out to look at my car. Since I did not have a receipt showing a shop did the work I had to pay ten bucks and it was dismissed. I then went home and put the tinted ones back on. Just the price I pay and accept that I may get ticketed for that whenever I get pulled over. Same with no front plate. Even tho I have a hide a way plate. I still get a written warning every time. I just accept it as I know I'm breaking the law.

tavo431 · 01-30-2013, 11:35 AM

Well buddy a little birdy told me that you can always pay a little extra and the inspector "will" pass you.

Ask "small" shops around your area.

BaylorCamaro · 01-30-2013, 11:48 AM

Depends where you go. I went to a small jiffy lube with a couple young guys my age, we talked cars for a good bit. Non the less they said ANY tint on ANY lights/reflectors are illegal and would not pass me.. sooo I removed them for the duration of the inspection.

Sent from my SAMSUNG Galaxy S III using telekinesis.

12-30-2012, 02:13 PM	#1
BGPAPA Drives: 2011 2SS RS IOM Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Fort Worth Texas Posts: 179 View My Garage	Question about blacked out tail lights Hey everyone, My state inspection is coming up and have a question related to blacked out tail lights. Will blacked out tail lights keep my car from passing the state inspection here in Texas. Would like to know if anyone has face this issue and if so what did you or where did you go to get it passed. Thanks, Look forward to any responses............Rich __________________ _____________________________________________ Current Mods: Cold Air Intake, ZL 1 Exhausr, Kooks Longtube Headers, Green Cats, IOM Engine Cover, IOM Fuse Cover, Custom Bow ties, Wheel Locks, Custom Strut Brace, Strut Covers, Smoked Tail and reverse Lights.

12-30-2012, 04:17 PM	#2
Slow SS Drives: 2010 Camaro SS (CGM) Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Cypress, TX Posts: 318	I actually just put them on my car. I spoke with some inspection guys when I got my wifes car inspected last month and when I asked they said it was ticketable by police and that it will not pass a legit inspection. I don't know the laws myself thats just secondhand from the inspection guys... __________________

12-31-2012, 06:25 AM	#4
Wooden Heart Drives: 2012 Camaro LT Join Date: May 2012 Location: Cleburne, Texas Posts: 391	I'm an LEO and if the tint is so dark that the red lense is no longer...well "red", then it will not pass. You can tint them as light as possible and if the inspection guy doesn't want to pass then he doesn't have to because it's not "red". Problem is, is that "red" is not defined. As you know, there are many shades of red. I had a 2007 Dodge Nitro that had tinted tail lights that wouldn't pass, but the lenses were still red. It's always better to get the clings so that you can take them off at will. Just my two cents. __________________

01-30-2013, 11:48 AM	#9
BaylorCamaro Track > 1/4 Mile Drives: 2016 C7 Z51 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: League City, TX Posts: 6,072 View My Garage	Depends where you go. I went to a small jiffy lube with a couple young guys my age, we talked cars for a good bit. Non the less they said ANY tint on ANY lights/reflectors are illegal and would not pass me.. sooo I removed them for the duration of the inspection. Sent from my SAMSUNG Galaxy S III using telekinesis. __________________ Automotive YouTube Channel / Texas World Speedway / MSR Houston

01-29-2013, 11:05 PM	#6
Kewl_Blades Addict Drives: 2000 Z28 & WS6 - 2x 91 RS Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: TEXAS! Posts: 5	Here is THE solution....I use it all the time. Get a set of stock tail lights. When you need an inspection, pull off your tinted tail lights and replace them with the stockers. Pass inspection. Go home and put the tinted tail lights back on. When the LEO pulls you over, you can say you just got them tinted yesterday. If he writes you a ticket, you go to court and take a recent or that-day pic of the car with the stock tail lights on. I use that-day proof with that day's newspaper in the shot when you take the pic of the "clean" tail lights. Repeat as necessary.

01-30-2013, 09:00 AM	#7
mp51998 Drives: Black 2011 2SS/RS Join Date: May 2011 Location: S. Texas Posts: 1,817	When I went to court to fight mine they sent a bailiff out to look at my car. Since I did not have a receipt showing a shop did the work I had to pay ten bucks and it was dismissed. I then went home and put the tinted ones back on. Just the price I pay and accept that I may get ticketed for that whenever I get pulled over. Same with no front plate. Even tho I have a hide a way plate. I still get a written warning every time. I just accept it as I know I'm breaking the law.

01-30-2013, 11:35 AM	#8
tavo431 Drives: 2010 camaro 2ss Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: houston tx Posts: 239	Well buddy a little birdy told me that you can always pay a little extra and the inspector "will" pass you. Ask "small" shops around your area.