Neon Underglow Laws aims to provide accurate and updated information on car neon underglow laws in United States. Each state has different laws, rules, regulations and guidelines and we are offering concise data for legally allowed aftermarket lights for each of the 50 states.

While we provide generic state vehicle lighting information note that every city, district or county may have its own specific restrictions, exemptions or regulations. You should verify our information yourself with your local DMV, highway patrol, or other law enforcement authorities.

Neon Underglow Laws For Your State:

Simply click your state of residence above and we’ll present you with all necessary and relevant neon underglow laws. We constantly update the information we provide to make sure it is up to date but in the event you notice any incorrect data please let us know via our contact page.

All motor vehicles equipped with after market lighting must comply with certain regulations for each state. Please note that while we at do our very best to provide you with easy-to-read data from state laws, we will not be held responsible for any potential inaccuracies or misinterpretation of vehicle code. It is your responsibility to verify the accuracy and refer to your city or county laws to ensure your neon underglow is legal.

Additionally if you want to learn more about auto lighting installation be sure to take a look at our informative articles provided. We can help you learn how to install car underglow by yourself or how to choose the best LED lights for your car, or even how to save money by doing it. If you have any questions for us or need comprehensive articles about any neon underglow topic be sure to let us know!

Neon Underglow Frequently Asked Questions and Facts

We included a few brief answers to some of your most asked questions about neon underglow. If you’re considering installing neon or LED lights on your car we advise you to not only consult pertinent laws but also educate yourself about why the laws are made as they are, and understand which vehicle lights may get you into trouble.

Why can stores sell illegal vehicle lighting?

Most states permit aftermarket lighting for emergency vehicles such as police or ambulance, and only restrict underglow lights for private civilian vehicles. Therefore it’s not illegal to sell neon lights, but make sure you refer to your state, city or county laws to learn if it’s legal to use or not.

Red and blue colors

Colors red and blue are typically not permitted for use on any civilian vehicles and are restricted to fire departments, police cars, and ambulances. Certain states do allow blue colored underglow while some allow red, and some prohibit both. Make sure to consult our underglow laws for more details about each state as color restrictions may not be limited to these two.

Flashing lights

Only a few states do not specifically prohibit using flashing lights on civilian vehicles, but it’s still the fastest way to a vehicle equipment violation ticket. Flashing lights are considered a distraction to other drivers and banned in almost all of U.S. Even in states where underbody glow is not specifically illegal we highly recommend avoiding any flashing, rotating, oscillating, moving or otherwise not steady lights.

Tickets, citations, and fines

If you’re stopped by law enforcement officers for illegal neon car underglow you will likely get cited. The exact punishment is typically governed by laws of each state, so you may either have to pay a fine or in some cases even get summoned to court since it’s a misdemeanor. You may be required to remove illegal lighting from your automobile.

To avoid trouble with the law enforcement we have listed a few underglow mistakes you should avoid so read our tips and tricks to avoid paying unnecessary citations or fines.

Is neon underglow and underbody glow the same?

Neon underglow is the most commonly used term. It’s a synonym for LED lighting, underbody glow, neon lighting, ground effect lighting, neon tubes, halo lights, ground illuminating lights, street glow, plasma lights, neon system, or any version or combination of these terms.

In fact laws govern the usage of any after-market (not supplied by car manufacturer) lighting installed on any vehicle. Underglow typically refers only to LED or neon lights under cars which illuminate the ground and where lightbulbs aren’t directly visible, however note that it still falls under vehicle lighting and its usage is restricted by your state vehicle code.

Can I use underglow while parked?

In most states you can legally use undercarriage lights while on private property, but some states specifically restrict which colors are permitted for parked vehicles as well, or do not differentiate either case. Many laws pertain to vehicle’s lighting equipment regardless of its usage or location. Common exceptions only include show cars, but even if exempt you may still not be permitted to drive such vehicles on public roads or highways.

This also means that in some states simply installing neon underglow may be considered illegal, regardless if the lights are on or off while driving. For more information please see your state laws, and read our Legal or Not article for more info on how we determine whether neon glow is legal or illegal.

Do neon underglow laws include neon hubcaps or wheel covers?

State laws affect all after market lighting installed on your car, including but not limited to lighting installed on hubcaps and wheel covers. However keep in mind when determining whether underglow is legal or illegal we assume you’re only illuminating the ground under your vehicle. Lights on other parts of your car (tires, wheel, fenders, etc.) are not included in our conclusions and categorization, so refer to state laws for more information.

Is bicycle or motorcycle underglow legal?

We only review laws and provide information for cars (includes passenger vehicles, sedans, vans, SUVs, pickup trucks). Motorbikes are not included in our categorization, but in states where motorcycle underglow is mentioned in laws we have made a special note. Consult your state laws or other resources before installing any after-market lighting on other vehicles.

I received a citation, can I fight it?

In most legal cases every situation is different, and we are unable to provide generic information. If you want to fight a traffic ticket or citation for illegal vehicle equipment modifications please consult an attorney for professional legal help, before you incur additional legal costs.

To get quick advice about your case we recommend asking our partnered legal experts here. Traffic lawyers are on call day and night and happy to answer any legal questions you may have.