Neon car headlights, also known as “luminescent” 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. Get one-on-one advice and ask a lawyer questions. Many ticketing lawyers offer free consultations. Texas laws do not prohibit the use of underlights or underbody lights in any way. Illinois laws expressly prohibit all lighting devices on vehicles that are not expressly permitted by the Illinois Code. Since neon lights or LED underbody lights are not mentioned in the laws, their installation or use is not legal. If you are stopped by law enforcement officials for illegal neon car lighting, you are likely to be cited. The exact penalty is usually regulated by the laws of each state, so you will either have to pay a fine or, in some cases, even be summoned to court as it is a misdemeanor.
You may need to remove illegal lighting from your vehicle. During a traffic check, we do not recommend telling the police that your lighting may change color. Even the ability to display a blue color can be seen as an excuse for them to quote you. Mounting replacement lights that may indicate a blue color is illegal, even if you display other colors. Created by FindLaw`s team of writers and legal writers| Last updated April 15, 2020 The use of floor lamps in Florida is legal. Florida Motor Vehicle regulations expressly permit aftermarket modifications that are not expressly prohibited by other rules or regulations (see Section 316.215(2) of the Florida Regulations): This also means that in some states, simply installing neon underlighting may be considered illegal, regardless of whether the lights are on or off while driving. For more information, check out your state`s laws and read our Legal or Not article for more information on how we determine whether neon lights are legal or illegal. 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. 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. Neon tubes are used for underlighting. Although neon gas only produces the red color, the addition of other elemental gases can produce up to 150 colors. Because neon tubes are compressed with gas, they tend to break often when they exceed speed thresholds. With neon lights, people are better able to adjust them to follow certain rhythms such as music. [4] Few states do not explicitly prohibit the use of flashing lights on civilian vehicles, but it is still the fastest way to obtain an OBE ticket. Flashing lights are considered a distraction to other drivers and are banned in almost all of the United States.
Even in conditions where turning on the underbody is not explicitly illegal, we strongly recommend that you avoid flashing, rotating, oscillating, moving, or unstable lights. Other states, such as Michigan, do not allow the color of flashing, oscillating or rotating lights on the body of a car driven on public roads, which is not expressly required or permitted by Michigan Highway Traffic Acts, except for emergency and other vehicles. Neon lights or “under-luminescent” car lights can be flashy and even “cool,” but you`ll need to check your state`s laws to see if they`re legal. A violation of the neon lights law is considered a violation of civil law that can be punished as a violation of stationary traffic. Non-fluid traffic offences are heard by a district judge or magistrate in a district court close to the offence. LEDs are light-emitting diodes that can be arranged in clusters. LEDs typically last longer than neon tubes, while LED strips are also much less fragile. They have multicolored abilities and can have strobe effects.
Unless directly prohibited by law, underbody lighting is legal. Texas laws do not prohibit the installation of replacement or non-mandatory lamps, so the use of neon lights is legal in Texas. In the state of California (CA), neon lights are legal to use, although there are of course some restrictions. Below is a basic overview of the guidelines for neon lights in California. 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] As noted above, Illinois laws do not allow any type of flashing, oscillating or rotating lights on cars unless expressly permitted (emergency vehicles). Even if they are not illuminated, the possession of such lights is illegal. The LED glow is usually able to flash and rotate colors, and the installation of this type of annealing system under the body is prohibited. Florida prohibits showing the color red in front of vehicles. Red lights may not be visible from the front of the vehicle, so even if your neon lights are hidden under the vehicle`s chassis, you should avoid the color red. Neon lights, or commonly known as underlights, are very popular among car enthusiasts who want to improve the appearance of their car. Many vehicle owners simply attach neon lights to their vehicles for aesthetic reasons. Less is said about potential safety issues with incandescent lamps. Similarly, flashing or flashing lights are limited because of their common association with ambulances and other emergency safety vehicles. Therefore, these restrictions are set for vehicle modifications to prevent other drivers from being confused or distracted on the road. In British Columbia, Canada. Underglow is considered an “off-road” light and must be covered with an opaque cover when the vehicle is on a highway, parked or driven on public roads.
[12] 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. 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. 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. 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.
In addition, you should avoid using red colored lighting, visible from the front of the car. Blue lights are expressly prohibited. No vehicle light, including suspension lamps, may be blue, this colour being reserved for emergency vehicles.