Does anyone know what the California vehicle code is relative to tinting your head and tail light lenses? I like the way the tints from Headlight Armor look and was thinking about it for my ZR. But, I do not want to get pulled over with a fix-it ticket.

I had a smoked license plate cover on my Maxima and got a ticket for it after having it on for 3 years. The CHP that pulled me over simply told me that it was against the law and that I had been lucky for 3 years.

 

http://www.chp.ca.gov/html/streetlegal.html

Blue and yellow headlights. Headlights must be white - blue and yellow are illegal (24011 VC). Look for the DOT symbol on the bulb and package.

This link talks about 24011,
http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/vctop/d12/vc24011.htm
Basically saying that the light color is a federal standard.

Tail lights other than red (24600 VC).
Illegal brake lights. Brake lights on vehicles newer than 1979 must be red (24603 VC). (Vehicles older than 1979 may be red or yellow.)

Those codes are here
http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/vctop/d12/vc24600.htm
http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/vctop/d12/vc24603.htm

Chris

 

Here is the interesting part of the law. There is no code or subdivision describing tinting of the headlamps. However there is a section referring to light output. So, I think its legal as long as it doesn't change the color of the headlamp (ie., to yellow or red) its legal as long as the light output is still bright enough.

If you get a ticket you can most likely fight and win. Since it needs to be stated to be a citation. As far as your license plate goes, thats a different ballgame. It states nothing can be placed on your license plate.

 

FYI, when any questions like this come up, feel free to ask me. I've got a hard copy of the 2005 Vehicle Code here on my desk. I get one every year.

I can look stuff up for you if you'd like.

 

Did you find anything about headlamp tinting in the CVC.