Inspection trouble

[Grimes]

I am having some problems with my truck passing inspection. I have gone to a Sticker Stop, which did not pass me because of my HIDs. The lady said if HIDs were not stock, they were illegal. End of story. I challenged to no luck. So I then went to jiffy lube, who failed me due to my smoked tails, even after I showed them how bright they were. Having already failed, and with all 3 employees looking at the truck, I brought up the HIDs and they seemed very iffy on it. Both places told me to check the state code, and no where do I seem to fail.

http://www.statutes.legis.state.tx.us/Docs/TN/htm/TN.547.ht

Guide for sections at bottom of this page:
http://www.dps.texas.gov/RSD/VI/lighting.htm

Has anyone else, especially in Texas, had issues like this with their lights?

I understand I could just trade out housings for the inspection, but I believe I tossed my tails, and did toss all halogens.

 

[Physh1]

Well, it is illegal to have HID's installed on a vehicle that they weren't factory equipped with...period. Was it the color that they caught or did they find the ballasts? Factory housings or projector housings? Out here cops don't bug people with HID's installed correctly & with tolerable color outputs...they ticket the guys who installed them in halogen housings who blind everyone.

Ummm, clearly stated here that your tinted tails are technically illegal.

Any device that impairs the required effectiveness of headlamps, tail lamps, reflectors, etc is prohibited. The lights, both front and rear, are made by the manufacturer to meet this safety standard. An alternate or additional material, particularly something dark, would impair its effectiveness. Additional information on lighting can be found in the Texas Transportation Code, Chapter 547, Subchapters D & E.

And most cheapo HID kits I've seen state they are for 'off-road use only'...sooooo...

Equipment manufacturers have to self-certify that they meet these standards. DOT does not test equipment unless they act against those who don't meet standards. You should insure that the equipment vendor is reputable and that all equipment has a DOT or appropriate SAE stamp on it (or if not marked, keep the box that it comes in which says it is "DOT approved") and under no circumstances use equipment that is for "off-road or show only".

While it sounds like the people who inspected your vehicle don't know the codes by heart they are technically correct. These rules are there as general guidelines for inspectors to interpret & utilize at their discretion.

Get some halogens because it sounds like you're running HID's in the stock housings, & find a set of tails. Get inspected. Change it back after if you like. If you're not running DOT approved housings than that is technically illegal as well.

In my experience, if you work within the rules & don't make anything blatantly obvious, or annoying, you'd be ok.

Cameron

 

[NathanJax]

^^^ nicely put ^^^

 

[Gzes]

I would buy the cheapest tails that are dot legal and get some cheap halogens and get inspected and keep for inspection purposes. Nobody cares here about hids just headlight or tail light tint

 

[RynoHarris]

I would buy the cheapest tails that are dot legal and get some cheap halogens and get inspected and keep for inspection purposes. Nobody cares here about hids just headlight or tail light tint

+1 I don't have hids but its not hard to unplug em and plug in some cheapo headlights to get inspected. You can get tail lights at oreily or auto zone for like 15 a light I believe. Tinted lights are hard to pass anywhere with here in texas. That's why I tinted mine just enough to make them a deep red but kept my old taillights in case I couldn't pass still. Best advice is make friends with an inspector. They come in handy once a year...lol

Sent from my HTC One X

 

[Gzes]

my inspector could care less. hell i can trailer a car in with nothing and pass

 

[RynoHarris]

Yeah its great. As long as my horn, wipers, and seatbelts work I'm always set lol.

Sent from my HTC One X

 

[Grimes]

Thanks for the input guys. Went to a 3rd place and passed without question. I have driven alongside and against multiple police cruisers in day and at night without trouble, and have never had the issue of someone flashing their lights for me to turn off what they may think are my highs. Its not the stock housing, but its not projector. Will have pics up tomorrow and will link for reference.

Just glad I passed without having to swap anything. Its doable, sure, but still time consuming.

 

[RynoHarris]

Congrats man glad you got it done!

Sent from my HTC One X

 

[Grimes]

Congrats man glad you got it done!

Sent from my HTC One X

It is just funny how it is a system where the result varies depending on where you go, because a lot of DPS functions are still "hand approved". Its all about the person behind the desk.

Happy Thanksgiving!

For mention, here are the tails and headlight housings of question: