Auxiliary LED Reverse Lights (Integrated Rear Bumper)

[Erievon]

I thought the rule was you couldn’t have lights above 36”.

So cowl lights are illegal there too?

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[IamPro2A]

Different rules for different states

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Not sure anyone else has had this problem, but my vehicle just failed Virginia State safety inspection because the lights are not DOT/SAE approved. Guess I'll be switching back so I can get the rejection sticker removed from my windshield.

Odd because some of worst automotive lighting out there has the characters "DOT" on them. Even Daniel Stern, of Daniel Stern Lighting says that the DOT moniker on a light doesn't mean it's any good.
Even more ironic because backup lights aren't normally illuminated while on the highway or roadway. In my case they are "on" only for the roughly 2 seconds it takes me to put it in R and back around into my driveway.

Why can't you make up nice covers that are reflectors and pop those on for inspection and take 'em back off when you leave inspection?

 

[am1978]

So cowl lights are illegal there too?

Only if you’re driving on public roadways with them illuminated—on-road.

 

[Mr._Bill]

Not sure anyone else has had this problem, but my vehicle just failed Virginia State safety inspection because the lights are not DOT/SAE approved. Guess I'll be switching back so I can get the rejection sticker removed from my windshield.

Did it fail because the factory installed DOT required reflectors were missing, or just because the replacement assemblies are not DOT approved?

 

[am1978]

@MauiBum can you share what/why exactly it failed? Call an off road shop and see what they say, they might have another inspection location that is more clear on the legal definitions than the guy who failed you. Just a idea.

https://www.vsp.virginia.gov/Safety.shtm

https://law.lis.virginia.gov/admincode/title19/agency30/chapter70/section180/

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Did it fail because the factory installed DOT required reflectors were missing, or just because the replacement assemblies are not DOT approved?

Maybe it's not DOT at all - maybe they don't have the SAE R mark on them stating they are "reverse lights" ?
DOT regs are so all over the place, lame Chinese knock-off headlights often have the DOT marks on them - but are barely safe as headlamps.

 

[am1978]

Maybe it's not DOT at all - maybe they don't have the SAE R mark on them stating they are "reverse lights" ?
DOT regs are so all over the place, lame Chinese knock-off headlights often have the DOT marks on them - but are barely safe as headlamps.

Agree. It can’t be the lack of a DOT/SAE marking for why it failed. How many people in VA are driving around with some funky foreign Amazon seller’s headlights and didn’t fail?

 

[am1978]

Tables l and lll. https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/CFR-2004-title49-vol5/xml/CFR-2004-title49-vol5-sec571-108.xml​

 

[am1978]

Tables l and lll. https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/CFR-2004-title49-vol5/xml/CFR-2004-title49-vol5-sec571-108.xml​

There is something in there that states “stamped” DOT/SAE. The oracle light does have a red reflect reflector in it, so the vehicle still has them on to meet that requirement., but is not stamped.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Tables l and lll. https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/CFR-2004-title49-vol5/xml/CFR-2004-title49-vol5-sec571-108.xml​

Wait a minute - that says "on the rear" and "one". The tables are a bit confusing (clear down at the bottom) but I read that it only says "on the rear". So where's the problem?
And the lumens - that stuff sets the MINIMUM, not the maximum.

AND, you still have the FACTORY working backup lights which meet all requirements. (I guess a person could simply unplug these for inspections?)

I can see these NOT passing in California as I'm going to guess those wimpy small reflectors would not meet the state of CA minimum distance requirements.

 

[am1978]

There is something in there that states “stamped” DOT/SAE. The oracle light does have a red reflect reflector in it, so the vehicle still has them on to meet that requirement., but is not stamped.

They use this a lot. “Certification. The exposed surface of each reflex reflector shall be marked with the letters DOT-C which constitutes a certification that the reflector conforms to all applicable requirements of § 571.108 of this part. The certification shall be not less than 3 mm high, and permanently stamped, etched, molded or printed in indelible ink.”

 

[am1978]

Oddly, Oracle’s headlights are DOT and SAE certified.

https://www.oraclelights.com/products/oracle-jeep-gladiator-7-high-powered-led-headlights-pair

 

[MauiBum]

@am1978 They basically told me that I don't even have to have reverse lights, but if I have the lights they must have the DOT / SAE stamps to be street legal. They said there was almost 0% chance I would ever be pulled over for lights, but at inspection time they look closely at added lights. I think this is what I get for taking it to the dealership to get my "FREE" inspection. They dinged me for the prerunner lights as well and I think that is my fault for just buying cheap Chinese lights from Amazon. I should be able to get ones that are stamped and fix that myself. I was just very surprised about the Oracle lights given the cost.

 

[am1978]

@am1978 They basically told me that I don't even have to have reverse lights, but if I have the lights they must have the DOT / SAE stamps to be street legal. They said there was almost 0% chance I would ever be pulled over for lights, but at inspection time they look closely at added lights. I think this is what I get for taking it to the dealership to get my "FREE" inspection. They dinged me for the prerunner lights as well and I think that is my fault for just buying cheap Chinese lights from Amazon. I should be able to get ones that are stamped and fix that myself. I was just very surprised about the Oracle lights given the cost.

Check a local off-road shop and see who they use.

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