Excessive lighting

I've glanced when it came up but I've never devoted much time looking. I feel it's the person's job that is claiming it's against the law to show the actual law....
So far no one has been able to.

Nothing I read there states all lights must work. Just the required ones.....
You know like Bean stated.

 

I really don't care to do thru this and argue it. Just giving you my experience as PA state inspection mechanic...take it for what it's worth, I'm just some ####### on the internet like the rest of us. I'm not an armchair lawyer..... I will tell you this tho, drive thru PA with a light out and you will most likely be pulled over for it and when that happens you will most likely receive a citation. Stay safe out there.

 

And when the cop can't cite a law, it's a slam dunk win in the court and if the cop keeps writing the ticket he'll get thrown in jail for contempt.

Again, once I see actual proof it's against the law.....

Kinda funny I've worked for trucking companies that removes non-required lights and the 1,000 truck company never got a single ticket for it in any state. I know, I asked the compliance/safety guy.....

 

They bank on you not fighting it I'm sure. It's like $78 after costs, are you gonna be able to get off the road to go fight it if you are not local? Or you could just have all of your lights functional and avoid the whole situation. 194 bulbs for all them lights going down the side of a trailer are cheap and your truck looks like it is taken care of because it doesn't have a bunch of lights out. I don't get off fighting in court and I'm not trying to get police thrown in jail so I'll just keep my lights operating.

 

Google PA state inspection requirements for medium/heavy duty trucks and something should come up. That was out of my personal stash from doing that for a living. Did you read section h ornamental lighting? That's any added lights but it is never enforced unless one is out. That's how they get all the motorcycles with neon lights, trucks with 6000 lights down the side, and when those clear tail lights were a big thing on cars they used it for that.
@JonJon78

 

I've owned my truck for over 2 1/2 years. My carrier requires an inspection every 6 months, and has a pricing deal with both Love's and TA/Petro to have a DOT inspection done when getting a pm done. My truck has chicken lights under the cab and the sleeper and they don't work. I have only 1 time tried to get a DOT inspection where the inspector failed the truck for the lights not working and that was at the Speedco in Gary, IN. I've driven in PA and it hasn't happened. Could I run into that one officer? Yes. But then again, I've been handed my logbook back with a "looks fine" even though it said I was out of hours, so anything can happen.

 

Yep.



All you need on the back end is one red marker on both sides of the trailer, right at the bumper, then only one of each marker, brake and signal light on either side.

I'm sure there's a fair number of DOT officers out there that would like the myth to be true, and try their very best to convince drivers it is, so they can make money off chicken lights, but just ask for them to cite the regulation and pull out your green book to check.

 

That used to be the rule, it was changed. Only the lights that are required to be on tractor/trailer have to be working.

 

I dont no if its required, or if it's a failed inspection or oos. But the correct answer is. Mr Dispatcher, i am not risking points on my license. Due to your malfunctioning equipment. So either get me SAFE (thats a key word) properly functioning equipment. Or get me to a shop or OEM who can repair properly. I will do YOU a FAVOR and drive it there. But no where else.