Penalty for tinted taillights

What is the fine for tinting taillights or headlights? Help for car owners

There is an opinion that darkening certain elements in a car is done solely for decorative purposes. Indeed, a well-chosen color can transform a car for the better: make it more stylish, add individuality to it. But this is not its only function when it comes to lighting devices.

The film can significantly protect glass or plastic from damage that can be caused by particles of gravel or crushed stone flying out from under the wheels of a vehicle. But there is also the other side of the coin - the possible illegality of using tinting and the subsequent punishment in connection with this. This aspect is discussed in this article.

Penalties for tinting rear and front lights

Chapter 12 of the current edition of the “Code of the Russian Federation on Administrative Offenses” dated December 30, 2001 No. 195 states that for violation of the rules for using external light sources of a car, punishment ranges from issuing a warning to deprivation of a driver’s license for a year.

Regarding lighting devices, violations associated with their dimming can be regarded as a discrepancy in approval for operation, and even as a machine malfunction. All this can pose a threat to other drivers.

Therefore, it is prohibited to use coloring that:

significantly reduces the ability to transmit light;
changes the permitted shade of the radiation itself.

In accordance with the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation, Article 12.4, paragraph 1, tinting the front lights is subject to a fine:

3,000 rubles for individuals;
15,000 – 20,000 rubles for officials responsible for the operation of this vehicle;
400,000 – 500,000 rubles for legal entities.

Also, illegally installed lighting devices will be confiscated, and the violator may lose his rights from six months to a year, according to the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation, Article 12.5, paragraphs 1,3.

Decree of the Government of the Russian Federation dated October 23, 1993 No. 1090 “On Road Traffic Rules” approves the basic provisions for the admission of vehicles to operation and the responsibilities of officials to ensure road safety.

The least serious consequences await drivers who reduce the light transmittance to slightly below the legal limit. They are due a warning or a fine of 500 rubles.

This type of coating is distinguished by its ability to change shade depending on the lighting. Outwardly, it looks like a play of different tones. But for the traffic police inspector, it doesn’t matter what kind of film is used - “Chameleon”, one-color or pure factory glass. What is important is the light transmittance of the glass and the color of the emitted light, which is required by technical regulations.

Accordingly, the legality of this type of coloring is also determined by the code of the Russian Federation and is similar to the others.

Is blackout allowed?

There is no clear interpretation of the legality of this under the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation . In general, everything related to the legislative regulation of this issue is explained rather vaguely.

There is absolutely no mention in the document of tuning the car's lights directly in its tail section. But there are certain standards, subject to which the motorist will not have problems with inspectors. This aspect is covered by GOST of the Russian Federation.

GOST requirements

According to the State Standard of the Russian Federation for motor vehicles, no more than 15% of their light should be absorbed by tinting. This rule applies primarily to front lights. Regarding the color of the light beam itself, the following requirements are defined:

Front side lights, reversing lights, license plate lights, low and high beams, and possibly front fog lights should be white.
The brake signal, rear parking lights and rear fog lights are red.
The turn signal and front fog lights are yellow. Orange is also acceptable for turn signals.

Therefore, when changing the appearance of lighting equipment, it is necessary to use the material in such a way that the beam does not lose more than 15% of the light. The reversing lights should be white, and the brake signal, tail lights and fog lights should be red. Also, the turn signal should be yellow or orange.

If these conditions are met, no violations will be detected.

How to calculate light transmittance?

The light transmittance of glass with film is measured using a special device - a taumeter. In a new car it does not have 100% light transmission and reaches 90% at best. If it is not new, then even less - 75-80%. The taumeter itself has an error of 2%. Therefore, for independent calculations, it is necessary to multiply the percentages of light transmittance of glass and film.

For example, the light transmittance of the film is 87%, and the glass is new. Then we get the final degree, 0.87*0.90=0.783. 78.3%-2%= 76.3%.

Which coating to choose: varnish or film?

At the moment, the most popular, due to their availability and efficiency, are two types of car lighting tuning: film and varnish. But each of these methods has its pros and cons.

Vinyl, matte, glossy film:

Easy to remove.
The headlight is protected from scratches.
Possibility of use in individual areas while maintaining the level of light transmission.
Turns yellow and fades within 3-5 years.
Most often used for front lights.

