This is where things tend to get complicated. Car underlights are completely illegal in several states, including: Neon car headlights, also known as « underluminescent » lights, are neon lights or non-standard LED lights that attach to the underbody of a car, truck, or motorcycle. Neon lights are especially popular among aftermarket dealers and car owners who, among other things, want to improve the appearance of a car. Some people believe that neon lights offer a nice safety feature, especially for motorcyclists who ride at night, helping them to worry less about being hit by other vehicles. However, most people who use neon lights cite the « coolness factor » and believe that the underlights help create a halo effect that makes the car feel like the car is floating. Neon underlight is the most commonly used term. It stands for LED lighting, underbody glow, neon lighting, ground effect lighting, neon tubes, halo lamps, floor lighting, street glow, plasma lights, neon system or any version or combination of these terms. In most legal cases, every situation is different and we are not able to provide general information. If you wish to dispute a ticket or criminal complaint for illegal modifications to vehicle equipment, please consult a lawyer before incurring additional legal fees.
While aftermarket lighting (including underlighting) is legal in other states, that doesn`t mean it`s unrestricted. There are still a few tips you should follow to avoid getting into trouble with the authorities (even if you`re on your private property in one of the states mentioned above). For example: Created by FindLaw`s team of writers and legal writers| Last updated: 15 April 2020 Since incandescent fire laws vary widely from state to state, drivers looking to add underlights should first check their state`s illegal laws on vehicle modification to avoid warnings and potential penalties. Some states, such as California, Kansas, and Arizona, allow the use of neon lights with restrictions for a specific color and location. For example, Arizona traffic rules only allow yellow or white (glare-free) lights on a car`s side signs. Kansas traffic laws allow the use of neon ground lighting on vehicles, except for flashing or red lights or when the tube is visible. To avoid problems with law enforcement, we`ve listed a few mistakes you should avoid, so check out our tips and tricks to avoid unnecessary citations or fines. We`ve put together some quick answers to some of your most frequently asked questions about neon lighting. If you are considering installing neon lights or LED lights on your car, we recommend that you not only consult the relevant laws, but also learn why laws are made the way they are and understand what vehicle lighting can get you in trouble. Most states allow replacement lighting for emergency vehicles such as police or ambulances and only limit underlighting for private civilian vehicles.
Therefore, it is not illegal to sell neon lights, but be sure to refer to the laws of your state, city or county to find out whether or not it is legal to use them. White or amber are the only colors that can legally be displayed at the front of the vehicle. Red or amber are allowed on the back. These colors should not be visible anywhere else on the car (for example, you cannot see red on the front). Lighting that causes visual impairment or distracts the driver is also illegal. NeonLaws.com aims to provide accurate and up-to-date information on the laws governing neon lighting in cars in the United States. Each state has different laws, rules, regulations, and guidelines, and we provide concise data for legally permitted alternative lighting for each of the 50 states. In the automotive industry, lighting or ground effects refer to the customization of replacement vehicles with neon or LED, where the lights are placed at the bottom of the chassis so that they illuminate the ground under the car. Underglow became popular at auto shows to give cars aesthetic appeal. Some U.S. states prohibit lighting on public roads,[1] while other countries restrict its use. [2] There are 3 main types of LED lights: pod-style LED lights, LED strips, and flexible LED tubes.
The LED capsules consist of a rigid housing with several LED lights as well as a lens. LED strips are easy to install almost anywhere, including engine compartments or air intake scoops. LED tubes produce a constant light similar to the classic neon glow. Ground effect lighting is illegal in the states of Michigan, Massachusetts and Maine. [7] [1] In California, light bulbs are allowed to be used in places other than public roads, and there could be a penalty if they are used on public roads. [8] [9] Underglow is legal in Ohio. [1] In Vermont, there is a penalty if the light light is lit while driving. In Alaska, incandescent lights are allowed as long as the color is white, yellow, or amber. In Florida, the use of Underglow is not illegal, although several restrictions apply. [10] Recent developments in LEDs have resulted in a glow that can respond to music, draw patterns, and act as courtesy or brake lights. Sometimes this is done via Bluetooth and a smartphone or RF remote control.
[5] A violation of the Neon Lights Act is considered a violation of civil law that can be punished as a violation of non-fluid traffic. Non-fluid traffic offences are heard by a district judge or magistrate in a district court close to the offence. In the United States of America, some incandescent lamps are illegal, but this is largely state-based and varies from state to state. [6] In particular, the colors blue and red, as well as any type of flashing light effects, are prohibited on public roads in some states because they can distract motorists or be mistaken for police cars. Almost all states ban the colors green, red, and blue, as they are only used in emergencies. However, the laws governing the lighting of a car depend on the state. States with a lot of traffic and many cities have stricter regulations due to the high risk of accidents. Laws regarding the use of neon bulbs generally fall under the lighting requirements of state traffic laws or motor vehicle regulations.
Most states have specific laws on restrictions on the use of accent lighting and other illegal vehicle modifications regarding color, shape, type and position on the vehicle. Basically, underlights are legal as long as they remain obscured and unlit on public roads and do not flash or contain the colors red or blue. Taillight laws in the U.S. tend to be much less restrictive than headlight laws. In fact, LED brake lights are not illegal, although they can temporarily dazzle drivers following you. However, you`ll want to avoid certain colors, as most states require all visible lights from the rear of the vehicle to be exclusively red or amber. Drive responsibly: Police officers are much less likely to chase you for something like a non-compliant lighting kit if you`re not acting like crazy on the road. But if you drive like an idiot, they`ll be only too happy to blow you up. That`s not to say you should drive with illegal lights – but if there`s something about your car that you`re not sure about, it`s best to hold back by being a model car driver. If you want to know more about installing automotive lighting, check out our informative articles. We can help you learn how to install the car underlights yourself or choose the best LED lights for your car or even save money. If you have any questions for us or need full articles on an underlight neon topic, let us know! The Michigan Traffic Law FAQ (link) also has specific answers about neon underlighting.
Below are the relevant questions and answers that explain the use of neon light on cars and other vehicles. We only review laws and provide information for cars (including passenger cars, sedans, vans, SUVs, pickup trucks). Motorcycles are not included in our categorization, but in states where motorcycle underlight is mentioned in laws, we have made a special notice. Check your state laws or other resources before installing aftermarket lighting on other vehicles. State laws affect all replacement lights installed on your car, including, but not limited to, lighting installed on hubcaps and hubcaps. However, keep in mind that if you determine whether the glow is legal or illegal, we will assume that you are only lighting up the ground under your vehicle. Lights on other parts of your car (tires, wheel, fenders, etc.) are not included in our findings and categorizations, so refer to state laws for more information. Neon laws are referred to by many names.
Some of the legal titles covering the use of neon underfires and other lighting modifications may fall under one of the following titles: The colors red and blue are generally not approved for use in civilian vehicles and are limited to fire departments, police cars, and ambulances. Some states allow blue underlighting, while others allow red, and some prohibit both. Be sure to check out our underlighting laws for more details on each state, as color restrictions may not be limited to these two. All motor vehicles equipped with replacement lighting must comply with certain regulations for each state.
