Florida Neon Underglow Lights Laws
Neon underglow lights are popular amongst car enthusiasts who want to improve their vehicle appearance. Potential safety issues are rarely a concern for most drivers who install underglow lights, and most car (or even motorcycle or truck) owners attach neon lights to their vehicles purely for aesthetic reasons.
Most states restrict the color or luminosity of neon lights, and other aftermarket lighting devices attached to the car. Enthusiast drivers can often take things too far, so to ensure other drivers don’t get distracted by overly flashy vehicles there are laws prohibiting various aftermarket modifications. For neon underglow, most of these laws are found under “Unlawful vehicle modifications” and “Lighting requirements”.
In the state of Florida (FL), neon underglow lights are considered legal to use, but there are several very important restrictions. Below you can find the basic overview of guidelines pertaining to neon car lights in Florida.
Are neon underglow lights legal in Florida?
Using underbody lights in Florida is legal. Florida Motor Vehicle regulations specifically allow aftermarket modifications which aren’t specifically prohibited by other rules or regulations (see Section 316.215(2) of Florida Statutes):
(2) Nothing contained in this chapter shall be construed to prohibit the use of additional parts and accessories on any vehicle not inconsistent with the provisions of this chapter.
This means Florida laws do not prohibit installing any aftermarket or non-mandatory lights, thus using neon underglow in Florida is legal. Florida laws do not in any way prohibit using underglow or underbody lights.
FL vehicle equipment regulations mostly speak of mandatory vehicle lights, but also have restrictions on which kind of vehicle lighting and colors are permitted. Based on this it is illegal to use flashing, oscillating, moving or otherwise non-stationary lights.
Furthermore, you should avoid using red-colored underglow visible from front of the car. Blue-colored lights are specifically prohibited. No vehicle lights including underglow may be blue, as this color is reserved for emergency vehicles.
Law source:
- Florida Statutes: Title XXIII – Motor Vehicles, Chapter 316 – State Uniform Traffic Control (see Sections 316.215 to 316.242 for vehicle lighting equipment)
Restricted colors
Florida prohibits displaying color red in front of vehicles. No red lights may be visible from the front of the vehicle, therefore even if your neons are hidden underneath the car chassis you should avoid color red.
Furthermore, and this is very important to remember, you must never use blue underglow. Blue lights are used by law enforcement or other emergency vehicles, and Florida underglow laws specifically prohibit this color.
During a traffic stop we do not recommend telling police offers your underglow can change color. Even being able to display blue color may be considered an excuse for them to cite you. Mounting aftermarket lights which have the ability to display blue color is illegal, even if you are displaying other colors.
Penalties
Underglow system which is outside the law may result on you getting cited for a non-moving traffic violation. If you get caught with illegal underglow, you will be required to remove any illegal modifications, as well as pay a fine.
In Florida, operating a vehicle with equipment which is not up to state regulations is considered a non-criminal traffic infraction. Getting cited for unlawful vehicle equipment may require you to undergo an inspection.
Displaying red and blue with white, or any combinations of these colors with white can lead to further penalties and fines. You can be charged with impersonating an emergency vehicle which is a serious crime with severe penalties.
To stay completely within the law without any chance of traffic tickets, it’s always best to turn underglow off while on public roads.