Acrylic lacquer:

It is difficult to change the tone or remove the coating.
Cheap compared to film.
Possibility of obtaining a unique shade.
Risk of uneven application.
Reduces dispersion and visibility when driving at night.
Mainly used for rear lights.

Inspection of lighting devices

Inspection of lighting devices is a check for the presence of mechanical damage, dirt and additional elements that cover part of the headlight. At the same time, GOST requirements are taken into account. The performance of light-emitting diodes, the shape of external lighting fixtures and the presence of light beam diffusers are noted.

In order for a vehicle to be considered fit for use, two conditions must be met:

The front lights must produce at least 85% of the light. Relative to the others, this aspect is not measured.
The color of the radiation when turned on should give white, yellow, red and orange tones, depending on the purpose of the lighting device.

Controversial situations of this traffic violation and ways to avoid sanctions

The traffic inspector can visually determine that the color does not match the prescribed shade. For example, if you apply a blue tone to brake lights, they may produce a purple glow and not be bright enough. Then the official issues a fine. If the driver does not agree, a protocol is first written.

Since the inspector does not have a special device for determining the color of the beam, in order to prove the guilt of the motorist, the traffic police officer can resort to the help of witnesses who will confirm that, in their opinion, the color of the beam was purple. The names of witnesses are also entered into the protocol. Next, a decision is made.

The owner of the car has the right to challenge the officer’s decision at the traffic police department or in court. To do this, it is necessary to describe as accurately as possible what the driver does not agree with and what the road conditions were.

Conclusion

Compliance with traffic rules is the main responsibility of every driver. But the technical condition of the vehicle also has a huge impact on safety on the road, and any design changes in the car can lead to an emergency. These include tuning the car's lighting devices, which, if done improperly, can reduce visibility and confuse other road users.

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What is the fine for tinting headlights in 2020?

Any changes to the external appearance of the vehicle must comply with current legislation. If the regulations do not allow changing the view, then this cannot be done. And one of the unacceptable practices is tinting the headlights. It indirectly affects road safety, increasing the risks of all road users. To minimize the risks of an emergency event, a penalty for tinting headlights has been introduced at the federal level.

And further about what tinting of headlights is, in what situations it is acceptable and when the driver will have to pay for such changes in the appearance of the vehicle.

Headlight tinting: types of monetary penalties

You can tint the front or rear lights, or all at once. The color of the coating can be bright red or match the tone of the car. The headlights can simply be covered with a colorless film, protecting the surface of the device.

The following sanctions are provided:

penalty for incorrect tinting of headlights - 3,000 rubles (more than 15% of light transmittance);
penalty for tinting rear lights - 500 rubles.

And then we will consider the various options.

Headlight Coverings: When is Covering Appropriate?

To be honest, tinting is an absolutely useless procedure from a practical point of view. The coating hardly protects the vehicle element in any way, but simply gives it aesthetic beauty. For example, a covered headlight harmonizes perfectly with the color of the car or, conversely, contrasts perfectly against its background. Most drivers tint their headlights not because they need to, but because they look beautiful.

What tinting options are there?

Despite the apparent uniformity of headlights, there is not one, but several methods of tinting.

This can be done using:

vinyl film. The coating can be glossy or matte. The advantage of the coating is that it allows you to protect the headlights themselves from minor scratches and other damage and physical impact. If necessary, the film can be easily removed or renewed.
varnish. A popular option among old-school drivers. The downside is that the method reduces the light transmittance of the headlight. The result is less light, more risks on the road. With this option the penalty will be 100%.

Not popular, but common options are painting. There are many paint options, each owner uses the one he considers necessary. There is also the option of “decorating” the headlight even with nylon tights.

The most correct option is film tinting. But you need to use such a coating correctly, understand its properties, strength, etc. Partial tinting of specific areas of the headlight is used, rather than full coverage.

Fine for tinting headlights 2020

Interesting fact: the owner of a vehicle can be held accountable for several measures at once - both for installing headlights and for driving such a vehicle.

based on Administrative Code 12.4.1

The essence of this rule is that the driver is held accountable for tinting the headlights red or another tone equivalent to this color. The penalty is applied not only for covering, but also for installing non-standard red devices on the front or rear headlights.

Based on this violation, either the driver, if the vehicle belongs to an individual, or an official of the company who allowed this fact is held liable (in addition, the company itself is also held accountable). The peculiarity is that the offense is not driving a car, but the installation of red headlights itself.

