Overlays

[mjay]

Hey guys,

I was thinkin of gettin these tailight overlays for the v35 from bluetbatmobile in the states..

But I'm concerned about road laws regarding taillights etc in nsw.. I plan to get cutouts for the lights, indicators, reverse lights, and reflectors so that theyre still clear, jus the rest of the taillight smoked.. and the leds.. I don't wanna get defected or have insurance turn down a claim cause of these.. My understanding though is that as long as the lights and reflectors are not covered you're in the clear? Does anybody know exactly?

Cheers,

[g33k]

Hate to break it to you mate, anything changed after certification is a defect.

Plain and simple.

The only thing, within reason, is the exhaust.

As for a cop defecting you, probably not, as for the insurance company.... probably not.

Realistically you could remove the film before it gets sent to the repairer.... and if the guy that hits you doesn't know any better - no biggie....

Of course, this would be insurance fraud - legally you're obligated to notify the insurer of any modifications to the vehicle.

In saying that, i attach some photos from my old Mitsubishi Mirage, i drove around with these tints for over 1 year - got defected once, and it still passed pink slip, twice.

Edited March 15, 2009 by g33k

[mjay]

yeh realistically i doubt that itll cause a problem.. n ok anything after certification is a defect.. im not so much concerned about that though.... that point aside would they be technically illlegal? I just want the comfort of knowing that if i get any shit for em I can argue they arent technically illegal... as you know law is a funny business .. maybe its time i read through the big book of traffic law again hehe

Edited March 15, 2009 by mjay

[mitchy_]

Hate to break it to you mate, anything changed after certification is a defect.

Plain and simple.

The only thing, within reason, is the exhaust.

incorrect.

these is nothing illegal about those lights, no light is affected or dimmed, it just darkens the surrounding areas.

if that were true, black surround altezza lights would be illegal, which is not the case.

[mjay]

incorrect.

these is nothing illegal about those lights, no light is affected or dimmed, it just darkens the surrounding areas.

if that were true, black surround altezza lights would be illegal, which is not the case.

Mitch does it matter that the LEDs are dimmed?

[mitchy_]

what are the led's for?

from what i can see the brake lights, indicators, reverse lights, and reflectors are all clearly visible.

[zei20l]

actually ANY modification to ANY car, from factory, is technically illegal without an engineers certificate.

there ARE some owner certifiable modifications, but i rekon this one isnt. but how many people tint their rear lights? my S13 did! people do this stuff all the time, if you mod your car eventually youll get caught or it will bite you in the ass. its a risk we all take!!

[mitchy_]

actually ANY modification to ANY car, from factory, is technically illegal without an engineers certificate.

there ARE some owner certifiable modifications, but i rekon this one isnt. but how many people tint their rear lights? my S13 did! people do this stuff all the time, if you mod your car eventually youll get caught or it will bite you in the ass. its a risk we all take!!

go read the ADR's, there are some mod's that do not require engineers certification.

[g33k]

Well, this should settle it.

I just called RTA inspection bay (the place that do certifications to let you back on the road after a defect) - in NSW. Not sure about the equiv in VIC Roads.

They advise that any modification that hinders the visibilty of any light, is considered a defect and will not pass.

I even asked if you change the down light on the license plate to a different colour.

It actually has to be white.

So sorry my friend, you're out of luck, yes its a defect. It's not illegal to do, but it is to drive on NSW roads as its defective, hence making it illegal.

I agree, some modifications are OK, without engineers cert, i.e. Tyres up or down an inch.

[mjay]

Well, this should settle it.

I just called RTA inspection bay (the place that do certifications to let you back on the road after a defect) - in NSW. Not sure about the equiv in VIC Roads.

They advise that any modification that hinders the visibilty of any light, is considered a defect and will not pass.

I even asked if you change the down light on the license plate to a different colour.

It actually has to be white.

So sorry my friend, you're out of luck, yes its a defect. It's not illegal to do, but it is to drive on NSW roads as its defective, hence making it illegal.

I agree, some modifications are OK, without engineers cert, i.e. Tyres up or down an inch.

Fantastic so considering that the visibility of the lights are in fact not hindered in any way since only the surroundings are covered then these should be fine... Hmmm Except if i cover the LEDs they may argue back on that.. Might have to have cutouts for them too..

Thanks for calling them up by the way

[mjay]

what are the led's for?

from what i can see the brake lights, indicators, reverse lights, and reflectors are all clearly visible.

The LEDs are part of the brake/tail lights... not visible in that pic but heres a pic of them, the acne lookin thing...

[turbosuk]

i have these on my tail lights and you can see them when you step on the brake pedal just as good as if they where not on

even with the lights on

ive had mine for about 8mths now had police behind me and had no probs they look better than the pink lens i have pics on here somewhere

think its under clear front bar lenses

[dannyw]

Police may not stop you.. but the serious problem is that if the insurance company deny your claim, due to THEIR decision that the overlay hindered other people's view from behind, you are dead. Your word over theirs?

It is not likely u gonna go and conduct a 'scientific' test, in order to fight in the court?

tat's why i didnt buy it, even if i love to have it..

[mjay]

i have these on my tail lights and you can see them when you step on the brake pedal just as good as if they where not on

even with the lights on

ive had mine for about 8mths now had police behind me and had no probs they look better than the pink lens i have pics on here somewhere

think its under clear front bar lenses

Can you post a pic, cant find anything in search...

Police may not stop you.. but the serious problem is that if the insurance company deny your claim, due to THEIR decision that the overlay hindered other people's view from behind, you are dead. Your word over theirs?

It is not likely u gonna go and conduct a 'scientific' test, in order to fight in the court?

tat's why i didnt buy it, even if i love to have it..

Yeh that's exactly the concern I have, not the police but insurance, but if the law states that it's only illegal if the visibilty of the light is affected, then it's fair to say that with cutouts visibility is not affected... As we all know in law it's not what you say but how you say it..