What is the legality of custom lighting like this? Anyone know of a good source to find out the up to date legality in each state? I would think if only used at car shows there shouldnt be much problem. But I also know usually only certain colors are allowed to be used on the street in front or back of your car. If a carshow happens on a street that is coned off woudld it technically still not be legal to turn these type of lights on? Maybe if the vehicle is not moving? Also I think neon tubes were the concern back in the day, because they could break. With the advent of LED strip lights that shouldnt be a concern any longer.
I found these 2 pic online, if you have lights on your car please post them.
I know we all have different tastes, so please take that into consideration when replying.
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[This message has been edited by 2.5 (edited 04-18-2014).]
As you mentioned, it varies by state. But in pretty much every state, there are only certain colors that you can use on a car. On the back this is white (clear), red and yellow. On the front you can use white (clear) and yellow. That is pretty much it. Even changing the PONTIAC in the rear GT lights to blue would be illegal while driving.
You also mentioned that you can do this if the car is parked. Yes, as long as the car is parked, you can use pretty much any color lights in any location. Just NOT while the vehicle is being driven. There are gray area's of course, just as you would not want to put rotating blue lights in your car, even if it is parked
As you mentioned, it varies by state. But in pretty much every state, there are only certain colors that you can use on a car. On the back this is white (clear), red and yellow. On the front you can use white (clear) and yellow. That is pretty much it. Even changing the PONTIAC in the rear GT lights to blue would be illegal while driving.
You also mentioned that you can do this if the car is parked. Yes, as long as the car is parked, you can use pretty much any color lights in any location. Just NOT while the vehicle is being driven. There are gray area's of course, just as you would not want to put rotating blue lights in your car, even if it is parked
And to clarify, white on the rear is also only allowed for certain things. You can't have white brake/tail/running/turn lights on the rear. And even sticking with those colors, there are types of lights which you can't have, without special permit to use your car as a POV as volunteer fire/etc…
Unless otherwise authorized by the commissioner of public safety, no vehicle shall be equipped, nor shall any person drive or move any vehicle or equipment upon any highway with any lamp or device displaying a red light or any colored light other than those required or permitted in this chapter.
rule of thumb if your going to turn them on the car cannot be moving, I used to have them on my 1st car but to tell you the truth they do cause a lot of problems, they break easy the led is not a constant glow of light and they kinda became really played out a number of years ago, in my opinion there not worth the aggravation. but I think you can get away with amber around all sides seeing as how amber is legal on all sides of a car
Effects like above of any color or just added lights are ticket magnets is many places. Doesn't matter type of light, LED etc. General rule, lights on mean car is parked and away from any road. Street parking on active road can be problem. (Legal Street close = parking lot.)
If your lucky, only thing is getting the ticket for illegal light.
research FMVSS 571.108 Many states laws use 108 as base or even copies some or all of that.
------------------ Dr. Ian Malcolm: Yeah, but your scientists were so preoccupied with whether or not they could, they didn't stop to think if they should. (Jurassic Park)
Then my car must be highly illegal. Even though I have some elaborate lighting, I tend to agree with PK that it's kinda old school these days. I rarely turn mine on unless someone actually asks to see them lit up.
I had red LED underbody tubes wired into my turn signals and brakes on a past car. I could turn them off if needed as well. Only got bothered a cpl of times. Most just warned against using them while driving. Some thought it was a cool idea to have them wired that way. Never received a citation for it.
