Is Underglow Illegal? Neon Lighting Laws By State (2025)

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Underglow legality map by state (2025)

Is underglow illegal? Quick Answer

  • Underglow lighting is legal in most states but comes with restrictions on color and placement. Flashing, red, or blue lights are usually banned, and nine states prohibit underglow on public roads entirely.

Summary

  • While it’s banned in some states, most states allow some level of underglow
  • Most jurisdictions prohibit red or blue underglow and flashing lights
  • A violation of underglow laws is usually a civil infraction

Underglow can make even the most nondescript cars look unique. And because it's a common modification, you might understandably assume underglow is legal.

In some places, it is, but in other jurisdictions, driving with underglow might lead to tickets, fines and other penalties. Before installing underglow, make sure you know your state’s laws.

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What Is Underglow?

Underglow, also known as ground effects lighting, refers to the attachment of LED or neon lights to the bottom of a car’s chassis. Typically, the lights are in the form of strips and attached with adhesive, zip ties/brackets or both.

Underglow comes in a wide variety of colors. Some underglow kits can also change color, blink or flash.

Is Underglow Illegal?

Drivers who choose to add underglow to their vehicles often do so because it creates an intriguing visual effect. In some cases, underglow could even be seen as a safety feature that increases visibility. For instance, many motorcycle accidents happen because drivers don’t notice motorcycles — so underglow might keep riders safer at night.

However, too-bright or flashing underbody lighting can be distracting, and blue or red lights might make drivers confuse an ordinary vehicle for a police car. Consequently, underglow is tightly regulated in many states and prohibited in others.

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Why Is Underglow Illegal in Some States?

Is it illegal to have lights under your car? In some states, the answer is yes — but it’s for good reason. Laws regulating underglow are meant to avoid problems like these:

Distractions

Have you ever been distracted by a bright billboard? Colorful underglow can have a similar effect, so some states prohibit it.

Confusion

Certain colors can easily be mistaken for emergency lights and/or traffic signals, and that can lead to car accidents. These three are especially likely to cause confusion:

  • Blue: Can be mistaken for police lights
  • Red: Can be mistaken for police, emergency or stop lights
  • Green: Can be mistaken for traffic lights

Most states also ban flashing underglow of any color.

Visibility Problems

Very bright underglow may interfere with other drivers’ vision and increase the risk of auto accidents. Just like tinted windows, whose visible light transmission limits vary by state, underglow laws aim to prevent glare and avoid increased accident risk.

Underglow Laws by State in 2025

What underglow colors are legal (and whether underglow is legal at all) depends on your state. Where is underglow illegal? There are nine states that prohibit it on public roads:

  • Connecticut
  • Illinois
  • Maine
  • Massachusetts
  • Michigan
  • Minnesota
  • Pennsylvania
  • Virginia
  • Washington

Here’s a look at laws in other states:

State
Law
State
Law
Alabama
No flashing lights; no red lights visible from the front
Nevada
No amber flashing lights; only red visible from rear
Alaska
No flashing lights; underglow may only be white (front of vehicle), amber (sides) and red (rear)
New Hampshire
No red, blue, amber or green lights
Arizona
No specific underglow laws
New Jersey
No flashing lights; only white or amber visible from front, amber visible from sides and red visible from rear
Arkansas
No flashing lights; no green, blue or red lights visible from the front
New Mexico
No flashing lights; no red visible from front
California
No flashing lights; no red visible from the front; no underglow emitting more than 0.05 candela per square inch
New York
Only white lights; no flashing lights
Colorado
No green lights
North Carolina
No blue or red, no white visible from rear; no flashing amber lights
Delaware
No flashing lights; lights visible from front and sides must be white or amber; lights visible from rear must be red or amber
North Dakota
No red or green visible from front; no flashing lights
Florida
No flashing or blue lights; no red lights visible from the front
Ohio
No flashing lights; no underglow over 300 candlepower
Georgia
No flashing, blue, red, violet or green lights
Oklahoma
No blue or flashing lights; no red visible from front
Hawaii
No red or blue lights
Oregon
No blue or flashing lights; no red visible from front, and only red visible from rear
Idaho
No blue or flashing lights; no red visible from the front
Rhode Island
No flashing lights; no red visible from front
Indiana
No flashing lights; no combinations of blue, red, white or amber
South Carolina
No red visible from front; no blue or flashing lights
Iowa
No blue or flashing lights; no red visible from the front, and only red visible from the rear
South Dakota
No red visible from front; no blue lights
Kansas
No red or flashing underglow
Tennessee
No flashing lights; no combination of white, amber or red in front
Kentucky
No blue or flashing lights; no red visible from front
Texas
No flashing lights and no red visible from front
Louisiana
No blue or flashing lights; no red or green visible from front
Utah
No red or blue visible from front; no flashing lights
Maryland
No red or blue visible from front, and only red visible from the rear; no flashing lights
Vermont
No red, blue or amber lights; no lights over 4 candlepower
Mississippi
No flashing lights; only white or amber visible from front, amber visible from sides and red visible from rear
West Virginia
No flashing lights; only red visible from rear, and only white or amber visible from front
Missouri
No flashing lights; no red visible from front
Wisconsin
No flashing lights; only red visible from rear, and only white or amber visible from front
Montana
No flashing blue, red or green lights
Wyoming
No flashing lights, only red visible from rear; no red or blue visible from front
Nebraska
No red or green visible from front; no flashing lights

