Missing trailer lights ticketable?

No, it says "supplemental".

You are not a big fan of words I suppose, I would however like to be present to hear you argue the case with an officer that those lights are not supplemental because they are aftermarket.

 

Supplemental referred to the third brake light, which is not mandatory on a trailer. If you could show that it uses supplemental with regards to clearance lights, I would appreciate it.

 

I was going to argue, then i looked for myself, still cant find anything requiring chicken/supplemental lights being rewuired to work.

Hell, i cant even find where your post says they must work. Its like its non existent. Cant find that part of the code on the internet.

We'll agree to disagree.

 

I never addressed "chicken lights", I posted the code in CA that is used to to cite a violation for inoperable lights if they are a Headlight, Taillight, Marker Light, Stop Light or Turn Signal Light.

These lights must work if present regardless of whether they are originally installed or added later as supplemental lighting and the standard for their requirement to function is the "Type" of light they are and not whether they exceed the required minimum illumination.

The second portion I posted was added in 1980's because of the popularity of aftermarket 3rd brake lights being installed, the cops immediately started citing these when they didn't function right and those who fought the tickets argued that were supplemental but NOT a required "Type" so they did not have to work. The Legislature decided to add that specific section because brake lights are a required "Type" even though 3rd brake lights were not mentioned in the code.

That is how committed they are to citing non functioning lights in California, but you are certainly free to believe that the little Federal pamphlet on illumination will supercede the Laws here, that certainly is not a unique attempt but it rarely is a profitable attempt.

 

So if you have chicken lights out, will cali cite you or not? Because my argument is on chicken lights. Required lighting is why i referenced the green book. Because its required. Chicken lights are not required.

So again, will you be cited for burned out chicken lights?

 

I remember a sign at the TA stating $80 fine for a marker light out. I don't know if that is accurate, but I will buy a $6 light and wire it up even if I have to leave it hanging (because those mounting screws are often tough to get out). It is a simple two wire connection.

Mike

 

They actually had a small airplane clip top of a trailer last week, landing gear wheels were stuck in top of trailer. Can't remember which state but think was in Ohio

 

So it was the truckers fault. His lights were burned out.

 

Depends on state if it was manufactured/oem if light is still there and burned out they can stop and ticket you...but if that third light has been removed then no..

 

No wasn't his fault just replied cause of 747 comment made it sound like it would never happen