The type of punishment is a monetary penalty in the amount of 3,000 rubles with additional confiscation of such devices.

based on Administrative Code 12.5.1

The essence of the rule is violation of the rules for operating a vehicle, including the installation of lighting fixtures that violate the rules for permitting a vehicle to operate. In fact, these are cases when the headlights are tinted with any color other than red, and the light transmittance of the devices is significantly reduced.

You can simply receive a warning (depending on the severity of the act), and also receive a fine of 500 rubles.

based on Administrative Code 12.5.3

Become somewhat similar to 12.4.1. Code of Administrative Offences, but the only difference lies in the actions of the driver: there he is held accountable for installing tinting or other additional elements, but here he is punished for driving such a car.

Nobody issues a fine. They can immediately confiscate your license for a period of six months to a year.

Penalties

The punishment depends on how serious the offense was committed by the owner of the car and how much the light transmittance of the devices was impaired. For example, it is strictly forbidden to paint headlights. With such coverage, the risks of an emergency on the roads at night are enormous.

But depending on the type of act, there may be different measures of liability, which will be discussed further.

Headlight tinting

Liability for tinting headlights can vary from monetary penalties to confiscation of rights. The type of punishment is even influenced by the color of the tinting:

Thus, for covering headlights in red, a penalty of 3,000 rubles is provided. The sanction for individuals involves not only payment of the specified amount, but also confiscation of such devices. If a car with red headlights belongs to a company, then it will be obliged to pay from 400 to 500 thousand rubles to the budget. The official who committed the violation will be fined 15 thousand rubles. (maximum amount - up to 20 thousand rubles);
When tinting headlights with any color other than red, the penalty will be 500 rubles. The reason for the punishment is a decrease in the light transmittance of the headlight on the road, which can lead to an emergency situation on the roads.

The driver may be left without the right to drive a vehicle for a period of up to 12 months. The sanction applies when installing red tinting. As a rule, inspectors apply the norm in court when a violation is repeatedly recorded.

Tail lights: to tint or not?

Regardless of whether the headlights are front or rear, tinting after the car has left the factory assembly line is strictly prohibited. An exception is if the car, according to production regulations, is already produced with some tinting.

It is also interesting that you cannot even cover the taillights with a protective film. Despite the fact that it does not affect light transmission in any way, it is prohibited by law. And even for this they can issue a fine.

There are people who try to circumvent the law. For example, according to the regulations, you cannot cover the headlights with a coating that somehow distorts the optical image. This could be film, varnish, etc. But, for example, plywood or cardboard do not create such an illusion and can be freely used to “fix” lanterns. So no, this is also a violation.

What if the tint comes from the factory?

The only case when the driver is not responsible in any way for the presence of tinting on his car. There are several models that are already on the market with tinted headlights. If an inspector stops such a car, the owner must explain the situation. He will definitely not be responsible for the manufacturer.

Light tinting: to pay a fine or not?

There are many cars on the roads with poorly tinted headlights. In practice, violators are not often held accountable for such actions. The inspector simply does not see such tinting and cannot hold the owner accountable. In fact, he can do this based on the rules of the law. Therefore, even for weak tinting one day you will have to pay. But if it’s not very visible, then you can try and test your luck.

Headlight tinting: is it possible to pass a technical inspection?

Theoretically, you can pass a technical inspection with tinted headlights. The same Code of Administrative Offenses does not in any way prohibit driving a vehicle where the headlights have a slightly reduced light transmittance. There is a clear ban on tinting the side and windshield, but nothing is said about the headlights. Conclusion of our motorists: not prohibited, therefore allowed.

But no. If you look at the requirements that a car must meet before being allowed to drive, it says: you cannot operate a vehicle where the headlights have a poor lighting function. Therefore, no service station employee should give the go-ahead when the headlights are tinted. And if you can still “close your eyes” when covering the rear lights, then when tinting the headlights this is strictly prohibited.

Headlight tinting is a purely decorative tool, in some cases it performs a light protective function. But in most cases, the coating reduces the light transmittance of devices, which increases the risk of an emergency. That is why there is a punishment for such actions of the car owner.

No one is saying that light tinting can harm road users. With this option, even inspectors can only issue warnings without imposing penalties. But other types of tinting can not only damage the vehicle, but also harm people’s lives. Therefore, it is better to refuse such beauty.

