Car license plate illumination: examples, requirements and how to do it

Regulatory aspects

The Regulations of the Road Traffic Regulations state that every car must be equipped with special lighting equipment for the rear of the car, capable of being switched on when the side lights are operating. Accordingly, it must be activated in the dark so that the traffic police inspector can easily distinguish the symbols of the vehicle’s “mini-passport” from a distance of at least 20 meters.

The fine for the lack of illumination of the rear license plate and, accordingly, its unreadability is 500 rubles.

The possibility of losing your driver's license for a period of 6-12 months with confiscation of the lighting device is also present. The owner of a vehicle may be subject to such punishment for illuminating the front registration plate, since according to regulatory documents it must be absent.

The essence of the violation

If the recorded violation of the motorist is associated solely with the lack of illumination as such, the amount of the fine will be the most significant, since in this situation there is a fact of a conscious violation of the current traffic rules.

Moreover, such a violation can be regarded as a deliberate obstacle to the performance of official duties by law enforcement officers.

If there are no lamps, the fine imposed on the driver will be 500 rubles.

In a situation where the lack of lighting is due to a breakdown of the lighting device, such a moment is also regarded as a violation. This is due to the fact that the driver has an obligation before driving the vehicle to check its serviceability and eliminate any problems.

Sometimes a violation in which only one of the two lamps illuminating the state license plate is faulty, and the light of the second is sufficient, prosecution can be challenged.

This is due to the fact that, in fact, the accrual of a fine according to the current DD rules is not associated specifically with the breakdown of the backlight. This penalty is imposed for violating the norm - the license plate of the vehicle must be located in such a way and equipped with such additional means that allow it to be identified from a distance of 20 meters. In certain situations, such an indicator can be challenged on both sides - both by the traffic inspector and the driver, but, as practice shows, the lack of illumination rarely becomes the cause of a conflict - it is easier to agree with the malfunction and receive a warning than to challenge the drawing up of a protocol and receive a fine.

Grounds for punishment

The readability of a registration number means the ability of a traffic police officer to see and easily understand what is indicated on them from a distance of 20 meters. Lack of lighting, improper lighting, a light bulb that does not work or has burned out do not provide this opportunity.

Factors that may cause a fine:

lighting, the color of which does not comply with traffic regulations;
The number plate light does not light up;
non-working light bulb.

The reason for the fine may be lighting, the color of which does not comply with traffic regulations.

When a violation is detected by a traffic police inspector, in such a situation, even if the owner of the car corrects the problems, he will have to pay a fine, which is specified in the Code of Administrative Violations.

If you were stopped for the first time on the basis of non-compliance with the above rules, you can use one “saving” nuance - say that before leaving everything worked properly, and the inspector himself informed you about the problem. You will be given a verbal warning and given 24 hours to replace the faulty LEDs.

Legal aspects

In accordance with the regulations of the Road Traffic Rules (SDR), each car must have a rear license plate light, activated when the side lights are turned on. This external light device must be turned on while the vehicle is moving at night. In this case, the brightness of the lamps must be sufficient for the inspector to be able to identify the state. car number from a distance of 20 meters. The absence of illumination or an unreadable car number for any reason is regarded as a violation and, in accordance with Article 12.2 Part 1 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation, entails a warning or a fine of 500 rubles.

The situation can be corrected and thereby improve the illumination of the registration plate by upgrading the standard lights. The most common way is to install LED light sources: modules, rulers, strips. However, this innovation can be regarded as a change in the design of the car with all the ensuing consequences.

The Appendix to the Traffic Regulations of the Russian Federation states that it is prohibited to make changes to the design of a vehicle without permission from the State Traffic Safety Inspectorate of the Russian Federation (clause 7.18 - Other design elements). This point can be interpreted as follows. Firstly, if the car is not involved in road traffic (not in use), then the violation cannot be detected. Secondly, if the changes made have been certified by the traffic police and have documentary evidence, then the modernization was carried out according to the law.

GOST 8769-75 (updated on August 1, 2013) in paragraph 2.8.2 states that the rear registration plate of a car must be illuminated by a stream of white light. According to this clause, a ban is automatically established on illuminating the license plate with any other light, with the exception of shades of white. It turns out that the bright and rich colors of LEDs (blue, red, green) according to the law cannot be used in organizing rear license plate illumination. They can add ambiguity and confuse drivers of vehicles following behind.

This violation is interpreted by the inspector under Article 12.5 Part 1 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation with a warning or an administrative fine of 500 rubles. Another thing is the backlighting of the front license plate. According to all regulatory documents, it should be absent.

Penalty for installing state lighting. numbers in front will be more strict - deprivation of rights for 6–12 months. with confiscation of lighting fixtures (Article 12.5 Part 3).

Taking into account the current standards and rules, we come to the conclusion that it is possible to convert the rear license plate lighting to LED with your own hands, but without unnecessary fanaticism. The main thing is not to attract the attention of officials with too bright a light, illuminating not only the sign, but also part of the roadway, and not to make a multi-colored decoration out of the car license plate illumination.

Grounds for punishment

Factors that may cause a fine:

lighting, the color of which does not comply with traffic regulations;
The number plate light does not light up;
non-working light bulb.

