No reverse lights in Texas? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

724x4a/cchevy · 12-08-2007, 01:30 PM

Is there any truth that you dont have to have reverse lights in Texas? A board member had me make them a set of Red LED reverse lights. He said they dont require reverse lights in Texas, and then decided not to pay, but thats a whole nother' story. Anyway, is the reverse light story true? Thanks alot
Justin

Slammed70 · 12-08-2007, 01:48 PM

Im sure theres some validity to it under certain circumstanses. Like here in Ks, if you dont have a rear bumper then you dont have to have tag lights.

OLDIRON69 · 12-08-2007, 02:23 PM

They don't check your reverse lights on a state vehicle inspection. I filled mine because of the PO's handy work...I'm gonna mount a fog light under the bed for a reverse lamp mainly because I usually have a trailer hooked to mine...

Stoney · 12-08-2007, 02:28 PM

Nope they do not

**special-K** · 12-08-2007, 02:58 PM

Heck no!Texas is so big you should always have room to turn around,right?

David Flores · 12-08-2007, 03:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by special-K

Heck no!Texas is so big you should always have room to turn around,right?

Longhorn Man · 12-08-2007, 03:24 PM

while they are not required by Tx inspection, they are technicly still required.
But you'd NEVER get a ticket for it.

Ole Blue 68 · 12-08-2007, 04:21 PM

BUT, you do need a light for your license plate. At least that's what a place round by me told me. So I said, "Ok, I'll bring it back to you," and promptly drove down the street to the next shop who passed it without issue.

724x4a/cchevy · 12-08-2007, 04:47 PM

Well then in that case!! You guys had better check the parts board!!
http://www.67-72chevytrucks.com/vboa...d.php?t=269438

lukecp · 12-08-2007, 05:36 PM

Both of my trucks had non-working reverse lights when I lived in Missouri and they never cared...I think its just one of those things they don't check.

Tx Firefighter · 12-08-2007, 09:22 PM

You should register it as an antique. It costs 11 bucks a year instead of 60 like normal, and no inspection required ever.

'71c204x4454 · 12-08-2007, 10:46 PM

I would think that reverse lights would not be requiered if it wasn't original equipment. Like pick-ups in the 60's. (I remember some '60-'66 not having any. My '66 had them though.) But if you had them on the truck from factory that they could say something.

69heavychevy · 12-08-2007, 11:30 PM

they are required, and they have to be white. a friend of mine got a ticket because his were blue.

Jtrux · 12-09-2007, 12:25 AM

I don't know about the reverse lights but i've gotten a ticket for license plate lights being out...TWICE!!!! Funny thing was it was two different vehicles, needless to say they work now.

hotrod 80 · 12-09-2007, 12:59 AM

Reverse lights working or not are not manditory in Texas .

Critter · 12-09-2007, 01:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 69heavychevy

they are required, and they have to be white. a friend of mine got a ticket because his were blue.

I think your friend probably got the ticket because of the color, not the functionality of the reverse lights. You cant have any kind of blue lights (or forward facing red lights), It has to do with those colors being reserved for the po-pos

cell · 12-09-2007, 01:48 AM

I passed inspection with no working reverse lights.

Tx Firefighter · 12-09-2007, 06:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 69heavychevy

they are required, and they have to be white. a friend of mine got a ticket because his were blue.

You're talking to a guy who used to do state inspections. They are not required.

The law does state that there shall be no blue lights on the vehicle. That is reserved for law enforcement. Further, there shall be nothing but amber or white light facing forward, and nothing but amber or red light facing rearward.

You can look that up. Your buddy got ticketed because of the color of his lamps.

**truckdude239** · 12-09-2007, 07:14 AM

as an inspector here in nc they are not required but i always recommend them to work

c10addict · 12-09-2007, 07:40 AM

They are required in Pa but I never hooked them up on my 68 or my 66 Nova.... The truck has a munci and I didnt want to go there

and the Nova is prostreet so If I get pulled over there will be much bigger issues!!

Plus I knew if I ran a toggle switch I would be turning it on going down the road if someone was on my tail..

68gmsee · 12-09-2007, 09:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tx Firefighter

You should register it as an antique. It costs 11 bucks a year instead of 60 like normal, and no inspection required ever.

Sorry for the hijack but, thanks for the tip. I didn't know that you could do this. I did a search and also found more info on specialty license plates. I'm going to place this on the general info forum for Texas owners of classic trucks.

http://rts.texasonline.state.tx.us/N...pid=10&pltid=5

Ole Blue 68 · 12-09-2007, 02:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 68gmsee

Sorry for the hijack but, thanks for the tip. I didn't know that you could do this. I did a search and also found more info on specialty license plates. I'm going to place this on the general info forum for Texas owners of classic trucks.

http://rts.texasonline.state.tx.us/N...pid=10&pltid=5

I didn't know that either. I knew we were exempt from emissions but not from the inspection. Giddyup! Thanks TX Firefighter!