Headlight tinting - fine in 2018

Tinting headlights is a fashion trend, but clearly not an urgent need. Any tuning and design changes to a vehicle can lead to an emergency situation. Therefore, it is so important to know which headlight tinting is acceptable and which entails penalties in the form of penalties. The fine for tinting headlights varies from 500 rubles. for ordinary citizens and up to 500 thousand rubles. for organizations.

Fine for tinting headlights

Headlight tinting fine 2018

Some car owners in Russia like it when the shade of the headlights harmonizes with the color of the car, while others like bright colors of lighting devices. The temptation is especially great to apply tint to a new car. Such citizens do not think about fines for headlight covers. But in vain, because you need to tint wisely not only to avoid a fine, but also to pass technical inspections. inspection.

The main problem is that the law does not clearly state how headlights can be tinted and how not. Therefore, there is always a potential risk of unforeseen situations and difficulties both when undergoing maintenance and when driving a tuned car around the city. The main requirement for headlights is that they transmit the required level of light. According to many car service specialists, applying a film reduces the level of safety of vehicle operation.

Important! The denser the tinting, the higher the likelihood that the headlights will shine dimly: an oncoming car in the evening and at night may not notice the tuned car. The risk of road accidents increases.

There are 2 known ways to apply tone:

vinyl tint film;
varnish

In the case of a reasonable application of tinting film on the headlights, a fine can be avoided: this is the most optimal option, since it can be replaced at any time and removed during maintenance.

Pros of tint film:

ease of application, safe removal;
possibility of quick replacement and adjustment of light transmission;
5 year warranty;
Allows light to diffuse more softly.

Headlights tinted with Chameleon film

Mainly the front headlights are tinted with film; for the rear ones, acrylic varnish with special pigmentation is used.

The advantage of tinting with varnish is that it is cheap. But there are as many as 3 minuses: this is the difficulty of changing the color, a significant reduction in light transmission capacity and poor visibility when driving in the evening at night. The coating is often applied unevenly: as a result, light is diffused less smoothly than with film tinting. Therefore, before saving money and tinting your car with varnish, you should think again about the possible negative consequences.

Headlights, tinted with varnish

According to GOST 3544-75, high and low beam lights should shine white. The side lights should also be white at the front and red at the rear. Headlights that glow during fog can be either yellow or white.

Important! If the tint color of the headlights differs from GOST due to factory assembly - for example, cars from Japan and the USA have red turn indicators - these vehicles will be able to be used without problems. There is no fine for tinted headlights in this case.

Sometimes tinting protects light fixtures from damage: if a pebble gets caught under a wheel, the film can protect the headlight from cracks. Many auto centers even offer to apply a special 2 mm transparent film.

So, the headlights should shine in white to illuminate the distance and near front lights, registration signs and rear lights. Red color is used in the tinting of rear lights, brake lights, and anti-fog headlights on the rear of the car. Fog lights should be yellow or white, and the turn signal for American vehicles and Japanese cars can be red or yellow.

What is the fine?

The 2018 fine for tinting rear lights is regulated by Art. 12.4, 12.5 – clauses 1 and 12.5 clause 3 of the Administrative Code.

Punishment in the form of a monetary sanction threatens motorists who:

the lighting devices do not match the color scheme - on the front of the vehicle they are red: for physical persons. persons 3 thousand rubles* + confiscation of tuning parts (possible deprivation of rights for a period of 6 months to a year according to paragraph 3 of article 12.5.), for persons upon execution - from 15 to 20 thousand rubles*, for organizations – from 400 to 500 thousand rubles*
if the light transmission capacity is insufficient, the fine will be 500 rubles.* In this case, the violation of the specified lighting criteria must be at the front headlights.

In the event of an accident, the driver who has the film pasted on the headlights will be responsible - a fine cannot be avoided.

Who can fine?

Only traffic police officers, in particular traffic police, can fine drivers for this administrative offense. It is their responsibility to monitor the situation on the roads of Moscow and other Russian cities. Representatives of other departmental structures are not vested with similar powers.

Traffic police inspector stops a violator

Important! The traffic police inspector at the scene of the incident is obliged to write out a Protocol, which records the date, information about the vehicle, owner and the essence of the violation. There is no need to pay the fine on the spot. This can be done at a Sberbank branch, a special application or website.