The reason for the fine may be lighting, the color of which does not comply with traffic regulations.

What the rules say

The traffic rules state that the owner of the car is obliged to ensure that the state license plate is legible. In this case, rear license plate illumination is required at night - it is not needed in front. White or yellow light must be used for lighting - blue backlighting of the license plate is not allowed.

The license plate illumination must be sufficient to ensure its clearest visibility at night.

The readability of license plates is explained as an opportunity for a traffic police inspector to view them from a distance of 20 meters. It is believed that a broken light bulb or incorrect lighting does not provide this opportunity. The reason for the fine for “unreadability” may be one of the following factors:

The number plate light does not light up;
blue number plate illumination;
use of means to impair the readability of license plates.

If the license plate light on your car does not light up, and you were stopped by the traffic police, you can claim that you left with an illuminated license plate, but a breakdown occurred along the way.

In the case where the license plate illumination does not work, a fine will be issued if the police can prove that you knew about it when leaving the garage.

If you managed to convince the inspector that the breakdown occurred on the road, no fine will be charged for the lack of rear license plate illumination. In this case, you will be given a warning and will be required to fix the problem within 24 hours.

The color of the license plate illumination is either white or pale yellow

How can you avoid a fine or evade it?

The law does not establish any possibility for a driver to avoid a fine other than receiving a verbal warning from an inspector.

At the same time, the traffic rules do not contain a list of reasons that can mitigate the guilt of the car owner and push the road service officer to do without a fine.

In practice, the driver has several opportunities to prove his innocence. If you did not know about the breakdown, then you should definitely inform the inspector about it.

In late autumn and winter, when it gets dark early, the driver can also say that he is aware of the breakdown and is just heading to the service station to have it repaired. According to established practice, in this case, law-abiding traffic police officers do not fine the driver.

Not all cars can replace the license plate light bulbs yourself. If in your car the sign is illuminated not by a simple pair of incandescent lamps, but by a diode strip or other complex structure that can only be replaced by a master, then it will be easier to avoid a fine. You just need to point out to the inspector that it is impossible to correct the situation on your own and ask him to limit himself to a warning.

How to stick

It is not difficult to apply the film yourself, as it is self-adhesive. To fix it on a car sign you need:

Clean the license plate, degrease with alcohol or acetone.
Match the numbers from the film and the license plate as accurately as possible.
Remove the protective backing.
Smooth out the film. Make sure there are no swelling due to air bubbles.
Warm up the nanometer with a hairdryer for 2-3 minutes, wait until it cools completely and smooth it thoroughly again (this is an optional step, but exposure to hot air will ensure strong adhesion to the surface of the car sign).

The service life of the license plate sticker is at least 7 years. No special care is required - you can easily wash it without fear that it will peel off from water or detergents.

How to remove

The film is firmly glued to the surface, but it can be removed in a simple way. To do this, you need to warm the surface with a hairdryer, and while it is hot, pry the tip with a sharp object and pull. The remains are cleaned off with a hard rag. You should not try to scrape off the film with a blade or a metal brush; this will damage the paint on the license plate.

Requirements

According to traffic regulations, car registration symbols must be designed according to the standard, correctly installed and readable.
At the same time, the ability to make out what is depicted on the plate must be preserved even in the dark hours of the day. For this purpose, lighting is used, which refers to the external lighting devices of the vehicle. Interestingly, the conditions for additional illumination do not apply to front signs. IMPORTANT! If the rear license plate lighting does not function, the defect is considered a vehicle malfunction. Driving with deviations from the norms, including damage or inoperability of any elements of the car, is considered a violation and is subject to a fine.

In the case of a partial defect, for example, if one of the light bulbs does not light or the device is covered with a layer of dust or dirt, due to which the light does not reach the symbol plate well, a monetary penalty may also be imposed. If the lighting does not work during the daytime, there are no sanctions.

What is the fine for illuminating a license plate?

According to traffic regulations, a vehicle must have high-quality license plate illumination at night - cars that do not have it can be stopped by a traffic police inspector. The rules say that only rear license plate illumination is needed - it is not necessary to illuminate the front license plate.

Let's take a closer look at what the license plate illumination on a car should look like. Being informed will allow you to avoid fines for rear license plate illumination and be aware of how you can resolve a misunderstanding with the traffic police if the license plate illumination is not on.

What the rules say

The number plate light does not light up;
blue number plate illumination;
use of means to impair the readability of license plates.

If the license plate light on your car does not light up, and you were stopped by the traffic police, you can claim that you left with an illuminated license plate, but a breakdown occurred along the way.

In the case where the license plate illumination does not work, a fine will be issued if the police can prove that you knew about it when leaving the garage.

