Is Tinting Tail Lights Illegal? You Need To Know
Tinting generally makes your car look better and adds an aesthetic look to its appearance. Hence, most car enthusiasts prefer tinting tail lights to upgrade the look of the car. But since cars don’t come with tinted tail lights, it could be questioned is tinting tail lights illegal. Because according to some countries, it is against the rules to modify your vehicle or make any changes to its originality.
Tail lights are one of the car’s safety components that ignite a red light along with a few white lights. It indicates when you are reversing and is a sign of driving in the dark. Though tinting tail lights gives a prominent look to the car, it can be unsafe since tinting will reduce the visibility of the red lights igniting and risk you into dangerous situations.
Why Tint Tail Light?
As previously stated, most tint the tail light mainly because it uplifts the car’s appearance by giving it a significant look. The different colored tints in the taillights will make your car look catchy and attractive, but besides, there are other benefits of tinting the tail lights. Below is a list of why people tint their tail lights. Keep reading to catch the reasons.
- Since the tail lights are installed in the back rear end of the car below the bumper, the chances of your tail lights getting scratched when reversing are high. But tinting the tail lights of your car reduces the damages caused to the lights when scratched or bruised.
- Tinting will reduce the acceleration for your tail light to discolor, fade and change its color because tinting will block the direct sunlight on the surface and increase the lifetime of the tail lights.
- Tinting your tail lights will uplift the car’s appearance and give an aesthetic look to the car with a small investment.
What are the Disadvantages of Tinting Tail Light?
The reason why tinted tail lights are not introduced to the automotive industry is that making any changes to s safety component of your car can be a hinder to your safety. That is why it is against the law in some countries to use tinted tail lights because of the unsafe consequences.
Is Tinting Tail Lights Illegal?
You might be confused if you have ever experienced being fined a penalty by the traffic police for tinting tail lights in another country, but it has never been a concern against the law. However, the situation can enrage you because you were unaware of the rules. You might want to confirm, is tinting tail lights are legal or illegal.
Tinting tail lights add another laminated dyed sheet which can be quite unsafe because it reduces the visibility of the red lights igniting and hinders your safety. Considering the legal system in tinting tail lights ultimately depends on which country you live in and where you drive the car.
Because you might see some countries where tinting tail lights is illegal but other countries where tinting tail light is not against the law; if you drive your car with tinted tail lights in a state where it is illegal to tint the tail light, you can even be taken into custody by police for violating the rules. Thus, it is vital to learn the law regulations of tinting tail lights and the regions where tinting tail lights are legal and illegal to avoid any inconvenience.
What are the Rules to Follow If Tinting Tail Lights in Your Car
As previously stated in the article, it is legal in some states to tint the tail lights, but you need to consider a few rules and regulations before tinting the tail lights. Below is a list of the rules you must adhere to for tinting tail lights.
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Colour
If you are planning to tint your tail lights, you must stick to the rules when choosing a color to tint. You can tint any color of your preference but ensure you compromise with the state’s rules. If not, you might be fined by the law for violating the rules.
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Visibility
Another factor to consider when tinting your tail lights is visibility. The visibility range, which means the light igniting from the tail light, must be visible at the stated specific limit. When tinting the tail lights, each state’s visibility range can vary.
For example, if you are tinting tail lights in the United States of America, the visibility range should be 500 feet. In some countries, the safety rules have increased the visibility range to 1000 feet. The law will also be applied if the tail lights are damaged or dead, and the law will find them.
How to Tint Tail Lights
You can’t tint tail lights in many ways; below are some shortly explained ways.
- You can tint the tail lights using spray paint, giving you the desired results with a smooth finish. Before you paint the tail lights, use sandpaper to scrub the clear coat and wipe with a soft cloth to remove all the dust particles. Apply a clear coat before using the spray paint. Now you can give your home a new look to your car with a simple investment.
- Though tinting should be done with experience, if you can tint your tail lights at home, it will reduce the service charge cost. To tint the tail lights at home, remove the rear lights, stick the film sheet to the rear lights, and leave them exposed to sunlight to plasticize them. Now you can reinstall the rear lights to the vehicle.
Conclusion
Tinting tail lights can sometimes be a serious offense in some countries and can even be taken into custody by the police because tail lights are installed for the safety of the passengers and the drivers. Tinting the tail lights will reduce visibility and can be jeopardizing.
In the article, is tinting tail lights illegal, we have contemplated topics like why to tint tail lights, the disadvantages, and the rules to follow if tinting the tail lights in legal states.
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Jim is a motor mechanical engineer and the chief writer at Tipsymechanic.com. He possesses a decade of experience in the automotive industry and loves writing and blogging.