willysmjeeps.com

OK, so I went out today to get my yearly inspection on my jeep. I've done this at least a dozen times with no previous problem. Usually they see the antique military nature of the vehicle and don't even test anything, they just give it a "pass" and I'm on my way. They few times they have asked any questions I always have to show them how to start it or how the headlights, windshield wipers, taillight etc. work. But this time an interesting issue was brought up. This particular inspector (a young woman) was going over every detail by the book. Everything was OK with the exception of one issue...no license plate light. I tried to explain that when this vehicle was manufactured it did not come with any sort of license plate attachment point, as it was never intended to have license plates. I also tried to explain to her that this was a correctly restored antique jeep and that adding a license plate lighting system that was not originally on the vehicle would devalue my jeep. She eventually gave in and said she would pass it this time, but this got me thinking about what to do in the future. Has anyone else experienced this problem? By the way I'm in a very rural community in Texas.

I assume you a liscense plate on the jeep,They make liscense plate lights that bolt on using two of the liscense plate mounting holes or you could make your bracket that used two of those holes. You could wire it in to the trailer recepticle so that you unplug it and remove it after the inspection.

Here in Darkest Arkansas we dropped the yearly inspections as a waste of time and money, BUT for an Antique Vehicle tag we must swear to keep the vehicle in "original" condition. So I carried a copy of that form to show the young officers why my M38 did not have turn signals. Worked several times.

Depends on the state I suppose. In Utah, along with safety insp, we have emissions insp also. I don't have to get and submit either on my Jeep. I just have to sign my registration stating I will keep it road worthy and insured.
I to keep a copy of the laws, that I printed from my states website and keep them with my registration just in case I get ask about this or that. Even though the should, inspectors and/or LEO's cant know everything all the time.

Find a magnetic battery lamp of some sort. Pass, and take it off. Give her a kiss for me! LOL, John

The easiest way I solved this issue was to re-license it under the antique vehicle license category. Here in Texas you will not have to pass any inspections, there are no window stickers to mess up your windshield, you only have one license plate instead of two and the tag is good for five years for a fraction of the cost. However, they do tell you this type of tag is only good for limited use like to and from club meetings or having repairs done to the vehicle. I have had my M38 registered for a year this way and have never had any any problems.