Means and methods for reducing the readability of license plates

In addition to the lack of lighting, a number of other methods are known that can worsen or even eliminate the readability of the state sign. These include:

reflective paints and varnishes - some of them may interfere with the normal reading of data from the plate by a CCTV camera;
folding state signs - when the vehicle speed exceeds 50 km/h, the sign simply collapses from the oncoming air flow. Such a violation entails administrative liability and a fine;
magnetic frame - it is controlled from inside the car. When you press the button, the license plate is covered with a curtain and is impossible to read. It is not difficult for a traffic police officer to prove the fact of deliberate concealment of numbers and bring the driver to justice;
infrared lighting - it is generally accepted that at night, video surveillance cameras cannot read data in the light of infrared rays, but modern equipment still makes this possible;
mesh and transparent overlays - all this can also impair the visual perception of the state sign, so the use of such means is the reason for a stop by the traffic police;
additional stickers and badges - it is prohibited to put any extraneous information on the plate with the license plate; it should only contain what is provided for in the rules. The presence of extraneous symbols and pictures is a reason for bringing to administrative responsibility;
Dirty license plates are one of the most common ways to make them difficult to read. The rules provide for a warning to the driver and a fine if intent can be proven.

At night, the traffic police inspector has the right to assess the visibility of only the rear license plate

Penalties for violating the rules on license plates

The law talks about liability for failure to comply with the rules regarding registration plates:

driving a car with license plates that are unidentifiable, non-standard or placed without complying with the requirements of state standards entails a fine of five rubles or a warning;
the absence of state signs on a car, placement in places not provided for by the rules and the presence of means that make their identification difficult, entails a fine of 5 thousand rubles or deprivation of the right to drive a car for a period of one to three months;

Installation of knowingly false government signs involves the following fines:

2500 rubles for individuals;
from 15,000 to 20,000 rubles for officials;
from 400,000 to 500,000 rubles for legal entities.

Conclusion

Means that impede the readability of a license plate do not affect traffic safety. The fine for the license plate not being illuminated or for other interference that impedes its visual perception is provided for another reason - the road inspectorate needs control on the roads.

In order to avoid penalties, make sure that the state sign is legible, that the light bulb is in good working order, and also make sure that it is the right color.

Sources: https://www.avtokrasim.ru/remont-i-modernizaciya-osveshheniya-nomernogo-znaka-avtomobilya/ https://pddmaster.ru/shtraf/podsvetka-nomera.html https://prava.expert/avtoyurist /shtrafy/trebovaniya-k-podsvetke-gos-nomera.html https://niavto.ru/shtrafy/shtraf-za-otsutstvie-podsvetki/ https://mensdrive.ru/osveshhenie/podsvetka-gos-nomera https:/ /okuzove.ru/osveshhenie/podsvetka-nomera.html https://www.drive2.ru/b/465059609640436232/

Responsibility for civil protection that is not visible due to the cargo

A car is a means of transportation not only for a person, but also for the things he uses. So, you can transport large cargo in the trunk of a car, and install bicycles on special frames, which you can ride in the forest.

Transporting large cargo with an open trunk without a visible license plate. Photo: uborka.co

When transporting, the HZ can be turned upward or covered by the wheels of a bicycle. The question arises: will the driver be held liable under Art. 12.2 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation for concealing numbers?

Before the trip, the driver must make sure that the safety zone on his car is not blocked by the cargo being transported. In case of evasion of this provision, he becomes liable under Art. 12.21 Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation for unacceptable transportation of cargo.

Please note that if the civil license plate was covered with cargo that relates to the car as a whole, then the traffic police inspector does not have the right to hold you accountable for hidden license plates, which was rightly noted by the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation

Is blue backlighting allowed?

To understand what colors are allowed in the backlight of a car’s registration plate, you need to look at the “Basic provisions...”. There is a list of problems with the machine that cannot be used. Features of the state of external devices are also reflected in the document. In particular, it is prohibited to drive a car if it has the following features according to clause 3.1:

In addition, you cannot use a car whose license plate illumination does not comply with GOST 8769. Regarding their color, subclause 2.8.2 of the document says:

This means that any other light bulbs, including blue ones, cannot be screwed in for this purpose. Violation threatens to pay a fine of 500 rubles.

Fines associated with license plate illumination

the absence of state signs, rear license plate illumination on a vehicle, non-lit license plate illumination or the presence of factors that impede their readability and identification will result in deprivation of a driver’s license for a period of 1 to 3 months or a fine of 5 thousand rubles;
Driving a car with license plates that are non-standard, difficult to read, or not placed in accordance with state standards will result in a warning or a fine of 500 rubles;
if the lighting works properly, but the car is so dirty that the lighting is almost invisible, this is also a defect and is punishable by financial compensation.

Penalties for knowingly installing false license plates:

For individuals about 2500 rubles.
For officials - 15,000-20,000 rubles.
For legal entities approximately 400,000-500,000 rubles.

In case of any of the above problems, it is better to quickly eliminate them in daylight. This can be easily done at any car service center or on your own, and it will cost several times less than paying a fine. It is better to prevent a malfunction immediately than to waste time and money later on for such a small mistake.

Complete absence of backlight

If the license plate light does not light up at all, you will be fined.
After all, in this way the sign becomes unreadable. Such a malfunction is perceived as a deliberate obstacle to the performance of the duties of authorized traffic police officers.

Driving a car with the license plate illumination not working during the day, if they are clearly legible, is not prohibited and is not a violation. But at night the numbers should be readable.