You can appeal the decision within 10 days, and pay the fine within 3 months.

How to pay the fine?

The most convenient way to pay traffic police fines is online: through the State Services portal, the official website of the traffic police, as well as the mobile application. If you don’t have a phone at hand, but you really want to pay the fine “without delay,” you can do it through the Sberbank system: both through an ATM and through a teller.

But it is better to wait for the moment when you have the opportunity to use Internet technologies, since in case of payment through State Services or the website, a 50% discount is provided on the amount from the Protocol. In addition, using the built-in service on the website, you can check whether the owner of the vehicle has any other fines. To do this, you must enter the vehicle registration number and driver's license number. The list will be generated automatically.

How to avoid a fine for booking headlights?

It is allowed to operate a vehicle with the color of lighting fixtures permitted in accordance with GOST after tuning, as well as vehicles with factory-tinted headlights. In other cases, it will not be possible to avoid punishment.

What changes are planned at the legislative level?

Preparation of a new bill

The State Duma Committee is already preparing a draft law to tighten penalties for car tinting by 10 times. There is a high probability that the requirements will become stricter not only for car windows, but also for headlights. In addition, on May 4, 2018, more stringent rules for undergoing maintenance came into force: now any design change must be recorded in the vehicle passport. If a discrepancy between the brand of the steering wheel or the car's injectors is the reason for the car not being allowed into operation, then tinted headlights can bring trouble to the car owner. Therefore, tinting the headlights in 2018 with a dark film and, moreover, varnishing them is strongly not recommended.

Tinted taillights fine 2018

Note! The law does not provide for a fine for tinted taillights.

The rear lights can be tinted in red, yellow and orange. At the same time, reversing lighting devices and state lighting. signs must be white. If there are violations, according to the Code of Administrative Offences, Part 1. Article 12.5. for tinted taillights the fine will be 500 rubles.* Thus, traffic police inspectors can be fined for tinted taillights in exceptional cases.

To tint or not to tint headlights is a personal decision for everyone. But it is not a fact that the owner of a tuned car will be supported by traffic police inspectors, maintenance employees, and road users. Therefore, it is so important to study all the nuances of the legislation regarding headlight tinting and make the right choice, finding a compromise between safety and design.

*Fine amounts are current as of July 2018.

Fine for tinting car lights in 2018-2019

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Tinting the rear lights, like the front ones, does not make much practical sense. It is carried out rather for fun. This is a unique type of tuning that young people are passionate about. Meanwhile, the action can have unpleasant consequences. Flashlights hidden under the film are not very visible in the dark, which increases the risk of an accident. That is why inspectors actively identify such violations and fine them. But the types of car window tinting, for example, are different. There are also acceptable ones. Is it the same with lanterns? Let's figure it out.

Fine for tinting

The car has lights on two sides: front and rear. Their tinting needs to be considered separately, because the functions, for example, of brake lights and headlights are completely different.

Fine for tinting front lights

The first thing to note is that in the Russian Federation there are “Basic provisions for the admission of vehicles to operation.” The document describes in detail what a “correct car” should look like and be equipped with, and what violations cannot be driven in a car. The legislator refers to this legal document in a number of articles of the Administrative Code. As for the punishment for tinting headlights, everything is very serious here. Moreover, the traffic police inspector can hold you accountable under one of several articles - it all depends on the circumstances of a particular situation. Options:

Driving a vehicle with malfunctions, which are mentioned in the “Basic Provisions...” (Article 12.5.1 of the Administrative Code). This is a general article; it doesn’t say anything specifically about headlights, but a violation such as tinting them constitutes an offense. If a driver gets behind the wheel of a car with toner on the headlights, then he is already at fault. If you're lucky, it will end with a warning. If not, a fine of 500 rubles will be issued;
Installation of devices of the wrong color (12.4.1 Code of Administrative Offences). Here we are talking about headlights. If they do not comply with GOST, the car owner can be fined 3 thousand rubles, and the devices can be confiscated. However, most likely, they will simply force you to rip off the film. But this will not free you from the need to transfer the above amount of money to the budget. Important: the offense occurs even if the driver was not driving the car and it was just parked on the street;
Art. 12.5.3 of the Code of Administrative Offenses prohibits driving a car with headlights not in accordance with GOST - of an unspecified color. And such an offense is punished very strictly: the driver is deprived of his license for 6-12 months.

