Ok, so all of us clubman owners know all about the whole single reverse light, but has anyone run into any issues concerning the law?

 

You're kidding right? They couldn't sell the car with only one reverse light if it was illegal. Nothing to worry about.

If a cop WERE to ask you about it, you tell them the car only has one from factory. They go back to their cop car, look it up on their laptop and see that state law doesn't require 2 reverse lights, tell you that you were correct and you're on your way.

But I doubt you'll be reversing in front of a lot of cop cars lol.

 

There are lots of cars (other makes and models) with single reverse light. Google it.

 

I hear ya. Never had a problem with the popo...just the normal bunch that wanna flag ya down just to tell you have a reverse light out until you correct them. Happens all the time. Would like to retrofit a tailight assembly with a reverse light on the drivers side though one day.

 

Can be done very easily by purchasing the British Left hand Side Light and just running a single wire to that side from the right side light. The lights are opposite on the British models due to their driving on the wrong side of the road.

 

I've not had issues with the police, but a security guard at my office wanted to argue with me about it . . . He just could not believe that the car is supposed to have 1 reverse light.

 

In New York State, there is still an old law that makes yellow directionals on the rear illegal. Never enforced anymore, unless I guess you really upset a cop.

Apparently someone in the legislator back then, felt yellow or white lights on the rear of a car "confusing" and unable to tell if the car was coming or going.

 

Wrong side? Lol, if anything, that's the "correct" side and we're on the wrong side.

 

As far as I know a "backup" light is not a requirement. Matter of fact, I believe turn signals are not required either - hand signals are still acceptable. Also, only one tail/brake light is required.

I know patrolman still stop people for having one tail/brake light out but they don't give tickets. Although this isn't illegal, they "use" it as an "excuse" to stop people so they can "look" things over since stopping a vehicle for "no apparent" reason constitutes illegal search and seizure laws if they find something. That's why old outdated laws are kept on the books - so the police can have, as they put it, "tools in their tool box".

 

Since when is it required to have any reverse lights on a vehicle? I thought they were just there a a convenience to the driver. I never had any issue with my old Chevy pickup at inspection in three different states and it has no backup lights. Many new trucks and trailers don't either.

 

I think this is one of those things where if your vehicle has them, then they must work.

 

Current Fed reg's req at least one backup light.

 

I've had many, many people tell me that one of my back-up lights is out.

 

+1 My neighbor ran out and told me my reverse light was out, when I was backing out of my driveway.

 

In North Carolina, you won't pass inspection without at least one back up light

 

If y'all have questions on your state's traffic laws, look them up so there is no confusion. Here is the law in Texas:
Sec. 547.332. OTHER LAMPS PERMITTED. A motor vehicle may be equipped with:
(1) not more than two side cowl or fender lamps that emit an amber or white light without glare;
(2) not more than two running board courtesy lamps, one on each side of the vehicle, that emit an amber or white light without glare; and
(3) one or more backup lamps that:
(A) emit an amber or white light only when the vehicle is not moving forward; and
(B) may be displayed separately or in combination with another lamp.

 

[quote=mbu;3141965]As far as I know a "backup" light is not a requirement. Matter of fact, I believe turn signals are not required either - hand signals are still acceptable. Also, only one tail/brake light is required.
quote]

The state of Florida about 10 years ago did away with hand signals as a legal form of indicating turns or stops, except on bicycles or small motor cycles below 5 BHP.

 

Hand signal laws will not get you out of a ticket for non-funtioning lights. Any lights that the car came with from the factory except fog lights are required to work at all times, brake lights including third brake light, turn signals etc. The only cars exempt are cars that did not come with them from the factory, I know because I have a '36 Chevy Coupe and it is exempt from most standard safety standards. For newer cars - if it came from the factory with it, it has to be there and it has to work.

 

"The safest type of signal is using the lighted signals used in most vehicles. If, however, one or more of these signals is malfunctioning, you may use hand signals."


That is copied straight out of Indiana's driving manual.

 

Federal/National requirements and then State/Provincial requirements.

My take is that the Federal requirements are to have some standardization nationwide. The States are then left to their own devices to set a vehicle code. They do, and it varies widely on many points.

Annual vehicle inspections are not done for passenger vehicles in California. Other states like Ohio or New York may require an inspection. Still, other states may require a more intensive inspection. Smog checks, etc... Even driving while barefoot is legal in some states and not others.

To import the MINI, BMW had to meet the basic Federal specs. Otherwize, it would only be legal for sale in certain states. Probably, banned in dry counties or in those townships that had banned public dancing until Kevin Bacon came to visit.

 

[quote=HalAC;3142325]Florida State Traffic Code-316.156
Signals by hand and arm or signal lamps.
—
(1) Any stop or turn signal when required herein shall be given either by means of the hand and arm or by signal lamps, except as otherwise provided in subsection
(2) Any motor vehicle in use on a highway shall be equipped with, and required signal shall be given by, signal lamps when the distance from the center of the top of the steering post to the left outside limit of the body, cab or load of such motor vehicle exceeds 24 inches, or when the distance from the center of the top of the steering post to the rear limit of the body or load thereof exceeds 14 feet. The latter measurement shall apply to any single vehicle and also to any combination of vehicles.
(3) A violation of this section is a noncriminal traffic infraction, punishable pursuant to chapter 318 as either a moving violation for infractions of subsection (1) or as a nonmoving violation for infractions of subsection (2).

 

[quote=ftttubrgcm;3142753] That's interesting. My 2002 Florida Law Enforcement Officers Handbook states what I quoted earlier. I guess the legislators must have changed must have changed their minds.

 

No problem. A quick google search for the correct state's laws will turn this type of information up. What makes me mad is that there is a saying "ingnorance of the law is no defense" but if you go into a court quoting the law and/or case law, the prosecutor and/or judge may say that you don't or can't understand the law because you aren't a lawyer.

 

And remember....the early GEN1 Coopers +"s" (r53/r50) HAD ONE back-up light in the bumper...then they changed the rear lights, put a plug in the bumper in '05.
This has been done before.......MINI's have been driving around for almost 10 years, with ONE back-up light......no issues (other than driver complains about the lack of light).

 

So can someone tell me why there is only one reverse light? I know about it but I don't know why.