1. Welcome to Tacoma World!

    You are currently viewing as a guest! To get full-access, you need to register for a FREE account.

    As a registered member, you’ll be able to:
    • Participate in all Tacoma discussion topics
    • Communicate privately with other Tacoma owners from around the world
    • Post your own photos in our Members Gallery
    • Access all special features of the site

IS it illegal to pant tail lights in California?

Discussion in '2nd Gen. Tacomas (2005-2015)' started by hoodratstormtroop, Nov 18, 2010.

  1. Nov 18, 2010 at 6:59 PM
    #1
    hoodratstormtroop

    hoodratstormtroop [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Oct 31, 2010
    Member:
    #45487
    Messages:
    119
    Gender:
    Male
    santa cruz
    Vehicle:
    2006 4x4 tacoma TRD debadged
    GPS/dvd player in dash, tires, rims, window tint, tail lights, and sub.
    I was wondering If i could paint my tail lights black in CA without getting ticket
     
  2. Nov 18, 2010 at 7:01 PM
    #2
    macgyver

    macgyver Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Aug 14, 2009
    Member:
    #21173
    Messages:
    3,577
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Brad
    Canton, GA
    Vehicle:
    '13 Tundra double cab SR5 4x4
    I'm pretty sure everything is illegal in california.
     
  3. Nov 18, 2010 at 7:03 PM
    #3
    Special_K

    Special_K o_o

    Joined:
    Jul 7, 2010
    Member:
    #39920
    Messages:
    3,407
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Eddie
    Alexandria, VA
    Vehicle:
    2019 Tacoma Cav Blue
    My tail lights and 3rd brake light are tinted. No issues.
     
  4. Nov 18, 2010 at 7:06 PM
    #4
    The_Hodge

    The_Hodge Volunteer Moderator

    Joined:
    Apr 27, 2007
    Member:
    #1432
    Messages:
    31,629
    Gender:
    Male
    SC
    Vehicle:
    15 Lariat Sport 5.0L
    Seeing the third gen section forced me to get a Ford...
    depends on how dark and how much of an ass you are to the cop when he pulls you over for it
     
  5. Nov 18, 2010 at 7:09 PM
    #5
    hoodratstormtroop

    hoodratstormtroop [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Oct 31, 2010
    Member:
    #45487
    Messages:
    119
    Gender:
    Male
    santa cruz
    Vehicle:
    2006 4x4 tacoma TRD debadged
    GPS/dvd player in dash, tires, rims, window tint, tail lights, and sub.
    did u spray paint them or did u get them done professionally?
     
  6. Nov 18, 2010 at 7:11 PM
    #6
    The_Hodge

    The_Hodge Volunteer Moderator

    Joined:
    Apr 27, 2007
    Member:
    #1432
    Messages:
    31,629
    Gender:
    Male
    SC
    Vehicle:
    15 Lariat Sport 5.0L
    Seeing the third gen section forced me to get a Ford...
  7. Nov 18, 2010 at 7:12 PM
    #7
    Blue

    Blue You're my boy blue

    Joined:
    Mar 14, 2010
    Member:
    #33255
    Messages:
    2,999
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Dylan
    Sierras
    Vehicle:
    ex 99 current 04 TRD
    pretty much
     
  8. Nov 18, 2010 at 7:13 PM
    #8
    jr114

    jr114 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Nov 18, 2009
    Member:
    #26147
    Messages:
    1,182
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Jon
    SoCal
    Vehicle:
    Truck
    Icon Ext travel CO, Icon tubular uniball UCAs, Maxtrac Spindles, Icon RR rear w 2"aal.
    yup..just depends on how the cops are feeling the day they come across you
     
  9. Nov 18, 2010 at 7:53 PM
    #9
    DevL

    DevL Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Feb 23, 2010
    Member:
    #31952
    Messages:
    1,914
    Gender:
    Male
    Tinted tails are illegal in all 50 states. Its about the same as HID plug and play kits. Illegl everywhere but rarely enforced. We have better things to do... unless we are working traffic for overtime, then I will write that ticket every time.
     
  10. Nov 18, 2010 at 7:54 PM
    #10
    MJonaGS32

    MJonaGS32 MJ on a GS

    Joined:
    Apr 14, 2009
    Member:
    #15949
    Messages:
    12,399
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    MJ
    SF Bay Area (East)
    Vehicle:
    07 LT 4x4 DCSB 6spd Vagabond
    Drifter wedge camper, Dual battery, OBA, ARB locker, 4.56 gears
  11. Nov 18, 2010 at 7:55 PM
    #11
    t-frax

    t-frax Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jun 3, 2008
    Member:
    #7091
    Messages:
    487
    Gender:
    Male
    Cali
    Vehicle:
    08 PreRUNNER TRD Sports Pkg, Black
    Pop&Lock, Bakflip, spare tire lock, folding hitch step, alarm, n-fab steps, more to come hopefully
    this day and age....California needs revenue so you will be pulled over and fined.
     