If at least one of several bulbs malfunctions and only part of the license plate is darkened, this is considered a violation and a fine is imposed. In this case, its amount will be 500 rubles or a verbal warning.

There will be no punishment for this. In accordance with the 2021 traffic rules, it is a violation to read even one character on a license plate at any time of the day from a distance of 20 meters.

If not visible due to contamination

Many motorists believe that if the backlight works, but is simply dirty, then the fine in this case is illegal.

Please note that above in paragraph 3.3 of the Basic Provisions, the condition under which it is prohibited to drive a car is considered to include dirty license plate backlight. Therefore, there is a misconception, and in this case there is a violation.

This is interesting: Nissan X-Trail maintenance - list of works and cost

If my car doesn’t have it at all

But here the situation is twofold in practice in 2021 and at the same time unambiguous in theory.

Let's start with the theory. A necessary condition for bringing a driver to justice is the presence of an offense. In this composition, an indispensable attribute is the guilt of the person in the violation committed. In this case, the car owner cannot be at fault for the lack of lighting as such.

But in practice, you may well be fined. And the good news is that his appeal has a good chance of success.

If it does not work during daylight hours

What should be noted here regarding the second fine is the very criterion of unreadability of the state registration plate. It is such if it is impossible to read it (at least one letter or number) from a distance of 20 meters. This applies to both numbers - front and rear.

However, since in the daytime the backlight does not matter at all in terms of readability of the license plate, then in practice in 2021, the traffic police officer will most likely issue a fine under Article 12.5 of the Code of Administrative Offenses for the lack of backlighting as such. That is, an unreadable license plate has no connection in this case with this article - the decision is issued specifically for violation of the Basic Provisions for Ensuring the Backlight is On, and it does not matter whether or not the letters and numbers of the license plate can be read from 20 meters.

Penalty for malfunction

There is one more rule, failure to comply with which will result in punishment. It is prohibited to operate a vehicle with defects, the presence of which would result in a ban on driving the vehicle.

However, it does not comply with the Basic Provisions for the approval of a car for operation. Violation is punishable by a fine of 500 rubles or an official warning.

Even if one light from the rear license plate illumination is not lit, but all symbols are visible and readable, the driver can be fined only for the non-working state of the license plate illumination.

Therefore, in the event of such a malfunction, it is better to quickly replace it in the daytime.

You can do this yourself or at a technical center, which will cost much less than a fine. In addition, the driver's reputation will not be desecrated by an official warning.

Are you fined for blue lighting?

Many car enthusiasts are engaged in styling and, for the sake of beauty, change the lamp in the rear license plate illumination from white to blue.

It is worth considering here that only a limited list of colors is allowed:

Front license plate: orange, white or yellow.
Rear: white only.

As can be seen from the above, there are no blue shades in the list of permitted shades. However, there is no fine for drivers using them: having discovered an offense, the inspector immediately draws up a protocol, and by a court decision, the citizen can be deprived of his rights for a period of 6 months to 1 year.

In some older car models, the factory design does not provide rear license plate illumination. If the car owner has an up-to-date diagnostic card, this confirms the absence of significant faults, and the inspector has no right to hold him accountable.

It is also worth considering that upon the first violation, the inspector may issue a warning. If the driver is “caught” with a similar defect more than once, pay 500 rubles. still have to. If a protocol has already been drawn up and the car owner is again stopped by a traffic police officer for lack of illumination, there is no need to pay a fine twice.

Is it possible to install blue light bulbs in 2020?

It depends on where you install them. But let us point out right away that this is prohibited if any light fixture outside the vehicle is shining blue. In general, in practice in 2021, any hint of flashing lights of the special services leads to severe tension for traffic police officers, followed by punishment.

Now let's take a closer look, with references to official laws, at individual lighting devices:

is it possible to use blue or violet lamps in dimensions,
is this color allowed in low and high beam headlights,
in fog lights,
Is it possible to illuminate the rear license plate light in blue?

In dimensions

So, our issue is regulated not only by the Basic Provisions, but also by another legal act - GOST R 51709-2001.

And, if the Rules indicate only that the front color of the headlights should be exclusively white, or orange, or yellow, then the State Standard prescribes narrower boundaries - in particular, for the front dimensions an exclusively white color is provided - the installation of blue bulbs is neither the Rules nor GOST is not allowed.

And, in fact, the proofs:

In near or high beam

It is also prohibited to install blue lamps here. The same paragraph of the Rules implies any lights at the front of the car - this also includes the headlights in any operating mode.

GOST, in turn, prescribes exclusively white color in both low and high beams. That is, everything here is exactly the same as in the case of side lights - blue light bulbs are not allowed.

In PTF

In the case of “foglights” in 2021, the difference is very small:

The basic provisions prescribe the same white, orange or yellow colors,
but Gosstandart is white or yellow.

And again, no reference to the possibility of setting the color blue.

In the backlight of the license plate

And this is the first case when both regulations we are discussing are united in one thing: both GOST and SDA prescribe only white color for illuminating the rear warning light.

The reverse light should have the same color. And for all other lights at the rear, GOST provides exclusively red color:

for rear dimensions,
brake signals,
rear dimensions,
rear contour lights,
as well as any reflectors similarly in the rear of the car.

