If a tail lamp is less than the County requirement but within the Federal requirement, what should be done?

The correct action is that the vehicle should not be failed when the tail lamp is less than the County requirement but meets the Federal requirement. This is because Federal requirements generally set a minimum standard that must be met for safety and legality across all states; local Counties may impose stricter standards but they cannot conflict with federally mandated regulations.

In the context of vehicle inspections, if a tail lamp complies with Federal standards, it is considered acceptable for road use, regardless of whether it meets more stringent County standards. This reflects the principle that Federal regulations take precedence over local regulations, ensuring a baseline level of safety while allowing for regional variations.

If the situation were to be noted for future inspection, it would not impact the immediate inspection outcome, since the vehicle still remains compliant under Federal law. Modifications to meet County requirements would only be necessary if the vehicle were to be operated in an area where those specific local laws must be adhered to, but this does not affect the conclusion of the current inspection process. Thus, the vehicle should be considered fit for operation as it is compliant with the overarching Federal requirements.