I was just pulled over in Texas after having driven like this for about a year. In most cars, the tail light lens is part of a larger, sealed tail light assembly. Stephanie Temperino is a freelance writer in New York City. 95 1/2, par. A tail light lens repair kit usually has a material inside to mend the damage. (e) If vehicles are traveling in combination, only the taillamps on the rearmost vehicle are required to emit a light for the distance specified in Subsection (d). Welcome to Motor Vehicle Maintenance & Repair! How to Fight an Inspection Sticker Ticket, Pennsylvania DOT: Safety Inspection Bulletin, New York State DMV: General Information for Inspection Stations, Texas Department of Public Safety: Inspection Criteria for the Annual Safety Inspection, Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles: Inspection FAQs, New York State DMV: New York State Vehicle Safety/Emissions Inspection Program, Legal Beagle: How to Fight an Inspection Sticker Ticket, Legal Beagle: Pennsylvania State Auto Safety Inspection Rules, Legal Beagle: How Long Does an Emissions Test Take. Remove the plastic tail light lens. In other states, such as Pennsylvania, fog lights are not a required part of a vehicle’s assembly. If you have a cracked tail light cover, you do not need to replace it. 12-201. In Virginia (in the States) where I live, if you have a crack in the tail light, you have to replace it. Even if its broken you can pick up a spare on ebay and replace if yourself. … In New York, for instance, fog lights are not checked when you bring in the vehicle for inspection. She owns her own content marketing agency, Wordsmyth Creative Content Marketing (www.wordsmythcontent.com) and enjoys writing legal articles and blogs for clients in related industries. Danielle Smyth is a writer and content marketer from upstate New York. It both protects the bulbs and creates the necessary color, usually red or amber, depending on the purpose of the light. You will begin to feel it heating up quickly. Rear Reflector Step 2: Making chemical mixture. Other countries may not even require it at all. Replacing tail light cover. Tail light repair: Step by step Step 1: Removing the part you want to fix. Headlights, taillights, hazard lights, brake lights and directional lights are typically included in this inspection, but regulations vary by state. 4513.05 Tail lights and illumination of rear license plate. In many states, your vehicle is required to pass an inspection on a regular basis that goes beyond emissions testing. Other States may not be that harsh. Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. Place the plastic film over the crack along the inside of the lens. The lens may have one or more cracks provided an off-color light … 12-201) Sec. The repair panel has a pre-formed grid pattern that closely matches the color and reflective qualities of … The use of adhesive or tape to repair lights is not permitted. Glueing the missing piece back onto the tail light is a simple way to avoid having to replace the tail light housing. Better than gaffer tape because you retain the proper colour for the broken light cover. Reviewed by: Michelle Seidel, B.Sc., LL.B., MBA. … Go-Parts - for 2013 - 2015 Toyota RAV4 Rear Tail Light Lamp Assembly / Lens / Cover - Left (Driver) Side Outer 81560-0R030 TO2804119 Replacement 2014 5.0 out of 5 stars 3 $92.95 $ 92 . In Massachusetts, headlights, taillights, brake lights and directionals are tested. My driver's side brake light works, but the lens cover is damaged and is completely covered with red tape. Tail Lamp. In many states, a vehicle won't pass inspection if certain lights do not work, as they are needed in dark, rainy or foggy weather. Check here for special coupons and promotions. Clean the taillight lens assembly thoroughly by spraying cleaner on a rag and wiping down the lens. A simple repair with a few tools and materials will do just fine. The chip or crack can grow larger, and a broken taillight is grounds to be pulled over and receive a ticket. I know it can be all dependent on the MOT tester but it would be good to get an idea of what to expect. A tail light lens is a plastic cover over one or more rear lights on your car. I just found out one of my tail light got a hole and cracked into. However, if you have a broken tail light cover, your vehicle might have reduced visibility because the light can become distorted. Can you repair a cracked tail light lens cover? 0. Has anyone had a crack in their tail light which has passed or failed an MOT? taillight eye image by Michael Shake from, Copyright 2020 Leaf Group Ltd. / Leaf Group Media, Repair kit (plastic film, repair materials, catalyst, bottle, syringe). 596 So.2d 442, 446 (Fla. 1992). The tail light replacement will include the bulb and may also include the tail lamp assembly if needed. Was as simple as opening the boot, turning the plastic nuts by hand and then swapping the light housings. When lighted lamps are required. – Pᴀᴜʟsᴛᴇʀ2 ♦ Jan 28 '18 at 19:39 The amber color will match the lens cover, protecting your light until it can be replaces. This tape also comes in amber. I know I didn't hit or backed into anything so it wasn't my own doing. The Auto lens repair kit will fix any typical broken tail light housing without removing the housing. Put on your gloves and goggles. Installing or replacing tail light covers is also a good opportunity to replace any burnt-out bulbs. She specializes in finance and technology topics. The used car specialist. 28 February 2017 at 4:32PM. This is a great way to get an all-in-one experience because if you find a local … To prevent yourself from getting into a road mishap just because of a damaged tail light cover, you'd better put your money on a good replacement as soon as you can. I noticed one of my tail lights on the Cayenne is taking on water after a rain or car wash. A crack has formed in the red plastic across the top length of the light but just enough to make a slight gap. Use the screwdriver or flat chisel to pry it off and undo any screws holding it in place. Would insurance cover this if the cause is unknown? Her experience includes years of work in the insurance, workers compensation, disability, and background investigation fields. This question is really subjective to where you live. Shake the bottle extremely well. Turn the tail light over so you are looking at the inside. Laws regarding state inspections are highly specific to the state in which you reside. What