Thus, it is better not to do anything at all with the front lights; there is a high risk of becoming a pedestrian for the whole year.

Fine for tinting rear lights

The Code of Administrative Offenses does not mention taillights. But this does not mean that they can be tinted. In Art. 12.15 there is a reference to the “Basic provisions...”. And this legal act already states that rear lights must:

match the design of the car;
be clean.

Obviously, tinted side lights or brake lights are not provided for by the design of the car. Consequently, the driver may be fined 500 rubles.

For 2018, you can still pay for it with a 50 percent discount, but there are rumors that the “benefits” will be canceled because they do not justify themselves. The number of offenses is not decreasing, and fine collections remain low.

Conditions under which there is no punishment

What can help a motorist avoid liability?
First, you need to understand that window tinting and headlight tinting are two different things. If in the first case, mainly light transmittance is taken into account, then in the second, attention is paid to color. Brake lights and rear markers should be red. Turn signals - orange or yellow. Headlights are white. Therefore, you can tint with a film of the indicated colors. It is possible that light tinting that darkens the main color will also not be considered an offense. But if the brake marks on the car are black, but should be red, then the inspector has the right to issue a fine. Another option to avoid punishment is to correct the violation on the spot. It was stated above that the most severe punishment is for installing lights of the wrong color. Toning them is a slightly different matter. You can simply tear off the film, and the dimensions, again, will meet the requirements of GOST. How many cars are driven with violations? Obviously a lot. But not every driver is issued a fine. The main thing is to take the necessary measures in time and think before tinting the lights.

Correct tinting according to GOST

Tinting according to GOST 2018 - 2019 is, first of all, certain requirements for the colors of lanterns, namely:

low beam, high beam and front dimensions must be white;
rear dimensions – red;
brake lights - red;
license plate illumination – white;
reversing lights – white;
turn signals - yellow, orange or red.

However, as for red turn signals, they can occur if they are provided for by the design of the car. These are installed on some Japanese and American cars. If any Priora does not have yellow or orange turn signals, the driver will receive a fine. Thus, it is possible to tint the lights. But you need to choose either transparent films, or close to it, or films of permitted colors.

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Is tinting the front and rear headlights allowed or prohibited?

Compliance with traffic rules is a vital necessity for every road user. To protect yourself and other drivers, you should also take the time to maintain your vehicle. Any design changes to the vehicle may cause a malfunction and lead to an emergency situation.

The likelihood of an accident also increases if tuning work is carried out, which can reduce the quality of visibility. In particular, we are talking about tinting lighting fixtures. The fine for tinting headlights in 2019 is quite large.

When is headlight tinting appropriate?

To figure out whether tinting headlights is allowed, you first need to decide on the feasibility of carrying out this type of procedure. It should be noted right away that tinting a vehicle’s light fixtures is more of a fashion statement than a vital necessity.

The color of the headlight tinting can be in harmony with the overall color scheme of the vehicle. An option with the implementation of contrasting colors is also possible. You should be as careful as possible, because too dense tinting can lead to a decrease in the brightness of the headlights .

Varnish or film?

Tinting of vehicle lighting equipment is carried out using film or varnish. In the first case, a special vinyl film is used, which also acts as an additional element to protect the headlight from mechanical damage. It protects lighting fixtures from small stones.

If necessary, this type of tint can be removed very easily. And in order to ensure that the level of light transmission does not decrease, you can simply tint only a separate section of the headlight with film. The surface of this type of tinting can be matte or glossy.

Important! According to established safety standards, the tint film must absorb no more than 15% of the brightness of light radiation (this applies primarily to headlights). Otherwise, operation of the vehicle will be prohibited.

The presence of factory tinting on the headlights exempts you from paying a fine for violating the rules of vehicle operation. Personally tinting lighting fixtures with varnish may entail administrative liability. This is due to a decrease in the light transmittance of lighting equipment. Tinting headlights with paint is also fraught with a fine.

Maintenance and tinting of headlights

The legality of tinting lighting fixtures is determined by the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation. At the same time, there is no clear interpretation as to whether tinting headlights is prohibited in the presented document. The vagueness of such a concept obliges us to consider each case separately. However, if there is a tint layer on the lighting fixtures, you should be prepared for difficulties during maintenance.

