Has anybody in VA had issues with LED light bars and inspections

[jb24dolphins]

I am doing the Rago 32" behind the grill bar and I am just worried from what I have read that I might fail a safety inspection, unless it has a cover on it (a cover would be kind of hard to put on as it takes the whole grill off to gain access to the light bar....any input would be greatly appreciated.

 

[hearno]

They shouldn't be too hard to get into compliance for the one day the vehicle gets inspected but anyone driving down a public highway without it covered it subject to being stopped and cited. I see guys in my area driving with them lit all the time and I thoroughly enjoy stopping them for it. It really is a dick move on a road.

 

[jb24dolphins]

They shouldn't be too hard to get into compliance for the one day the vehicle gets inspected but anyone driving down a public highway without it covered it subject to being stopped and cited. I see guys in my area driving with them lit all the time and I thoroughly enjoy stopping them for it. It really is a dick move on a road.

I would never drive with the light bar on, on a road, but I was told behind the grill LED lights are all together illegal in VA is that true? Even if covered?

 

[jb24dolphins]

They shouldn't be too hard to get into compliance for the one day the vehicle gets inspected but anyone driving down a public highway without it covered it subject to being stopped and cited. I see guys in my area driving with them lit all the time and I thoroughly enjoy stopping them for it. It really is a dick move on a road.

Another question, is it legal to have them uncovered behind the grill and off? I was told it is a secondary offense meaning you can't be pulled over for it...

 

[hearno]

If they're covered, you'd good. If they're not covered, they're illegal under 46.2-1020 which is permissible lights, see the section at the bottom of the code. A violation of 1020 is a primary offense and you can be stopped solely for that violation. I've played devil's advocate and argued with other officers that one could claim that the LED bar is a "fog light" but so far no one has tried that in court and our judges have upheld the citations.

https://vacode.org/2016/46.2/III/10/3/46.2-1020/

 

[Localmotion]

Inspect for and reject if:
1. Vehicle has an auxiliary lamp being used for a purpose other than for which it was approved.
EXCEPTION: Any lighting device that is both covered and not illuminated, other than lamps required, shall not be considered for inspection. Fog and driving lamps mounted below the level of the regular headlamps must be checked for aim as outlined in subdivisions I 10 i and 11 g of this section if not covered.
NOTE: The covers shall be a type that would be installed as original equipment and not tape, paper bags, aluminum foil or similar materials per subdivision I 11g (2) of this section.

I know someone who failed inspection, went to the shop, took the lights off, passed, went home and re-installed them.

You could absolutely get a ticket for them.

 

[MattAK]

What do you do there with vehicles with out of state plates? I'm planning some road trips this summer and I'm slightly worried about getting a ticket for my light bar, especially in Commiefornia.

 

[manganos]

If they're covered, you'd good. If they're not covered, they're illegal under 46.2-1020 which is permissible lights, see the section at the bottom of the code. A violation of 1020 is a primary offense and you can be stopped solely for that violation. I've played devil's advocate and argued with other officers that one could claim that the LED bar is a "fog light" but so far no one has tried that in court and our judges have upheld the citations.

https://vacode.org/2016/46.2/III/10/3/46.2-1020/

And if not dot or sae approved it can be 46.2-1002. Be safe


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[mmike87]

I hate government.

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[Sleeter]

DM sent.

 

[Ray Dunakin]

Where do you even get covers for light bars? I've never seen one.

 

[hearno]

I hate government.

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Govt. hates you too, hence all the laws they pass and make you follow.

 

[Ghostrider]

I hate government.

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Well I hate owners that think it is OK to light up everything surrounding their vehicle with illegal lights that blind other drivers.

 

[GHARP57]

We have a guy with a dodge ram that lives right around the corner from me, he installed led strips that are yellow on the sides and flash with the turn signal and the "turn signal/ brake lights" under the tail gate. My neighbor is an officer for Albemarle County and I asked him about the lights and he said every single one of them are illegal and he could get cited for it even though he is using them in a helpful manner. The lights stay on and project onto the ground while he is moving, so the guy essentially is running an under glow kit on his truck.

 

[johnbt]

"Where do you even get covers for light bars?"

9 pages of light covers at Light Covers | Rigid Industries

They have one for a 50" bar.

 

[jpachard]

I appreciate getting cited for having the light bar illuminated but getting cited for its presence is overstepping, IMO. So goes so many laws these days, screw the good guy because of the .1% who abuse the situation.


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