OLDIRON69 · 12-09-2007, 02:22 PM

I have antique vehicle plates on one of my cars, you have restrictions on driving with the plates though..

Tx Firefighter · 12-09-2007, 04:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OLDIRON69

I have antique vehicle plates on one of my cars, you have restrictions on driving with the plates though..

All my trucks are registered as antiques. Yes, there are some restrictions written into the law. But, you are allowed to drive it if you're working on it, or for pleasure, or on the way to or from your shop, or....

Let's put it this way, I often wash my junk or tinker on it at work during slow time. Therefore, I'm working on it, or taking it to work to work on it, or coming home from work where I worked on it.

I've been doing this for better than 10 years now. A few times that I've been pulled over (not for the license plate issue ever), they never asked or cared. As long as I had insurance, they could care less what plate the truck has and they just dealt with the infraction that prompted the stop.

**clay68c10** · 12-09-2007, 08:33 PM

And you can run year of manufacture plates here! Not too many other states will let you do that.

12-08-2007, 01:30 PM	#1
724x4a/cchevy Self-proclaimed LED man Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Harrisburg, Missouri Posts: 1,021	No reverse lights in Texas? Is there any truth that you dont have to have reverse lights in Texas? A board member had me make them a set of Red LED reverse lights. He said they dont require reverse lights in Texas, and then decided not to pay, but thats a whole nother' story. Anyway, is the reverse light story true? Thanks alot Justin __________________ My LED Website My Photobucket Album of LED's Ask me about hand-made custom L.E.D brake and reverse lights. <- LINK I also do LED: -Third Brake/Cargo -Brake (truck and burb) -Reverse (truck and burb) -67-68 Front Turn Signals -69-70 Front Turn Signals -71-72 Front Turn Signals -GMC Front Turn Signals I can also do custom lights for other vehicles....i did a set for a AMC Gremlin once Norwood Survivor

12-08-2007, 02:23 PM	#3
OLDIRON69 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Ben Wheeler,Texas Posts: 992	Re: No reverse lights in Texas? They don't check your reverse lights on a state vehicle inspection. I filled mine because of the PO's handy work...I'm gonna mount a fog light under the bed for a reverse lamp mainly because I usually have a trailer hooked to mine... __________________ 05 2500HD 6.0 excab 69 LWB-Gone but not forgotten! 68 Dodge Charger 383/727 69 Dodge Charger-440/4spd

12-08-2007, 02:28 PM	#4
Stoney Farm Truck Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Jersey Village, Texas Posts: 547	Re: No reverse lights in Texas? Nope they do not __________________ 1969 CST/10 1984 K5 Blazer 4x4 2016 Dodge Ram 2500 4x4 Mike Jersey Village, Tx

12-08-2007, 02:58 PM	#5
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,851	Re: No reverse lights in Texas? Heck no!Texas is so big you should always have room to turn around,right? __________________ "BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~

12-08-2007, 03:24 PM	#7
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,690	Re: No reverse lights in Texas? while they are not required by Tx inspection, they are technicly still required. But you'd NEVER get a ticket for it.

12-08-2007, 04:21 PM	#8
Ole Blue 68 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Philly Posts: 1,140	Re: No reverse lights in Texas? BUT, you do need a light for your license plate. At least that's what a place round by me told me. So I said, "Ok, I'll bring it back to you," and promptly drove down the street to the next shop who passed it without issue.

12-08-2007, 04:47 PM	#9
724x4a/cchevy Self-proclaimed LED man Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Harrisburg, Missouri Posts: 1,021	Re: No reverse lights in Texas? Well then in that case!! You guys had better check the parts board!! http://www.67-72chevytrucks.com/vboa...d.php?t=269438 __________________ My LED Website My Photobucket Album of LED's Ask me about hand-made custom L.E.D brake and reverse lights. <- LINK I also do LED: -Third Brake/Cargo -Brake (truck and burb) -Reverse (truck and burb) -67-68 Front Turn Signals -69-70 Front Turn Signals -71-72 Front Turn Signals -GMC Front Turn Signals I can also do custom lights for other vehicles....i did a set for a AMC Gremlin once Norwood Survivor

12-08-2007, 05:36 PM	#10
lukecp Formerly yellow72custom Join Date: May 2001 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 7,531	Re: No reverse lights in Texas? Both of my trucks had non-working reverse lights when I lived in Missouri and they never cared...I think its just one of those things they don't check. __________________ '72 Chevy C10 Mild 350/TH350/3.07. Ochre/White. Old high school ride. '70 GMC C2500 '62 327 4bbl/SM465/4.56-geared Dana 60. White/White. Project or parts truck. '97 Saturn SL DD. 1.9/5-speed. 40+ highway mpg

