where does the law state that it is illegal to have under car lighting?

Question

I know that everyone says it is illegal, and I also know that the police will fine you, but which part of the road traffic act are they using

Answer 1

There are many people with the same question (just go Google it and you'll find so many results) and all have come to the conclusion that it isn't in the law but somehow the police'll catch you if you do...

The closest I could find was

§ 547.305. Restrictions on Use of Lights



(a) A motor vehicle lamp or illuminating device, other than a headlamp,
spotlamp, auxiliary lamp, turn signal lamp, or emergency vehicle or school
bus warning lamp, that projects a beam with an intensity brighter than 300
candlepower shall be directed so that no part of the high-intensity portion
of the beam strikes the roadway at a distance of more than 75 feet from the
vehicle.



(b) Except as expressly authorized by law, a person may not operate or move
equipment or a vehicle, other than a police vehicle, with a lamp or device
that displays a red light visible from directly in front of the center of
the equipment or vehicle.



(c) A person may not operate a motor vehicle equipped with a red, white, or
blue beacon, flashing, or alternating light unless the equipment is:



(1) used as specifically authorized by this chapter; or



(2) a running lamp, headlamp, taillamp, backup lamp, or turn signal lamp
that is used as authorized by law.

So maybe in (1) your light is more than 300 candlepower...?

Answer 2

Road Traffic (Lighting of Vehicles) Regulation 1963

This covers the following lights on you car:-

Side, Head, Rear, Stop, Rear Projecting Load Lamp, Lateral Projecting Load Lamp, Marker Lamp, Internal Lights, Direction Indicators and Identification Mark Lighting.

As under car lighting does not fit any of the above then the offence you are committing is covered by this act. However, you are only committing the offence if you are driving on a public highway with these lights on. If you are stationary on private land (with the land owners permission, not the local Maccy D car park) then you do not commit the offence.

Hope this helps.

Answer 3

Why on earth would you want to illuminate the road underneath your car? What possible purpose is there to it other than wanting to look like a total t i t. That's why it's illegal.

It's also illegal to display a white light which shines from the rear of the vehicle -so if one of your undercar lights was to lose it's lens and shine white (visible from behind) then you're breaking the law as it might confuse drivers behind you into thinking they were in the wrong lane and that your car was approaching them.

Just use the lights that come with the car for gods sake.

Answer 4

It would probably come under the excessive lights part - like you're not supposed to be able to see a white light from the rear of the car (unless the car is in reverse gear), you're not supposed to drive with front or rear fog lamps when it's not foggy (bright undercar lighting could count as excessively bright lights, i.e. fog lamps), there's probably rules about what colour lights you can use on a car as well - in the UK it's probably white for front and red for rear. You're also not allowed any blue lights on a car, which is reserved for emergency vehicles only.

I don't know the road traffic act, but I know there must be something in there about lights. Under car lighting may be cool for use on private land and on the track, but on the public highway it's just plain stupid.

Answer 5

i dont know..but as you already know the conseqences,why not ask the police officer or find a friendly solictor to tell you..or ask the crown procecution service..or fit the lights and wait until you are in front of the beak,then the cps bod will start reading the charge sheet and he will say something along the lines of you are charged under section ** of the road traffic act 19** in that you did,then he will say.you are also charged with modifying your vehicle in such a way that it contravenes section ** of the vehicle use and construction act of19** blabla bla..and then wait and see what the beak gives you as a sentence..ps ignorance is no excuse..saying you didnt know is not enough to get you off..(believe me been in court numerous times..and seen it first hand..)

Answer 6

under car/bike lighting is nice, in the right place. You don't have to be a "Chav" to use these. I do belive BMW fit white lights to their doors to aid steeping out of the car (it lights the floor).

One thing that's not been answered is if the lamps are on a switched circuit then they are deemed to be auxiliary lighting.

I'm sorry if this was a little off topic but my gold wing (motor cycle) has lots of extra blue lamps all over, but is only switched on at the Blackpool illuminations!

Answer 7

I cant see whats wrong with it, im not a fan of boy racers but the police sound like there being a bit fininicky here!
Why dont they go out and catch propa criminals instead of wasting tax payers money playing cat and mouse with teenagers? Boy racers are a danger though, life is so precious and teenagers in overpowerd cars dont realise how dangerous it is the be hurtling towards other people in great big lumps of metal like they do.

Answer 8

Its not illigal to have under car lighting,
It is illigal to have the lights on while you are moving or parked on the public highway.
You can use them at show or while the car is parked `off road` in a private car park etc.

Answer 9

General Bad taste act.

They are trying to protect you from looking like a total knob.

You'll thank them for it in 10 years time.

Answer 10

I know they can't be red or blue cause the emergency services uses them. My cousin got off with a warning.- he had blue.