How a police person or safety inspector would handle a repaired taillight/turn light

[Lindy]

We have a 1990 Toyota Camry that still runs. Recently, someone backed into our car in a parking lot and damaged the left rear combination tail light and turn light.

Since the bulb still worked, we repaired it ourselves with red rubbery material covered by clear tape so that the area cracked with pieces broken off was covered.

Will this be acceptable to police and safety personnel in Texas and elsewhere, or do we need to replace the part?

We don't want to be cited, but we're not sure it makes sense to spend too much to repair a car that may not last much longer.

Thanks in advance for your help on this!

[G35 Mass]

Check ebay, junkyards, or Camry forums. I'm sure you can get the tail light for about $10.

Here, unless it provides as much properly-colored light and reflectivity, it's no good. That red tape you get at Auto Zone doesn't fly.

[TEXASCOP]

Texas Transportation Code Sec. 547.303. COLOR REQUIREMENTS. (a) Unless expressly provided otherwise, a lighting device or reflector mounted on the rear of a vehicle must be or reflect red.
(b) A signaling device mounted on the rear of a vehicle may be red, amber, or yellow.

But the vehicle will not pass inspection if its all taped up. So you can drive it the way it is as long as the light reflecting to the rear is red amber or yellow. You will need to replace the tail lamp housing prior to having it inspected or it will fail.

[Lindy]

Thank you for your response! It's good to know we can drive it long enough to fix it more permanently, and we'll definitely do it before we get a safety inspection.

[Lindy]

Thank you for your response! We were quoted $30 to $115 for used and new tail lights, so we'll look further, as you suggested, and fix it more permanently.