A The basic provisions for the same lighting devices are red, yellow or orange.

Turn signals

Of course, the use of blue lights in turn signals is also prohibited. Everything here is similar to that described above:

for front direction indicators, according to OP, white, yellow or orange colors are possible, according to GOST - only yellow,
for the rear ones - red, yellow or orange according to traffic regulations, yellow - according to the standard.

Thus, the answer to the question whether it is possible to install blue light bulbs in any light, according to the 2021 legislation, is sharply negative - this is prohibited for external lighting devices.

Are you fined for blue lighting?

Many car enthusiasts are engaged in styling and, for the sake of beauty, change the lamp in the rear license plate illumination from white to blue.

It is worth considering here that only a limited list of colors is allowed:

Front license plate: orange, white or yellow.
Rear: white only.

In some older car models, the factory design does not provide rear license plate illumination. If the car owner has an up-to-date diagnostic card, this confirms the absence of significant faults, and the inspector has no right to hold him accountable.

What kind of illumination will there be for the wheels and grilles?

Lighting devices located on the front of the car and the wheels are classified as external signals. That is, the presence of extra light bulbs here is a violation and is punishable under Article 12.4 of the Administrative Code:

for red and any other lighting on the grille and wheels that does not comply with the “Basic Provisions...”, a fine of 3,000 rubles is imposed. for individuals, 15,000 - 20,000 rub. - for officials, 400,000 - 500,000 - for legal entities;
if installed devices imitate special signals, the fine for citizens will be 5,000 rubles, for officials – 20,000 rubles, for legal entities – 500,000 rubles.

What is the fine for not having license plate lights?

Drivers’ responsibilities include ensuring that state registration plates are fully legible and monitoring the technical condition of their own vehicles. In 2021, the fine for lack of license plate illumination according to the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation remains unchanged, however, you should familiarize yourself with situations where appropriate sanctions may be applied to drivers.

Requirements for license plate illumination

Some car owners prefer to modernize lighting devices without taking into account the requirements of GOST-8769-5. It is this legislative act that regulates the features of external lighting units.

What are the requirements for license plate illumination:

The lamp is installed only on the rear of the car. Installation in the front is optional, but if the driver wants, he can install white or yellow lamps.
Rear license plate illumination is required. It should only be white. The use of blue, red and other bright colors is not allowed.

If a light bulb burns out, it is recommended to change it immediately. Otherwise, even if one lamp is missing, the inspector may be held liable.

A fine for non-working or missing lighting is issued only if a violation is actually detected by the inspector. There are no devices yet that detect such deficiencies.

If there is no backlight

The complete absence of illumination means the deliberate dismantling of the device to install light bulbs. This also refers to a completely non-working lighting fixture.

Such a violation is interpreted as an obstacle to reading license plates and is punishable under Part 1 of Art. 12.2 Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation. The fine in this case will be 500 rubles.

Dear visitor!

You can contact the duty lawyer by phone.

Our lawyer will advise you FREE OF CHARGE.

If the lights do not work during the day, the driver cannot be held liable. The key condition is that the number is unreadable at night.

Penalty for faulty lighting

If at least one light in the backlight is not lit and the inspector discovers this, the driver will have to pay a fine of 500 rubles. (Part 1 of Article 12.5 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation).

This malfunction prevents the legal driving of a vehicle in accordance with the Basic Rules for the Admission of Vehicles to Operation. The same applies to the above case, when the backlight is completely absent.

Are you fined for blue lighting?

Many car enthusiasts are engaged in styling and, for the sake of beauty, change the lamp in the rear license plate illumination from white to blue.

It is worth considering here that only a limited list of colors is allowed:

Front license plate: orange, white or yellow.
Rear: white only.

In some older car models, the factory design does not provide rear license plate illumination. If the car owner has an up-to-date diagnostic card, this confirms the absence of significant faults, and the inspector has no right to hold him accountable.

It is also worth considering that upon the first violation, the inspector may issue a warning. If the driver is “caught” with a similar defect more than once, pay 500 rubles. still have to. If a protocol has already been drawn up and the car owner is again stopped by a traffic police officer for lack of illumination, there is no need to pay a fine twice.

Sequence of work

Of course, you need to start with planning. Decide what color the bottom glow will be. There can be many options: to match the car, white or red, which will shine the brightest in any weather. The installation of underbody lighting also depends on the type: as we wrote above, if between the wheels or only along the front bumper, you will have to make a double connection to the power supply system. The circular illumination, in fact, is looped (connected by soldering and through connectors), in this case one connection to the battery or cigarette lighter is sufficient.

Soldering and connection

Connection in the power supply system is divided into two stages: connecting LEDs to wires, testing and, directly, connecting to the power supply system. The first stage is necessary so that all measurements, soldering, and testing can be done in more comfortable conditions. The second is done after the tape on the profiles is attached to the bottom of the body.

First stage. This is the most responsible job. It is necessary to cut the tape correctly - in special places intended for connection (usually they are repeated through 3 LEDs). In this case, two mistakes cannot be made: a short strip will be difficult to connect, and a long strip will sag, which is unacceptable, since the backlight will not be continuous and uniform. There is also a high probability of the LED strip breaking at the first bump.

