Are smoked reflectors illegal?

marinadazza · 02-16-2008, 04:24 PM

Does anyone know if smoked/clear reflectors are illegal in California?

I read this thread, which makes it seem like painted ones are:
http://www.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho...ferrerid=32947

But I am trying to figure out if a smoke/clear reflector is legal, or if they are supposed to all be Orange?

I have already replaced mine last night, just wondering if I should be careful if I see the Fuzz driving down the street!

Mattscott · 02-16-2008, 04:32 PM

It might be illegal, but so is not having a front plate.

The law doesnt seem to be holding you back from putting that on.

ModBargains.com · 02-16-2008, 04:51 PM

hahaha i doubt it's illegal. I suppose if you want, I can find out for you since there's couple of cops that always go to this starbucks near Diamond Bar.. but honestly, it didn't lose its function. I don't see why it would be illegal.

Looks great btw!

-James

PS. I'll let you know if I get pulled over for smoked reflectors if i ever do since I have one myself.

SV Concepts III · 02-16-2008, 04:55 PM

Actually, removing the stock amber reflectors for anything but another set of amber reflectors is technically illegal. With that said, I have only seen one person in about 4-5 years of carrying painted/smoked/clear reflectors get ticketed for this and it was a simple fix it ticket. If you get such a ticket, swap back in the amber reflectors, get it signed off, swap back out. Most cops aren't car savvy enough to know the difference however.

marinadazza · 02-16-2008, 04:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mattscott

It might be illegal, but so is not having a front plate.

The law doesnt seem to be holding you back from putting that on.

Good point :-)

I suppose I worried when I read the other thread, because thats around where I drive to work (Milpitas/San Jose). Either way a fix it ticket I can live with. I am English though, so I will plead ignorance and being a foreign national!!

Thx for response!

just4kickz · 02-16-2008, 05:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marinadazza

Good point :-)

I suppose I worried when I read the other thread, because thats around where I drive to work (Milpitas/San Jose). Either way a fix it ticket I can live with. I am English though, so I will plead ignorance and being a foreign national!!

Thx for response!

haha plead ignorance! nice. i should do that... me no speaky english. whaaaat? whaaat? speed? i no speed.

marinadazza · 02-16-2008, 05:07 PM

Thanks Nick / James for the responses. It may be technically illegal, but if they pull me up for it, I might have to question their priorities if thats all they have to do. I figure it is worth the risk as it looks much better :-)

Cheers!

bimdaddy · 02-16-2008, 05:10 PM

Don't question their priorities...They'll def give you a ticket.

marinadazza · 02-16-2008, 05:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by just4kickz

haha plead ignorance! nice. i should do that... me no speaky english. whaaaat? whaaat? speed? i no speed.

I'll try some cockney ryhming slang....
"Allright guvnor whats wrong wiv your plates of meat over here giving me all this barnery rubble!"

Should work!

Professor///M · 07-13-2010, 01:51 AM

I know this is an old thread but reading some literature for those that are/were interested...

In North america it is required to have front amber bulbs (blinkers) as well as a front amber reflector on both sides. Any deletion of the front amber reflector could be ticketed.

It is also required to have red rear reflectors (generally are integrated in tail lights), and either red or amber rear blinker bulbs.

So despite all of us enjoying our painted or smoked/clear reflectors (I just put mine on before doing the research) they are unfortunately illegal.

Shazmonkee · 07-13-2010, 02:48 AM

I've had mine for more than 3 years. Never got pulled over for that. Tints, yes, but not reflectors

Thunder Dump · 07-13-2010, 07:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PAMidge

it is required to have front amber bulbs (blinkers) as well as a front amber reflector on both sides. Any deletion of the front amber reflector could be ticketed.

It is also required to have red rear reflectors (generally are integrated in tail lights), and either red or amber rear blinker bulbs.

So despite all of us enjoying our painted or smoked/clear reflectors (I just put mine on before doing the research) they are unfortunately illegal.

This. It's a US Federal DOT requirement and as such it's illegal in all 50 states. Whether or not you'll get hassled/ticketed for it is another story. But you've just given the police in every jurisdiction probable cause to pull you over if they so choose.

