Underglow laws

[Snyprwlf47]

I searched for a topic on this but couldn't find anything so here it is.

In the state of West Virginia the law on exterior lights that are not on the roof is that "Blue FLASHING lights are reserved for police vehicles" If I have aqua underglow that is steady then would I be fine for fines at least( I know its still a magnetic but im already a cop magnet so im not to worried)

Also does anyone know the laws for their states/countries?

This thread makes or breaks my decision to get underglow!

[TinyGiant]

in NH we cant have any underglow on on the road. only off road with the car in park.

i heard in ME you cant even have it installed on the car.

i think its completely stupid as far as laws go.. make the car more visible. I would also encourage it on motorcycles to increase their visibility too ..

[bzinn 1]

they are illegal to have "on" while driving as it is a distraction.I always wondered why a semi truck can light up like a space ship but I cannot.

[TinyGiant]

probably the same law makers that give hybrid escalades tax credits and yaris with 35mpg (almost twice the mpg) no tax credit

[pixiedixie862]

What i am aware of, here in california underglow is illegal when your driving with it on. Im sure its probably similar in many states.

[Gideon]

I always wondered why a semi truck can light up like a space ship but I cannot.

You've always wondered why a vehicle more than quadruple your size can have clearance light/side marker lights which actually serve a purpose, but you can't have neon underglow? :laugh:

[PHXDEMON]

I am pretty sure underglow being on while driving is illegal in all 50 states.

[MadMax]

I am pretty sure all states have their Motor Vehicle Code online...I know Texas does (http://tlo2.tlc.state.tx.us/statutes/tn.toc.htm), I had to look up to see if the Christmas lights I put on my Jeep are legal (they are, as long as they are not flashing while I drive! :w00t:). West Virginia does as well (http://www.legis.state.wv.us/WVCODE/Code.cfm?chap=17&art=1)!

Do a little research and know for sure! And once you find the applicable code, print off a copy and keep it in your car just in case. I've done this with one of my motorcycles which has two headlights but only one low beam. Texas law only requires one headlight on a motorcycle, so the lone low beam is illegal although some police officers think it is burnt out (which it isn't, it is designed that way) and therefore in violation of the Texas Transportation Code (which it is not).

Oh, and unless there is a law prohibiting it, it is legal. But be sure you do intensive research and some of the statutes are vague but may still be applicable!

One last comment, be sure to check your local (e.g. city) laws as well!

Cheers! M2

[Chupacabra]

why anybody would even consider neon lights/underglow or whatever is beyond me.

[Snyprwlf47]

Its really gonna suck when I put it on and I go outta state>.< unless its Texas.:thumbup:

[ddongbap]

BEYOND what the law says, just don't do it.

[cali yaris]

In California, it's illegal to have underglow and other specialty lighting, even if you aren't using them, and regardless of color.

[josevenezolano]

In Venezuela you can have them on all the time.. Over here there's not laws.

[Rich k]

Underglow is illegal in NYS, as it distracts other motorists. Not sure if its a primary offense (i.e. one that the cops can use in and of itself to pull you over)

[WolfWings]

they are illegal to have "on" while driving as it is a distraction.I always wondered why a semi truck can light up like a space ship but I cannot.

Because they're mounting industry-standard 'running lights' but just mount dozens or hundreds of them. There's a reason you don't see blues, greens, purples, or generally even whites on Semi-spaceships except as part of reflective tape. Red? Amber? Yellow? Hell yeah! But those are, literally, a 'running light' in that case.

Also, non-commercial vehicles are often limited in various states to the maximum number of lights they can have projecting light in various directions. 'Running lights' don't count since they're so low-powered also.

Also, realize that underglow doesn't make you more visible at all if there's water or ice or snow on the road. It makes your vehicle a huge patch of glare that, yes, everyone can see coming, but your vehicle then prevents anyone else from seeing the road clearly around you which is the larger issue. It doesn't matter if I can see you, or if you can see clearly, if I can't see the lane markings on my side as a side-effect.

[Midon]

If you want them get them. Just don't have them on when you drive. All the states have laws saying you can not run any extra lights on a Private owned vehicle while driving. That's why all the products sold say "For Off-Road Use Only". I plan on installing blue LED under lighting, But I guarantee you it will only be on when I'm showing the car off at a show, or parked.

[coheed]

Here in NC you can have any color but blue and red on while you drive, if you are parked you can have any color on.

[Praitaq]

Kansas Law States:

Chapter 8 article 17 section 8-1723 subsection F of kansas state law states

"Any motor vehicle may be equipped with neon ground effect lighting, except that such lighting shall not flash, be any shade of red nor shall any portion of the neon tubes be visible. "Neon ground effect lighting" means neon tubes placed underneath the motor vehicle for the purpose of illuminating the ground below the motor vehicle creating a halo light effect."

this means that the neon ground effects are legal in your state provided they meet the guidelines put forth by the provision above. good luck

Source(s):
kansas state laws

[BLAZINBLUEVITZ]

put them on with a switch to turn off quick and hope for the best.......

[33OH]

I'm pretty sure they are legal in Ohio as long as they're not red or blue. A lot of people run them around here. I used to run a set of strobing white ones on my old Probe GT when I was 16 and never had a problem.