Laws concerning the use of neon underglow lights are typically covered under the lighting requirements of state traffic laws or motor vehicle codes. Most states have specific laws concerning restrictions on the use of accent lighting and other unlawful vehicle modifications, in terms of color, form, type, and location on the vehicle. As a general principle, underglow lights are legal so long as they remain covered and unlit on public roads and do not flash or include the colors red or blue.
Because the laws on underglow lights vary greatly by state, drivers looking to add underglow lights should first check under the unlawful vehicle modification laws of their particular state to avoid potential warnings and penalties.
Neon underglow lighting laws exist to help keep the highways safe, and drivers free from distractions that may lead to hazardous driving conditions or situations that disturb the peace. For safety or other emergency reasons, the laws generally restrict the color and type of neon accent lights a driver may add to a car. While yellow and amber neon lights are generally accepted in most places, red and blue lights are often restricted because of its common use on police cars.
Similarly, lights that flash or blink are also restricted based on their common association with ambulances and other emergency safety vehicles. Therefore, these limits are placed on car modifications to prevent other drivers on the road from getting confused or distracted.
Penalties for Neon Underglow Lights Violations
A neon underglow lighting law violation is considered a civil infraction, punishable as a non-moving traffic violation. Non-moving traffic violations are heard by a district judge or magistrate in a district court close to where the infraction occurred.
Under traffic laws in most states, drivers may be given a ticket for modifying a car in violation of the state's traffic and vehicle modifications laws. In most cases, this will be in the form of a "fix-it" ticket. A driver would have the opportunity to correct or remove the violation by a showing to a police officer or motor vehicle department that the issue was fixed.
