[WA] Tail Light Q
 

Hey all ( •-•)シ

I tried to search but didn't find much. How are the cops when it comes to tinted tails up here? Was thinking about getting the tinted Valentis but don't want to make me a beacon to get pulled over.

Great way to get pulled over, ticketed, and inspected for other violations.

I'm sure there is law stating that they have to be seen so many feet away

I've been pulled over for the Valentis once in heavy traffic on I5 in Seattle. Cop said they can't be tinted at all but I don't think that is the actual law. He just told me to fix them.

The brake lights and turn signal lights are all totally visible as well as having the brake light in the rear window AND the reverse light that flashes when braking.

You might slightly increase the risk of getting pulled over with the Valentis but I wouldn't worry too much.

Are turn signal, taillight or headlamp covers permitted?

No. An aftermarket style ornament or other feature such as tinted plastic glass covers, a grille or allotted covers must not be placed in front of the headlamp lens, or in front of any other lighting devices installed on motor vehicles. (WAC 204-21-230)






^^^^^ This includes tinting the OEM lights.

I thought as long as you see reflectors. It was all good.

It wasn't as much a question of the legality of it. I was just wondering how often those of you with the tinted lights actually get dinged for it. I'll probably get them anyways. If it becomes a problem I'll deal with it. Thanks guys~
@Chen I can't find the mythical "It just has to be 500 feet in the daylight" or "just reflectors" RCW's. I think they're just rumor mill or for other states.

Aww. In pdx I don't think the cops here care to much. Mine are redded and I've never gotten any hassle for them.

pretty much like having no front plate. most cops dont care, find the bad apple and you may get ticketed.

you'll be better off with redded out tails over tinted as far as not being harassed goes. I opted for tom clear tails (as they look amazing) and i've never been harassed and have received several thumbs up from the police over the past couple years.

Hmm, from this thread and what I've seen posted some other places I'll probably just go for the Red/White Valenti's for easy of life.

WA cops in the Seattle and Eastside area don't take too kindly to modifications that result in "risk" as a result. Anytime you're applying illegal tint to something you're on their radar and it's only a matter of time.

Besides, you're reducing the function of a safety item, you're reducing other people's ability to know when you're decelerating. People are bad enough drivers as it is. It might "look cool" now but when someone creams you from behind and then sues you because the law finds you at fault because you have illegally modified a safety item then all of a sudden it's way less cool.

I'm old though and I also get pissed when it's pouring rain nobody has their lights on. I guess it's no surprise that when it rains our traffic goes to sh**.

you're going to need blacked out tails to get blamed for that, a friend with lightly tinted tails got rear ended waiting to turn left by a kid on a cell phone. the kid said the tails were so dark he couldn't see, the cop had my buddy work the lights and told the kid he must be blind to have missed them and placed 100% blame on him.

and x2 on people not turning on their lights in the rain, why is it almost always a silver vehicle too that just blends in with the mist.

I have the tinted Valentis and haven't had any issues whatsoever yet. I've had cops behind me and my buddy is a sheriff in Clark County and never said anything about them being illegal except that he thought they looked great.

It's kinda like illegal tint, if you do get pulled over, just don't be a d**k and make the cop want to find other things to get you on. Btw my windows are at 20% and again my buddy never said anything about it.

oh and x3 on not turning on your lights in the rain

I've had tinted valenties on my WRB for almost three months with no issues. I've been around a few cops as well where they could have easily pulled me over and said something. I'm in Tacoma.

The Valentis are pretty visible with the lights on even during the day.

My favorite part about threads like these is that everyone will chime in saying "Well I've never been ticketed for it so you'll be fine." or "My brother/friend/sister/mom/dad/uncle/coworker/partner/boss is a cop and said it's fine."

Just because you haven't been doesn't mean you can't/won't be. The simple answer is it's considered illegal and, much like going 5mph over the limit, you can usually do it but it's on you if you get caught.

I could see someone with a dash cam and a good lawyer still winning. The law's the law and a case can be made that the illegal modification impeded the following driver's ability to recognize braking and react appropriately. It doesn't matter what the cop says as a case could still be brought against driver of the modified car.

Likelihood admittedly is very low, but in a litigious society one should be aware.

I have tinted tail lamps and it has not been looked at by state patrol when I got pulled over last week. It all depends on the cop weather or not he wants to ticket you for that.

the OP was asking about peoples anecdotal stories about being pulled over. what other response were you expecting people to share.

Here's the RCW for Washington's tail lamp laws http://apps.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=46.37.050

My thoughts on it, yes you can get pulled over, you probably won't get a ticket as long as you aren't a ****. It's like the window tint law, its there, but not enforced per say. I get that people think it looks cool to have smoked tails, but personally I want to be seen, so if I ever swapped them out they would be as visible, or brighter than stock.

A few renton pd officers are my customers and i asked one of them if they cared, he said he has no tolerance since its clearly against the law regardless of darkness. That is however one officers words.