DOT tail lights

[kmakona]

September 2013 "DOT" tail light requirements enforcement. "All tail lights must be DOT approved and labeled for inspection." Hawaii is enforcing this. When I went for my 2014 trike safety inspection. My tail lights failed this requirement. To pass inspection I have to change my tail lights. I have contacted some of the large motorcycle suppliers. They have DOT lights, however none of them can provide lights with this verification label. I contacted the Hawaii state office. The office assured me this is a valid requirement that will be enforced for rider safety.
Do any of you trike builders know of a source for lighting that can satisfy this requirement.

 

[DTR 11TG]

what vehicle & yr do you have?

 

[kmakona]

what vehicle & yr do you have?

Its a 1991 Suzuki converted trike.
Thank You

 

[DTR 11TG]

I did some poking around on the internet and found this -

http://hidot.hawaii.gov/highways/files/2013/01/mvso-PMVI-Manual-for-Inspectors-of-Motorcycles.pdf

If I read it correctly and your tail lights are mounted securely, are red & operate, then it should pass! I don't know exactly why or the terms used to fail your trike, maybe someone in Hawaii can help more.

 

[cavie]

September 2013 "DOT" tail light requirements enforcement. "All tail lights must be DOT approved and labeled for inspection." Hawaii is enforcing this. When I went for my 2014 trike safety inspection. My tail lights failed this requirement. To pass inspection I have to change my tail lights. I have contacted some of the large motorcycle suppliers. They have DOT lights, however none of them can provide lights with this verification label. I contacted the Hawaii state office. The office assured me this is a valid requirement that will be enforced for rider safety.

Do any of you trike builders know of a source for lighting that can satisfy this requirement.

DOT approved lenses will have DOT embossed in the plastic.

No paper required.

 

[DTR 11TG]

DOT approved lenses will have DOT embossed in the plastic. No paper required.

I was going to replied with the same thing except that I looked at my '92 FXSTS tail light, no DOT marks and I looked at my '11 TG tail lights, no DOT marks, both bikes have OEM lights. I looked at the aftermarket light that is going on my '92, no DOT marks, the only lights that I found marked DOT were on most of my 4 wheel vehicles.
Also, the Hawaii inspection manual does not mention DOT in regards to the tail lights, at least I didn't see it. I am dyslexic, so I may have missed something in the couple hundred times I scanned thru it trying to figure out the words.

 

[jackpoet]

I did some poking around on the internet and found this -

http://hidot.hawaii.gov/highways/files/2013/01/mvso-PMVI-Manual-for-Inspectors-of-Motorcycles.pdf

If I read it correctly and your tail lights are mounted securely, are red & operate, then it should pass! I don't know exactly why or the terms used to fail your trike, maybe someone in Hawaii can help more.

That was written in 2005. Law was changed in 2013

 

[kmakona]

That was written in 2005. Law was changed in 2013

This is really interesting. It has the potential to impact anyone building or modifying a motorcycle. We have three qualified Motorcycle inspection stations in my area. One the largest dealer had their inspection license revoked. The 2nd is the Harley Davidson dealer. They will only inspect stock bikes. The third is a custom bike builder. I talked with the main man in Hawaii. He said if the lights are not DOT labeled the inspection station can not approve.

If they do he will pull their license.

I contacted a major supplier, I have him a list of five lights they sell. I wanted verification they are labeled DOT. None of the five had this listing. One was LED and large.

The head of DOT in Hawaii said this is a national standard. The federal government is the sponsor.

 

[DTR 11TG]

That was written in 2005. Law was changed in 2013

I guess that shows how up to date the gov. can be, that info came right from the official Hawaii GOV. website!!

I'm sure glad my bikes aren't licensed in Hawaii, neither would pass with OEM stuff.

Kmakona, have you thought of buying some cheap DOT marked lights to install just for the inspection, they don't have to look good, just work & have the DOT marks!!

 

[kmakona]

I guess that shows how up to date the gov. can be, that info came right from the official Hawaii GOV. website!!

I'm sure glad my bikes aren't licensed in Hawaii, neither would pass with OEM stuff.

Kmakona, have you thought of buying some cheap DOT marked lights to install just for the inspection, they don't have to look good, just work & have the DOT marks!!

Yes this is when I started investigating lights. I contacted three different light suppliers. The suppliers are ignorant about this, they said their Lights are DOT. When I asked for verification none of the three could confirm DOT markings on the lights. Vehicles are required to have yearly inspections. No motorcycle other then stock are inspected, regardless of the quality of lights. The inspection station takes pictures now of the motorcycle inspected. This is submitted to the state.

I was told if stopped they police will look at the pictures to determine if modifications were made.

It's really sad when we have standards set and the parties implementing these standards are clueless. I appreciate the intent is to make riders safer.

 

[Veritas44]

Do They wear Jack-Boots and Goose-Step up to you when checking to see if your "Papers are In Order" as well... :xzqxz:

Insuring Safety is one thing but as usual, the Gubmint takes it to Dictatorial and Ludicrous extremes.
Have seen many non-DOT "Off-Road Use Only" type lights that are more noticeable and efficient than any supposed DOT's out there.
When OEM equipment is not good enough to the Wonk-Bots for any reason, They have obviously gone WAY Too Far.

 

[DTR 11TG]

don't know which suppliers you have tried, but you may check with http://www.jpcycles.com/ , if you haven't already. I have had great service from them in the past, they have gone as far as going into their warehouse to pull & inspect the part while I was on the phone. I can't speak for them, but I would think if you find tail lights you like on their web site and you explain to them that the lights must have the DOT mark, I would bet they will check it out for you.
There are many parts houses like J&P on the internet, I would hope one of them would have what you need.

 

[CSCguy]

Who do you guys think have the best taillights?

I always cringe when I see triglide red pumpkins hanging off the back. Several manufacturers of the HD trikes use the same ones.

 

[kmakona]

LED's are the way to go. I an on installing on my trike. Do your lights flash when pressed? I am also considering the brake lights that respond when you slow down.