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Login to post Forums » Off-topic discussion » driving lights and VA inspection

Sept. 30, 2009 12:26 p.m. MedicineMan New Reader

Just have a question. I recently installed a set of Hella 500 series driving lights on my truck...It also has the stock driving lights (making a total of six when they are all turned on) I have the hellas on a seperate switch so the operate independantly of the other light circuit. Will this pass inspection in Virginia. I was told that only 4 lights could burn at a time...so just turn the hellas or stock driving lights off??? I guess its just a technicality but I thought I would throw it out to the GRM crowd for discussion.

Thanks
Sept. 30, 2009 12:30 p.m. Carson Dork

I've found, with things like this, it will be 100% dependent on which inspection station you go to and/or who inspects it.

I would also assume, that if only 4 lights turn on when you turn the headlight switch, that is what will be checked and the additional switch won't be touched. I'm not up to speed on VA laws though.
Sept. 30, 2009 12:44 p.m. bludroptop Dork

I will confirm that what will and won't pass is highly variable, depending upon the individual shop that does the inspection.

There is nothing in the inspection procedure that mentions a maximum number of lights installed.

REQUIRED OFFICIAL INSPECTION PROCEDURE

EDIT - I found it in the code: "No more than four lamps, including two headlamps, may be lighted at any time to provide general illumination ahead of the vehicle."

Note: It doesn't say you can't have more than 4 lights installed - just that you can't use more than 4 at a time. So that sounds like a traffic enforcement issue - not safety inspection

A couple of anecdotes:

I had a crack in the lense of one OEM foglight - so I failed inspection. So, I removed both foglights (and left the wires dangling from the bumper). Now I passed.

I also failed once because my back-up lights allegedly didn't work. The truth was that the moron couldn't find reverse. I got in the car, put it into reverse and the back-up lights came on. He charged me a reinspection fee to issue a pass sticker!

I've had more cases of damage done to my cars by VA state inspectors than I can remember. I've finally found a shop I trust, but for a long time I dreaded annual inspections.
Sept. 30, 2009 1:11 p.m. andrave HalfDork

in WV you must have additional lights covered up to be legal.
This is a technicality and I doubt all the rednecks driving around with light bars and everything else actually cover theirs, but if you notice all the jeeps and nissan xterras that have factory lights on the roof all come with plastic covers.
I think this only applies to lights mounted higher than the stock headlights.

I know lots of people that run 2 fog lights and 2 driving lights and have the fogs wired with the lows and the driving lights wired with the highs and then haven't had any problems passing inspection.

My inspection guy just has you switch high and low beams on against the wall in his shop to verify they operate... he doesn't stand in front of the truck and count the beams or anything.

your mileage may vary.
Sept. 30, 2009 1:44 p.m. Duke SuperDork

All I know is that if it's Virgina, they'll find a way to screw you over somehow, even if they have to invent it.
Sept. 30, 2009 3:20 p.m. MedicineMan New Reader

I think I may just take them off for inspection purposes...But yea my understanding was I could get pulled over for running 6, I didnt think it was exactly a safety issue...

I can say that in WV you can have any number of lights as long as they are at or below headlight level...hence the smiley face covers for the roll bar lights!

By the way mine are mounted on a pre-runner style bar below headlight height
Sept. 30, 2009 4:16 p.m. CrackMonkey HalfDork

VA safety inspections are pretty hit-or-miss.

Just a few weeks ago, I had to argue with the wrench monkey because my Harley has a brake-light modulator (press brake, rear light flashes for four seconds, then goes solid on) which is legal in VA. He even went so far as to try to find it in the book, but failed. Eventually, he reluctantly passed me, probably just to get me out of his work bay.
Sept. 30, 2009 4:16 p.m. andrave HalfDork

In reply to MedicineMan:

This is not true. You may only have 4 lights on at a time in WV.
Sept. 30, 2009 4:48 p.m. Woody SuperDork

Unplug them and call 'em bling.
Sept. 30, 2009 5:51 p.m. Toyman01 HalfDork

SC requires anything over four to be covered when on the street. Good luck!

Edit: Since we no longer have inspections, I guess it is irrelevant. They don't even care if your tires are bald unless a cop sees it.
Sept. 30, 2009 6:07 p.m. Carson Dork

I just looked up the NC code because I was curious. NC law states automobiles have to have at least two headlights but no maximum is mentioned.
Sept. 30, 2009 7:18 p.m. andrave HalfDork

2 is required; 16 is recommended.

:-)
Sept. 30, 2009 10:16 p.m. mad_machine SuperDork

not sure leaving them unplugged would be a help. My BMW failed in NJ for having dummy fogs when I got it. The Rule was.. if they are on the car, they HAVE to work.

Of course hella 500s are only mounted with a single bolt.. just take them off for inspection?
Oct. 1, 2009 8:56 a.m. TJ HalfDork

bludroptop wrote:

I had a crack in the lense of one OEM foglight - so I failed inspection. So, I removed both foglights (and left the wires dangling from the bumper). Now I passed.

I failed one year when I lived in VA becuase the factory fog lights on my Jeep TJ were deemed illegal. They were the factory lights but mounted on an aftrmarket bumper. They guy said they were too close to being the same height as the headlights or some sort of nonsense. I too, just removed the,, left the wires dangling, paid my $1 and got reinspected.

What a racket. Now I live in a state with no inspection and I can't say that I see cars that are any less roadworthy than they were in VA.
Oct. 1, 2009 9:33 a.m. sachilles Reader

Some states also restrict where the lights can be placed. If above the headlights, they may require the lights to be covered while on the street.
Oct. 1, 2009 9:55 a.m. andrave HalfDork

Yes, as previously stated. Twice.
Oct. 1, 2009 5:36 p.m. MedicineMan New Reader

Well I am just going to take em off before hand...just so there is nothing to fuss about!
Oct. 1, 2009 6:21 p.m. friedgreencorrado Dork

Carson wrote:

I've found, with things like this, it will be 100% dependent on which inspection station you go to and/or who inspects it.

Bingo! I'm so glad I don't live in an inspection state anymore.

The muffer shop said I needed an exhaust. The glass shop said I needed a windshield. The full service gas station said I needed a tune up. The tire store said..well, you get the picture.

And none of them ever said anything about my other "problems". I was lucky enough to be an enthusiast, and always had a friendly import shop on standby. I honestly don't know how the non-enthusiasts get it done without paying some shyster a fortune.
Oct. 1, 2009 6:49 p.m. porksboy Dork

friedgreencorrado wrote:

The muffer shop said I needed an exhaust. The glass shop said I needed a windshield. The full service gas station said I needed a tune up. The tire store said..well, you get the picture.

And none of them ever said anything about my other "problems". I was lucky enough to be an enthusiast, and always had a friendly import shop on standby. I honestly don't know how the non-enthusiasts get it done without paying some shyster a fortune.

Who do you think get your state legislature to keep these "inspections" a requirement?
Oct. 2, 2009 10:51 p.m. friedgreencorrado Dork

porksboy wrote:

Who do you think get your state legislature to keep these "inspections" a requirement?

Good point.
Oct. 2, 2009 10:58 p.m. mad_machine SuperDork

Very good point. One of the reasons I go to the state run inspection places is because:

1: They are free

2: they are unbiased because they do not sell anything
Oct. 2, 2009 11:19 p.m. cwh Dork

In Florida, our state legislature is controlled, financed by, and dominated by lobbiests, political consultants and shysters. Somehow, with all those thieves running things, they abolished state run inspections after just a few years. Never heard the story on that, but it has to be a doozie.

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