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Old 10-13-2009, 10:20 PM   #1
Mecha
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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.




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.


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.
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.


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.

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.
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.

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.

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;
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.
MORE AS I GET THEM
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Old 10-14-2009, 08:19 AM   #2
C4
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nice research
thanks for the info
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Old 10-14-2009, 09:20 AM   #3
J-Rod6410
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I've gotten tickets for tinted lights in the past. They told me that the reflector part of the light is not visible when tinted, which I confirmed. The reflector doesn't reflect when tinted. But if I understand this correctly(law), this only applies to vehicles made prior to 1972?

Am I correct?
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Old 10-14-2009, 05:25 PM   #4
2Tightwads
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This is the part I'm excited about!

(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
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Old 10-20-2009, 09:13 AM   #5
JWood
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What you have to watch is the difference in state laws. For example Texas and Oklahoma allow fog lights but Oklahoma has the following rule.

(c) The driver of any vehicle when approaching an oncoming vehicle
within a minimum distance of three hundred (300) feet shall not have
illuminated any driving lamps, auxiliary lamps, or other combination
of lamps other than the required head lamps as hereinbefore stated.

People do occasionally get tickets for driving with fog lights on and you can't beat it.

On tinted tail lights, If you get hit from behind all he has to say is " I could not see his tail lights" and you are done.
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Old 10-20-2009, 01:49 PM   #6
Mecha
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 2Tightwads View Post
This is the part I'm excited about!

(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

i put the word halos in there so folks would see the statue that concerns halos
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