E92-Lighting · 07-13-2010, 05:59 PM

your more likely to get ticketed for tints than smoked/clear reflectors

02-16-2008, 04:24 PM	#1
marinadazza Mod Virgin 8 Rep 62 Posts Drives: e92 335 & e60 530i Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Norcal iTrader: (0)	Are smoked reflectors illegal? Does anyone know if smoked/clear reflectors are illegal in California? I read this thread, which makes it seem like painted ones are: http://www.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho...ferrerid=32947 But I am trying to figure out if a smoke/clear reflector is legal, or if they are supposed to all be Orange? I have already replaced mine last night, just wondering if I should be careful if I see the Fuzz driving down the street! __________________ - - - '08 e92 335 - Sparkling Graphite, Black/Gray Wood, 6MT, Options: Every one I could afford + M Shift Knob & M eBrake, Smoke reflectors, F1 Tint 35%, CF license frame, CF Roundel overlays (on wheels), Aluminium pedals, Machined Aluminium Air Con. Dials - - -
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02-16-2008, 04:32 PM	#2
Mattscott Major General 110 Rep 8,327 Posts Drives: 2007 335i E90 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Beaumont, CA iTrader: (2)	It might be illegal, but so is not having a front plate. The law doesnt seem to be holding you back from putting that on. __________________ Legal Disclaimer: Anything I or anyone else says about my vehicle on this website(e90post.com or any affiliated or nonaffiliated sites), pertaining to modifications, is only to gain acceptance from my/our peers, and does not actually represent anything actually existing on my car, and thus, cannot be held against me in any issues, i.e. warranty claims, that may arise.
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02-16-2008, 04:51 PM	#3
ModBargains.com Banned 492 Rep 13,582 Posts Drives: JB E92 335i Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: 1721 E. Lambert Rd #C, La Habra, CA 90631 iTrader: (51)	hahaha i doubt it's illegal. I suppose if you want, I can find out for you since there's couple of cops that always go to this starbucks near Diamond Bar.. but honestly, it didn't lose its function. I don't see why it would be illegal. Looks great btw! -James PS. I'll let you know if I get pulled over for smoked reflectors if i ever do since I have one myself.
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02-16-2008, 04:55 PM	#4
SV Concepts III Lieutenant General 382 Rep 16,968 Posts Drives: BMW Duh Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Santa Clara iTrader: (13)	Actually, removing the stock amber reflectors for anything but another set of amber reflectors is technically illegal. With that said, I have only seen one person in about 4-5 years of carrying painted/smoked/clear reflectors get ticketed for this and it was a simple fix it ticket. If you get such a ticket, swap back in the amber reflectors, get it signed off, swap back out. Most cops aren't car savvy enough to know the difference however.
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02-16-2008, 05:07 PM	#7
marinadazza Mod Virgin 8 Rep 62 Posts Drives: e92 335 & e60 530i Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Norcal iTrader: (0)	Thanks Nick / James for the responses. It may be technically illegal, but if they pull me up for it, I might have to question their priorities if thats all they have to do. I figure it is worth the risk as it looks much better :-) Cheers! __________________ - - - '08 e92 335 - Sparkling Graphite, Black/Gray Wood, 6MT, Options: Every one I could afford + M Shift Knob & M eBrake, Smoke reflectors, F1 Tint 35%, CF license frame, CF Roundel overlays (on wheels), Aluminium pedals, Machined Aluminium Air Con. Dials - - -
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02-16-2008, 05:10 PM	#8
bimdaddy Major 39 Rep 1,165 Posts Drives: 911 Carrera & G01 X3 Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: MD iTrader: (10)	Don't question their priorities...They'll def give you a ticket. __________________ 2020 X3 X-Drive 30i; Alpine White/Mocha
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07-13-2010, 01:51 AM	#10
Professor///M Brigadier General 839 Rep 3,343 Posts Drives: 2022 M3, 2022 X5 40i; Join Date: May 2007 Location: Northeast iTrader: (5) Garage List 2022 BMW M3 Comp. [0.00] 2016 BMW X5 35i [10.00]	I know this is an old thread but reading some literature for those that are/were interested... In North america it is required to have front amber bulbs (blinkers) as well as a front amber reflector on both sides. Any deletion of the front amber reflector could be ticketed. It is also required to have red rear reflectors (generally are integrated in tail lights), and either red or amber rear blinker bulbs. So despite all of us enjoying our painted or smoked/clear reflectors (I just put mine on before doing the research) they are unfortunately illegal.
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07-13-2010, 02:48 AM	#11
Shazmonkee 116 Rep 2,455 Posts Drives: BMW E92 Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: United States iTrader: (11) Garage List 2007 BMW 328i E92 C ... [0.00]	I've had mine for more than 3 years. Never got pulled over for that. Tints, yes, but not reflectors
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07-13-2010, 05:59 PM	#13
E92-Lighting 889 Rep 35,253 Posts Drives: Next Generation LED Lighting Join Date: May 2008 Location: Walnut iTrader: (324)	your more likely to get ticketed for tints than smoked/clear reflectors
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