20-138.3 (a statute governing the scope of safety inspections). Broken Tail Light cover. Yes. Imagine how much trouble you will get involve with when driving with a broken tail light at night. Answer Save. The biggest problem with a broken taillight lens is that you generally blast the people behind you with blinding WHITE light. Whatever the time of day, if you can’t see out of your windscreen, your headlights aren’t going to help you much. I was just pulled over in Texas after having driven like this for about a year. It is illegal but it would be an accepted defence that it just happened during the current journey. 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. 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. 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. Add this one to broken tail light and broken brake light. 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 … All motor vehicles in Texas are required to have two working headlights that are white in color. Often, a broken light cover and minor body damage also results in a broken bulb. I've seen a chap on my road cover a break with gaffer tape but I'm not sure about this. I've seen people cover their broken headlight with tape, and it makes me cringe. But there are other driving offences you didn’t know were illegal - some of us may regularly commit them without even realising. Even if the bulbs work? 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. You should not drive until you can get your missing light fixed. Begin by checking all the lights that are encased within the taillight. Windows. The light itself is fine and still works. Is it illegal to drive with broken tail light? Legally, the light must show red when you're driving. No. 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. 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. It's also important that your headlights aren't obscured by a cover or grill. 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 … Thank You. Does this broken tail light, emitting white light, allow an officer to pull you over, just to give you a warning about the faulty equipment? Most newer cars have sensors that alert the owner when a replacement is needed, and modern automotive headlights are made of virtually indestructible plastic. The tape can melt and end up being useless after just a few hours. this is a common traffic law in all states related to equipment and accessories on cars. My driver's side brake light works, but the lens cover is damaged and is completely covered with red tape. The light works just fine in both main and low beam, theres just no glass there. 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. This question is really subjective to where you live. This not only helps ensure that you drive in safe vehicle conditions, but it can keep you from getting a pricey fix-it ticket. Being the nice guy that I am, I accepted his minimal compensation to resolve the matter. The police officer told me it was illegal to drive with the red tape. It's best to go to a car repair shop to get it fixed, or in your situation, wait for the replacement. Often, a broken light cover and minor body damage also results in a broken bulb. Close • Posted by just now. It becomes more common when their are other factors or infractions involved. Locate the turn-signal cover and the screws that are holding it in place. If you cross a solid white line to overtake another car, you’re committing an offence. Replace a turn-signal cover that is mounted in a bumper, grill or leading edge of a fender using it as a clearance light. 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. 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. Welcome to Motor Vehicle Maintenance & Repair! I am … In Virginia (in the States) where I live, if you have a crack in the tail light, you have to replace it. To make sure that you are familiar with all of the windshield laws in your state, check out our state-by-state guide. We have not replaced the Tail light assembly that was broken since the wreck yet. Other countries may not even … Whether you are a road trip junkie or an occasional traveler, driving your car around town with a broken tail light is dangerous as well as illegal in all the states of America. It's illegal to drive with a broken taillight bulb, so you will need to replace this before you go back on the road. Truth be told, the car is OLD and not worth fixing the bumper/body/paint damages. I don't know whether it's enough to get pulled over but I don't want to take a chance. It's illegal to drive with a broken taillight bulb, so you will need to replace this before you go back on the road. I told him that I was not aware of this. A broken tail light isn't the only thing that can get you pulled over. As for nighttime driving even if just a few miles..1 or 2 is it illegal to do that? Is it okay to drive with white light instead of red until we get the new one replacement? 20-129(d), or G.S. My driver's side headlight is broken so I was wondering if I can still legally drive it during the day without getting a ticket. That said, being pulled over for a tail light out is uncommon. 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. During the repair, the tail light guard or cover will be removed, usually by the multiple screws on the back of the unit. Bulbs must have a "DOT" or appropriate SAE stamp on them. Rear Reflector Relevance. Quite frankly, I don't believe him. Broken tail light overview. While the NSW Roads & Maritime Services fact sheet on driving offences doesn’t name driving with a defective headlight as a specific offence, more ambiguous offences like driving a vehicle that doesn’t comply to state standards could be applied to a broken headlight and cost you $110. Tape, and it makes me cringe should be easy to access it since the yet! 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