Rear break/STOP lights, tail lights are out, plate lights working?

[MzTyla]

Hi all,
I know this is my first post but I haven't had any major issues with my Yaris until now and thought I'd ask some of the gurus here and perhaps you could help me.

So, I have a 2008 Model Yaris hatch which I have serviced myself over the past 4 years. I had recently changed my air filter and battery as there were issues with the engine cutting out when it was cold (its winter here) and that problem is now fixed.

Now, last night while driving down the motorway, I had several people tailgating me and madly flashing their high beams at me and though wth... what's wrong with these people, only to come home and find out my back end had no lights... go figure, go me..

So after spending 2 hrs changing fuses in the engine bay, under the dash and under the dash - yes ALL the fuses I could find, my license plate light is now on and working but my parking lights and brake lights are still out.

I've also pulled out and checked the light bulbs and they're fine. I've had no changes to the original wiring to my lights so I can't figure out why it's not working.

I'm not keen on bringing my car to a service center or mechanic as they tend to go oh.. you're female, let me talk to you as if you don't know anything and charge you an arm and 3 legs to fix your car and not actually do it.

So any help on this would be much appreciated, otherwise I'd have to shout a male friend lunch just to come with me to these places.