Front License Plate in California

[Cybertruck26]

Why would you be concerned with covering your light bar? The road is filled with tradional pickup trucks outfitted with offroad light bars and nobody covers them. It is illegal to turn on while on the road, but not illegal to have it there.

Actually, it is a law to cover them. I leave mine uncovered, but have a front plate. If I got pulled over for something like speeding, they could tack all those on. If i still didn't cover it and it's in the system for a previous ticket, the judge isn't going to be very happy.

In California, off-road lights (including LED light bars) are only legal for use on off-highway areas. They must be turned off and covered with an opaque hood or cover when operating on public roads. This includes turning them off and covering them with an opaque hood or cover when on the highway, according to the California Vehicle Code (VEH § 24411)

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[Bridgeboy69]

I agree that the light cover law is rarely enforced in California, but "rarely" is not the same as "never". For example, check this post at a Toyota Tundra forum:

Yeah, I'm sure it just depends on your area and what the current local policy is with the law enforcment agencies. I live in the central valley with farmland everywhere....farm equipment, combines, etc. drive down the roads all the time (there is a law that exempts farmers from having to have road-legal equipment...if they started ticketing them, then half the world would starve, lol) . There is a plethora of pickup trucks around. This is AG country, and they don't enforce these things...

I'm sure different areas, and different attitudes, may vary...

 

[Cybertruck26]

I was just writing that. I live in the Bay Area, and sometimes CHP can be picky. I just choose not to invite being pulled over. I was gonna say, if you're in a more rural area... i can absolutely see getting away with it, and I have up to this moment. But, I do know if I got pulled over for something completely separate, it will almost certainly come up. So i choose between that or plate, not both...

 

[Cybertruck26]

Yeah, I'm sure it just depends on your area and what the current local policy is with the law enforcment agencies. I live in the central valley with farmland everywhere....farm equipment, combines, etc. drive down the roads all the time (there is a law that exempts farmers from having to have road-legal equipment...if they started ticketing them, then half the world would starve, lol) . There is a plethora of pickup trucks around. This is AG country, and they don't enforce these things...

I'm sure different areas, and different attitudes, may vary...

I grew up in suburban NY and it was the same way. You were more likely to get pulled over for tints or something in the city, less in the rural/suburban area. But the Bay Area, especially local municipalities, can be a little money grubby.

 

[Bridgeboy69]

But, I do know if I got pulled over for something completely separate, it will almost certainly come up. So i choose between that or plate, not both...

Yeah, better safe than sorry, but don't discount the power of a respectful attitude toward the cop pulling you over. Nice and respectful oftens leaves you with a warning and back on your way. Be a dick and they will flex their power over you...

 

[Cybertruck26]

Yeah, better safe than sorry, but don't discount the power of a respectful attitude toward the cop pulling you over. Nice and respectful oftens leaves you with a warning and back on your way. Be a dick and they will flex their power over you...

Always. I'm 100% in agreement, and live by that. That said, if they wanted to ticket me for it... they would be well within their grounds.

 

[YDR37]

From the website of Diode Dynamics, a well known ditch light manufacturer:

Keep your Stage Series LED pods clean and protected from dirt, dust, or whatever else the road throws your way with our snap-on covers! They are available in a variety of colors and quickly snap on and off, making them perfect for states that require them on public roads, like California, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Virginia.

Note that (1) you would need the opaque black covers to meet legal requirements in California and probably the other states, and (2) at prices of $6 to $10, the covers seem like cheap insurance.

 

[pricedm]

Colorado law: CRS 42-3-202 S2-a-III: the front license plate must be (a) Displayed horizontally on the front of a motor vehicle in the location designated by the motor vehicle manufacturer.

Most Teslas do not have such a location! No front plate on my Teslas since October 2018.

 

[Bridgeboy69]

(2) at prices of $6 to $10, the covers seem like cheap insurance.

Wait, I don't see anything on that page that looks like it is compatible with the long, sleek CT lightbar? Do you?

 

[Bridgeboy69]

Most Teslas do not have such a location! No front plate on my Teslas since October 2018.

Well, they do, they come with a front mounting plate that you can install youself...at least my 2023 Model Y did and also my 2024 Foundation CT. But I don't use them either...
??‍

 

[YDR37]

Wait, I don't see anything on that page that looks like it is compatible with the long, sleek CT lightbar? Do you?

No, that was just meant to be an example of how manufacturers acknowledge and address the legal issue. I don't know of any cover that would fit on the CT lightbar, other than tape. Lightbars often have wraparound covers, but that won't work for the CT lightbar, because it is glued to the windshield.

And this is why Tesla's lawyers put so many warnings in the official lightbar installation instructions. They don't want to Tesla to assume any liability for installing an uncovered lightbar that is technically illegal in some states. Tesla service is only supposed to install a lightbar that is covered by blackout tape, and which lacks the final connections needed to make the lightbar function.

Tesla by law cannot install the lightbar electronics and configure the vehicle for lightbar control.

The blackout film tape must be installed on the lightbar prior to delivering the vehicle to the customer. Only the customer or a third-party entity is permitted to remove the blackout film tape.

WARNING - Tesla employees are not permitted to remove the blackout film tape from the lightbar. Do not remove the blackout film tape from the front side of the lightbar.

WARNING - Tesla employees are not permitted to connect or assist with the RH B-pillar connection of the Cybertruck off road lightbar harness to the roof accessory jumper harness connector. Only the customer or a third-party entity is permitted to complete the lightbar harness connection.

Tesla service is supposed to install a lightbar that is both (1) covered by opaque tape, and (2) non-functional, so that it can be considered compliant with state law. If the customer chooses to remove the tape and make the final connection, then the customer theoretically assumes any liability, not Tesla.

 

[Bridgeboy69]

Tesla service is only supposed to install a lightbar that is covered by blackout tape, and which lacks the final connections needed to make the lightbar function.

Yeah, that is what they did with mine. I had to open the outside A-Panel? I forget what it's called, and plug it in. The plug was just dangling there and took like 2-minutes to do it all.

 

[YDR37]

Yeah, that is what they did with mine. I had to open the outside A-Panel? I forget what it's called, and plug it in. The plug was just dangling there and took like 2-minutes to do it all.

So now, if you ever do get cited for the lightbar, you can't blame Tesla for selling you an illegal accessory. Tesla gave you a non-functional lightbar that was covered with blackout tape, so it was compliant with state law. If you chose to plug it in and uncover it, then any future liability is on you. I'm not a lawyer (thankfully), but I believe that's the theory.

 

[area51]

just wait till the cop tells you to put it on

I’ve gotten ticketed while parked in West LA. Now planning on getting an electric plate for my CB.

 

[Bridgeboy69]

If you chose to plug it in and uncover it, then any future liability is on you.

Yes, of course, captain obvious. (Sorry I couldn't help it ??).

Who would chose to not uncover and not plug it in, lol? What would be the point in gettting it in the first place?

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