The requirement of the traffic police provides for the mandatory backlighting of the car's rear license plate. There may be doubts whether such a lighting is really needed, because road safety does not depend on it? The answer is categorical - you need it. Such a measure is necessary to ensure that the vehicle number is clearly visible even in the dark.
The license plate lamp belongs to external light devices, and driving with faulty light devices is a violation and is subject to a fine. Partial failure is also a violation.
Justification and amount of the fine
It should be noted that the imposition of a fine for the lack of backlighting of the rear license plate can be made only in the dark, when the license plate becomes unreadable. The sign must be easily readable at a distance of 20 meters, and if one light bulb is burned out, but the others sufficiently illuminate the number, then a fine cannot be imposed.
This violation may entail, at best, a warning to the inspector, or a fine of 500 rubles. Most often, the offender receives only a verbal warning, because it is very difficult to prove the fact that the driver knew about the malfunction before starting the movement. It is also difficult to prove the opposite, so you should not risk it again.
Backlight types
Today's cars are equipped with rear license plate illumination already at the production stage, but many are not satisfied with the quality of the lighting. In Soviet-made cars, this function is not provided at all. Or maybe there is a simple desire to update the appearance of your car? Then you should familiarize yourself in more detail with the types of backlighting.
Standard lighting is incandescent lamps installed in a shade. The modern solution is diodes, LED strips. There is another backlight option - complete with a rear view camera.
How is the license plate light different from the LED light?
- The brightness of lighting, for diode lamps, this figure is much higher.
- Service life, on average, incandescent lamps serve 2-3 times less.
- Colour. For diodes, it is possible to set the backlight of any color.
More and more motorists prefer diode devices (as in the photo below). Replacing a license plate light bulb with such a device is very simple, just unscrew the cover and replace one with another.
DIY installation
How to replace the back light? Easily! And you don't even have to contact the service. We will analyze all the necessary manipulations step by step.
- Prepare materials (a frame for a car license plate with lighting or separately lighting elements, heat shrinkage, scissors, silicone sealant, a lighter).
- Free all wires from old parts, remove the old frame.
- All visible joints with lighting elements and seams on the frame must be sealed to prevent possible contact with water. If this is not done, then the backlight will last a maximum of 4-5 months, the contacts will rust, you will have to change the entire frame.
- Twist the wires previously freed from the insulator on the frame and on the trunk of the car. To prevent shorting, insulate them with heat shrink.
- Screw the frame onto the existing space on the rear of the car.
- Put the number in place.
This procedure will take a little time. In the event that you plan to install lighting devices yourself, then it will take a little time to mount the diodes on the frame.
The illuminated license plate frame can be made similar to the speaker lighting from the inside. To do this, you will need a frame, a piece of plexiglass by the size of the frame, 3 mm thick, LEDs from 8 pcs., Foil. It will take a little more time, but the result will be more interesting.
- Grind the diodes down to the size of the glass.
- Cover the back and end of the glass with foil.
- Connect the light elements to the glass, direct to the corners, fill with sealant.
- Take the wires out of the frame, connect to the car.
- Screw on the number, which in turn will hold the glass and diodes.
You need to carefully seal all connections and wires with silicone so that you do not have to disassemble the structure every 2-3 months.
You will find detailed instructions on how to install the backlight on your own in this video:
Illuminated license plate frame
Someone prefers to make a backlit frame on their own, while others prefer mass producers. And if the choice remained outside the ready-made framework, then several criteria for product selection need to be identified:
- durability - road accidents are common. The frame must be strong so as not to break in the event of a minor accident, as well as withstand temperature changes from summer to winter;
- size accuracy - in most cases, all frames are of a standard size, but it's still worth making sure;
- brightness and serviceability of the backlight - it is better to check the performance of all lighting elements upon purchase.
Modern frames are able to accommodate not only the license plate, but also additional inscriptions, where the manufacturer, at the request of the buyer, will indicate any information.
Colored backlight
To highlight your car, to make it brighter and more original in the dark, you can also use colored diodes or tape to illuminate the rear license plate of the car.
There are a lot of different colors, and such devices do not have any difficulties in installation. There is only one drawback - the installation of such devices does not comply with GOST, which means that it is an offense. GOST 8769-75 speaks about the need to install one or more rear license plate lights, which should emit a white or white-yellow color.
