That won't help you in Ohio. In Ohio the Department of Motor Vehicles code
states that tail lights must be red in color. "Every vehicle must display at
least one taillight, emitting a red light visible 500 feet to the rear." (Page
28 Ohio Digest of Motor Vehicle Laws.) There is no definition of what "red" is.
Therefore, when the cop stops you it's totally subjective. If he decides it's
not red enough and he's not in a good mood you get a ticket. I suppose you
could hire a good lawyer and fight it in court but you'll loose and it'll cost
you a bundle. The Ohio Revised Code adds that "Collector Vehicles" are exempt.
A "Collector Vehicle" is defined as a vehicle licensed only for participation
in club events, shows or parades and under no circumstances is driven on the
public roads for any other purpose. So if you register your old truck as a
"Collector Vehicle" you could get away with blue dots, however if you weren't
heading to a participate in a parade, show, or club ev!
ent when you get stopped you can expect a ticket for operating an illegal
vehicle on the public roads. They get you coming and going.
In general, it's up to each state to decide what's required to obtain a license
for your vehicle, not the Feds. The SAE or DOT designation just means it meets
Federal safety standards. It doesn't necessarily mean it's legal in any
particular state. Unfortunately most people who make these kinds of decisions
on a state level know very little about automobiles. Then again, I don't think
I've ever met a state bureaucrat that knew very much about anything.
Bill
-----Original Message-----
From: Perry Smith [mailto:perigrinephalkon@hotmail.com]
Sent: Sunday, September 24, 2000 3:55 PM
To: oletrucks@autox.team.net
Subject: [oletrucks] taillights and cops
Hi all, there is one easy way to determine if an automotive light lens is
lawfull to use on the street. The federal Department of Transportation has
specific requirements for all light lenses. All lenses that meet these
requirements will have a DOT or SAE number moulded into the surface of the
lens, all lenses with the DOT or SAE or both moulded into the surface of the
lens are lawfull in all 50 states.
Perry Smith
58 GMC Fleetside
Phoenix Arizona
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oletrucks is devoted to Chevy and GM trucks built between 1941 and 1959
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