Then we sequentially solder each wire to the LED using a soldering iron.

It is important to strictly monitor the color matching of electrical wiring at the starting and ending points of connection

To ensure that the installation of the underbody lighting is correct and no mistakes are made, it is necessary to conduct a preliminary test. To do this, you need to connect the tape with wires to the power supply system; if the glow is uniform, you can freely continue connecting the remaining parts. And only after that, insulate the soldering with silicate glue. We suggest using a plumbing one, since the machine is usually operated in all weather conditions. And only this type of insulation using a gun guarantees good protection against moisture.

Second phase. Further connection is made through connectors after attaching the prepared structure to the bottom (therefore, now read the “Attachment” section and only after that return to this subheading). Place a corrugated tube over the wires - this will protect against rupture (it is advisable to fill it with silicone or insulate it for greater reliability).

After connecting all the elements of the lighting system, the wires are connected to the controller (strictly adhering to the diagram). Next step: connecting to the power system. There are several connection options - the easiest is through the cigarette lighter. 12 V is quite enough to provide electricity to the entire system around the perimeter of the bottom. But to do this, you will have to purchase and slightly modify a car charger for a mobile phone, which can lower the voltage to 4 V. In principle, it is simply disassembled and you need to solder one wire in front of the stabilizer, and the second to ground. In this case, it’s quite easy to turn the lighting on and off directly from the car’s interior.

But still, it is considered more correct to connect through fuses to the battery. In this case, the “native” factory wiring of the car is not disturbed and, as a result, problems with the power supply are eliminated.

LED Strip Light

Fastening

Before the next step, be sure to read the “Safety Precautions” section. Thanks to this, illuminating the underbody of the car with your own hands will take place without injury.

Cut the profile to size. We fix the LED with fasteners at a distance of approximately 10–15 cm (this will ensure a tight fit and uniform illumination). We cut off the “tails” of the fasteners.

We fasten the finished structure with self-tapping screws to the bottom (it’s more convenient under the threshold). In this case, there will be more intense illumination. It is more rational to attach LEDs to the rear bumper on a building profile for beacons or arches (it is easier to bend them to the shape of the car). Under the front part of the body we fix it on an L-shaped profile to the bottom.

This type of fastening allows you to hide the source of the glow, makes it uniform, and at the same time the LEDs are protected from impacts during travel. The design is quite durable, since aluminum profiles do not corrode and they are plastic, unlike their metal counterparts.

Underbody lighting - bottom view

Mandatory lighting devices on vehicles

At night and at dusk, visibility deteriorates, so drivers use the lighting available as standard. The machine's lighting equipment consists of the following equipment:

Low and high beam headlights.
Running lights for daytime use.
Fog lights located at the rear and front.
Parking lights.
Illuminated rear license plate.
Parking lights.
Finders and spotlights.
Reflectors.
Side lights.

If some of them are not provided by the basic package, the owner can install them additionally. For example, if the manufacturer did not include light bulbs specifically for state signs in the original design. Installing them at the nearest service station will not cost much. At the same time, this will allow you not to receive a fine for an unlit rear license plate every time, although there will be an opportunity to challenge the protocol.

The license plate light does not light up - is it possible to drive at night?

Let's start with the fact that such a defect is not a reason to stop using it. The only real dangers are faults in the steering, braking system, towbar when there is a trailer, at night - unlit headlights in the front and side lights in the rear, as well as a non-working driver's windshield wiper in the rain.

I was issued a fine for non-functional lighting - how to appeal?

We described in detail the procedure for appealing the decision in a special article on the abolition of the traffic police fine. Your task in this case is to provide sufficient arguments why the issued sanction is illegal.

Examples of such grounds for cancellation are as follows:

the number was actually legible during daylight hours, but you were given a fine for illumination under Article 12.2 (for this purpose, it is highly advisable to attach a video recording from 20 meters of visibility of the registration mark to the complaint, or to apply for the inclusion of video footage of the inspector, if he made it),
you went to the place of repair or parking, since you did not have the opportunity to replace the light bulb at the place of stop by an employee, but here the chances of a successful appeal are slightly less, since the courts and traffic police chiefs also understand the possibility of abuse, and you may have to go to higher authorities,
You can also file a complaint on formal grounds: for missing the statute of limitations for involvement, if the driver is not identified (and the fine is not from the auto-recording camera) and for a number of others - we also provided the full list in.

Below we give, as an example, a sample complaint about a fine for illuminating a license plate in connection with the driver going to the place of repair - the nearest auto shop to buy a lamp and then replace it.

complaints about a fine for backlighting – DOCX format for filling out on a computer.
Download a general sample complaint to fill out by hand (PDF format).

Is it possible to appeal a fine for lighting?

A fine for lighting can be appealed in the administrative court of first instance, like any other unlawful act committed by persons vested with state authority.
This type of hearing takes from two weeks to two months, depending on the workload of the judge to whom the case falls.

You cannot appeal a fine that was issued lawfully, or the illegality of which the driver cannot prove.

