DPS and the Texas light laws

Ok, I'm on my way home today and I get pulled over by DPS officer for no brake lights. My truck has a 42 led that is fully functional (signal,stop and running light). I've had it for about 5 months now and have passed numerous local cops and DPS officers without any problems, but today my luck runs out. So, he tells me that I don't have any brake lights but when I tell him that my led does have brake lights, he says they need to be near the sides instead of in the middle. He tells me that my led is "extra". It doesn't count as a brake light evn though it does have brake lights. So what should I do? He only gave me a warning but I think this is bullshit. I checked my Texas DPS laws and it states that stop lamps should be red or amber and be seen from at least 300 feet. It says nothing about mounting. However, under general taillight laws, it states that taillights should be spaced out as widely apart as practical.

ya, its worded "spread apart as far as practical"
and should be at the rear most part of the vehicle

hes probly right, the one that pulled you over was probly that real smart one that knows his shit, the others youve passed dont know and dont care lol

I've argued this w/ the law here berfore and who's to say what is a "practical" distance between lights. If the lights all work and can be seen within this distance stated then the led is practical and it is at the rear of the vehicle. If you ever do get a ticket measure some tiny vehicles tailights distance and take it to court w/ you. I think an Aveos tails are 12 in. from each other.

Ken I think the same one got me! I got popped last night on my way home from Chris's speeding. I also got a warning even with expired tags. I have some of the Penal Code books at home I will look to see if I can find anything else.

I just ordered a hitech 60" with red lense last week and should get it early this week. I asked the officer if I had a led that stretched closer to the sides and he said that it might not have stoped me but why should a few inches matter. I agree with Tops, if the lights work correctly and can be seen from a distance then what is the big deal? I will take your advice about the Aveos lights though. Thanks

Screw it, no tickie-no fixie. Sounds like those 40 something leds must be spread a part a bit. Roll with it, I wouldn't fix a thing. He probably didn't cite you cause he has no idea what section it is. Why stop someone to say "Hey, that's illegal, and I'm an officer, but I'm going to do anything about it." If it bothered me enough to stop it in the first place, I'm writing it. I'm sure someone was speeding or DUI while you were being stopped.

No problem if he wants to stop you, but why waste everyones time. I know damn well if you don't write it, it won't get fixed (or signed off, depending on who you know).

Originally posted by jmurphy



Ken I think the same one got me! I got popped last night on my way home from Chris's speeding. I also got a warning even with expired tags. I have some of the Penal Code books at home I will look to see if I can find anything else.

cool, thanks Joseph. Here is a link to the DPS site. It all starts near the end of page 9 LINK

What is a DPS officer?

Originally posted by BAGGED BELAIR



Screw it, no tickie-no fixie. Sounds like those 40 something leds must be spread a part a bit. Roll with it, I wouldn't fix a thing. He probably didn't cite you cause he has no idea what section it is. Why stop someone to say "Hey, that's illegal, and I'm an officer, but I'm going to do anything about it." If it bothered me enough to stop it in the first place, I'm writing it. I'm sure someone was speeding or DUI while you were being stopped.

No problem if he wants to stop you, but why waste everyones time. I know damn well if you don't write it, it won't get fixed (or signed off, depending on who you know).

Funny thing is that I asked him about the law and he didn't even know the address to the Texas DPS site. He asked me if i had internet to go look it up. Also, on my ticket he didn't write a code down. All it says is no brake lamps. My wife got out and asked him about the other officers that have pulled me over and never once said anything about my taillights. His response was that he is right and the other officers (including other Texas DPS officers) were wrong.