Like the other person said, I'd get a 2nd opinion on getting it fixed. - For more news, reviews and Top Tens, visit https://www.honestjohn.co.uk Where more than one brake light is required under ORS 816.320 (Lighting equipment required for motor vehicles) and 816.330 (Operation without required lighting equipment) at least one brake light shall be placed on each side of the rear. and whoever told you it would cost 200 dollars to fix sounds like they are trying to over charge you unless there's more problems with the light then just the bulb. also is it illegal to drive with the brake light in question not working and run the risk of getting stopped by the police? Legal requirements of a third brake light. i don't think cops KNOW enough to pull my car and not a 1983 528e w/o a 3rd light. So technically, only solid-on third brake lights are legal still. You can sign in to vote the answer. The brake light in your rear window is required to be functional so it sounds like the stop was valid. Are you able to get Arrested for stunt driving ? I had considered a stalk version, as I have a spare wheel, but I think it would look a little odd with the hood down, but once I will mock a model up and take a look. The third brake light is normally centered and placed higher than the two typical brake lights below that flank the vehicle. Get your answers by asking now. Good luck to you!! The officer told me he pulled me over for a brake light being out and not using a turn signal. There are just too many impaired people driving around while drunk, stoned, high on various drugs, texting, not paying attention, etc. Mine has stopped working and I cannot find out why. French law says you need either 2 or 3 working brake lights visible from 150m (code de la route R313-7).On that basis I think the OP would be ok with the third … This new brake light law will become effective on October 15 th, 2015. It is a fairly minor defect as long as your other brake lights are working, but it is a reason for a police officer to stop you. Is is against the law to drive with your 3rd brake light out? Police in Maryland can stop and interrogate a driver if he is driving a car with a burned out third brake light. Whatever you choose, ensure it's E-Marked, Edited by Who me ? It is an important element in keeping the drivers alert. Under Ontario laws, drivers are required to have a 3rd brake light. I was told it was a fix it ticket and I should wait until a cop pulls me over befoe I spend $200 to fix it. A specific licence plate light (white only) … Legally, this is called the Center High Mount Stop Lamp, CHMSL for short, but informally called center brake lamp, high-level or eye-level brake lamp, cyclops brake light, or safety brake lamp. The friend was pulled over and cited because the brake ligh… § 46.2-1014. That being said, I do use one that blinks once. Do you have an a problem with your wiring? it all depends on where you are some state vehilce codes say that all operatinig lights of a vehicle must function others dont which mean that in some states and counties you may be pulled over for your third brake light out although most of the time a cop wont pull you over for the third brake light out unless he is just looking for a reason to pull you over, what type of car do you have that its 200 dollars to fix the third brake light ? In other words the fact that the bulb is glowing white and not red makes it an offence. Anyone know if cops usually look for this as a reason to pull you over? ? ? Is this probable cause to pull you over? When the riots start in Kenosha, Wisconsin tonight will the mayor say "allow them to work off their frustrations", or will the police? I have since put a "TUSCANI" sticker over the spoiler brake light. Since 1986, America has made it compulsory for cars to have a central brake lamp or third brake light located higher than the left and right brake lights. It is legal to have only one taillight, but if your vehicle was originally manufactured and sold with two taillights, both must be in good working order when you drive … on Thursday 1st March 14:47. They cannot search it without your permission unless the have probable cause. If as you say this "gentleman" is posing as a private seller to offload dangerous cars as a business then you may be in luck, as the rules are different. Is it illegal to drive with a brake light out? As I drive a Seven, the fitting of a third brake light is very tempting from a visibility point of view. For example, the Code of Maryland Regulations Section 11.14.02.10 has required state inspectors to fail safety checks on vehicles without a functioning third brake light … That said, being pulled over for a tail light out is uncommon. The Importance of Third Brake Lights. If your vehicle is equipped with a third brake light (mandatory for vehicles made after 1986), it must work. 1. is it legal to drive a 1993 w/o a thrid brake light in california?i've seen so many 83 and early models w/o a 3rd light. I have a Cadillac dts 2011, with 55 thousand miles, and the third brake light is an LED strip on the trunk lid and a few of the led bulbs are burned .out. The other person's insurance may refuse to pay the damages since the 3rd light is required. So jail is just free AC, cable, food, bed, laundry, microwave, dental, some of it costing money ? I have read somewhere that if it is fitted it must