Why are there such requirements for a small car part? The use of additional lighting colors can distract the attention of other drivers and thereby provoke an accident. The desire to stand out may cost a fine of 100 rubles or a warning in accordance with the Code of Administrative Offenses 12.5 Part 1. Do not forget that a car is, first of all, a vehicle.
Outcome
What is worth learning and remembering after reading all of the above:
- The license plate number of the car must be highlighted in the back.
- The lack of backlighting entails a verbal warning from a traffic police officer or a fine of 500 rubles.
- Self-replacement or installation of light elements for license plate lighting is easy and in a short time.
- The use of any colors other than white or white and yellow is prohibited and may result in a fine of 100 rubles.
Do not neglect the installation of this lighting element. Yes, after installation, the car number will be clearly visible, and in case of violation, the inspector can easily read and write it down. But even in the event of a car theft, the availability of the license plate will only be beneficial, and, possibly, will affect the speed of searches.
Be attentive to your car's outside lights and good luck on the road.
Any vehicle that moves on the road must have a license plate light.
This is a very important element in the overall appearance of the vehicle. It is she who ensures the readability of numbers at night. But there are some nuances here - there is a fine for the lack of backlighting of the rear license plate or if it does not comply with the norms.
Illuminated bulbs are only needed for the back number... No such requirements are imposed on the front.
The backlight refers to external network devices. Its absence or malfunction is a violation of traffic rules.
If a traffic police inspector detects a violation, even if the driver fixes the malfunction on the spot, he will still pay a fine stipulated by the Code of Administrative Violations.
In the case when the device works, but the car is so dirty that the lighting is practically invisible - this also refers to defects and is punishable by material compensation. In this case, the amount of the fine depends on different types of problems.
If the backlight does not light up at all, a fine is imposed... Indeed, 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 an inoperative backlighting of the license plate during the day, if they are well read, is not prohibited and is not a violation. But at night, the numbers should be readable.
If at least one of several bulbs fails and only part of the license plate is dimmed, this is considered a violation and a fine is imposed. In this case, its size will be 500 rubles or a verbal warning.
In some cases, a burned-out device does not interfere with the readability of the license plate... This is possible if the second works perfectly and is located in a place where the lighting advantage is greatest.
There will be no punishment for this. In accordance with the traffic rules of 2020, the unreadability of at least one character on the license plate at any time of the day from a distance of 20 meters is a violation.
There is one more rule, for non-observance of which there will be punishment. It is prohibited to operate a vehicle with malfunctions, the presence of which causes a ban on driving.
However, it does not comply with the Basic Provisions for Admitting a Car to Operation. Violation is punishable by a fine of 500 rubles or an official warning.
Even if one light from the rear license plate backlight is off, but all the symbols are visible and readable, the driver can be fined only for the inoperative state of the license plate backlight.
Therefore, in the event of such a malfunction, it is better to replace it promptly during the daytime.
This can be done on your own or in a technical center, which will cost much less than a fine. In addition, the driver's reputation will not be defiled by an official warning.
The backlighting of the front license plate does not matter, but if motorists want to highlight it too, then only white or yellowish lamps can be installed.
Otherwise, the following punishments are threatened, provided for by the Code of Administrative Offenses:
- the driver can be fined 3000 rubles;
- lighting equipment will be confiscated;
- a ban on the use of this vehicle is possible;
- for repeated violation license plates will be removed.
Do not install red lights or reflective devices on the front of the vehicle.
Other lighting devices, the color of the lights and the operating mode of which is prohibited in accordance with the requirements of the Basic Provisions for the Admission of Automobile Vehicles to Operation and the duties of road traffic officials.
For such a violation, a fine is not the same as for the lack of backlighting - the driver will have to pay 3,000 rubles. This applies to individuals.
For officials, the amount of the fine is much higher, it ranges from 15,000 to 20,000 thousand rubles. And for legal entities - 400,000-500,000 rubles, while devices and fixtures are confiscated.
Many car enthusiasts use blue lights for tuning to brighten up the car's appearance.
Blue lamps can be installed in headlights, in side lights, in daytime running lights or in the backlight of the rear registration plate, as an additional illumination 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 in the permitted list:
- Only white, yellow or orange lights can be installed on the front of the machine.
- Only red, yellow or orange lights can be installed at the rear of the vehicle.
- As for the backlighting of the rear license plate and the reversing lights, only white is allowed for use.
It is worth paying attention to an important point regarding blue - it is not listed in the allowed list of colors. This means that the use of blue or blue bulbs is in any case an offense in which the operation of the vehicle is prohibited.