On the side of the traffic police inspector there will be a protocol - a legal document, therefore, in contrast to it, the words of the driver and his passengers alone will not be enough.

If you are stopped by a traffic police inspector who decides to write you an illegal report, you must record the conversation with him on a voice recorder. Say loudly and out loud that everything is fine with the backlight, and try to get confirmation of this from him.

You can also film what is happening on a video camera. A DVR recording would be a good idea. This kind of information will be enough to defend your right in court and not pay the fine, or get your money back.

Punishment for backlighting

Deprivation of rights for this offense can be avoided if the lighting does not violate the above rules. But you can still get a fine from a particularly meticulous inspector. It will be impossible to qualify this offense as the installation of improper lighting devices. But you can be punished for making changes to the design of a car without permission to install a light under the bottom of the car.

According to Article 12.5 of the Code of Administrative Offenses, installing uncertified lighting on a car involves a fine of 500 rubles, and if the inspector is loyal, you can get off with a warning. But this is only if only the bottom of the car is illuminated and the bumper, false radiator grille, etc. are not affected.

Despite the fact that there is no ban on illuminating the underbody of a car, you can receive a fine for it even if all installation rules are followed. Therefore, a motorist who has decided on such a procedure should be prepared for increased attention from traffic police inspectors and possible additional costs in the form of paying fines or defending their own rights in court.

Fine for faulty light bulb

Let me remind you once again that the rear license plate illumination is an external lighting device. Operating a vehicle with such a malfunction is prohibited. In addition, for this violation there is a fine under Article 12.5 of the Code of Administrative Offenses:

1. Driving a vehicle in the presence of malfunctions or conditions under which, in accordance with the Basic Provisions for the admission of vehicles to operation and the duties of officials to ensure road safety, operation of the vehicle is prohibited, with the exception of malfunctions and conditions specified in parts 2 - 7 of this article , —

entails a warning or the imposition of an administrative fine in the amount of five hundred rubles.

Thus, a driver may receive a warning or a fine of 500 rubles . Moreover, this fine, unlike the one discussed above, will be imposed even if the number remains readable after the backlight fails.

In 2021, the fine for non-working rear license plate lights is not very large - a maximum of 500 rubles . Nevertheless, it is very unpleasant to receive it, especially since the price of a new light bulb is much less.

Anticipated fines

Traffic inspectors are well aware of all the tricks of drivers, and have already learned to recognize the miracle film.

For driving with obviously hidden license plates that do not allow them to be identified, the fine is 500 thousand rubles;

Deprivation of a driver's license for a period of 1 to 3 months. This applies not only to film, but also to mechanical devices with the same functions. It is not prohibited to mask the license plates of a stand-alone vehicle. But if it is located under a prohibitory sign, it will be towed to an impound lot, and you will have to pay for storage and towing services. The amount may vary between 3 and 47 thousand, depending on the type of engine.

If the number cannot be identified, then it is calculated as driving without a license plate, and the fine is the same. If the violation is repeated, the driver will be deprived of the right to drive for up to 1 year.

What is car license plate illumination and is it legal?

Illumination of the license plate number is a very important detail in the appearance of the car. Each vehicle owner must take care of the legibility of the state license plate at night. But not everything is so simple; the illumination of a car license plate that does not comply with the requirements of the law may be the reason for a stop by a traffic police inspector and a fine. From this article you will learn about all the details of installing car lighting fixtures.

Requirements for license plate illumination

According to traffic regulations, a vehicle must be equipped with a rear license plate illumination lamp at night. It is not necessary to highlight the front numbers. Only white or yellow light is suitable for lighting; blue backlighting of the license plate is prohibited.

The illumination of the rear license plate lamps should be moderately bright. All lamps must work properly and be lit constantly at night, because if the license plate illumination does not work, at least one lamp has burned out, and part of the license plate is not visible - this is a gross violation of traffic rules, which may serve as a basis for imposing fines on the car owner sanctions.

The rear license plate illumination lamps should be moderately bright.

If the car is not predisposed to install lighting, this can help avoid punishment, this fact is prescribed in the technical documentation.

The front license plates of your vehicle cannot be equipped with red license plate lamps, as well as other lighting equipment, the color of which does not match the requirements of the traffic regulations.

Grounds for punishment

If the rear license plate illumination does not work, you need to find the cause of the breakdown, after which the license plate illumination bulb is replaced.

Factors that may cause a fine:

lighting, the color of which does not comply with traffic regulations;
The number plate light does not light up;
non-working light bulb.

The reason for the fine may be lighting, the color of which does not comply with traffic regulations.

Fines associated with license plate illumination

the absence of state signs, rear license plate illumination on a vehicle, non-lit license plate illumination or the presence of factors that impede their readability and identification will result in deprivation of a driver’s license for a period of 1 to 3 months or a fine of 5 thousand rubles;
Driving a car with license plates that are non-standard, difficult to read, or not placed in accordance with state standards will result in a warning or a fine of 500 rubles;
if the lighting works properly, but the car is so dirty that the lighting is almost invisible, this is also a defect and is punishable by financial compensation.

Penalties for knowingly installing false license plates:

For individuals about 2500 rubles.
For officials - 15,000-20,000 rubles.
For legal entities approximately 400,000-500,000 rubles.

