Are 3rd brake lights legally required?

[chameleon]

My question is just as the subject states...

Are 3rd brake lights legally required? I never thought that they were, and I didn't even think that all cars came with them untill my GF pointed out that they all newer cars do, even trucks. Now that she pointed it out, I am always keeping my eyes peeled for a car that does not have a 3rd brake light and I haven't found one yet!

So if I unplugged my 3rd brake, could a police officer give me a fix it ticket for it? I was planning on doing something with the 3rd brake, but I will probably leave it alone if it is legally required to be on the car and in working condition.

[Blue Batmobile]

If he sees that you have a 3rd brakelight, he might pull you over and give you a fix it ticket. However, if you obtain my bL1 brakelight overlay kit, the cop will have no idea your car even came with one...hehe;).

Bat

[nccelica]

no, your not required to have one or have it functional... asked a cop a few weeks ago

could be different in your state though

[bgreganti]

First, check your state's laws. How they feel about federal laws will determine if you get a ticket or not.

The third brake light is required federally...


FMVSS No. 108

S5.1.1.27 (a) Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this section, each passenger car manufactured on or after September 1, 1985, and each multipurpose passenger vehicle, truck, and bus, whose overall width is less than 80 inches, whose GVWR is 10,000 pounds or less, manufactured on or after September 1, 1993, shall be equipped with a high-mounted stop lamp which:

(1) Shall have an effective projected luminous area not less than
4\1/2\ square inches.

(2) Shall have a signal visible to the rear through a horizontal
angle from 45 degrees to the left to 45 degrees to the right of the longitudinal axis of the vehicle.

(3) Shall have the minimum photometric values in the amount and
location listed in Figure 10.

(4) Need not meet the requirements of paragraphs 3.1.6 Moisture
Test, 3.1.7 Dust Test, and 3.1.8 Corrosion Test of SAE Recommended Practice J186a, Supplemental High-Mounted Stop and Rear Turn Signal Lamps, September 1977, if it is mounted inside the vehicle.

(5) Shall provide access for convenient replacement of the bulb
without the use of special tools.

[bgreganti]

Something else I should mention is the liability issue if someone were to rear-end you. It could turn into an ugly mess if it's determined that you modified/removed the third brake light.

And certainly if the insurance companies find out they'll try to get out paying the claim. That's just what insurance companies do.

Another scenario... imagine hitting (and possibly killing) someone due to a brake failure, only to have the insurance company find out you had installed non-DOT approved stainless steel brake lines. Yeah, you guessed it, it's not pretty.

And no, you can sue the manufacturer, because they all tell you they're for off-road use only if they're not DOT approved.

Soapbox mode off.

[autxr]

Come on Bill, didn't you learn in that last thread that you know *nothing* about state and federal laws! ;)

Thanks for pasting in the applicable federal regulations, I was just going to say they existed, your answer is much more thorough.

They were known early on as "Dole" lights because it was Dole who introduced the legislation.

I was going to say the 1986 model year (which is about right, Sept 1985). The 2nd gen Supra had no high mounted brake light for the 1985 model year, but the carry over 1986 model had a new hatch with the light. Of course the MkIII Supra was introduced in 1986.5.

Scott