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Laws Against Lights in Grill?

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Old Jul 13, 2012 | 10:31 PM
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Default Laws Against Lights in Grill?

Hey guys, If i added some of the Oznium LED's to my grills, top and bottom, is that illegal?
I'd have them wired into my headlights, but would that conflict with the law that says headlights cant be colored?

Thanks.

______

Last edited by MR_LUV; Apr 2, 2019 at 09:55 AM. Reason: Awarded 5 Yr Badge
Old Jul 13, 2012 | 10:38 PM
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DOT approval is needed for the lights, plus there is also a limit on the number of lights that are on. Also only certain colors are allowed for non emergency cars.
Old Jul 13, 2012 | 11:08 PM
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You can install'em, but if they're not "any shade" of yellow or white in front or "any shade" of red, white or yellow in the rear, you can't really have them on while driving.

You can always turn them on for show, but cannot drive with them.
Old Jul 14, 2012 | 07:07 AM
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damn.
alright, thanks guys
Old Jul 15, 2012 | 08:04 AM
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I've been running DOT marked LED lamps in my grill for a few years - the come on with the ignition.

They are amber, housings are DOT marked, as the are truck side-marker lights.

May or may not be 100% legal, but I've had no problems from anyone about them.



Old Jul 15, 2012 | 05:08 PM
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i would want my grill to glow pink, i think it would be a little bit more extreme
Old Jul 15, 2012 | 06:01 PM
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If it is attached to the grill like Tomas's, NO (IF pINK). If it is behind the grill for shows Ok. If you have it on running around town then, NO. You live in LM? LASD? Don't give the police or CHP extra stuff to pull you over for. JMOI.
Old Jul 15, 2012 | 06:42 PM
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Like John said, Emily, if it is pink, don't have it visible while on public roads or while the vehicle is in motion.

ONLY white to yellow to amber lights are allowed to be visible from the front of the vehicle.

ONLY yellow to amber to red lights are allowed to be visible from the rear if the vehicle is in forward motion. White is only allowed to be directly visible from the rear if the vehicle is moving in reverse.

There ARE some other colors allowed for special vehicles in special, clearly defined circumstances (blue, red, and white from any angle for official emergency vehicles, red/amber/green from the rear for some transit, green from the front for volunteer fire, blue to purple dot in center of tail lights if vehicle is over forty years old or a motorcycle, license plate lighting must be white, BUT lamp itself not visible from directly to the rear, etc.).

I'm sure "pink" would be considered a variation of red (pale or light red) and doubly forbidden on the front as not in the white/amber/yellow range, AND only allowed on official emergency vehicles because it's "red." If you do put pink on the front, make certain they are never on while on public streets or while moving.
Old Jul 16, 2012 | 06:59 AM
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well, i dont want it like shining forward like a headlight, i just want a subtle glow behind the grill so i'd put like an led strip pointing up or down in the engine well area, not pointed out towards the street. but i also dont want to push it and tempt cops to ticket me. :/
Old Jul 16, 2012 | 04:57 PM
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People tend to do illegal custom things to there cars, such as tints. lighting etc.. Some things are noticible and some are not. Some laws are enforce and some are not. Depending on a cop they may or may not ticket you. You may do it, but of course at your own risk.
I did at one time ride sometimes with my engine bay lights on, showing background lighting in the grill area, but I also have a kill switch inside the car.
Good Luck on your choice + keep up on the mods.
Scion slogan "Dare to be different"
Old Jul 24, 2012 | 04:31 PM
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it really depends on where you live. could be illegal but not strictly enforced like in my area.
Old Sep 14, 2012 | 03:52 PM
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I thought about putting a neon light behind my grill a few years ago until I discovered that the grill is a solid piece so putting a light behind it wouldn't shine through. In my state, you can have anything on your car as long as it's not moving so if you can turn it off while driving it won't be illegal.
Old Sep 17, 2012 | 06:07 AM
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I think it's risky and inviting cops to pull you over.
Old Sep 17, 2012 | 01:38 PM
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I'm in Ohio and I have Blue LEDs mounted in the engine bay that shine through the mesh in me grill. So far I haven't been pulled over
but I know for a fact Red and Blue lights are illegal inside/outside of a car unless its an official law enforcement vehicle.

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Last edited by MR_LUV; Jul 21, 2021 at 07:14 AM. Reason: Awarded 5 Yr Badge
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