Tail light out ticket

Just to make something clear. I have no opinion about this if a light is on a vehicle it must work discussion. Just be aware if a CVSA/MCSAP/DOT certified cop issues a long form and a light out violation is on it regardless of if needed or not, unless you can successfully appeal the form its going to show up on CSA. I don't recommend running any CMV with a light out for this reason. The thing is you can quote the rules until your out of breath but if that cop is determined to cite, your going to get that citation. What I'm trying to say is avoid the problem and get those lights fixed.

 

I carry two pc of plastic mud flap disc I cut in a 4 inch circle. When those unrequited lights are acting up. Pop out the light and pop in the plastic disc and ride.

 

he was a hot shot owner (he died a few years ago, massive heart attack), on the tv show....shipping wars.... the people had bids on USHIP and would beat one another for a run. he really was the better one, kept saying "a nickel is holding up a dollar".......really brutally honest o/o......

here he is, with his cat "muffy"...




Shipping Wars Full Episodes, Video & More | A&E

 

State laws can differ. For example California law says that all lights of a required type installed on a vehicle must be maintained in working order. That means that if a light is a required type it must work even if others fulfill the same purpose.

 

I would not fail to make an appointment due to a marker light. I'd fix it or just roll. Likely hood of getting stopped is unlikely.

 

While true it really doesn't add anything to the need to have non required lights working.
"Marker light" is not a type. "Left rear red marker light" is a type though
The reason I say this is it still does not add more liability to the federal rules.
Now on combo lights like a previous poster mentioned I have no idea how they work with the type language. I would guess it would be hard to get past a court date for it though, but as I don't do California I'll likely never know.

If "brake light" was a type, then California would not have needed to specify :"3rd brake light" as a type, but they did have to as the state was loosing court cases on tickets for no 3rd brake light.

Now all that being said, get a couple spare tail lights, and well any light a driver can reach, and change it one's self. I'd rather spend 5 minutes changing a light than sitting in a shop for 30 - 90 minutes letting them do it.
Too bad the company won't pay me what they pay that shop though.

 

BTW its getting more and more ridiculous when a light out means changing the 10 dollar lamp...

Use to buy a 50 cent light bulb and bingo!

 

This topic is one that has angered me for many years. I'm not just talking about TTR, I'm talking about truck stops, facebook and other forums. These new drivers are in some cases almost paralyzed with fear when it comes to things like a light out. Oh no you will get stopped it will cost you $1,000 you will get put out of service the FMCSA will demand your first born etc etc. Then when that safety person tries to calm them down by telling them all is OK go make that delivery they get angry and accuse them of trying to get them in trouble. This is one reason I wish some people would go easy on the impending doom talk about simple things like a dang light out. You want to know how most situations end if stopped? If YOU the driver will use a bit of tact and show some respect to a cop once stopped you will be surprised how it will end. However if you run to your truck and get that small JJ Keller book and start quoting the rules in most situations it is not going to end well. EVEN IF YOU ARE RIGHT!! This reminds me of a story from C1 truck driving school in Indy I heard several years ago. The new guys get hit with all this talk of the pre trip inspections they scare the new guys so bad they lose track of their upcoming state permit tests and fail them badly. I will never understand the purpose of scaring the crap out of a new driver then laughing at them when they do something silly in reaction. On this light out topic. I said it as did another poster. Make your delivery don't create a service failure over a dang light. The chances you will get stopped while real are not as much as you will make that delivery and can get into a shop to get the trailer fixed. Then do so ASAP!