Is the Limit on Rust Hole Size to Pass a Pennsylvania Auto Inspection? Follow the instructions for installing tail light covers. However, if lights are sealed with epoxy so that they are waterproof, they might pass. Even if you reside in a state that does not conduct safety inspections, be sure your lights are in good working order for safety on the road. In most cases, a broken tail light will not pass inspection. ​Read More:​ How to Fight an Inspection Sticker Ticket. (a) When operated upon any highway in this State, every motorcycle shall at all times exhibit at least one lighted lamp, showing a white light visible for at least 500 … Your order may be eligible for Ship to Home, and shipping is free on all online orders of $35.00+. ... red and amber for temporary repairs. The vehicle will pass inspection with no fog lights, but will not pass with broken fog lights. Remove the plastic tail light lens. Fog lights are not always a required part of state inspection tests. Prepare the crack filler. The police officer told me it was illegal to drive with the red tape. Some states, like Massachusetts, permit this, while others, like Virginia, do not. She holds a Master of Science in Publishing from Pace University. Start by removing the part you want to fix. Many state guidelines specifically mention that all lights requiring inspection must be clean, intact, unobstructed and free from cracks. (625 ILCS 5/12-201) (from Ch. NOTE: Replacement tail lamps, commonly sold as "clear" tail lamps or "Euro-Tail" lamps will not pass inspection if the red lamps are replaced with clear ones. How to Repair Cracks in Plastic Lens Covers on Tail Lights Step 1. Safety inspection regulations change often, so it’s best to refer to your jurisdiction’s laws prior to scheduling a vehicle check. I didn't need a screwdriver and the light fixture was $30 including new bulbs and delivery. In Texas, headlights, taillights, stop lights, rear reflectors, directionals and license plate lights are all inspected. Lens has piece broken from it or does not fit properly. It is up to the discretion of each state which lights they choose to inspect. However, if lights are sealed with epoxy so that they are waterproof, they might pass. 1, eff. In addition to being the content writer and social media manager for Alliance Worldwide Investigative Group, she has written on legal topics for a number of other clients. State that cracked tail lights cannot support a vehicle stop unless said lights created a safety hazard. Fill the syringe with the material, and then carefully fill in the crack using the syringe. 165, Sec. Order Tail Light Cover for your vehicle and pick it up in store—make your purchase, find a store near you, and get directions. More likely though, the state’s concern is that broken lenses can change how the light looks to other motorists, for example just a bare bulb shining without the red coloration that other drivers automatically associate with a tail or brake light. During the repair, the tail light guard or cover will be removed, usually by the multiple screws on the back of the unit. Many state guidelines specifically mention that all lights requiring inspection must be clean, intact, unobstructed and free from cracks. Copyright 2021 Leaf Group Ltd. / Leaf Group Media, All Rights Reserved. The use of adhesive or tape to repair lights is not permitted. For the safety of yourself and other drivers, vehicle inspections typically include a check of the various lights on your car. In states that require safety inspections and check vehicle lights, it is typically required that all installed lights be in good working order, without cracks or the use of adhesive tape for repairs. If you have a cracked headlight or taillight, be warned that it won’t pass inspection. In most cases, a broken tail light will not pass inspection. 3M™ Lens Repair Tape is designed for the temporary repairs of broken or cracked taillights, parking lights and side directional lights. Do not attempt to tape the light, even with red adhesive tape, as most states specifically prohibit this. Combine the two materials, one being the catalyst activator, inside of the provided bottle from the kit. Tail light covers are set in place to cover the light bulbs underneath. 95 (d) A taillamp shall emit a red light plainly visible at a distance of 1,000 feet from the rear of the vehicle. This article will cover how to … A cracked lens assembly can admit water, which can cause a bulb to blow. Graduating from the University of Massachusetts in 2009, Temperino holds a Bachelor of Arts in finance. Can I be given a ticket, if my tail light cover is damaged and covered with red tape? Save On Protective Parts AutoZone carries the best tail light covers for cars and trucks at affordable prices. https://askinglot.com/can-i-drive-with-a-broken-tail-light-cover 6. Maybe Halfords? Regardless of the local laws, it is safer for everyone on the road, including yourself, if all the lights on your vehicle work properly. Turn the tail light over so you are looking at the inside. If they are broken, drivers are permitted to remove them prior to the inspection. For instance, in New York, license plate lights are also inspected. Inspection laws vary by state. Try not to allow the fill to overflow. (1) a white or amber light, or a color between white and amber, if the lamp is mounted on the front of the vehicle; or (2) a red or amber light, or a color between red and amber, if the lamp is mounted on the rear of the vehicle. My brother gave me some for a cracked tail light but I don't know where he got it from. Step 2. Most covers need to be installed before tail light bulbs can be reinstalled. Broken tail light overview. 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. 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Danielle Smyth is a freelance writer in New York, license plate Auto inspection you!, parking lights and directional lights are not checked when you bring in the crack along inside!, directionals and license plate lights are all inspected way to avoid having to replace it plastic film the! Has piece broken from it or does not fit properly covers need to replace burnt-out... Bring in the vehicle will pass inspection checked when you bring in the,... Stephanie Temperino is a simple repair with a few tools and materials will do just fine tape as., one being the catalyst activator, inside of the provided bottle from the kit officer told cracked tail light cover.