Federal law mandates that all vehicles have the third brake light outfitted within the car. Additionally, the third light must be comparable to the other brake lights on the vehicle so that it is not distracting to the drivers behind the vehicle.

Twist the bulb socket at the rear of the housing in a counterclockwise direction and pull it straight out of the housing. Pull the bulb from the socket and insert a new bulb. Replace the lamp housing in the reverse order. Check your owner’s guide for specific directions regarding your pickup’s third brake light.

Center High Mount Stop Lamp

As mentioned, all cars 86 and up require a third brake light. You can remove it if you like, but you won’t pass your state inspection without it. If a cop is behind you, he may pull you over for not having it, as it’s a pretty important safety feature.

By law you need to have two working brake lights. As soon as you’re aware that one of your brake lights is faulty, make sure you fit a new bulb straight away. If you’re stopped by police you could receive: A verbal warning.

If your vehicle has something wrong with it, for example a broken brake light, the police may give you a ‘vehicle defect rectification notice’. You’ll need to get your vehicle fixed and provide proof that it’s been fixed, for example a receipt for the work from a mechanic.

Tail lights are engaged when the you turn on your headlights or when your parking brake is on, whereas the brake lights will light up immediately when you apply pressure to the brakes. On most vehicles, the tail lights are red and the brake lights are a more luminous red.

The good officer dug into the Vehicle Code and learned that, yes, in California the devices are legal – so long as the brake lights flash no more than four times within four seconds.

They are legal as long as you don’t use them while you are driving I think. Similar to off road lights.

Vehicle owners often refer to extra lamps attached to the front of the vehicle as spot lamps where they are in fact not spotlights. These lamps are a set of fixed lamps and as long as it complies with the headlamp requirements it should be legal.

A police issue or used light is typically between 300 and 1,200 lumens, and 4,000 to 65,000 candela.