Laminx Type Film vs Virginia State Inspection

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Wow. VA has some very strict rules. But it does allow amber fog lights. So I'm a little confused on the rejection. I think the inspector confused headlamp for fog light. There's no rule prohibiting film on fog lights. I would challenge it - not sure what the process is there.

I also noticed that all 4Runners should fail every time - it says no DRL above 34". I think all 4Runners DRLs are above 34" stock. VA laws are also out of date with federal standards.

Utah eliminated it's safety inspections two years ago. The legislature hired a group to do a study and it found not statistical improvement in highway safety in states that have safety inspections as compared to those without. As a result it was determined that safety inspections have no measurable safety benefit so it was a waste of money and time for everyone. We do still have emissions tests.
 
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Page 61
I 2. 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.
2. A vehicle has installed on it a warning lamp (DOT or SAE-W) that is not of an
approved type or has been altered.
Reject if the vehicle has wire, unapproved lens or plastic covers, any other
materials that are not original equipment or any colored material placed on or in
front of any auxiliary lamps: backup, cornering, driving, fog, spot, or warning
lamps.

I just had mine inspected. You will pass if they are amber, but not if they are altered (covered).
Sorry,
 
Jetboy said:
Wow. VA has some very strict rules. But it does allow amber fog lights. So I'm a little confused on the rejection. I think the inspector confused headlamp for fog light. There's no rule prohibiting film on fog lights. I would challenge it - not sure what the process is there.

I also noticed that all 4Runners should fail every time - it says no DRL above 34". I think all 4Runners DRLs are above 34" stock. VA laws are also out of date with federal standards.

Utah eliminated it's safety inspections two years ago. The legislature hired a group to do a study and it found not statistical improvement in highway safety in states that have safety inspections as compared to those without. As a result it was determined that safety inspections have no measurable safety benefit so it was a waste of money and time for everyone. We do still have emissions tests.
Click to expand...

The rule seems clear

“C. Inspect for and reject if:

5. Any vehicle has wire, unapproved lens or plastic covers, any other materials which are not original equipment or any colored material placed on or in front of permissible lighting equipment;”

It’s the “colored material placed on” that is the problem.
 
DMV4runner said:
Page 61
I 2. 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.
2. A vehicle has installed on it a warning lamp (DOT or SAE-W) that is not of an
approved type or has been altered.
Reject if the vehicle has wire, unapproved lens or plastic covers, any other
materials that are not original equipment or any colored material placed on or in
front of any auxiliary lamps: backup, cornering, driving, fog, spot, or warning
lamps.

I just had mine inspected. You will pass if they are amber, but not if they are altered (covered).
Sorry,
Click to expand...

Yes, amber bulb is ok, but not the film. I was trying to go cheap and have had the film thru 2 previous inspections. New rule on film per the same inspector as previous.

Guess I have to rethink amber bulbs $s
 
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Kind of interesting that it applies to fog lights, since my RAV4 doesn't even have fog lights. I guess fog lights with film are worse than no fog lights at all...?
 
Salvo Jimmy said:
The rule seems clear

“C. Inspect for and reject if:

5. Any vehicle has wire, unapproved lens or plastic covers, any other materials which are not original equipment or any colored material placed on or in front of permissible lighting equipment;”

It’s the “colored material placed on” that is the problem.
Click to expand...

You're right. Didn't see that part. Silly rule.
 
Jetboy said:
You're right. Didn't see that part. Silly rule.
Click to expand...
You can use a clear film on headlights, but not fog lights. Nice.

19VAC30-70-140 A.9.B
EXCEPTION: A clean impact film known as Headlight Savers produced by Grand Prix Motoring Accessories may be applied to the headlight lens to absorb impact of rocks, etc

If you have a clear film do they make you produce a receipt showing it's a "Headlight Savers"? I wonder who owns a stake in Grand Prix Motoring Accessories...
 
When I lived in VA, I remember always thinking the state inspections were a waste of time and money. Now that I've lived elsewhere without inspections I'd rather have them. My vehicles don't usually have issues being safe, however, it would be nice if other drivers took the same level of care. I can't tell you how many cars I've seen with a tail/brake light or head light burned out, flat tires, or major body damage flapping in the slipstream. There was even one I saw there the guy had to constantly steer left to keep from going off the right side of the road because the frame was bent so badly, surely that setup chews through tires. I'd mention turn signals, but I'm pretty sure most people have no idea what they exist for!
 
Salvo Jimmy said:
I searched and got no hits on this bulb. Reviews seem good. Anybody know anything about them?

https://www.amazon.com/SNGL-H16-Type-Super-Bright/dp/B079CJJ672?th=1
Click to expand...

I don't know much about those fog lights but just from my experience, after going through multiple HID kits and spending way too much, I just bought the amber fog light kit from xenon depot.

They have 2 versions, one which just the bulbs but not super bright
https://www.xenondepot.com/h16-Nokya-halogen-fog-light-bulbs-p/nokh16.htm

And the other is a LED full kit version that is bright and looks good when its on.
https://www.xenondepot.com/h16-h8-h11-philips-Ultinon-LED-12793UNIX2-2700K-p/12793unix2.htm

It is a bit pricier but I went with the full kit and am happy with the results.
 
crazi160 said:
I don't know much about those fog lights but just from my experience, after going through multiple HID kits and spending way too much, I just bought the amber fog light kit from xenon depot.

They have 2 versions, one which just the bulbs but not super bright
https://www.xenondepot.com/h16-Nokya-halogen-fog-light-bulbs-p/nokh16.htm

And the other is a LED full kit version that is bright and looks good when its on.
https://www.xenondepot.com/h16-h8-h11-philips-Ultinon-LED-12793UNIX2-2700K-p/12793unix2.htm

It is a bit pricier but I went with the full kit and am happy with the results.
Click to expand...

Thanks
 
You can paint them yellow if you want them to look yellow when they're not on

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk
 
DMV4runner said:
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.
Click to expand...

Damn. I guess I need to rethink my custom "paper bag" lights...

Wait, does that happen enough they had to put it into the law?
 
Friggin Idiot said:
When I lived in VA, I remember always thinking the state inspections were a waste of time and money. Now that I've lived elsewhere without inspections I'd rather have them. My vehicles don't usually have issues being safe, however, it would be nice if other drivers took the same level of care. I can't tell you how many cars I've seen with a tail/brake light or head light burned out, flat tires, or major body damage flapping in the slipstream. There was even one I saw there the guy had to constantly steer left to keep from going off the right side of the road because the frame was bent so badly, surely that setup chews through tires. I'd mention turn signals, but I'm pretty sure most people have no idea what they exist for!
Click to expand...



Yeah, I’ve lived Texas (has inspections) and Oklahoma (no inspections) and like the idea of them as long as it’s not taken too far like Virginia. You would not believe the POSs I saw in Oklahoma. I’d prefer if the cars around me had to prove they have working brakes, lights, etc but a lot of the time it’s the idiot driving that’s the problem anyway That Utah study is interesting.


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Smh VA. I got my inspection last month with aftermarket led fog lights that have the laminX yellow tints on them.
46576740d48f41b7321dbafd605f88f8.jpg


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So much for the Laminx claim on the instructions that the films are very forgiving and can be removed and reinstalled numerous times. They were very hard to get off, to the point I worried about pulling the lens out of the housing.

Left a glue like residue on the lense, much like when some price stickers are removed. However Goo Gone would not touch it. Some serious rubbing with alcohol on a paper towel finally removed it.
 
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