The Code of Administrative Offenses does not provide for a fine for the blue backlighting of the number... 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 did not receive wide publicity, in contrast to the installation of xenon. Therefore, sometimes you can find cars with the indicated offense on the roads.
It is important for every driver who is going to install blue or blue lights to understand what he is risking.
If, when buying a car, a blue backlight of the license plate is found, then you need to replace the lamps with standard ones as soon as possible.
The same punishment threatens when installing lighting devices of other non-standard colors, although it is much less common:
- green;
- purple;
- brown.
It is important to remember that you can also lose your rights for using the following:
- The lights are red in front of the vehicle.
- The lights are white at the back of the car, except for the number plate and the reversing lamp.
- Multi-colored lamps except white, in the backlight and reversing lamp.
There are times when the rear license plate illumination is not provided in the design of the car... If the owner of the car has a valid technical inspection coupon, then the traffic police officer has no right to impose penalties.
Thus, in the absence of backlighting of the rear license plate or its malfunction in 2020, a penalty will follow in the form of a fine. Its amount is 500 rubles.
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.
License plate illumination, which is a mandatory attribute of cars, often raises questions from drivers related to possible changes or upgrades in its installation. So, according to GOST, you need to adhere to the lighting of the license plate of the rear of the car, while avoiding the illumination of the front number.
In the event that the light above the "mini-passport" of the car does not light up, or the lighting does not meet the standards, the driver of the vehicle, upon detection of these violations by the traffic police inspectors, is subject to a state fine. To avoid penalties, you should be fully aware of how to properly install and operate the lighting fixture.
Regulatory aspects
The Regulation of the Road Traffic Rules states that each car must be equipped with special lighting equipment for the rear of the car, capable of turning on when the parking lights are on. It is therefore necessary to activate it in the dark, so that the traffic police inspector can effortlessly distinguish the symbols of the "mini-passport" of the vehicle from a distance of at least 20 meters.
The fine for the lack of backlighting of the back number and, accordingly, its unreadability is 500 rubles.
The possibility of losing a driver's license for a period of 6-12 months with the confiscation of the lighting fixture is also present. The owner of the vehicle may be subject to such a punishment for lighting the front registration plate, since according to regulatory documents it should be absent.
Improving lighting
Number lighting is not a problem; it can be implemented by upgrading standard lights. Today, LEDs are most often installed in the form of strips, rulers and modules. However, going overboard with the number of LED items can be regarded as a change in the design of the vehicle.
There are two things to keep in mind to avoid punishment:
- Firstly, a violation in the coverage of the state registration number can only be proven if the vehicle is in operation.
- Secondly, the changes that have passed the traffic police certification cannot be considered illegal.
On the intensity of the illuminated backlight and the allowed colors of the LEDs
According to GOST, the light of the rear registration plates must be white or yellow, or their shades. Thus, any other color of lighting can be regarded as a violation and be subject to a corresponding fine of 3,000 rubles, since colored LEDs can confuse drivers who are following and provoke a road traffic accident (RTA).
Taking into account the standards, you can change the tonality and saturation of the lighting. However, this should be done without attracting the attention of the inspector by too bright light that leaves a mark on the roadway, as well as using an excessive amount of illumination of numbers of other colors.
Lighting Upgrade Attributes
The spiral number illumination used in factory lamps can be replaced with similar LED bulbs of a more powerful spectrum. The standard size of the LED for a light bulb with a standard base ranges from SMD5050 to COB matrices. The main positive quality of such bulbs is compatibility with the on-board computer (BC), that is, it will not give errors when installing LEDs. Lamp prices depend on both the desired wattage and the manufacturer. On average, a set of LED devices of two lamps can be purchased within 300-400 rubles.
The vehicle owner will have to pay at least 600-800 rubles for illuminating registration symbols with an LED module. But such an LED device also has an advantage: their geometric dimensions exactly repeat the standard shades, i.e. no need to redo the mountings.
A budgetary way to solve the problem of license plate illumination is the ability to glue the LED strip above the number or around the perimeter. It is important to remember that it can only be glued to a place free of dirt and oil, otherwise the durability of the tape is not guaranteed.
In conclusion, I would like to say that you should strictly adhere to the rules for operating a car, properly treat the lighting devices of a car. Before leaving, always check the headlights to ensure that both the rear license plate and the front license plate light function - this will ensure easy legibility of the license plates. Take timely corrective action for any problems.