During the technical inspection, the requirements specified in the Technical Code are put forward for external lighting devices. In accordance with this document, during maintenance a set of testing activities is carried out aimed at studying the reliability of fastening and the performance of lighting equipment. Here an inspection is carried out for the presence of mechanical damage.

Non-compliance with established requirements can be raised for various reasons:

changing the shape of external lighting devices;
presence of mechanical damage;
presence of contamination;
lack of light diffusers;
the presence of additional elements covering part of the lighting fixtures;
inoperability of light-emitting diodes (less than 1/3 of the total number).

As for the tinting of the rear lighting devices, the intensity of the emitted light is not measured. Therefore, provided that after applying the film the color has not changed, then there is no reason for the refusal to pass MOT . A change in the color of the headlights is a very good reason for the condition of the vehicle to be recognized as not meeting the established requirements following a technical inspection.

The important point is not the fact that the car has received permission to participate in road traffic, but the possibility of safe operation. The use of tinting for lighting fixtures can be positioned as making changes to the original performance characteristics of the vehicle. And such metamorphoses are fraught with the occurrence of an emergency situation. It is for this reason that before applying a tint layer, it is recommended to weigh all the main points and make the most appropriate decision.

Everything according to GOST

In accordance with established rules, low and high beams must be exclusively white . As for the side lights, they should also glow white at the front of the vehicle and red at the rear. According to GOST, the brake signal always glows red, and the registration plate illumination is always white.

Those wishing to tint fog lights should also take into account the established requirements. Front lights of this type should glow white or yellow. The required light for equipment located behind is red. The turn signals are yellow. The reversing lights should glow white.

However, if you adhere to such rules, then the operation of vehicles of American and Japanese origin will not be possible. This is due to the fact that these cars are equipped with red turn signals. As a result, the main list of faults and conditions under which the operation of vehicles is prohibited was subject to certain changes.

As a result, vehicles with white, yellow or orange lights installed in the front part were allowed to operate. Retroreflective devices must be white.

At the rear it is possible to use red, yellow or orange lights. Reversing lights and license plate lights must be exclusively white.

This interpretation has made it possible in Russia to return cars of Japanese and American origin to the road, as well as to prohibit the operation of vehicles with excessive illumination.

Penalties

Regarding the penalty for non-compliance with the rules for operating external lighting devices of a vehicle, it may be different. Tinting with paint is strictly , as this reduces the light transmittance of the headlights. At night or in conditions of poor visibility, this can lead to an emergency situation on the road.

Headlight tinting

The fine for tinting the headlights of a car is imposed in accordance with Articles 12.4 clause 1, 12.5 clause 1 and 12.5 clause 3 of the Administrative Code. If we talk about the first case, then here we are talking about the installation of lighting devices or red light reflective devices. The penalty for individuals in this case will be equivalent to 3,000 rubles. Additionally, equipment is confiscated. Officials responsible for the operation of vehicles are fined 15,000-20,000 rubles. Legal entities face a fine of 400,000-500,000 rubles.

According to Art. 12.5 clause 1, the driver may also be subject to a fine of 500 rubles for driving a car with malfunctions or failure to obtain permission for general operation due to the application of a tint layer on lighting fixtures with a further reduction in light transmission.

In accordance with the same article, but paragraph 3, the driver may even lose the right to drive a vehicle for different periods of time. The period for confiscation of a driver's license varies from six months to twelve months. This penalty is relevant in the case of installing lighting devices or red light reflective devices.

Tinted rear lights

In the third part of Art. 12.5 of the Code of Administrative Offenses does not say anything specific about the fine for tinting rear headlights. For this reason, an administrative penalty is imposed in accordance with the first part of the article.

It states that driving a vehicle with malfunctions or in the event of failure to obtain permission for the vehicle to be used for general use is punishable by a fine of 500 rubles . This is the maximum amount of monetary penalty that a driver faces if he violates the rules for using vehicle lighting, but in practice, there is usually no fine for tinting rear lights .

What's the result?

Tinting the lighting equipment on a car can lead to a decrease in the overall light transmission of the headlights. In the future, this threatens to create an emergency situation on the road. Additionally, it should be noted that the use of tinted brake lights increases the likelihood of an accident. In this case, the owner of a vehicle with tinted headlights will be considered the culprit.

To avoid this scenario, it is recommended to refrain from using tinted headlights or resort to implementing such a solution only as a last resort. Compliance with established tinting rules is a vital necessity here.