Do state vehicle laws apply to out of state vehicles?

[dentheman]

I am just curious about this: If my vehicle (any vehicle) is registered in Texas, has Texas tags, conforms to Texas and federal law, and I have a valid Texas driver's license, can I legally drive or ride it to visit or tour in California?

Here are a few examples that come to mind: 1). Texas and California emissions controls differ, so my vehicle probably would not comply with California emissions. 2). I would have my vehicle insured as required by Texas, which might not be the same as California requirements. 3). Texas law does not limit how many times my (hypothetical) brake light flasher can flash, California law does limit the number.

I was looking at a brake flasher online and noticed they have a model that is legal for California, that is what got me thinking about this. I threw the other things in as examples of not conforming with CA law, but still being legal (I think).

[JWR]

1 and 2 = no problem.
3 means that you have altered the original lights = yes.

[dentheman]

1 and 2 = no problem.
3 means that you have altered the original lights = yes.
I wouldn't alter the original lights, just add a couple more that flash (hyperlites). But this goes even further than that. Helmet law for example, not required in TX but required in CA.

I am not picking on CA, since all states have different laws, but CA specifically has that flasher law that got me thinking about this.

[Water Warrior 2]

I doubt you would have any problems in any state of the union. Hyper Lights are great and very noticeable to folks following you. They were a Must Have item for Lynda's M after she got it. I would think any supplier would make sure their product was California compliant or loose a big piece of the market.

[JWR]

1 and 2 = no problem.
3 means that you have altered the original lights = yes.


Helmet law for example, not required in TX but required in CA.

Pretty well says it all " When in Rome do as the Romans".

[5th_bike]

I am just curious about this: If my vehicle (any vehicle) is registered in Texas, has Texas tags, conforms to Texas and federal law, and I have a valid Texas driver's license, can I legally drive or ride it to visit or tour in California?

Yes. However if you want to sell it there, it will have to be good under CA laws. Whether you or the new owner makes the bike suitable for CA is irrelevant.

[dentheman]

I decided to look into this more since I don't have anything better to do with my time, and came to the following conclusions:

Any requirement that charges a FEE, TAX, or other PAYMENTS to be made to gov't or business to make it legal to ride must comply with the state/municipality the vehicle is registered in. This includes licensing, inspection sticker, insurance, etc.

On the other hand, vehicle and operator SAFETY EQUIPMENT must comply with the laws of the state the vehicle is being ridden in.

[Water Warrior 2]

Good research. I had to laugh when I saw some riders cross into Alberta from Montana without donning helmets. I wonder how far they got before meeting the local LEO. In some cases I have found that exceeding the written law for personal safety and road compliance stuff has gotten me out of an expensive award.

[dentheman]

I doubt you would have any problems in any state of the union. Hyper Lights are great and very noticeable to folks following you. They were a Must Have item for Lynda's M after she got it. I would think any supplier would make sure their product was California compliant or loose a big piece of the market.
Do you have the 8 or the 16 LED per side? I am looking at the 8 just because of the lower price, but wonder if the 16 is worth paying extra.

[Water Warrior 2]

The 8 per side are eye poppers. The 16s would be even better. I was sold on the HyperLights after following another bike for a couple hours in a long dragged out traffic jam. His actual brake light was nothing compared to the little LEDs. Lynda's bike has the self flashing 8 LED units. Excellant product. Great install instructions and all the needed fittings.