Legal Requirements

[koeppel]

Hi All,

We just purchased a '67 beetle that has been somwhat modified. We were wondering what the legal requirements are for a car of this vintage regarding lights, seat belts, etc.

There are no backup lights, only red tail lights. There also don't appear to be any parking lights or turnsignal lights in the front.

We installed seat belts in the front, but there's nothing in the back.

Anyway, with a car this old, do we need to get all the lights working or is it sufficient as long as we have headlights, tail lights, and brake lights?

[ejonn]

States have different requirements. Where are you?

[79SuperVert]

It depends on your state's vehicle inspection standards. Many states require that the car be equipped in conformance with the rules that were in effect when the car was sold. Others are very lax in what they check for (my own state now only checks emissions, for instance).
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[koeppel]

I'm in Wisconsin.

[Harris]

Here is a link on Antique for Wisconsin
http://www.dmv.com/wi/wisconsin/custom-vehicle-registration

Rules states 1945 or earlier to be antique, so you don't have to bother with that. Check the link. You should be fine driving it as a regular car as long as it meets safety requirements. Your likely going to need turn signals front and back. They may not require back up lights. Go to an inspection station and ask the attendant.

[ejonn]

http://www.dot.wisconsin.gov/safety/vehicle/seatbelt/law.htm

seat belts

you could probably answer all your other issues here as well

[koeppel]

Wisconsin law provides for a fine of $10 and no points are assigned against a person's driver record.

Hmmmm, it might be cheaper than installing seat belts.

[gt1953]

If the car came with belts then it better have belts,
Here in AZ all factory light must be in working order.
Police say it is reasonable cause to stop you.
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[ejonn]

If your gonna drive it, then it should have working lights and seat belts....doesnt matter what the law says really.

[Keith]

Just about every state is the same. If it came from the factory with it it needs it to be in working condition to be on the road.

So your '67 definately had turn signals from the factory, they need to work.
It had headlights and taillights they need to work.
It had wipers, they need to work.
It most likely didnt come with seat belts so in most states they are grandfathered with that law, but if they were in the car when you got it they better be in there and they better work.
It most likey didnt have reverse lights so again its grandfathered (though It seems to me most '67's got them...'68 and up definately had them from the factory though)
Etc....

But as a general rule of thumb to keep anybody from being a darwin award winner, put seat belts in your car and make sure ALL of the lights work. You wouldnt drive it around with no brakes and 1 lug nut in each wheel would you? So why would anyone drive a car that CAME with turn signals and lights in inoperable condition regardless of the laws?? People that do that are just asking for someone to wipe them off the face of the earth doing that.
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[kevhum]

1967 had seat belts and backup lights as standard equipment in the USA .I don't know about other countrys.