work. There is no requirement to have one, so I doubt there is any regulation of aftermarket lights. Can I bail someone if there sent to jail? It is illegal. I don't know how they fasten, but the Landrover Freelander used to have one that sort of stood up on a stork from behind the rear mounted spare wheel. Legal requirements of a third brake light. Low brake fluid or worn brake pads are other reasons your Brake Warning Light may come on. If your vehicle has something wrong with it, for example a broken brake light, the police may give you a ‘vehicle defect rectification notice’. Depends on the state laws here in the Old Dominion (Va) if the item(3rd Break lite) is on the car it has to work or they can pull you over and cite you or fail your vehicle when get inspected. Why are American policemen such goofballs? The part is sealed and comes as one part, and cost $298.33 plus tax, and installation....would you call this a design scam? Adding this third light captures the line of sight of the drivers following the car, as opposed to the use of just two lights, making the braking reaction faster. Maryland: Court Upholds Traffic Stop Over Third Brake Light Second highest court in Maryland holds driving without a third brake light is inherently unsafe. Emitting no light. Anyways, depends on the state laws. Anyone know if cops usually look for this as a reason to pull you over? Only problem I don't want a cop pulling me over for something like that. It is a fairly minor defect as long as your other brake lights are working, but it is a reason for a police officer to stop you. My car is a regular sized 2007 SUV. I was pulled over for a right brake light being out. In CALIFORNIA, is it illegal to have that third brake light out? Pro-Trump protesters clash with D.C. police, Warnock wins runoff as Dems inch closer to taking Senate, Rapper Dr. Dre hospitalized after brain aneurysm, Ravens QB asks Trump for help with commutation, GOP refusal to seat state senator sparks chaos, Duff claims COVID-19 tests gave her an eye infection, How Biden's Electoral College victory will play out, Woman clings to speeding car in bid to stop dog theft, Some find stimulus money sent to wrong accounts, Source: Kim is preparing to divorce Kanye West. If a person who has been drinking is stopped for failing to have two working brake lamps, the stop can quickly turn into a DWI investigation. I want to know if this is legal. They need no reason to ASK if they can search your car anytime. Just needed a slight Deremel to fit the bar profile. You cannot drive your car at night in Wisconsin unless the headlights and taillights are on, unless it is being towed and visible for a distance of 500 feet. Ring clamp around the tube (think posh jubilee clip). Driving without an MOT; Difficulty changing brake light bulbs. Q: Danielle Lee, a Riverside resident, e-mailed to ask about a ticket for an inoperable third brake light.Lee loaned her car to a friend. Also- if you happen to get rear-ended and the light wasn't working, there's a chance you could be held at partially at fault since you knew about the problem and did not get it fixed- it's contributory neglience. Is the think broken? If your vehicle is equipped with a third brake light (mandatory for vehicles made after 1986), it must work. How do you think about the answers? I have a tib with a brake light in the window. They would have to be behind you when you used your brakes to even notice. I was told it was a fix it ticket and I should wait until a cop pulls me over befoe I spend $200 to fix it. Even if it was legal to drive without a 3rd brake light, I'd still want one. The light does not tell you which brake it is, just that one of them is going bad. The other 2 lower brake lights were in good condition as they normally are. It is an offence to show a light other than a red light to the rear. There are regs, specified in the current IVA manual, although they're pretty open: Thanks all. It may be a $3 bulb that needs replacing. Texas third brake light 04-14-2016, 11:00 AM I know in and of itself Texas only requires two brake lights but years ago on here I saw a Trooper (I believe) reference another statue in the the Transportation Code that basically says that a vehicle must have, in working condition equipment as required per the Federal Govt. Hi, my UPS package was just stolen yesterday, Should I alert the town sheriff or go over to my local Postal services to track the UI Number? hi all, i have a 2008 vectra, the 3rd brake light (the strip of leds brake light on the boot) does not work, my main brake lights work though, what i would like to know is, would it fail the MOT because of this? Join Yahoo Answers and get 100 points today. Because if the bulb is just out, it should be a $10 fix it job. Only problem I don't want a cop pulling me over for something like that. and it is well proven that a higher-mounted 3rd brake light is more likely to be noticed and get their attention more quickly. In North America, since 1986, all vehicles feature a third brake light. What do you mean $200 to replace a light bulb? It's an additional light and not one of the two that are legally required. (2) Brake lights shall be constructed and located on a vehicle so as to give a signal of intention to stop. One of my brake lights has gone out on my car and I was wondering if I'd be ok to carry on driving it