According to the current legislation, license plates of all vehicles, tractors, special equipment and other machines must be read normally 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 \u200b\u200bthe 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 registration plate of the vehicle 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 a replaceable light source;
• Non-separable - the light source is placed in a non-separable case.

Also, single lamps 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 lamps, 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. Usually the lantern has an elongated shape, which ensures the best distribution of the luminous flux when installed above or below the license plate.

FONZs 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 license plate lights

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), partly 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, fixtures for lighting the place where the rear license plate is installed 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, according to 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 mentioned above, it should be repaired or replaced as an assembly, and then this device must fully comply with standards. Therefore, for replacement, you must use a flashlight 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 labeling - it must contain the letter "L" (this is the designation of the rear license plate lighting devices) 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:

1. Unscrew the screws securing the flashlight or its lens;
2. Dismantle the diffuser;
3. Replace the lamp (s) or other damaged parts of the device;
4. Assemble the lantern in 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 is also possible with screws), 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 when correctly selected and replaced, they ensure the normal operation of the vehicle.

According to the requirements of the traffic rules, high-quality license plate illumination must be provided in the vehicle at night - cars that do not have it can be stopped by a traffic police inspector. The rules say that only the back light is needed - the front license plate does not need to be lit.

Let's take a closer look at how the license plate illumination on a car should look like. Being informed will allow you to avoid fines for backlighting the rear license plate and be aware of how you can resolve a misunderstanding with the traffic police if the license plate light is off.

What the rules say

The rules of the road state that the owner of the car is obliged to take care of the readability of the state number plate. In this case, the backlight is required at night - it is not needed in the front. White or yellow light should be used for lighting - blue lighting of the room is not allowed.

The illumination of the license plate must be sufficient to provide the clearest possible visibility at night.

The legibility of the license plates is explained as an opportunity for the traffic police inspector to view them from a distance of 20 meters. It is believed that an inoperative light bulb or incorrect lighting does not provide such an opportunity. One of the following factors can cause a penalty for "illegibility":

• the backlight of the number is off;
• blue room lighting;
• use of funds to worsen the readability of the license plate.

If your car does not light up the license plate and you are stopped by the traffic police, you can refer to the fact that you left with an illuminated license plate, but there was a breakdown on the way.

In the event that the number 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 way, the penalty for the lack of backlighting will not be charged. In this case, they will give you a warning and demand that you fix the malfunction within 24 hours.

License plate illumination color is allowed either white or pale yellow

Means and methods for impairing the readability of license plates

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

• reflective paints and varnishes - some of them can interfere with the normal reading of data from the plate by a video surveillance camera;
• folding state signs - when the vehicle's speed exceeds 50 km / h, the plate simply collapses from the oncoming air flow. Such violation entails administrative responsibility and a financial fine;
• magnetic frame - it is controlled from inside the car. When the button is pressed, the license plate is closed with a curtain and cannot be read. It is not difficult for a traffic police officer to prove the fact of deliberate hiding of numbers and to bring the driver to justice;
• infrared lighting - it is generally accepted that video surveillance cameras cannot read data in the light of infrared rays at night, but modern equipment still makes it possible;
• nets and transparent linings - all this can also worsen the visual perception of the state sign, therefore the use of such means is the reason for the traffic police to stop;
• additional stickers and badges - it is prohibited to put any extraneous information on the plate with the license plate, there should only be 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 it is possible to prove the presence of intent.

In the dark, the traffic police inspector has the right to assess the visibility of only the rear license plate

Penalties for violation of the rules on license plates

The law says about responsibility for failure to comply with the rules regarding registration marks:

• driving a car with license plates that are unidentifiable, non-standard or placed without observing the requirements of the state standard entails a fine of five rubles or a warning;
• the absence of state signs on the car, placement in places not provided for by the rules and the presence of means that complicate their identification, 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 state signs involves the following fines:

1. 2500 rubles for individuals;
2. from 15,000 to 20,000 rubles for officials;
3. from 400,000 to 500,000 rubles for legal entities.

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 meet the standards.

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 provided for 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 a non-working number plate backlighting 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 2019, 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, failure to comply with which will result in punishment. It is forbidden 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 independently or at a technical center, which will cost much less than a fine. In addition, the driver's reputation will not be tainted 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 reflectors 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 provided for the same amount as for the lack of backlighting - the driver will have to pay 3000 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 light fixtures as 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 car bottom.

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:

1. Only white, yellow or orange lights can be installed on the front of the machine.
2. Only red, yellow or orange lights can be installed behind the vehicle.
3. As for the backlighting and 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 blue backlighting... 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 risks.

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:

1. The lights are red in front of the vehicle.
2. White lights at the back of the car, except for the license plate illumination and the reversing lamp.
3. 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 car design... 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 2019, 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.

