To get quick advice about your case we recommend asking our partnered legal experts here. A neon underglow lighting law violation is considered a civil infraction, punishable as a non-moving traffic violation. This is the most important thing for any aftermarket lighting installed on vehicles. 4. For wreckers trucks or any vehicle required to have an amber hazard signaling system in this state. Most states permit aftermarket lighting for emergency vehicles such as police or ambulance, and only restrict underglow lights for private civilian vehicles. Start with your legal issue to find the right lawyer for you. Police Departments order your set of Glorails here. Source. We use the term Legal when state law specifically allows neon underglow or similar after-market vehicle lighting installed. I. Compendium: Superior Court Cases. A vehicle may be equipped with under-vehicle lighting for the purpose of participating in shows, events or other exhibitions, but the lighting may not be used or the vehicle illuminated with under-vehicle lighting on a public way. Section 265:32 Vehicle Entering Way From Private Road or Driveway. Some people believe that neon underglow lights provide a good-looking safety feature, especially among motorcycle riders who drive at night, by helping them worry less about getting hit by other vehicles. Assuming underglow is legal in your state, you should always ensure the light sources arent directly exposed. Usage of flashing lights is forbidden in nearly all states, as these are reserved for official non-civilian vehicles: fire department, police officers, ambulance, and other emergency or special services. Only a few states do not specifically prohibit using flashing lights on civilian vehicles, but its still the fastest way to a vehicle equipment violation ticket. 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. Make sure to consult our underglow laws for more details about each state as color restrictions may not be limited to these two. Only other state where car underglow is completely legal (based on our categorization) is Ohio, which is a good example to note: state laws do not mention underglow in any way, yet based on this Ohio State Patrol website determined underglow is legal. 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. Disclaimer: These codes may not be the most recent version. Avoid These 7 Common Underglow Mistakes Neon Underglow Laws - NeonLaws.com Cities in New Hampshire: Nashua, Portsmouth, Manchester, Concord, Dover, Keene, Laconia, Hanover, Derry, Merrimack, Exeter, Salem, Hampton Beach, Lebanon, Hampton, Rochester, Londonderry, Bedford, Wolfeboro, Hooksett, Durham, Sunapee, Amherst, Goffstown, Gilford, Hudson, Windham, Plaistow, Claremont, Littleton, Berlin, Peterborough, Lincoln, Stratham, North Hampton, Meredith, Milford, Waterville Valley, Conway, New Boston, Somersworth, Pelham, Hollis, Plymouth, Epping, Seabrook, Rindge, Bretton Woods, Rye, Moultonborough, Counties in New Hampshire: Belknap, Carroll, Cheshire, Coos, Grafton, Hillsborough, Merrimack, Rockingham, Strafford, Sullivan. While we at NeonLaws.com clearly do not completely agree with this assessment, well do our best to give some reasoning in order to help you understand why car underglow is sometimes illegal. If your underglow lights are brighter than this, you will surely get a ticket. Section 265:7 Permits for Construction Equipment. I'm doing a custom job on the bike during the summer when I'm off, so I'd like to add some lights to it if I could. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. States like Massachusetts and Maine completely prohibit the use of undercarriage lights on cars, and we marked those states as Illegal or Not Legal. The purpose of this chapter is to reduce traffic accidents and deaths and injuries resulting from traffic accidents. RSA 266, Equipment of Vehicles, contains many sections relating to what types of lighting equipment various vehicle types must have and when they can be used. NeonLaws.com aims to provide accurate and updated information on car neon underglow laws in United States. I was wondering if anyone here was from the UK and knows which colours I would be allowed to have as underglow on my Honda cg? Although laws for every state follow essentially the same pattern, there are significant differences and no two states have the the same legislation. Make sure to examine the regulations carefully and do not use any restricted lights. Virginia law restricts additional aftermarket vehicle lighting which includes neon underglow. This website is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn fees by advertising ad linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. You're all set! You already receive all suggested Justia Opinion Summary Newsletters. Laws concerning the use of neon underglow lights are typically covered under the lighting requirements of state traffic laws or motor vehicle codes. Installing additional neon or led lights near your registration plate can make it more difficult to read and we recommend avoiding it. The possibilities are endless when it comes to 'tricking' out your ride with neon underglow lights. Our Red or Amber Signal Glorails may be legal in this state. State laws affect all after market lighting installed on your car, including but not limited to lighting installed on hubcaps and wheel covers. Based on state underglow or vehicle lighting laws we have three different conclusions or categorization we use throughout our website: Legal, Not Illegal, and Illegal. Read our conclusions for your state carefully though; some states permit using underglow while parked on private property but not while the vehicle is in motion. We do certainly hope our website and categorization helps you understand lighting and underglow laws better, but you must keep in