Are Blackened Headlights Illegal?
2 Answers
Blackened headlights are illegal and considered unauthorized modifications. The relevant explanations are as follows: Introduction: Blackened headlights are illegal and classified as unauthorized modifications. Not only will they fail annual inspections, but blackened taillights can also make brake lights less visible during daytime driving, increasing the risk of rear-end collisions. Legal Modifications: These mainly include decals, body kits, high rear spoilers, vented engine hoods, body paintwork, emblem changes, front and rear bumpers, front and rear perspective mirrors, window rain guards, HID xenon headlights, headlight decorative panels, and lowering the vehicle body. Illegal Modifications: These include self-installed bulbs without lenses, emblem modifications, unauthorized wheel rim changes, blackened taillights, body kits requiring bumper disassembly, spoiler installations, and certain suspension modifications.
I'm quite familiar with car modifications, and I learned a hard lesson when I blacked out my headlights. Traffic regulations clearly require headlight illumination intensity to meet standards, and most of those spray-paint blackout modifications on the market will result in insufficient brightness. Once, I almost had an accident on the highway at night because the lights were too dim, and worse, I failed the annual inspection directly. Actually, the regulations focus on specific numerical values—if you can find professional film with a light transmittance of over 70%, it might pass, but the cheap materials used by most roadside shops usually don’t meet the requirements. Before modifying, it’s best to check the local DMV’s rules, or you’ll waste money and break the law. Now, whenever I see friends wanting to modify their lights, I advise them to think carefully—road safety is far more important than looking cool.
