How are brake lights checked during a vehicle inspection?

During a vehicle inspection, checking the brake lights primarily involves confirming that all brake lights activate when the brake pedal is pressed. This ensures that the lights function correctly, providing essential visibility and signaling to other drivers when the vehicle is slowing down or stopping. Properly functioning brake lights are crucial for safety on the road, as they alert drivers behind you of your intentions.

The other methods mentioned may be considered secondary checks or could indicate specific issues but do not directly ensure that the brake lights are operational as intended during normal driving conditions. For instance, visually inspecting bulbs for brightness or their color might not reveal if the lights are functioning correctly under load, and measuring voltage does not directly indicate that the lights are working as they should without also confirming their activation. Thus, the most effective and comprehensive method to ensure brake lights are in good working order is by confirming that they activate when the brake pedal is pressed.