12-08-2007, 09:22 PM	#11
Tx Firefighter Watch out for your cornhole ! Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Azle, Texas Posts: 14,162	Re: No reverse lights in Texas? You should register it as an antique. It costs 11 bucks a year instead of 60 like normal, and no inspection required ever. __________________ I'm on the Instagram- @Gearhead_Kevin

12-08-2007, 10:46 PM	#12
'71c204x4454 '71k204x4454 Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Hood River Or. Posts: 137	Re: No reverse lights in Texas? I would think that reverse lights would not be requiered if it wasn't original equipment. Like pick-ups in the 60's. (I remember some '60-'66 not having any. My '66 had them though.) But if you had them on the truck from factory that they could say something. __________________ 1971 K20 4x4 1964 buick skylark convertible

12-08-2007, 11:30 PM	#13
69heavychevy Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Garland,TX Posts: 431	Re: No reverse lights in Texas? they are required, and they have to be white. a friend of mine got a ticket because his were blue.

12-09-2007, 12:25 AM	#14
Jtrux I'm a poor spectator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: San Antonio, Tx Posts: 2,287	Re: No reverse lights in Texas? I don't know about the reverse lights but i've gotten a ticket for license plate lights being out...TWICE!!!! Funny thing was it was two different vehicles, needless to say they work now. __________________ 2006 Jeep Unlimited IMPACT ORANGE 1993 Chevy 2500 4x4 ExCab LWB 454/NV4500 Tow rig 1977 Ford F100 2x4 LWB 1st truck I owned, still have it!!! 1979 Ford F150 4x4 SWB Built Ford Tough!!! 1971 Chevy Blazer 350 / SM465 / NP205 UNDER CONSTRUCTION Soon to have a LQ4 6.0!!!

12-09-2007, 12:59 AM	#15
hotrod 80 mini truck racer Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Baytown , texas Posts: 3,010	Re: No reverse lights in Texas? Reverse lights working or not are not manditory in Texas .

12-09-2007, 01:48 AM	#17
cell Active Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Austin Posts: 217	Re: No reverse lights in Texas? I passed inspection with no working reverse lights.

12-09-2007, 07:14 AM	#19
truckdude239 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Lewisville, Nc Posts: 10,238	Re: No reverse lights in Texas? as an inspector here in nc they are not required but i always recommend them to work __________________ David fuller Ase Certified Mechanic Click here to help support our board!! 1971 Chevy c-10 under going a 4.8l LSx swap Build Thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=421305 2007 Honda Accord my daily 145kmiles 2002 Honda Accord 4 door With 330k(sisters car) 2005 toyota Avalon 228k( brothers car) 2002 Sububran 5.3 245k 2000 Tahoe 5.3l 378 General manager for Marco's Carwash & lube



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12-09-2007, 07:40 AM	#20
c10addict Registered User Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: pittsburgh pa Posts: 1,970	Re: No reverse lights in Texas? They are required in Pa but I never hooked them up on my 68 or my 66 Nova.... The truck has a munci and I didnt want to go there and the Nova is prostreet so If I get pulled over there will be much bigger issues!! Plus I knew if I ran a toggle switch I would be turning it on going down the road if someone was on my tail.. __________________ 68 C10 Shorty TPI,Bagged, and all the good stuff. Classic trucks feature June 06, On the cover of Jegs Christmas Catalog 08 67 C10 Shorty Shop truck project Bagged and Z'd under destruction and getting nowhere fast. 64 C10 Shop Truck/Daily driver, Bagged, Dropmember, SOLD!!!! Gone but not forgotten.. 54 GMC under the knife getting a S10 chassis swap and bagged. See my build thread... 07 GMC Sierra 5/7 drop, 22's and 24's Air ride on my mind.. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=339340 See pics of my trucks in my profile Last edited by c10addict; 12-09-2007 at 07:43 AM.

12-09-2007, 02:22 PM	#23
OLDIRON69 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Ben Wheeler,Texas Posts: 992	Re: No reverse lights in Texas? I have antique vehicle plates on one of my cars, you have restrictions on driving with the plates though.. __________________ 05 2500HD 6.0 excab 69 LWB-Gone but not forgotten! 68 Dodge Charger 383/727 69 Dodge Charger-440/4spd

12-09-2007, 08:33 PM	#25
clay68c10 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Centennial, CO Posts: 2,991	Re: No reverse lights in Texas? And you can run year of manufacture plates here! Not too many other states will let you do that. __________________ ClusterTruck: 68 C10 Bought in 89, wrecked in 03. Slow low $ rebuild started '17. 6.0 & TKO http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=788602 93 K1500 Short Step, 350, NV4500, EBL flash ECU. Vortec heads & roller cam someday... 05 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited. 3” lift & 6-speed 02 E320 the insurance total “free car” 13 Tahoe LTZ

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