UPDATE:

As some of you know, I used to work in the technology end of law enforcement. I had a talk with a judge friend I used to do a lot of work for.

Bottom line according to this judge - I'm dead wrong!

At least in Georgia - if you place a component on a vehicle - even if it's not required to be on that vehicle by law - that product MUST conform to state & local laws regarding that product. SO - if cab lights CAN NOT be smoked in your area - even though they need not be a part of a half ton pickup truck - THEY MUST conform to the law.

NOW in this judge's opinion - the law doesn't state that your light can not be smoked - merely that they must be visible at 500 feet. The judge recommends that you pick a clear night and find a place where it's as dark as possible, measure off 500 feet and take a picture. If you can make out the cab lights at all - then PRINT the pics and take them to court. He advises not to just take in your phone or a laptop but to have PRINTED PICTURES to deliver to the court as evidence.

In his opinion, if the pics show even the faintest glint of visible light at 500 feet, then the judge has no other option but to dismiss your case.

If you cannot make out that the lights are present at 500 feet, then you're hosed. Don't even bother to fight it - just pay the fine. It's a non-moving equipment violation. Doesn't get reported to DMV or your insurance...

Hope this helps...

 

In the end i just payed the ticket, here in texas no smoked lights are allowed period, and my ticket background they would not have dismised it anyway.

 

Maybe in your county.I've talked to couple of city cops here and a couple of dps officers here and all have said they need to be able to be seen about 500 feet away.And as for cab lights they wouldn't in any case give a ticket for thoose unless they were on a semi truck

 

Yeah not a good statement, I also live in Texas, In my county its 1000 feet away they must be visable.

 

They from time to time have tint check road blocks here (county).

 

Window Tint?

 

Yep, they check the tint level to make sure it's within legal range. It's not common but I have seem it a few times here.

 

Lol lets do a Road Block and check for Illegal Tint..... Wow i have never heard of that, ive heard of Car Inspection, DWI, And Illegal Immigrant checkpoints but NEVER one For Tint!

 

The only reason i knew it was 1000 ft is because my buddy keeps getting pulled over for his black tail lights, well sure enough he finally got a ticket. So i looked up the TRUE answer. For you state of Texas Guys/Girls here is the Up to date Law on Black Tail lights.



Texas Department of Public Saftey - Rules and Regulations Manual - Safety Inspection - Chapter 4 - Inspection Procedures:

20.27 Tail Lamp. Every motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, pole trailer, and any other vehicle which is being drawn at the end of a combination of vehicles shall be equipped with at least two taillamps mounted on the rear which, when lighted, shall emit a red light plainly visible from a distance of 1,000 feet to the rear, except that passenger cars and trucks manufactured or assembled prior to the model year 1960 shall have at least one tail lamp. On vehicles equipped with more than one tail lamp, the taillamps shall be mounted on the same level and as widely spaced laterally as practicable.

Every tail lamp upon every vehicle shall be located at a height of not more than 72 inches nor less than 15 inches. Taillamps are used only to designate the rear of a vehicle.

Every tail lamp upon motorcycles, motor-driven cycles, or mopeds shall be located at a height of not more than 72 inches nor less than 20 inches. Tail lamp lens must be of a type meeting Department of Public Safety standards.

At least two taillamps are required on all motor vehicles, trailers, semitrailers, and pole trailers, except that at least one tail lamp is required on motorcycles, motor-driven cycles, and mopeds and all 1959 model year and earlier passenger cars and trucks.

1. Inspection Procedure. Check operation and condition visually.

2. Inspect for and reject if:

a. Required lamp or lamps are not present.

b. Lamp is not securely mounted to vehicle.

c. Lamp does not completely emit a red light plainly visible 1,000 feet to the rear.

d. Lamp lens is painted, missing, discolored, or does not fit properly.

e. Wiring is shoddy or electrical connections are poor.

f. Lamp is not wired so as to be lighted when head lamps or auxiliary driving lamps are lighted.

g. Lamp is obstructed by any part of the body.

h. Lamp does not emit a red color. (See note, pg. 4-26)

i. Lamps are not mounted on the same level and as widely spaced laterally as practicable.

j. Lamps are not mounted on rear of vehicle.

k. Lens is cracked or broken to the extent that a portion of the lens is missing and/or separated, permitting light from the bulb to emit through the crack or break.

NOTE: Lamp lenses cannot be repaired with repair tape or repair kit.

NOTE: Vehicles that are equipped from the manufacturer with approved lenses which are clear and lighted by L.E.D. lights will pass state inspection.

NOTE: Vehicles that are equipped with after market lenses which are clear and lighted by a red bulb will be rejected. (There are no red bulbs currently approved for use on vehicles.)
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Just a little FYI

www.tintlaws.com