Illumination of the rear license plate of a car is another administrative offense that almost every driver had to commit. True, in most cases it is unintentional, which still does not affect what kind of fine you will be charged for the lack of backlighting. Keep in mind that there are several basic violations that can be brought against you.

Unlit rear number, how it threatens the driver

In most cases, a driver who drove onto the road with faulty license plate lighting devices violated the rules regarding the requirements for the technical condition of the car. Recall that it is prohibited to operate the machine if at least one item from the corresponding List of malfunctions in the Appendix to the traffic rules takes place. So, paragraph 3.3 of this document states that movement by car is not allowed if:

3.3. Do not work in the established mode or external light devices and reflectors are dirty.

In this case, administrative responsibility arises in accordance with part 1 of Article 12.5 of the Administrative Code of the Russian Federation:

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 obligations of road safety officials, the operation of a vehicle is prohibited, with the exception of malfunctions and conditions specified in parts 2 to 7 of this article - shall entail a warning or the imposition of an administrative fine in the amount of five hundred rubles.

Theoretically, the same violation can fall under Part 1 of Article 12.2 of the Administrative Code of the Russian Federation:

1. Driving a vehicle with unreadable, non-standard or state registration plates installed in violation of the requirements of the state standard, except for the cases provided for in part 2 of this article, - entails a warning or the imposition of an administrative fine in the amount of five hundred rubles.

In the footnote to this article, a definition of unreadable number is given:

Note. The state registration plate is recognized as non-standard if it does not meet the requirements established in accordance with the legislation on technical regulation, and unreadable, if at least one of the letters or numbers of the rear state registration plate cannot be read from a distance of 20 meters at night, and daylight hours of at least one of the letters or numbers of the front or rear state registration plate.

Considering that the responsibility for these two articles is the same, most often the inspector stops at the first option.

Blue backlighting - what is the problem

The temporary fashion leads to the installation of license plate light frames with different lighting effects. The most popular color is blue. It should be remembered that this is considered a violation of traffic rules, and a fine for illuminating the back number in blue will be issued to you.

Clause 3.6 of the already mentioned List of faults presupposes a ban on operation if:

3.6 The vehicle is equipped with:

in front - lighting devices with lights of any color other than white, yellow or orange, and retroreflective devices of any color other than white;

behind - reversing lamps and state registration plate lighting with lights of any color other than white, and other lighting devices with lights of any color other than red, yellow or orange, as well as retroreflective devices of any color other than red.

In this case, the punishment will correspond to part 1 of Article 12.5 of the Administrative Code of the Russian Federation (see above), that is, a warning or a fine of 500 rubles.

There is a practice of classifying this violation according to part 3 of the same article 12.5 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation:

3. Driving a vehicle, on the front of which there are installed lighting devices with red lights or red reflective devices, as well as lighting devices, the color of the lights and the mode of operation of which do not meet the requirements of the Basic Provisions on the admission of vehicles to operation and the duties of officials for ensuring road traffic safety - entails deprivation of the right to drive vehicles for a period of six months to one year with the confiscation of the specified devices and devices.

Such actions of the traffic police are illegal, the document clearly refers to the front of the car. To prove your interests in court when considering such violations, use the services of a professional auto lawyer. This will ensure that the decision is positive for you 95% of the time.

You should not take risks and spoil your mood and nerves for yourself and the guardians of road rules. In order not to get into an unpleasant situation, it is necessary to carefully study the requirements of traffic rules for the illumination of the room and observe them in practice.

This article is for people over 18 years old

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Every car owner knows that license plate illumination is very important at night. Such an element is not only important in the overall appearance of the car, but also is a strict requirement of the traffic police. It consists not only in the illumination of the license plate for good visibility, but also in its technical characteristics, which must comply with the norms of the adopted laws. A deviation from the norm can easily become the basis for a fine. Despite such harsh conditions, motorists manage to stylishly arrange the lighting moment in the backlight.

Penalty conditions

A certain car model has its own list of external lighting devices. Therefore, the penalties for faulty or illegible mark differ. In accordance with clause 3, part 3 of the general list of faults, driving with a switched off or faulty light device is punishable by a fine. Even if the lighting works, but is splashed with mud and does not perform its functions efficiently, this violation is also punishable by fines.

brand-detail-img-title "\u003e According to the standards, the license plate illumination is also an external lighting element

According to the norms, the illumination of the license plate is also an external lighting element, and its malfunction or any defect is necessarily punishable.

There is an important point in operating a road vehicle using lighting. If the back light does not light up at all, and the car owner drove out in such a car, this can be regarded as an obstacle to the work of a road service inspector. However, the convention applies only to night time. If this happened during the day, then there are no penalties or penalties for this offense. For daylight hours, the cleanliness of the license plate is important.

