Anyone had issues with tickets for running clear side markers in Ontario?
 

I recently busted the clips on my OEM side markers when pulling off my bumper to do some work recently and thought it would be a good opportunity to look at getting some clear markers instead. I know they aren't legal but they are pretty inconspicuous/harmless but I know there are some anal cops out there who will ticket for anything so I'm just wondering if anyone who has run clear side markers for a while can comment on their experiences with being pulled over/etc. Just looking for an idea what I'm getting myself into if I want to run them.

You can do clear markers, But the bulb has to be amber for night time.

I've been running the clear Valenti side markers that have built in amber LEDs for three years now without any issues in Toronto.

Unfortunately the MTO safety standards state you must have amber reflector with amber light. Even with an orange light, clear side-markers violate the orange reflector rule.

On page 58:
http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/tru...n-standard.pdf

As mentioned, you can run clear markers as long as the light emitting is amber or yellow. Regardless of what it says in the HTA.

Then again some cops have the tendency to hit people up for the smallest things. It really depends on the cop.

I have never had any issues in any if the cars I've had with clear side markers.

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Uhhhhh... the HTA is the definition of the law, if the HTA says you can't do it then you can't. If you'll get stopped/ticketed for it is another story.

That is not how the law works...

Whether the law is chosen to be enforced is an entirely different category

I may try a single coat lf VHT nightshade instead of buying clear if that's the case.

It will darken the color while keeping it amber.

In all honesty, you're not very likely to be ticketed for it. I've had smoked plate covers for almost 7 years and haven't even been stopped for it, even though the HTA says they're illegal.

In amerikah, our FVMSS has specific wording that makes coverings like nite shade just as illegal as no marker light or running the incorrect color. Again, legal, and susceptibility to getting an actual ticket are 2 separate issues.

Generally, it comes down to not being an idiot on the road, and they'll have no reason to mess with you no matter how legal your lighting is or isn't.

It takes paperwork for a traffic stop, so any cop looking to pull someone over for a minor infraction like a marker light is going to do so expecting to find something more on the person/in the car to make the effort worth the hassle.

there are THOUSANDS of modified vehicle in the GTA that look like they shouldn't be on the road. you should be fine with clear side marker.

someone out there is running -15 negative camber and 205 stretched tires.

Remind me to finger wag you next time :P

New to anything non-euro. Where do people buy such things for our cars?

I've been using smoked side markers since I bought my car in 2014 and haven't had any trouble from it. My bulbs died out a few years ago and I haven't bothered to replace them either :bonk:

Been running smoked sidemarkers for 2 years with no issues. I also disconnected the sidemarker leds and left it since they kept burning out. Never got pulled over from cops at nighttime for it.

I think they could have more fun with all the blacked out tails and head lights.

They’re not going to enforce clear markers unless you’re already pulled over for being a douche lol Clear markers are not really in your face obvious either especially with the amber bulb.

I’ve seen tails so dark you can barely see them signal!

I have run smoked lights on several cars going back as far as the late 70s and have never once had a cop that pulled me over even mention them. As pointed out clear markers are even less conspicuous and if a cop decides to make an issue of them then odds are you already had f'ed up really bad and they are the least of your problems.

Alright thanks everyone, seems unlikely I'll run into trouble with them unless I'm getting pulled over for something else. The only examples I can find of people reporting getting tickets for them were people who were pulled over for other things anyways.

Yep such tickets are usually given instead of a moving violation because you handled the situation well and the cop decided to give you a break but not let you off completely free.


Or


Because you were a major d1ckhead to the cop and they decided you were getting a ticket for something no matter how trivial but they weren't sure something more serious would stand up in court.

The colour of the side markers shouldn't matter as long as you have them installed and working properly. Not having side markers however would be considered a serious traffic violation.

Let’s not go into that rabbit hole... aka warning

Unless your car is 6.1 or more metres you don't need side markers at all so ya the colour doesn't matter.


As long as you have at least two white or amber lights on the front and one red tail you are legal.


Ontario Highway Traffic Act section 62


62. (1) When on a highway at any time from one-half hour before sunset to one-half hour after sunrise and at any other time when, due to insufficient light or unfavourable atmospheric conditions, persons and vehicles on the highway are not clearly discernible at a distance of 150 metres or less, every motor vehicle other than a motorcycle shall carry three lighted lamps in a conspicuous position, one on each side of the front of the vehicle which shall display a white or amber light only, and one on the rear of the vehicle which shall display a red light only. R.S.O. 1990, c. H.8, s. 62 (1).


Side marker lamps

(13) When on a highway at any time from one-half hour before sunset to one half-hour after sunrise and at any other time when, due to insufficient light or unfavourable atmospheric conditions, persons and vehicles on the highway are not clearly discernible at a distance of 150 metres or less, every motor vehicle or combination of vehicles having a length in excess of 6.1 metres shall carry not fewer than four lighted side marker lamps, one of which shall be located...

In case you needed my input, go for it. I have the 2nd generation Helix LED sidemarkers (it was cheap and looked nice **better than my stupid OEM ones**)
Haven't been pulled over for it, cops don't even notice it since it emits amber and it is very prominent. Just make sure to use some force when installing the new one or it will stick out like a sore thumb in the middle of an orgy :D