Nope it just lights up.


After reading this thread, I'm reconsidering getting amber leds now but I picked white.. fail lol

Lol, Ya I'm glad I got this clarified.

I picked up amber LED bulbs from Autozone. You don't see any amber when they're not illuminated. The clear sidemarkers shouldn't get you in any trouble.

Not a California issue, this is a FMVSS Federal issue.

http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/CFR-201...sec571-108.pdf

Page 73 table 3 spells out the type of lighting allowed.

It should be noted that the side markers need to be amber. However, it is a blanket provision that covers both outside lighting (daylight) as well as inside lighting (night time). So to be fully covered, one needs to have a bulb that reflects enough yellow in broad daylight to meet this requirement.

A simple amber bulb won't be enough.

Anyone modifying with clear side markers would technically be in violation of this rule.

Source: I researched this topic 10 years ago when trying to gauge legality of OEM JDM turn signals and side markers for the S13.

-alex

Edit: Table 4 spells out location of each marker/light on the car.

Usually this falls under a "Fix-It" ticket provision. Usually $10 admin fee if you fix it and have it signed off.

As for the ticket itself, the officer might cite you on VC 25100 in California, but the state law usually is just a repeat of the FMVSS that is applicable. In this case, FMVSS 108.

-alex

So an led that is bright enough to show during daytime is legal then based on that reasoning

Turn signals are one thing but not all vehicles even have sidemarkers so i dont see how it would be illegal unless it was distracting other drivers in some way?! :iono:

edit **read some of the other responses and it makes sense now..lol

so... am i understanding it correctly that only amber sidemarkers are legal in CA?
or... are clear sidemarkers with amber bulbs ok.

Cam- all cars must have side markers most wrap them around the front headlights

From what I've read in this thread, in CA they must EMIT an amber light. The law is similar in NJ. I have smoked sidemarkers but fitted an amber bulb so at night it glows amber.
I don't understand why the physical color of the sidemarker should matter. During the day I never have my lights on and it's safe to say sidemarkers provide no extra visibility for other drivers. At night you can't even tell what color my sidemarkers are because all you see is amber light

My understanding is that clear sidemarkers are legal. What's illegal is the color of light emitted through them

clear with amber bulbs are OK in CA

Clear Sidemarker​s with White Bulbs are OK in Illinois
 

Illinois Compiled Statutes 625 ILCS 5 Illinois Vehicle Code. Section 12-209


(625 ILCS 5/12-209) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 12-209)

Sec. 12-209. Additional Lighting Equipment.

(a) Any motor vehicle may be equipped with not more than 2 side cowl or fender lamps which shall emit an amber or white light without glare. :thumbsup:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I believe that you all should find the equivalent statute in your respective states, it may vary. States have "primacy" laws and regulations. :bow:

I added the Thumpsup for Illinois :w00t:

my state clear with amber led is legal

Correct. But as I stated before, the legality on a state level is up to interpretation. The legality on a federal level is not, which makes clear side markers illegal.

MotoRex R32 GT-Rs only needed a rear side marker (red) added to meet FMVSS 108 to be legal for import. R33/34s needed both front and rear added to be legal for import, EPA regulations aside.

For what we're debating, you can swap to clears without issue as long as the light bulbs are amber.

-alex