VA Law & Smoked Tail Lights

[Joe K. 99 Zeee!!]

I was considering smoked tail lights for my black 2004 Grand Prix. I'm in VA and I've been doing some research as to what might be allowed.

This is like what I'd be considering:
http://flipscustomtails.com/graphics/gp_2/LED2.jpg

Here's what I've found so far:

http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp...+cod+46.2-1013
http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp...+cod+46.2-1014
http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp...od+46.2-1014.1

I was wondering if any of you all have had some experience with this in Virginia. As far as I read it, it should be ok as long as the light is visible at 500 feet.

Here's a comparison. The light on the right is smoked:
http://flipscustomtails.com/photos/gptint-b.jpg

[Black97]

Well it's been over a year ago when we moved to VA from Canada. I've had the AVS tail light shades on already in Canada.

A couple of days ago I pulled out from our sub division and a County cop pulled up behind me. On the first turn he turned behind me and then flipped the lights on.

So I pulled over and he wants to see the paperwork and then asks "you are surely winderign why I pulled you over"? Yes was my answer and he pointed at the shades. They are illegal here in VA he said. I played dumb and said that I didn't know and that I passed the State inspection with them.

I was told that the inspection only checked for functionality. He asked me to remove them on the spot and then let me go.

I'm sure as soon as I put them back on he'll be driving behind me again pulling me over. I see him around all the time.

Anybody wants to buy some tail light shades for a TA?

[Joe K. 99 Zeee!!]

Thanks...

I had some AVS shades on my '96 Camaro. I loved the look. I did try to drive at night with them on once and quickly found out how much light they blocked. Even with brights I barely got enough light on back roads.

Supposedly this paint doesn't block as much light. There are a few cars around here with it, and I was surprised that there isn't much if any light reduction. I guess it depends on the cop deciding if they want to pull you over...even if you meet the letter of the law.

[wolfdogs]

i run black outs on my side markers..but would not dream of blacking out my tails..... why? visibility..even when the brake lights are not activated....the contrast is there.... ..... yu are asking to get rear ended. just my 2 centavos.

[Trash man]

hot rod mag did a tech article on a third gen and "smoking" the rear tail lights, and they pretty much said with this method u could go as dark, or as light as you wanted, i think they mixed black paint and clear, and did like 4 light coats, you could see the red but they looked much better

[Joe K. 99 Zeee!!]

Yeah...while it would look great and visibility probably wouldn't be a problem, it could cause other issues. If I did get rear ended I can imagine it causing issues with insurance claims and responsibility. In the worst case scenario, I could be deemed responsible and it's possible my insurance wouldn't provide coverage. I'd be left holding the bill for the whole thing. Certainly not worth it.

[Wild Willy]

Yes, there is a very real safety issue there- With some of the drivers already on the road, it seems like you would want the brightest, loudest warning back there that you could get- Seems like the idiots already want to tailgate a low, small black car even if you are driving at or slightly above the posted limit-

[3800_Firebird]

It seems as though what would be best would be some bright LED lights to shine brightly through the lense, dark as may be, so that n one of these idiots on the road have an excuse.

[DJ Taso]

I had the taillight blackouts for my T/A when I had it. Although I never got pulled over for them, I still took them off after about a year. I realized it was silly because not only were they illegal here, but it was hard to see my brakelights on a bright sunny day.