Headlamp color law, specifically PA

hillstrubl

Founding Member
Hello, I was wondering if anybody knew (and/or could cite) the DOT statutes for headlamp colors, specifically PA. I had a link a while back saying somethign to the extent that only a range of colors from White to amber were legal, but now can't find it.
 

blueboy

Well-known member
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Wolf Fabrication

Founding Member
I tend to be 100% compliant (for example I won’t put clear side markers on my Porsche).
I put in orange bulbs behind my clear side markers on my 911. Inspector initially said their were a failure, but once he saw they illuminated orange he passed them.
 

jymmiejamz

Founding Member
Callsign: KN4JHI

evilfij

Well-known member
I put in orange bulbs behind my clear side markers on my 911. Inspector initially said their were a failure, but once he saw they illuminated orange he passed them.
Technically it’s a failure though. At least in PA.

And no, not legal advice 😇

Inspections need to go away like civilized states. At least in PA they are private. In Delaware you have to go to one of four locations in the state to get your car inspected (although the inspection is a joke compared to pa).

As far an antique, if you only drive sunrise to sunset you can have just one stop light … but if you have antique plates you don’t have inspections in PA so it’s only if a cop wants to pull you over and issue a citation. My antique plate showed up yesterday for the new 110. I have been thinking about making all my eligible vehicles antique registration. They have stopped with the asking for pictures and being annoying about it.
 

blueboy

Well-known member
They have stopped with the asking for pictures and being annoying about it.
Yes, getting Antique plates for the 109 was a pita with all the pictures, etc. For the Rangie show PA the money and good to go. Also thinking about registering the D1 as also eligible and 95% of the time really only drive it around 7Springs ski area.
 

WreckITFrank

Technical Excellence Contributor
dang, my truck wasn't even with me for antique plates, have done 3 so far in PA.

In regards to lamps, if antique, i dont think you need lamps at all, but only if the vehicle came that way and of course no night driving. whatever is factory, is what my family member police chief told me. But all depends on the officer and how he/she feels that day.
 

evilfij

Well-known member
The new PA antique process is basically if it’s 25 years plus mail it in and you get an antique plate. No pics required. One that says hate sleep if you are lucky like me. 🤣
 

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rocky

NAS-ROW Addict
Inspections in the US are nothing in comparison to the MOT test in the UK.

I’d love to see a UK inspector grade vehicles coming into shops in the US. The failure rate would be massive, especially in rust prone states.
 

evilfij

Well-known member
Not legal advice:


§ 67.6. Use of antique and classic registration plates.​

No person may operate a vehicle with antique or classic registration plates for commercial purposes or for general daily transportation. Permitted use is limited to participation in club activities, exhibits, tours, parades and similar uses, and for occasional transportation. Occasional transportation means no more than 1 day a week.

And as far as UK MOT or state inspection, PA is in line with UK MOT or even German TUV in principle if you look at the regs, it’s just the inspectors are not as strict so it seems. Delaware is lights, tires, brakes, and emissions. You drive through, they check your lights and tires, you stop on a pad which checks the brakes, and they either scan or run a sniffer if you are older than 96 and check the gas cap (my 993 gas cap failed because it’s sealing ring was perished but really the guy doing it did not have the right adaptor — whatever).

Notably in PA the emissions test for pre-96 is now visual only (and the gas cap I think — mine are always exempt because they go less than 5000 miles a year).
 
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Frobisher

Well-known member
Notably in PA the emissions test for pre-96 is now visual only (and the gas cap I think — mine are always exempt because they go less than 5000 miles a year).
I daily drive my 95 Disco over 5,000 miles, and it’s getting to be more difficult to find a shop for the tailpipe check here in western PA. Is that pre-96 visual test only for classics/antiques, or has PA finally decided to go easy on the older cars?
 

blueboy

Well-known member
I daily drive my 95 Disco over 5,000 miles, and it’s getting to be more difficult to find a shop for the tailpipe check here in western PA. Is that pre-96 visual test only for classics/antiques, or has PA finally decided to go easy on the older cars?
It is also County specific in PA. Here in Somerset County where there are more cows than people Emissions test is not required.
 

erover82

Well-known member
Hello, I was wondering if anybody knew (and/or could cite) the DOT statutes for headlamp colors, specifically PA. I had a link a while back saying somethign to the extent that only a range of colors from White to amber were legal, but now can't find it.

What color are your headlamps?
 

evilfij

Well-known member
I daily drive my 95 Disco over 5,000 miles, and it’s getting to be more difficult to find a shop for the tailpipe check here in western PA. Is that pre-96 visual test only for classics/antiques, or has PA finally decided to go easy on the older cars?
I don’t think there are any sniffers left in Pa. At least not here on this side.
 
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