No, Underglow isn’t completely illegal in the United States. The legality aspect of such lighting on your car depends on which state you live in or drive your car in. So, it is always better to check back with the state laws, but if you want a deep understanding of this topic, then just keep on reading.
What’s Up with Underglow Lights?
Maybe you have seen cars at night with some colorful light shining below them, right? They look pretty amazing, no doubts. Well, those are the ones that are called underglow or ground effects lighting. So, these are essentially LED or neon lights that are installed under the vehicle to create the effect of the light coming from below or the vehicle is floating when it is moving.
Car geeks are crazy about underglow to energize their rides after sunset or during vehicle exhibitions. Some even claim that it illuminates their car in such a way that other drivers can spot it easily in dark areas. But the thing is: it is important to know that not all states permit the usage of underglow on public roads. Hence, getting to the point, here are the specifics.
Why Are There Rules for Underglow?
Maybe you would wonder, “Why could it be against the law to have lights that are shining?” The answer to that is quite straightforward, which is, of course, safety. But how exactly? Well, the thing is, intensely bright or rapidly flashing lights can divert the attention of other drivers, particularly when it is dark. Besides, certain colors like red or blue are used only for emergency vehicles. In case your vehicle is displaying those colors, it might mislead other drivers or, at the very least, cause the police to stop you.
Thus, these regulations are not intended to take away your enjoyment. The only purpose they serve is to prevent people from wrongly recognizing your car as a police vehicle, and that safety is maintained by everyone on the road.
Who Makes the Rules, Like The U.S. or the States?
Here is something that most people are not aware of that there is not one single federal law regulating underglow in the U.S. It is all determined by the states. Some states have a strict policy, while others are quite lenient.
Take the situation where the states of California and New York have stricter limitations, while the countryside states may not be concerned that much. Thus, if you are going through different states or have just moved, it is better to know the local regulations of your state before you get those lights turned on.
States Where Underglow Is Not Allowed
There are some states where it is illegal to have underglow lights on your vehicle while driving on public roads. These states are the likes of Connecticut, Illinois, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Washington.
In addition, it is allowed to turn on the underglow lights on private property or at car shows. The only thing that you need to be sure of is that you are not using your underglow lights when driving on public roads. Plain and simple!
What Happens If You Break the Rules
If the cops catch you with an illegal underglow, you’re probably going to be issued a fix-it ticket. In case you turn off or turn off the lights before your court date, the ticket can be dismissed. The money penalties are most of the time between $100 and $200, varying by state.
However, it is not a heavy offense, but if you disregard it or keep using illegal lights, then it may result in more hefty fines and, very infrequently, your vehicle being impounded.
