Is it illegal to drive with a broken tail light cover? 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 is a common traffic law in all states related to equipment and accessories on cars. The light itself is fine and still works. Quite frankly, I don't believe him. It's also important that your headlights aren't obscured by a cover or grill. 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. You should not drive until you can get your missing light fixed. The light works just fine in both main and low beam, theres just no glass there. It is illegal but it would be an accepted defence that it just happened during the current journey. We have not replaced the Tail light assembly that was broken since the wreck yet. Most newer cars have sensors that alert the owner when a replacement is needed, and modern automotive headlights are made of virtually indestructible plastic. Broken tail light overview. 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. That might help in a pinch, or until you get a replacement from a used parts/auto salvage yard. If you drive at a speed faster than the limit on a particular road, you’re breaking the law. 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? “In many states, it is illegal to have broken tail light enclosures,” says Pinsker. The wording on the citation will be either "no tail light" or "broken tail light." Add this one to broken tail light and broken brake light. Rear Reflector All motor vehicles in Texas are required to have two working headlights that are white in color. 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 … Headlight and Tail Light Colors. Here are 5 other common car defects that could result in a ticket. 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 … Imagine how much trouble you will get involve with when driving with a broken tail light at night. Often, a broken light cover and minor body damage also results in a broken bulb. Tail Lamp. They Pelted Us With Rocks And Garbage. To make sure that you are familiar with all of the windshield laws in your state, check out our state-by-state guide. The court concluded that G.S. 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. 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. 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. Begin by checking all the lights that are encased within the taillight. That said, being pulled over for a tail light out is uncommon. In Virginia (in the States) where I live, if you have a crack in the tail light, you have to replace it. Being the nice guy that I am, I accepted his minimal compensation to resolve the matter. Broken Turn Signal. I was recently cited for a broken taillight- Code 24252(a). 5 Answers. Whatever the time of day, if you can’t see out of your windscreen, your headlights aren’t going to help you much. It clipped my right tail light and about a two inch piece of the plastic cover broke off. I've seen a chap on my road cover a break with gaffer tape but I'm not sure about this. 4513.05 Tail lights and illumination of rear license plate. Is it okay to drive with white light instead of red until we get the new one replacement? I told him that I was not aware of this. Welcome to Motor Vehicle Maintenance & Repair! I only have one car and am getting the cover shipped so I can replace it. When you are driving - This type of damage won’t be easily visible in the daytime. The example of the day is broken tail lights. That said, headlights … The issue is, that in many cases, the bulb shines through brighter than intended and can provide a traffic hazard to persons following behind. Hi all; I have a small circular piece missing from my tail light (Suzuki Swift). Further to my Road Rage Psyho Incident, I'm wondering if I can legally drive my car with the headlight glass broken? I am … Other States may not be that harsh. As for nighttime driving even if just a few miles..1 or 2 is it illegal to do that? 20-129(d), or G.S. 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. Can you drive with one headlight out in New South Wales? 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. ... Until you can fix it, car parts stores sell red tape designed to cover … A broken tail light isn't the only thing that can get you 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. This not only helps ensure that you drive in safe vehicle conditions, but it can keep you from getting a pricey fix-it ticket. Yes, it is illegal to have cracked lenses on your car. If you cross a solid white line to overtake another car, you’re committing an offence. This question is really subjective to where you live. This type is found mostly in older vehicles and will be relatively easy to replace with only a screwdriver. During the repair, the tail light guard or cover will be removed, usually by the multiple screws on the back of the unit. 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. Windows. No. If you make a turn without signaling, that's instant reason for a cop to pull you over. Often, a broken light cover and minor body damage also results in a broken bulb. Truth be told, the car is OLD and not worth fixing the bumper/body/paint damages. 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. Broken Tail Light cover. The tape can melt and end up being useless after just a few hours. You're lucky the police officer just issued a warning. Even if the bulbs work? 20-129(g), G.S. Answer Save. Is it illegal to drive with broken tail light? Close • Posted by just now. Headlight Covers, etc. The biggest problem with a broken taillight lens is that you generally blast the people behind you with blinding WHITE light. It's best to go to a car repair shop to get it fixed, or in your situation, wait for the replacement. It's illegal to drive with a broken taillight bulb, so you will need to replace this before you go back on the road. It becomes more common when their are other factors or infractions involved. Bulbs must have a "DOT" or appropriate SAE stamp on them. Yes, police can legally pull you over and issue a ticket for having a broken tail light. Fortunately, it should be easy to access it since the cover is broken. 20-138.3 (a statute governing the scope of safety inspections). These days, it’s pretty rare to see a car with a broken headlight. Relevance. 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. Locate the turn-signal cover and the screws that are holding it in place. 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. My driver's side brake light works, but the lens cover is damaged and is completely covered with red tape. The police officer told me it was illegal to drive with the red tape. Yes. I was rear-ended by an uninsured motorist 6yrs ago. I was just pulled over in Texas after having driven like this for about a year. Other countries may not even … Broken Tail Lights are Dangerous and Illegal. But there are other driving offences you didn’t know were illegal - some of us may regularly commit them without even realising. Imagine that your rear brake light is cracked, and when you brake it emits a “white light” thru the cracks. Auto parts stores sell red tinted tape that you can put on broken lenses. Thank You. Legally, the light must show red when you're driving. 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. Broken Tail Light cover. The tail light replacement will include the bulb and may also include the tail lamp assembly if needed. I need my car to go back to school tomorrow. Replace a turn-signal cover that is mounted in a bumper, grill or leading edge of a fender using it as a clearance light. I don't know whether it's enough to get pulled over but I don't want to take a chance. The bulb/actual light hasn't been affected (yet). I've seen people cover their broken headlight with tape, and it makes me cringe. Fortunately, it should be easy to access it since the cover is broken. It's illegal to drive with a broken taillight bulb, so you will need to replace this before you go back on the road. 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