illegal headlights?

[Graham Archer]

I got pulled over by the local police this morning and was told that my "aftermarket" headlights were illegal. I received no ticket but was informed that if I don't put the original equipment back in he would write me up next time.

I have H1s (Euro headlights) on the car. They were installed sometime before I got the car 12 years ago.

Does anyone know how I can research if the car came from the dealer with the H1s installed? Are H1s actually illegal in Caleeefornia?

Thanks,

PS the cop knows my commute route (no alternatives), assigned parking space, and apparently my schedule (no alternatives)

[JackT]

They are illegal in some states, regardless of if they were installed by a dealer. I am surprised that a policeman could tell they were H1's. Usually they are just looking for those colored lights.

[Superman]

Aw for cryin' out loud. don't get me started. If I got stopped for that, I'd probably have to be taken to jail in a straightjacket. I see blue lights, purple lights, pink lights. I see tires sticking 2" beyond the edge of the fender. I see aftermarket body parts and marker lights. I see aftermarket hydraulic suspensions. My guess is that all of these are illegal (more than a guess on some).

In my daily commute, I see cars with one working tail light or less (frightening when this happens in the dark during a rain storm), or worse, one working brake light or less. This should need no explanation, but do you all understand that multiple brake lights exist on cars for purposes of redundency? I assume so. Perhaps someone should clue the boyz in blue.

Being stopped for properly-aimed H1's or H4's is bullship.

[mjshira]

cops like that one = dorks with a power-trip.

the other day I had the new girlfriend out for her "virgin" 911 ride (yes let the jokes begin~!) and sure enough as we were passing over a small bridge in upstate NY a cop went by us. I looked in my mirror and saw him whip a u-turn as if I was Osama himself and hit the lights.

get this, I pull over, seeing as how we were in a rural area, I open my door to get out and he hits the speaker "STAY IN THE CAR!" At this point I can feel my blood pressure rise so I get all my papers in hand and present them to him.

He had the full on "Nazi pants" with the boots and everything and this was a patrol car guy! so when I finally get around to ask what the problem is he tells me I have no front plate!

all that for a plate!

what a joke!

She passed (the new girl) the test though, stayed calm and told me not to worry etc.

Later when I got on it a little in 3rd she was not as happy ;-)

some cops are saviors, many are on power-trips.

James

[svandamme]

i had one pull me over for using foglights when there was no fog...
which is kinda odd , since my car doesn't have fog lights... had to explain the guy that a 924 is designed like that because otherwise you can't flash anybody with the headlights in down position or something like that.. then i had to point out that i had no fog light switch triggering the respons , you need a fog light in the rear blablabla
prompting me to reply that 25 something years ago it wasn't mandatory so that rule doesn't apply to my car...

in the end he fined my because the car wasn't certified technically for 3 years... ok , he got me there

[Graham Archer]

I guess I must have pissed-off the power-trip type. This guy even followed me to my parking spot.

[JackT]

Where would we be without them? For the money they get paid, I can't fault them, for some of them being a little over anxious.

[Leland Pate]

SOmeone please tell me how aa partol man knows what kind of headlights are legal on an old Porsche. Are patrolmen issued a little flip book listing all models andmakes and which headlight assmeblies are legit and which are not for each type of car?????????

I cannot even tell the difference between H1's and H4's.... how the hell.... I don't get it.

[JackT]

H-4's are illegal in some states too. I too wonder how the patrolman knew. Maybe he is a Porsche guy.

[banjomike]

Graham,

Are your lights adjusted properly? I tell you I get really annoyed at people with poorly adjusted headlights. Of course the idea of a well adjusted H1 install being a problem is a joke after you've been exposed to poorly adjusted HIDs.

[Larry Harris]

James,
I see from your post you have a lot of respect for police officers. I'm sure you impressed you girlfriend (she IS a girl) with your angry young man routine. Glad you weren't around when I worked traffic.

Larry Harris

Have a nice day *********

[mjshira]

followed you? nah, really? serious? damn, he must have had them nazi pants too, with the boots don't forget.

My Dad was a cop in LA in the late 50's/early 60's. He quit when his sgt. gave him ***** for issuing warnings to people for normal traffic violations rather than writing them up. Dad figured he'd see them again or at least he'd spend his time on "real crime".

those days seem to be gone.

but I agree, they are under paid and do work very hard and in many cases are on the right side of the issue. It's just those dorky ones that make me wanna cuss :-)

James

[R Wilco]

Larry why the veiled threat?

[svandamme]

Originally posted by Larry Harris
James,
I see from your post you have a lot of respect for police officers. I'm sure you impressed you girlfriend (she IS a girl) with your angry young man routine. Glad you weren't around when I worked traffic.

Larry Harris

Have a nice day *********

i bet you made a nice contribution to the police reputation saluting people on their way like this ?

nice one mate ...

[Joe Bob]

Screw him....let him write ya up....then call his commander and discuss his 'tude.

[JackT]

Is there a way to turn my e-mail notification off, just on this thread? This is getting out of hand.

[B D]

James,
I see from your post you have a lot of respect for police officers. I'm sure you impressed you girlfriend (she IS a girl) with your angry young man routine. Glad you weren't around when I worked traffic.

Larry Harris

Have a nice day *********

Way to go, this will sure help things. I guess you wear those Nazi pants as well.

Keep it up and you will wish you did traffic again, I can see you now in one of those angry meter maids in your little three wheeled cart.

Have a nice life *********.

[KTL]

Originally posted by DrewT
Is there a way to turn my e-mail notification off, just on this thread? This is getting out of hand.

Click on the user cp button up there by the search button and your home page should be the page that opens. Click on the "unsubscribe" link for the illegal headlights topic and you're all set.

[911ctS]

Hey Graham I live in Morro Bay, wow...were like neighbors
Was that cop a SLO city cop or a highway patrol? I know they're both fairly thick in San Luis, since the CHP headquarters is right there.
I noticed that the city cops in SLO are pricks (ok not all of them) but they seem to be more keen on nick nack $h!t like that then anywhere else ive been.
However I've found the CHP's in our area to be pretty cool and understanding. I mean you pretty much know when you deserve a ticket and this sounds like the cop was just trying to keep himself busy.....and not to mention out of REAL trouble.
I feel for you man!!!!
Clint

[JackT]

Thanks Kevin