Has anyone ever been hassled for uncovered rear roof lights

I'm currently working on mounting 1 forward facing light bar and 2 rear facing pod lights on my roof rack. I have a cover for the forward facing light but for the rear lights I plan to leave them uncovered because I plan on using them fairly often, so I can finally see when loading and unloading tools at night.

So I was wondering if anyone has been ticketed for uncovered rear lights or for that matter uncovered front lights too? It doesn't count if you had the lights on when you got a ticket.

Where I live the law is lights over 42" off the ground must be covered but I've seen plenty of work trucks with headache racks that have uncovered rear pod lights on them.

 

In Virginia I failed inspection for not having covers on my two front facing non DOT/off-road lights. I bought two covers put them on and I passed inspection. When I got home I took the covers off. Each year for over 10 years the only time I had covers on was to pass state inspection. Never got stopped or ticketed.

 

There is what the law requires and then there is what law enforcement actually pays attention to.
I suppose it depends on the locality. Very rural areas are not likely to get hassled.
But, if the LEO has a hair across his/her you know what and stops you for some other violation, it may get included with the other charge(s).

 

Never had to cover a light where I live. Sorry for your stupid rules.

 

Amen.

 

Virginia has some wack road laws. My mom got a speeding ticket for driving 2mph over the posted speed limited back in 2003 lol (on i-81)

 

You can beat that every time. Speedometer's and radar guns used to be +-3. Might be down to 1.5 or 2 but they're not exact. This is why LEO used to give you 6 before they'd write a ticket.

 

This. There's what you will get stopped for usually and there's what you'll get stopped for if they are trying to stop people.

I'd suggest just throw the covers on anyway or just leave them off except for inspection.

 

You'd be surprised at the laws in place that are rarely enforced. Technically, in MI, you're also required to cover said lights. However, no one bothers to cover them on their LED light bars and some people use them while driving, which is also illegal.

 

That's just it.

I grew up in a quiet, affluent town and would almost get pulled over leaving the driveway because I had a sports car. Driving that same car through the city late night with the stereo blasting they wouldn't even look once at me.

 

I hate it when people use their retina-burning LED light bars!

 

Cue the tacoma world do gooders's and the legal eagles

 

Your from MN, we have no laws about offroad lights being covered here. Leave them open and dont worry about it.

EDIT: to clarify, 42 inches off the ground and below no covered needed, over 42 inches off the ground you need covers, but your not going to get hassled for rear mounted ones.

 

We don't even have inspections or stickers here.

 

This was a while back but just my rotary beacon’s had to be covered. No biggie. We just put snow toque’s over ‘em til needed. Other lights light back ups. No

 

Every State the laws will differ... and I agree many states do not enforce the laws...too..
Years ago...most off road companies ..either provided covers for lights or you had to buy them...
—-
Today NO one sells or provide covers for aftermarket lights, ( a few do)..but rarely..
Especially bar lights, I seen hidden mounted ones. Behind the grills ones, but most bar lights do not offer covers..for the bar lights...
For safety checks ..I use Blue tape.on front bar lights ..for the inspections...they laugh...for my pods ..I put black stockings...zip tie the bottom..so stockings cannot fly off..

Remove when “PAU” ...a Hawaiian word meaning ., all done ,finish,completed,
Aloha

 

I figured it's one of those laws that is only enforced very occasionally, usually when you are being a dick and the cop wants to stick it to you, but I just wanted to know if anyone has ever gotten in trouble for it. My logic is if I ever do get pulled over I can argue that since I have the front one covered I didn't realize the rear ones needed it too.

 

If Folks use off-road lights where there supposed to like off road, we wouldn’t need to have this conversation. Back up & emergencies notwithstanding, I see a lot of abuse of auxiliary lighting. Some of it down right stupid. I deal with a shit ton of deer in my area. No cop is gonna hassle me drivin’ at or below speed limit with my lightbar on when I go to work at 3AM. But then Common Sense isn’t so common sometimes.

 

Or if they just are hunting. I worked second shift for a while and got stopped so many times with my old car (no aux lighting, was a little louder than stock but not illegal) it was unreal. Never got even a written warning once any of those times..figured it was late and maybe I am coming from the bar or something.

 

Florida resident...stationed in San Diego. God bless Florida...for so many reasons!

Edit: but I do love the landscape and access in the SW US