  12. Nov 18, 2010 at 7:56 PM
    #12
    rcfreak201

    rcfreak201 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jul 24, 2010
    Member:
    #40660
    Messages:
    6,065
    Gender:
    Male
    yeah its illegal, but i just got pulled over yesterday for speeding and i recieved a ticket for that and i have my front windows illegally tinted as well as my all three brake lights and they brake lights are pretty dark, the red housing or whatever is bearly visible and the cop clearly noticed both tints but didnt write me up for it. so its illegal but it depends on how big of a dousche the cop is to you! if anything i believe you just recieve a removal ticket? but im not sure about the consequences of getting caught, ide like to know tho :)
     
  13. Nov 18, 2010 at 7:59 PM
    #13
    BakoTruck

    BakoTruck Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    May 1, 2009
    Member:
    #16674
    Messages:
    2,850
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Matthew
    Bakersfield, CA
    Vehicle:
    05 PreRunner TRD
  14. Nov 18, 2010 at 8:41 PM
    #14
    907taco

    907taco Alaskan Assassin

    Joined:
    Mar 27, 2010
    Member:
    #34091
    Messages:
    1,358
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Bobby
    Alaska
    Vehicle:
    2010 BlackSandPearl 4x4
    ultimate lift kit ( toytec ) ome dakar leaf pack , w/ extended length billies, LR uca's, Pro comp 7089s, KM2's 285 70 17, neoprene seat covers, weather techs, CBI sliders w/kickout, URD ss, cab mount chop, VHT night shade tint>tails,3rd B-light. Debadged. Grillecraft grille, rear diff breather mod. CBI Moab front bumper, warn M8000 winch, HID kragens 7", Hella's micro fogs. retrofit headlights HIDS, LED solutions maps/license! 886 back up light mod,
    i had some on my last truck, up here you are gonna get pulled over for tint more than anything else, i never had a problem with tint on my tails, oh yea CALIFORNIA > I once got pulled over for going to slow on I-5
     
  15. Nov 18, 2010 at 8:47 PM
    #15
    DeeKay21

    DeeKay21 Lieutenant Dan.

    Joined:
    Nov 11, 2008
    Member:
    #10651
    Messages:
    14,152
    Gender:
    Male
    Nevada/Utah
    Vehicle:
    06' TRD Sport 4x4
    X2!!!:eek:
     
  16. Nov 22, 2010 at 10:21 PM
    #16
    TacoMal

    TacoMal Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Nov 20, 2010
    Member:
    #46470
    Messages:
    221
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Chris
    California
    Vehicle:
    09 TRD Off Road Dbl cab
    Wet Okole's, Relentless Sliders, Plasti Dipped badges and wheels
    It IS illegal in California. You could paint them and get pulled over and cited for them the minute you pull out of your driveway or you may never get stopped or cited for it. It really just depends. You can drive down the street and see a dozen vehicle code violations every block. It's just the luck of the draw. You will NOT get your truck taken from you by the CHP, local cops or sheriff if you "talk back" to them...where do people come up with this stuff?!

    It is an equipment violation. The worst that would happen is you would receive a "fix-it" ticket. You will have a certain amount of time to remove the paint, show it to an officer, have the ticket signed off and pay a processing fee for the courts. Same thing for just about any other equipment modification. Window tint, mud flaps etc.
     
  17. Nov 22, 2010 at 10:23 PM
    #17
    Unknown

    Unknown He who angers you conquers you

    Joined:
    Apr 18, 2010
    Member:
    #35554
    Messages:
    8,084
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Brian
    Los Angeles
    Vehicle:
    Unknown
    Unknown
    If i rear end you(no homo) im sueing you! cause i couldnt see your lights!
     
  18. Nov 22, 2010 at 10:25 PM
    #18
    TacoMal

    TacoMal Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Nov 20, 2010
    Member:
    #46470
    Messages:
    221
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Chris
    California
    Vehicle:
    09 TRD Off Road Dbl cab
    Wet Okole's, Relentless Sliders, Plasti Dipped badges and wheels
    That's actually a really good point! 99% of the time the person who rear ends the other driver is at fault. If they are smart or their insurance adjuster points it out you could be seen at fault for at least part of the collision
     
  19. Nov 22, 2010 at 10:31 PM
    #19
    Unknown

    Unknown He who angers you conquers you

    Joined:
    Apr 18, 2010
    Member:
    #35554
    Messages:
    8,084
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Brian
    Los Angeles
    Vehicle:
    Unknown
    Unknown

    yup, take a picture of the tails that day of the accident and show it in court,
     
  20. Nov 22, 2010 at 10:34 PM
    #20
    JLee

    JLee The Man! Vendor

    Joined:
    Jul 20, 2010
    Member:
    #40461
    Messages:
    19,557
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Jerry
    Benicia, CA
    Vehicle:
    02 Extra cab SAS Linked front and rear
    I lost track thousands of dollars ago.
    Also if you tint your tails and are rear ended and they point that out in the report your insurance will not cover it and you will by liable to repair the other vehicle as well as yours.
     

Products Discussed in

To Top