tinted tail lights???

[rcossy1023]

I was wondering if tinted taillights are illegal in ma?
I'm not talking ridiculous 100% light blocking tint, just a light smoke color to give some prettiness to my ugly taillights lol

[SgtCHP]

I was wondering if tinted taillights are illegal in ma?
I'm not talking ridiculous 100% light blocking tint, just a light smoke color to give some prettiness to my ugly taillights lol


I am not certain about MA but I imagine their laws are similar to CA which comply with the Federal mandates. That said, I will mention that all lighting equipment is required to emit minimum lumens (measured) in dispersed patterns and if you cover them with any type of film product you reduce that light emission - that makes it illegal.

"...Taillamps shall be red in color and shall be plainly visible from all distances within 500 feet to the rear except that taillamps on vehicles manufactured after January 1, 1969, shall be plainly visible from all distances within 1,000 feet to the rear..."

Some agencies use portable measuing devices - light meters - that check to see if equipment is in compliance. Those same devices also are used to measure light penetrating window films.

I would say, don't cover your lamp lenses. It may look cool to you, but not to the law.

[McClus23]

I was stopped a couple years back for having chrome fade tint on my side windows, and I can say without a doubt now that that's illegal. After I recieved my citation I asked about having tint on your rear lights (since I was entertaining the idea of doing it myself) and was told "Not a good idea either..". He didn't know the exact specifications on it, but was pretty sure i'd draw unwanted attention if not a ridiculous fine.....like in the $300 range.

[rcossy1023]

alrighty then so a no go on the taillights....thanks guys

[Delta784]

If they're not from the factory or not DOT compliant, they're no good.

On a common sense level, I have no idea why someone would want to dim the lights that warn everyone else they're about to stop.........

[McClus23]

...Yeah. Pretty dumb idea I used to have.

[208]

Illegal...off hand i think its in the 540CMR category