This type is found mostly in older vehicles and will be relatively easy to replace with only a screwdriver. You're lucky the police officer just issued a warning. Every motor vehicle shall be equipped with at least two tail lamps, unless vehicle was manufactured prior to 1960, in which case your vehicle is required to be equipped with one (1) tail lamp mounted on the rear which, when illuminated, shall emit a red light plainly visible from a distance of 1,000 feet to the rear. That said, being pulled over for a tail light out is uncommon. Headlight Covers, etc. 20-129(g), G.S. The court concluded that G.S. My driver's side brake light works, but the lens cover is damaged and is completely covered with red tape. Outside observation ( I’m not in law enforcement…but I have matched the description more times than I care to remember): It depends upon: 1. Broken tail light overview. These days, it’s pretty rare to see a car with a broken headlight. Fortunately, it should be easy to access it since the cover is broken. 4513.05 Tail lights and illumination of rear license plate. Not only is this dangerous, it's also illegal and could result in a non-endorsable Fixed Penalty Notice, which is a £50 fine but no penalty points. Thank You. The biggest problem with a broken taillight lens is that you generally blast the people behind you with blinding WHITE light. When you are driving - This type of damage won’t be easily visible in the daytime. Broken Tail Lights are Dangerous and Illegal. It's illegal to drive with a broken taillight bulb, so you will need to replace this before you go back on the road. Often, a broken light cover and minor body damage also results in a broken bulb. I've seen people cover their broken headlight with tape, and it makes me cringe. As for nighttime driving even if just a few miles..1 or 2 is it illegal to do that? Quite frankly, I don't believe him. It's best to go to a car repair shop to get it fixed, or in your situation, wait for the replacement. I only have one car and am getting the cover shipped so I can replace it. Answer Save. To make sure that you are familiar with all of the windshield laws in your state, check out our state-by-state guide. During the repair, the tail light guard or cover will be removed, usually by the multiple screws on the back of the unit. I don't know whether it's enough to get pulled over but I don't want to take a chance. All motor vehicles in Texas are required to have two working headlights that are white in color. Other States may not be that harsh. Replace a turn-signal cover that is mounted in a bumper, grill or leading edge of a fender using it as a clearance light. 20-138.3 (a statute governing the scope of safety inspections). The Heien court then proceeded to analyze whether the malfunctioning of a single brake light when a functioning brake light is present is a violation of G.S. Windows. I was just pulled over in Texas after having driven like this for about a year. They Pelted Us With Rocks And Garbage. Ray, I’ve seen motorists who opt to put the red tape on their tail lamps instead of replacing the broken lamp, and in my opinion, YES, you can be stopped and cited for the defective tail lamp. Can you drive with one headlight out in New South Wales? ... Until you can fix it, car parts stores sell red tape designed to cover … 20-129(d), or G.S. This question is really subjective to where you live. Even if the bulbs work? Often, a broken light cover and minor body damage also results in a broken bulb. Relevance. Other countries may not even … If the failure of a tail light is because of a blown bulb, an acceptable defence is that the bulb blew during the current journey provided you replace the bulb once made aware of its failure, using a spare bulb that you keep with the vehicle. I was recently cited for a broken taillight- Code 24252(a). I've seen a chap on my road cover a break with gaffer tape but I'm not sure about this. Being the nice guy that I am, I accepted his minimal compensation to resolve the matter. Later that evening, as you stand in your drive staring at your dinged-up car, adult beverage in hand and mind reeling, you begin to weigh your options. Here are 5 other common car defects that could result in a ticket. The police officer told me it was illegal to drive with the red tape. My dad is convinced its unroadworthy, telling me the police are going to pull me over and fine me and that i need to replace it ASAP – except that I … It's illegal to drive with a broken taillight bulb, so you will need to replace this before you go back on the road. Yes. In Victoria, driving at night with headlights off is a $211 fine and 1 demerit point – and it’s the same fine for having a tail-light or number-plate light out. This not only helps ensure that you drive in safe vehicle conditions, but it can keep you from getting a pricey fix-it ticket. The light works just fine in both main and low beam, theres just no glass there. Broken Tail Light cover. I am … Close • Posted by just now. I'll sound like an old geezer here, but I actually remember that the state police in PA had to remove the clear plastic headlight covers that came from the factory on the 1980 and 1981 Dodge St. Regis sedans that they used as cruisers back then. Auto parts stores sell red tinted tape that you can put on broken lenses. Broken Tail Light cover. Yes, police can legally pull you over and issue a ticket for having a broken tail light. Driving with a broken tail light, headlamp, or lens is not only dangerous for yourself and other drivers but also illegal and highly likely that you will be pulled over. Is it illegal to drive with a broken tail light cover? I told him that I was not aware of this. Tail Lamp. I need my car to go back to school tomorrow. The tail light replacement will include the bulb and may also include the tail lamp assembly if needed. Fortunately, it should be easy to access it since the cover is broken. That might help in a pinch, or until you get a replacement from a used parts/auto salvage yard. Legally, the light must show red when you're driving. Welcome to Motor Vehicle Maintenance & Repair! Begin by checking all the lights that are encased within the taillight. If there is a broken lens and white light shows when it is on, you'll be stopped and given a warning Moderator cut: Off Topic You can temporarily put red plastic over it and tape it in place, but eventually you"ll have to find a … If you drive at a speed faster than the limit on a particular road, you’re breaking the law. But there are other driving offences you didn’t know were illegal - some of us may regularly commit them without even realising. Is it okay to drive with white light instead of red until we get the new one replacement? The bulb/actual light hasn't been affected (yet). Is it illegal to drive with broken tail light? If you make a turn without signaling, that's instant reason for a cop to pull you over. this is a common traffic law in all states related to equipment and accessories on cars. The tape can melt and end up being useless after just a few hours. It is illegal but it would be an accepted defence that it just happened during the current journey. Of course, common sense says not to drive it during the night(or when it's too dark) so I'm assuming that it would be illegal. Rear Reflector I was rear-ended by an uninsured motorist 6yrs ago. The wording on the citation will be either "no tail light" or "broken tail light." That said, headlights … The example of the day is broken tail lights. It's also important that your headlights aren't obscured by a cover or grill. 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