mind that you should not consider our website as professional legal advice. Commissions may be generated from qualifying purchases. Hopefully these few tips will help you avoid any unwanted attention and ensure you can use neon car underglow without any problems. (Perhaps the word lamp harkens back to the days of horseless carriages?) Every motor vehicle and trailer or any combination of vehicles, when on the ways of this state at night, shall have on the rear thereof, and to the left of the axis thereof, one lamp, displaying a red light visible for a distance of at least 1000 feet to the rear of such vehicle, and a white light illuminating the registration plate of such vehicle so that the characters thereon shall be visible for a distance of at least 50 feet, except that passenger cars manufactured or assembled after January 1, 1952, shall have at least 2 tail lamps, one to either side of the axis thereof. New Hampshirelaw does not mention additional allowed or restricted vehicle lighting which would include neon underglow. Section 265:79 Reckless Driving; Minimum Penalty. Section 265:40 Pedestrians Soliciting Rides or Business. Below are all relevant excerpts fromNew Hampshire Vehicle Code that limit, restrict or allow certain aftermarket lights or colors to be installed on vehicles. Created byFindLaw's team of legal writers and editors While we do our very best to provide the most accurate information about LED and neon street glow usage we will not be held liable for any potentially incorrect or misinterpreted info. When a motor vehicle safety standard is in effect under this chapter, a State or a political subdivision of a State may prescribe or continue in effect a standard applicable to the same aspect of performance of a motor vehicle or motor vehicle equipment only if the standard is identical to the standard prescribed under this chapter. Section 265:123-b Disclosure to Purchaser. Massachusetts law specifically forbids the usage of after-market lighting and neon underglow. Neon Underglow Laws - United States Underglow Laws - NeonLaws.com Underglow can truly make a car stand out and its understandably a popular modification, but make sure to follow our tips to avoid trouble. Virginia Neon Underglow Laws - NeonLaws.com RGB Automotive Underglow Kit - Glowkit Section 265:2 Required Obedience to Traffic Laws; Penalty. Only permissible aftermarket lights on civilian vehicles is an illumination sign on certain delivery vehicles (see 46.2-1021.1. below). Optional auxiliary lighting. [] 7. LED pods consist of a rigid housing containing several LED lights as well as a lens. While we provide generic state vehicle lighting information note that every city, district or county may have its own specific restrictions, exemptions or regulations. Therefore some states consider it an unnecessary risk and have outlawed its use on public roads, while there are a few states which are more liberal and specifically permit using underbody lights even while driving. Motor Vehicle Safety. 12, Chapter 2: Lighting Equipment: Articles 7,10, and 15. Section 265:52-a Penalty for Violation of Railroad Crossing Provision by Commercial Drivers. If youre still adamant about installing neon underglow on your car we have a few tips about common underglow mistakes which will help you avoid serious fines, especially if pulled over by more forgiving and understanding law enforcement officers! All 50 states have different kinds of restrictions on aftermarket car lights, so make sure you always readneon underglow laws carefully and avoid using any restricted colors, placements, or other prohibited lights which may violate the laws of your state. Section 265:96 Opening and Closing Vehicle Doors. It is known for its sceneryits jagged, mostly rocky coastline, its low, rolling mountains, its heavily forested interior and picturesque waterwaysas well as for its seafood cuisine, especially lobsters and clams. New Hampshire Neon Underglow Laws - NeonLaws.com Section 265:66 Special Speed Limitations. Many traffic ticket attorneys offer free consultations. Proudly created with. Section 265:2 Required Obedience to Traffic Laws; Penalty. Other states where underglow is illegal include Connecticut, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Washington. Ticketing is rare, but it's not something you should risk. Headlamp Aim, 49 U.S.C. Therefore it's our conclusion that in Massachusetts neon underglow is illegal. Enforcement Actions Filed Against Loren Faulkner for Violations of the 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. If you needed a reason to keep headlights, tail lights, etc. However keep in mind when determining whether underglow is legal or illegal we assume youre only illuminating the ground under your vehicle. Therefore, it is better to develop a non-destructible and constructive habit. I still don't think it is right for one state to cite someone from another state, with a legally registered and inspected state tags for what is equipment violations that are not illegal in the state the vehicle is registered. Section 265:49 All Vehicles Must Stop at Certain Railroad Grade Crossings. What type of underglow lights are legal in New Hampshire? That being said, we understand dedicated car enthusiasts often like to bend the rules and install neon underglow regardless if its legal or not in their state of residence. FindLaw.com Free, trusted legal information for consumers and legal professionals, SuperLawyers.com Directory of U.S. attorneys with the exclusive Super Lawyers rating, Abogado.com The #1 Spanish-language legal website for consumers, LawInfo.com Nationwide attorney directory and legal consumer resources. Although laws for every state, Neon underglow and LED underglow are two main types you can purchase. Ask legal experts on JustAnswer and get answers immediately. Usage of neon underglow lighting is governed by New Hampshire Statutes, Title 21: Motor Vehicles, Chapter 266: Equipment of Vehicles. This article will explain our thought process and help you understand how we determine and interpret the laws. Furthermore there are many states (Delaware, Georgia, etc.) The administrative rules from the New Hampshire Department of Safety have many, many rules about lighting on vehicles. Section 265:1 Vehicles on Highways; Exceptions. Flashing neon underglow is in almost all cases illegal and will sooner or later cause you a lot of trouble with law enforcement, so avoid it at all costs. 