How can you avoid a fine or evade it?

The law does not establish any possibility for a driver to avoid a fine other than receiving a verbal warning from an inspector.

At the same time, the traffic rules do not contain a list of reasons that can mitigate the guilt of the car owner and push the road service officer to do without a fine.

In practice, the driver has several opportunities to prove his innocence. If you did not know about the breakdown, then you should definitely inform the inspector about it.

Polite communication without trying to evade punishment or be rude to the traffic police officer will help you avoid more severe sanctions. You must promise that you will sort out the problem as soon as possible.

The essence of the violation

Moreover, such a violation can be regarded as a deliberate obstacle to the performance of official duties by law enforcement officers. If there are no lamps, the fine imposed on the driver will be 500 rubles.

Sometimes a violation in which only one of the two lamps illuminating the state license plate is faulty, and the light of the second is sufficient, prosecution can be challenged.

Fine for non-working rear license plate light

Complete absence of backlight

If the license plate illumination does not light up at all, a fine is imposed, since the sign becomes unreadable. Such a malfunction is perceived as a deliberate obstacle to the performance of the duties of authorized traffic police officers. Driving a car with the license plate illumination not working during the day, if they are clearly legible, is not prohibited and is not a violation. But at night the numbers should be readable. If at least one of several bulbs malfunctions and only part of the license plate is darkened, this is considered a violation and a fine will be charged. In this case, its amount will be 500 rubles or a verbal warning.

In some cases, a burnt-out device does not interfere with the readability of the license plate. This is possible if the second one works perfectly and is located in a place where there is the greatest advantage of lighting. There will be no punishment for this. In accordance with the 2021 traffic rules, it is a violation to read even one character on a license plate at any time of the day from a distance of 20 meters.

Penalty for malfunction

There is one more rule, failure to comply with which will certainly result in punishment. It is prohibited to operate a vehicle with defects, the presence of which would result in a ban on driving the vehicle. However, it does not comply with the “Basic provisions for the approval of a car for operation.” Violation is punishable by a fine of 500 rubles or an official warning. Even if one light from the rear license plate illumination is not lit, but all symbols are visible and readable, the driver can be fined only for the non-working state of the license plate illumination. Therefore, in the event of such a malfunction, it is better to quickly replace it in the daytime. You can do this yourself or at a technical center, which will cost much less than a fine. In addition, the driver's reputation will not be desecrated by an official warning.

What kind of lighting should it be?

The illumination of the front number plate does not matter, but if car enthusiasts want to illuminate it, then they can only install white or yellowish lamps. Otherwise, you will face the following penalties provided for by the Code of Administrative Offenses:

1) the driver can be fined 3,000 rubles;

2) lighting equipment will be confiscated;

3) a ban on the use of this vehicle is possible;

4) for repeated violations, license plates will be removed.

Red lights or reflective devices must not be installed on the front of the vehicle. Other lighting devices, the color of the lights and the operating mode of which are prohibited in accordance with the requirements of the Basic Regulations for the admission of vehicles to operation and the duties of traffic officials. For such a violation, the fine amount is not the same as for the lack of rear license plate illumination - the driver will have to pay 3,000 rubles. This applies to individuals.

Penalty for blue lighting

Many car enthusiasts use blue lights as tuning to brighten the appearance of their car. Blue lamps can be installed in headlights, side lights, daytime running lights or in the backlight of the rear registration plate, as additional lighting under the bottom of the car. A violation of the rules under which the operation of a vehicle is prohibited is the installation of certain colors of lighting devices that are not on the permitted list: only white, yellow or orange lights can be installed in front of the car. Only red, yellow or orange lights can be installed at the rear of the vehicle. As for the backlight and reversing lights, only white is allowed.

The Code of Administrative Offenses does not provide for a fine for blue backlighting of license plates. The driver will immediately be deprived of the opportunity to drive a car for a period of 6 to 12 months. Information about this violation was not widely publicized, unlike the installation of xenon. Therefore, sometimes you can see cars on the roads with the specified offense.

It is important for every driver who is going to install blue or cyan lights to understand what they are risking. If, when purchasing a car, you discover a blue backlight for the license plate, then you need to replace the lamps with standard ones as soon as possible. The same punishment threatens when installing lighting fixtures of other non-standard colors, although it is much less common:

1) green;

2) purple;

3) brown.

It is important to remember that you can also lose your rights for using:

1) red lights at the front of the vehicle;

2) white lights at the front of the car, except for the license plate illumination and the reversing light.

Multi-colored lamps, in addition to white, in the rear license plate illumination and reversing lamp. There are cases when the design of the car does not provide for illumination of the rear license plate. If the owner of the car has a valid technical inspection ticket, then the traffic police officer does not have the right to impose penalties.

For the first violation, you can simply receive an official warning. The fine is not very large, but the very fact of its presence is not pleasant, in addition, the price of a new light bulb is much cheaper. Therefore, if such a malfunction is detected, it is better to immediately eliminate it in the daytime. This will not be difficult, but it will help to avoid an unpleasant situation when stopped by a traffic police officer.