Rear license plate illumination is a mandatory attribute of every car. For the maintenance of this external light device in a faulty state or in a state that does not comply with the norms of the law, several types of administrative punishment are provided: warning, fine, deprivation of rights. This article will tell you about what the rear license plate lamp should be, how to modernize it and what rules should be followed.
Legal Aspects
In accordance with the regulations of the Road Traffic Regulations (SDA), each car must have a rear license plate illumination, which is activated when the parking lights are turned on. This external lighting device must be switched on during the movement of the vehicle (TC) with the onset of the dark. At the same time, the brightness of the lamps should be sufficient for the inspector to be able to identify the state. car number from a distance of 20 meters. Lack of illumination or unreadable for some reason the number of the car is regarded as a violation and in accordance with Article 12.2 Part 1 of the Administrative Offenses Code of the Russian Federation entails a warning or a fine of 500 rubles.
It is possible to correct the situation and thereby improve the illumination of the license plate by modernizing the standard lights. The most common way is to install LED light sources: modules, rulers, tapes. 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 the permission of the State Traffic Safety Inspectorate of the Russian Federation (clause 7.18 - Other structural elements). This point can be interpreted as follows. Firstly, if the car does not participate in road traffic (is not used), 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.
In GOST 8769-75 (updated from 01.08.2013) in clause 2.8.2 it is said that the rear registration plate of the car must be illuminated with a stream of white light. According to this clause, the prohibition on backlighting the number with any other light, except for shades of white, is automatically set. It turns out that the bright and rich colors of LEDs (blue, red, green), by law, cannot be used in organizing the backlighting of the rear license plate. They can confuse and confuse the vehicle drivers 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 illumination of the front license plate. For all regulatory documents, it should be absent.
Punishment for installing state lighting numbers in front will be more strict - deprivation of rights for 6-12 months. with the confiscation of lighting devices (Article 12.5 Part 3).
Taking into account the current standards and rules, we come to the conclusion that it is possible to remake the back number illumination to LED with our own hands, but without unnecessary fanaticism. The main thing is not to attract the attention of officials with too bright light that illuminates not only the sign, but also part of the roadway and not to make a multi-colored decoration out of the illumination of the license plate.
Ways to upgrade room lighting
The spiral bulbs used in rear license plate lamps are easiest to replace with similar LED bulbs. In a standard C5W base, you can buy lamps on LEDs of different standard sizes: from to COB-matrices. Their main advantage is that they do not cause errors in the on-board computer. The prices for the kit vary greatly and depend on the type of LEDs installed, their power and manufacturer. On average, 2 pieces can be purchased for $ 5. The original license plate light can be easily replaced with ready-made LED modules specially designed for this purpose. Their geometric dimensions are exactly the same as the standard shades, that is, there is no need to redo the mountings. The cost of a set of two modules of the budget series is $ 10-15. 
A cheaper option is room lighting based on a sealed LED strip with IP67 or IP68. In this case, you don't even have to dismantle the standard lights. LED strip is glued over the state. number or around its perimeter on a clean, grease-free base. All that is required from the driver is to switch the power from standard lamps to LED strip, observing the polarity and ensuring the tightness of the contacts.
According to the current legislation, the license plates of all vehicles, tractors, special equipment and other machines must be legible even in the dark - for this purpose, rear license plate lights are installed on the equipment, which are described in detail in this article.
What is a license plate light?
Lantern (light) for illumination of the rear license plate (FONZ) is a device designed to illuminate the entire area of the place where the rear license plate is installed on vehicles, tractors, motor vehicles and machines for various purposes.
FONZ is a special external lighting device that provides normal visibility and reading of the rear vehicle registration plate at night at a distance of at least 20 meters. The characteristics, location and regulations for the use of this flashlight are standardized (both in Russia and in foreign countries), therefore, in the event of a breakdown or incorrect operation, it must be repaired or replaced as soon as possible. To make the right choice of a flashlight, you should understand the existing types of these devices and their features.
Types and design of license plate lights
Collapsible license plate light design with hidden installation
Lanterns are divided into several types according to design, type of light source and electrical characteristics.
Today there are a number of FONZ designs:
- Single (individual) - a separate lamp in its body, installed above, below or on the sides of the license plate;
- Combined - a device that combines a tail light and FONZ;
- Combined - a device that combines several rear lights with FONZ (rear direction indicators, rear fog lamp, etc.);
- Grouped - a device that combines all the rear lights, including FONZ, in one body.
