VA inspection Q
 

Anyone know if VA inspection checks for the orange reflectors in the front of the vehicle? I had my side markers painted, so theyre no longer orange, and no longer reflectors. I plan on getting it inspected this month at the dealership while I have my 15K maintenance done.

If so, anyone in the Tysons Corner area wanna let me borrow theirs??

I think part of the federal standards for forward lighting is that the vehicle needs (must have) amber reflectors on the front corners of the vehicle, whether they be integrated into the headlights themselves or as a separate unit.

Unfortunately, if you get a real stickler of an inspector, you will fail.

Edit: Here it is, in Table I-a of FMVSS 108 (http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/rules-regul...49CFR571.108):

Side Marker Lamps
2 Amber
On each side as far to the front as practicable
Steady burning except may be flashed for signaling purposes. Must be activated when the headlamps are activated in a steady burning state or the parking lamps on passenger cars and MPVs, trucks, and buses less than 80 inches in overall width are activated.

Anyone know the part number for the oem side markers?

Man just go to a gas station. 70% of them don't know what side markers are

Yeah, my experience with Fairfax County has been that if you go to a gas station (especially one of the "off-brand" stations), they won't care about minor things like that.

Dealership technicians generally know what a stock car looks like and will fail your car for whatever reasons.

Right from the Virginia State Inspector's Manual

http://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp...19VAC30-70-180

"NOTE: In addition to the required clearance lamps showing to the front and to the rear, a vehicle may be equipped with side marker lamps on the side of the vehicle. When such an installation is used, all of the clearance lamps on the side except the one at or near the rear must have an amber lens. The side marker lamps on the side at or near the rear must have a red lens."

Clearance lamps are not relevant and federal standards only apply to manufacturers/importers. The section to look at is 19VAC30-70-200. Permissible lighting equipment. Part B:
http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp...19VAC30-70-200

Im pretty sure orange reflectors are required in the front of the vehicle - how they operate is secondary. My real question was if anyone thinks the inspectors look for this. It sounds like from the few inputs, that trying a gas station might yield a better result.

In any case, I would still like to get a stock pair in the likely event that I sell this car in the future. Anyone want to find a part number for me? Or trade me theirs if youve replaced them with clears? Ive got lots of little goodies for this car to trade...

I can trade you my OEM amber side markers next month after my inspection :)

i would say it is no issue.. if you fail, i do have extra stock ones you can borrow..