There are cases that for some reason or due to external factors, even one light bulb in the lighting device does not work, and this does not make it possible to read at least part of the number, this is also punishable by a monetary penalty. The amount of such a fine in 2017 is 500 rubles.

But there are several "saving" moments, in which case a fine is not charged:

• If one light in the device does not work, but the second is located so that it allows reading the license plate, then there is no penalty for backlighting the rear license plate. In this case, you can get by with a warning from the inspector. But it is precisely for the non-working condition that they can still be fined.
• If the lack of sufficient lighting is detected by the driver at the time of the stop by the inspector, then in this case, a verbal warning will also be issued. But it is necessary to present proof that the driver was not aware of the breakdown.
• If the technical design of the car does not design a backlight or a place for it and the driver has a corresponding mark in those coupons, then this also frees him from paying a fine.

brand-detail-img-title "\u003e The size of such a fine in 2017 is 500 rubles

If it is daytime, then the current regulations do not specify a fine for non-burning backlighting of the number. It has only been said that both numbers should be clearly read - front and rear. In the dark, a mandatory norm is a working light on the back canvas. There is also a rule stipulated by the SDA about the unreadability of even one character in the license plate, regardless of the time of day from 20 meters. This fact is also a violation, and you can get a fine for it.

For any car enthusiast, fines and warnings entered into the protocol are morally unpleasant, they can ruin the reputation of an exemplary driver, but they also affect the car enthusiast's wallet. To avoid this, you should carefully inspect your vehicle before driving it out, and promptly eliminate breakdowns. In this case, you can avoid "ugly" marks in the license, including a fine for the lack of backlighting. This is such a trifle that is easy to track on your own.

Norms for using color in backlights

As noted above, the lighting of state registration numbers is an external lighting device, the use of color in it is limited.

The norms of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation, which determine the color used in the front lighting, are quite strict. The introduction of a non-standard color scheme in the lighting of the front license plate of a car is punishable by deprivation of rights for a period of 6 to 12 months. The numbers are also withdrawn together with the lighting fixtures. It is forbidden to install the front license plate illumination using red, blue, green, other colors of lamps and reflective elements that are not provided for by the rules.

brand-detail-img-title "\u003e White highlighting of the number is allowed

Today, the fashion for neon and LED lighting in the form of frames and overlays is very common, but you need to use them carefully. If the color is white or light yellow, this is allowed. It is not recommended to put lighting frames or strips with diodes around the edges of the room. It will look brighter and more attractive, but you can "get" and a fine for such illumination of the number from the road patrol service for a tidy sum.

Based on the basic provisions and requirements for the operation and admission of a specific vehicle for operation, equipping the rear part of the car with red lights is a malicious violation. This is regarded as a lack of required room lighting. For such "art" a private person can suffer in the amount of 3 thousand rubles. Individuals who are in official jobs lose 15-20 thousand, but legal entities can receive a penalty in the amount of 400-500 thousand rubles and the seizure of lighting devices. Is the brightness and attractiveness worth the money? It’s better if the backlight of the number is off, and the fine of 500 rubles will not hit your pocket so hard.

It is forbidden to use inappropriate colors in the rear lighting of the license plate, except for:

• yellow;
• white;
• orange.

The same rule applies to reflective devices for better visibility.

brand-detail-img-title "\u003e Number highlighting

Choosing the right backlight

To protect yourself and be sure that such a trifle as the absence or breakdown of light on the license plate will not lead to trouble, you need to install high-quality lighting elements.

Experienced experts advise changing the factory backlights to more modern and high quality ones. Powerful LED bulbs that will meet all your requirements are available in a wide range. They will not flood letters and numbers on the canvas with bright light and will not blind your eyes. Pay attention to light bulbs with lenses. These elements provide good, bright and diffused light that allows you to see the room clearly. Let their cost be higher, but the economy and safety will pay off over time.

Additional elements that will be auxiliary in the lighting around the rear license plate can be cheaper. To do this, you can use individual LEDs of certain colors. An ordinary LED strip can also serve as a source for creating lighting. It is not difficult to install such devices, but they can help reduce the likelihood of getting a fine.

brand-detail-img-title "\u003e Lamp LED LED 12V T10 3SMD 2835 White

If the new lighting is installed correctly, tested for performance and resistance to external factors, the result will be bright and noteworthy. But the main thing is that he does not interfere with the examination of the license plate with all the designations.

When using an additional light source in the room area, you need to remember that there is still a risk with self-installation, because you can make a mistake in choosing the color and the correct setting. And such consequences can lead to the close attention of road safety inspectors.

Is it worth repeating that "show off" in the form of neon lights in blue, pink, green and other colors entails a fine, confiscation of devices and deprivation of the right to drive for a certain period?