Source: World Population Review

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If you are stopped for illegal underglow, you’ll likely be given a ticket and a date to appear in court. However, in many states, officers will issue what are known as “fix-it” tickets. This means that if you remedy the problem before the court date (and provide proof that you’ve done so), the ticket will be dismissed.

But what happens if you believe the ticket was issued unfairly? If you don’t admit fault for a violation, you will need to attend a court hearing where you can present your case. You aren’t required to have legal representation for this hearing, but working with a lawyer can increase your odds of success.

You might wonder if a ticket for underglow can increase your insurance premiums. It usually won’t—most states treat underglow tickets as non-moving violations, and in most jurisdictions, moving violations are the only types of traffic tickets that influence insurance rates.

How Much Is a Ticket for Underglow?

An underglow ticket is generally considered a non-moving violation. Non-moving violations are less severe than moving violations (like DUI or reckless driving), but the fine depends on your state’s laws. Generally, a ticket for a non-moving violation is around $100 to $200.

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Can You Be Ticketed for Having Underglow on Private Property?

If your underglow isn't street-legal, you might wonder if you can legally use your car on your own private property. Police can’t ticket you for violating traffic laws if you aren’t on public roads, but you could still run afoul of laws and ordinances like these:

Certain Community Regulations and Bylaws

If you live in a community with a homeowners’ association (HOA), there may be laws restricting the use of underglow and other kinds of vehicle lighting.

Public Nuisance Laws

A public nuisance is something that infringes on the rights of the general public. If your actions are disruptive to the surrounding community, you could be cited for violating nuisance laws.

Many nuisance violations are related to noise. However, if your vehicles have extremely bright underglow that disturbs your neighbors, there’s a chance you could receive a ticket.

Land Use and Zoning Laws

Even if nuisance laws and community regulations don’t apply, it’s a good idea to look into zoning and land use laws. Some areas restrict the color and intensity of outdoor lighting, and depending on the jurisdiction, those restrictions might apply to vehicle underglow as well.

Is Underglow Illegal in Your State? Have You Been Ticketed?

Often, resolving an underglow ticket is simple enough, although it’s wise to consult a lawyer — especially if you’ve been wrongly ticketed or are facing an unfairly high fine.

If you aren’t sure how to find a lawyer, don’t worry; we’re here to help. Fill out our contact form now for a free case review.

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Frequently Asked Questions

  • Underglow is illegal in some states because it can distract drivers, be confused with emergency or traffic lights (especially red, blue, or green), or impair visibility, making roads less safe.

  • Laws vary by jurisdiction, but most states outlaw red, blue and green lights. Some states have even stricter laws. For example, in New York, the only legal underglow color is white.

  • In some states, you can, but in other states, it’s prohibited. Always check your state’s laws before buying or installing underglow.

  • Most types of aftermarket underglow lights are LED lights. Whether or not they’re legal depends on where you live, but lights that flash or move are almost always illegal.

  • You will likely receive a ticket, a fine or both. However, if your lights contribute to an accident, you might have a personal injury lawsuit filed against you.

  • Underglow is generally illegal in Illinois under 625 ILCS 5/12-212. The statute prohibits red lights visible from the front, flashing lights unless expressly authorized, and any other lighting not specifically permitted. Because underglow is not authorized, it cannot be used while driving on public roads.

  • Yes. Michigan law (MCL 257.698) restricts vehicle lighting to specific types and placements, such as white or amber side lamps and regulated backup lights. Decorative underglow is not authorized, and flashing or colored lights are limited to emergency or service vehicles. This makes underglow lighting unlawful on public roads in Michigan.

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