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. where the law specifically mentions any additional after-market vehicle lighting is allowed unless otherwise in violation of the laws. For example: Fog lamps on school buses (Saf-C1313.09); those flashing red lights used when a school bus stops (Saf-C 1306.03), how many fog lamps a vehicle may have (Saf-C3215.05), and more detail about what color emergency lights can be and who can use them (Saf-C3215.02) are just some of the topics covered in regulations. Section 265:21 Further Limitations on Driving to Left of Center of Roadway. Contact a qualified traffic ticket attorney to help you get the best result possible. Vehicles owned by or leased to licensed public or private security services but not personally owned vehicles of security guards may be equipped with amber or green warning lights, No red, blue, amber, or green lights are permitted, 2023 by Dinjee Systems LLC. You can only use the yellow or amber hazard flash feature when in an life threatening situation for example changing a flat tire on the interstate. 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. Is Underglow Illegal in Connecticut? Know the Laws Before You Decide An auxiliary light must emit a steady beam of light and may not blink, oscillate, rotate or flash. Maine is both the northernmost and easternmost portion of New England. Examples are: use of blue lights is restricted to law enforcement and emergency response (RSA 266:78-b), use of red lights is restricted to police, fire and rescue (RSA 266:78-c), when law enforcement (RSA 266:78-f) and fire, rescue, and emergency personnel (RSA 266:78-g) should use their emergency lights, use of amber warning lights (RSA 266:78-h), use of wing lights on snow plows (RSA 266:78-j), lighting for school buses (RSA 266:39), use of green warning lights (RSA 266:78-l), use of purple lights for funeral processions (RSA 266:78-m), type of lighting for parade use (RSA 266:78-n), and special wrecker lighting (RSA 266:109). Neon has been the go-to underglow type for a long time, but over the past few years it's slowly but steadily being replaced with L. Car underglow can legally be used for shows or exhibitions, but make sure you never use it while driving. Section 265:88-a Effect of Evidence of Refusal to Take Alcohol Concentration Test. Commissions may be generated from qualifying purchases. Brightness. are not included in our conclusions and categorization, so refer to state laws for more information. Lights and Lighting, Saf-C 3216. In fact if youre ever in doubt as to whether underglow is legal or not, simply turn it off while driving. Section 265:46 Signals by Hand and Arm or Signal Lamps. Neon underglow is the most commonly used term. https://www.neonlaws.com/new-hampshire/ Is it removable, though? New Hampshire Department of Justice 33 Capitol Street | Concord, NH | 03301 Telephone: 603-271-3658 Furthermore such underbody lights may only display white or amber on the front, amber on the side, and amber or red in the rear of the car. Section 265:69 Stopping, Standing or Parking Prohibited in Specified Places. Section 265:19 When Overtaking on the Right is Permitted. New Hampshire Administrative Code | Chapter Saf-C 3200 - Casetext Is Underglow illegal VA? Section 265:145 Clinging to Vehicles Prohibited. In case you never intend to use car underglow in public you may be able to use any color, but use at your own risk. Section 265:93 Blood Testing of Certain Motor Vehicle Fatalities. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. If you keep the underglow turned off while on public roads chances are youll drive for years without any trouble, but its a risk you must assume yourself. New Hampshire Statutes Table of Contents. Cities in Maine: Portland, Bangor, Bar Harbor, Augusta, Lewiston, Kennebunkport, Saco, South Portland, Ogunquit, Brunswick, Biddeford, Old Orchard Beach, Kittery, Kennebunk, Waterville, Rockland, Freeport, Camden, Auburn, Cape Elizabeth, York, Presque Isle, Belfast, Orono, Skowhegan, Wells, Falmouth, Caribou, Bath, Sanford, Ellsworth, Westbrook, Gorham, Boothbay Harbor, Scarborough, Sebago, Rockport, Yarmouth, Blue Hill, Corinna, Hodgdon, Houlton, Joyville, Quoddy, Rangeley, Windham, Millinocket, Eastport, Topsham, Monhegan, Counties in Maine: Androscoggin, Aroostook, Cumberland, Franklin, Hancock, Kennebec, Knox, Lincoln, Oxford, Penobscot, Piscataquis, Sagadohoc, Somerset, Waldo, Washington, York. Even in states where underbody glow is not specifically illegal we highly recommend avoiding any flashing, rotating, oscillating, moving or otherwise not steady lights. Section 265:148 Sidewalks Outside Compact Area. Commissions may be generated from qualifying purchases. Its 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. Installing car underglow in states where its not illegal just means you need to read the laws and regulations carefully, and avoid using any restricted vehicle lighting. Otherwise, a driver who has received a civil infraction ticket may typically respond by any of the following ways: Failing to respond to a ticket may result in a default judgment that might lead to additional fines, costs, and fees, or even a suspended license.