Is Underglow Illegal? Neon Lighting Laws (July 2025)
Is underglow illegal? Quick Answer
- Underglow lighting is legal in most states but restricted in color and placement. Many states prohibit red or blue lights and any flashing underglow to avoid confusion with emergency vehicles. Nine states ban underglow on public roads entirely. Penalties usually involve fines as civil infractions.
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.
Free Car Accident Case Review
Preparing Case Review Form. ConsumerShield is transforming the way consumers experience law.
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.
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.
Free Car Accident Case Review
Preparing Case Review Form. ConsumerShield is transforming the way consumers experience law.
Underglow Laws by State
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 |
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, tickets for non-moving violations are around $100 to $200.
Free Car Accident Case Review
Preparing Case Review Form. ConsumerShield is transforming the way consumers experience law.
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.
Car Accident Knowledge Base
Read the latest information on Car Accident and find answers to your questions. Currently there are 156 topics about Car Accident Claims.
-
Austin Lawyer
-
Pedestrian Lawyer Texas
-
Lawyer Houston
-
Lawyer San Antonio
-
Lawyer Sacramento
-
Lawyer Anaheim
-
Lawyer Riverside
-
Car Lawyer Long Beach
-
Orlando Lawyer
-
Auto Injury Lawyer Macon
-
Lawyer Atlanta
-
Lawyer Maryland
-
Car Lawyer Jacksonville
-
no-fault Lawyer
Should I Get a Lawyer for a Car Accident That Wasn't My Fault?
-
Lawyer Chicago
-
Car Lawyer New York City
-
Hit & Run Lawyer
-
Pedestrian Lawyer
-
Distracted Driving
-
Rideshare Lawyer
-
Lawyer Las Vegas
-
Lawyer Indianapolis
-
Lawyer Philadelphia
-
Lawyer Phoenix
-
Lawyer Cincinnati
-
Car Lawyer New Orleans
-
Lawyer Boston
-
Lawyer Massachusetts
-
Claim No Lawyer
-
Lost Wages Self Employed
-
Fight Speeding Ticket
-
Claim Lost Wages
-
Settlement Take Long
-
Hit & Run Ticket
-
Settlement Duration
-
Jail For Killing Someone
Can You Go To Jail For Accidentally Killing Someone In A Car Accident? (2025)
-
Unpaid Ticket Timeline
-
Fight Traffic Ticket
-
Worth Getting Attorney
-
Compensation Fault
-
Car Lawyer Fees
-
Settlements No Injury
Typical Car Accident Settlement Amounts With No Injuries (2025)
-
Whiplash Claims
-
Settlement Process
-
Lawsuit Guide
-
To Do Checklist
-
Insurance Deny Claim
-
How To Report
-
Insurance Increase
-
Single Car Accidents
-
Insurance Report
-
Drug Testing Laws
-
Totaled By Insurer
-
Totaled Not Fault
-
Borrowed Car
-
Uninsured Motorist
-
Hit Parked Car & Left
-
Property Damage
-
How Long To File
-
After Summons Steps
What’s The Next Step After Being Served After A Car Accident
-
No Insurance Accident
-
Insurance Go Up
-
Passenger Compensation
-
Time to Report
-
Seatbelt Injuries
Common Seatbelt Injuries: Seatbelt Bruises, Chest Pain (2025)
-
Delayed Symptoms
-
Jaywalking Illegal
-
Back And Neck Settlements
-
T-Bone Accident
-
Rear-End Collisions
-
Head-On Collisions
-
Top Car Injuries
-
Airbag Injuries
-
Worst Injuries
-
Pedestrian Hit
-
Minor Accident Lawyer
-
Hit Parked Car
-
Unknowingly Hit
-
No Injury Lawyer
-
Bus Accident Lawyer
-
Police Report
-
Boat Accident Attorney
-
Unlicensed Driver
-
Train Accident Lawyer
-
Collision Type Motorcycles
What’s The Most Common Type Of Collision Between Cars And Motorcycles?
-
DMV Warrant Check
-
Child Restraint
-
Dot Recordable
-
Historic Tags Penalty
-
License To Drive
-
Driving Without License
-
Without Registration
-
Leaving The Scene
-
Getting Pulled Over
-
Traffic Tickets Types
Types Of Traffic Tickets: Speeding, Traffic Violations (2025)
-
Running Red Light
-
Reckless Driving Felony
-
Texas Crash Report
-
Ticket Plate Out
-
Equipment Violation
Equipment Violation Tickets: Common Issues, Penalties (2025)
-
Illegal Modifying
-
Tinted Windows Illegal
-
License Suspension
-
Drivers Licenses Faq
-
Revoked License
-
traffic-laws
-
Search Without Warrant
-
are-u-turns-illegal
-
Is Underglow Illegal
-
Leaving Scene Ticket
How To Beat A Leaving The Scene Of An Accident Ticket (2025)
-
Broken Side Mirror
-
types-of-speed-limits
-
Speed Traps
-
Traffic Camera Tickets
-
Vehicular Assault
-
Reckless Driving
-
Illegal Drive Barefoot
-
Illegal Driving
-
Traffic School Ticket
-
License In Another State
Can You Get A License In Another State If Yours Is Suspended
-
Car Accident
-
Suspended License For
-
Points On License
-
What To Give Lawyer
-
Legal Advice
-
Revoked Without Knowing
-
Drive Unregistered
I Just Bought A Car: How Long Can I Drive Without Registration?
-
Pedestrian Liability
-
Graves Amendment
-
If You Have Insurance
Can I Get Sued For A Car Accident If I Have Insurance? (2025)
-
Permit Driving Rules
-
Statute Of Limitations
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.