In turn, single FOZN are of two main types:
- Dismountable - with replaceable light source;
- Non-dismountable - the light source is placed in a non-dismountable case.
Also, single lanterns differ in the way of installation:
- Open mounting - the device has a decorated case, which is located on the vehicle body;
- Concealed installation - the lantern is placed in a compact body, which is mounted in a body niche, under a decorative element or in another place.
In the first case, the license plate light is one of the elements of the external design of the car, such a design can be seen on old UAZ vehicles, many domestic trucks, trailers and semi-trailers. In the second case, the body of the lantern is hidden, only its diffuser can be seen above, under or on the sides of the license plate - this is the design of the lanterns on the bulk of modern vehicles.
As a light source in all lanterns, both standard incandescent lamps with various types of caps and LEDs can be used. One device can contain one or two lamps, or a number of LEDs.
Structurally, all considered devices are fundamentally the same. If we are talking about individual lanterns, then they are based on a plastic or metal case, inside which there is a lamp (or lamps), and on the outer surface there is a transparent plastic diffuser. In this case, the reflector in these devices, as a rule, is absent. Typically, the lantern has an elongated shape, which provides the best distribution of the luminous flux when installed above or below the license plate.
FONZ in aligned, combined or grouped lighting fixtures have a similar design, but their housing is usually integrated with the housing of the main fixture.
One or more FONZ can be used on the vehicle. If there are two or more lanterns, they are installed symmetrically relative to the number, which provides better illumination. It is allowed to install lanterns above, below and on the sides of the room.
Characteristics and features of the use of lanterns of illumination of license plates
The characteristics, features and procedure for using FONZ, as well as other external lighting and signaling devices of the vehicle, are regulated by domestic and international standards. These devices of all mechanical vehicles operated in Russia must meet the requirements of GOST R 41.48-2004 standards (common for all lighting and signaling devices), partially GOST 8769-75 (common for lighting devices of cars, tractors, trolley buses and trailers / semi-trailers), GOST R 50577-93 (regulates license plates) and, most importantly, GOST R 41.4-99 (UNECE Regulations N 4, applies to cars and other equipment) and GOST R 41.50-99 (applies to motor vehicles), which establish requirements specifically for devices for lighting rear license plates.
In accordance with the standards, devices for lighting the location of the installation of the rear license plate must meet the following requirements:
- Installation is required;
- The color of the fire is only white (colorless);
- The intensity of the light is such that the number is visible at a distance of up to 20 meters;
- Any number of lights;
- Turning on lights - it is obligatory to turn on this light at the same time as the front and rear parking lights (as well as side marker and outline lights, if any).
FONZ should be installed both on cars and trucks, and on tractors, special equipment, trailers, semi-trailers and other equipment. Modern legislation establishes the availability of these devices on motorcycles, motonarts and other motor vehicles.
We would like to emphasize that, in accordance with clause 3.6 of the "List of faults and conditions under which the operation of the vehicle is prohibited", the absence of FONZ, or the presence of lighting devices of this type with any color other than white, are the reason for the prohibition of the operation of the vehicle and the imposition of a fine. So if the flashlight breaks down, it must be replaced or repaired as soon as possible.
How to choose and replace a license plate light
In the event of a lamp breakdown, as already mentioned above, it should be repaired or replaced as an assembly, and after that this device must fully comply with standards. Therefore, for replacement, you must use a lamp or lamp of the same type that was previously installed on the car. Confidence that the new device provides the necessary characteristics is given by its marking - it must contain the letter "L" (this is the designation of the rear license plate lighting fixtures) and the certification mark "E" with one or another number. This marking is applied to the lens or the back of the lamp.
Work on replacing the lamp or the entire lamp must be carried out in accordance with the instructions for the repair and maintenance of the vehicle. If the flashlight is collapsible, then the whole procedure, as a rule, boils down to the following:
- Unscrew the screws securing the flashlight or its diffuser;
- Dismantle the diffuser;
- Replace the lamp (s) or other damaged parts of the device;
- Assemble the lantern in the reverse order.
If the flashlight is non-separable, then the order of work is simplified - it is enough to remove the device from its niche (usually it is held on latches, although fastening with screws is also possible), remove the wire from the electrical connector and install a new flashlight in the reverse order.
In the future, the devices for lighting the rear license plates do not need maintenance, and if correctly selected and replaced, they ensure the normal operation of the vehicle.