until I have a chance to buy a new bulb? I'm tempted to do this, but the idea of having a wire running up the rollbar is putting me off. Every motor vehicle, trailer, or semitrailer, except an antique vehicle not originally equipped with a brake light, registered in the Commonwealth and operated on the highways in the Commonwealth shall be equipped with at least two brake lights of a type approved by the Superintendent. In other cases, the brake pads may need to be completely replaced, which a certified mechanic can do for you. Further to this, headlights must be capable of operating in both a high and low beam capacity. For the best answers, search on this site https://shorturl.im/T7CUl. A mechanic can inspect your brakes and find out which one is going bad and replace it for you. © 2021 Pistonheads Holdco Limited, All Rights Reserved. For the turn signal I recall using my turn signal but the street I was driving on ran out and turned into another street so I was still driving in a direct line. Is the high level braking light part of the MoT test? Motorcycles require only one white or amber light to the front and one red to the rear. The top third brake light was completely out. I have one of these mounted under the top bar my Westfield, makes a neat instal, can be seen through window of half hood. The U.S. allowed Mercedes to test a number of brake light options a few years ago, but AFAIK none were put into use because tests showed they had no measurable effect. And, as Howard pointed out, having one brake light out did not break the law. Unless the officer is looking for an reason to stop you, it would be unusual to bother with a burnt out brake light. but a cop can still use that as a reason to pull you over. Further, when the law takes issue with flashing lights it doesn't mention the third central high mounted light. (Effective until March 1, 2021) Brake lights. Unfortunatly you seem to have been screwed over, but there is a glimmer of hope, if you are in the UK. I've never heard of anyone getting a ticket for having one. It should be less than $5. Is it legal to not have my third brake light working on my canopy? An addition to the traditional left and right brake lights, the third brake light is no third wheel. It becomes more common when their are other factors or infractions involved. This is probably a pretty stupid question and I'm fairly certain it's not legal but I thought I'd check anyway. They can perform a Terry frisk if they have reason to believe you may be a threat to the officer. As long as the actual light source itself shines through a red lense the "clear style" are legal but if the entire lense etc is clear you can write an unbeatable ticket and perhaps if driver is indignant call a tow truck because it is a safety h***ard to others. Still have questions? it is not against the law to have that light out. If I remove it completely as long as the other brake lights are working will I get away with this? Most of my friends, whom I asked about this, indicated that if the vehicle did not come from the factory with a third brake light you do not have to have one in operation even if your canopy does have a place for one. for safety. In some cases, the legislation is long standing. I also have a brake light in my high spoiler. It is an offence for them to be missing either. ... the fitting of a third brake light is very tempting from a visibility point of view. Why don’t people obey police commands ? Some places you just need 1 brake light to working, some you need 2, others every light put on your car at the factory needs to work. It also means the cop can breathalyse you if he suspects you have had a drink after stopping you. Some states require all motor vehicles to be equipped with a third brake light. $200? After this date, it shall be illegal to drive without two brake lights on the vehicle. In certain modern cars, brake light bulbs can be difficult to change with a new bulb. Yes. Contact your local CAB, there is ruling which states that if someone sells more than 5 vehicles within 12 calendar months then they are classed as a dealer and not a private individual. Sometimes the fluid level in your brake is low, which means it needs to be replaced or fluid needs to be added. It is illegal. Gassing Station | Speed, Plod & the Law | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff. Can I walk into any police station and ask for a print of my mug shot from years ago. 2. how much work would be needed to install a stock 3rd light … This is especially noticeable in modern compact cars where everything ‘unnecessary’ such as brake light housing is crammed out of the way into tiny spaces to make way for luggage space. Thirdly we are talking about not a break light but a third center high mounted light. So I can't really answer it without too much more information. Specified in the window of them is going bad vehicles to be functional it... Jubilee clip ) light is more likely to be added the friend pulled... Is a glimmer of hope, if you are in the window and! Law to drive without a 3rd light told is it legal to drive without a third brake light he pulled me over for something like....... the fitting of a third brake light from years ago tell you which it... Pulled over for a print of my mug shot from years ago still want one their more! 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