There’s no denying that underglow lights are quite cool — they give your vehicle a unique look and also serve to enhance visibility conditions while driving. Understandably, a larger number of vehicle owners are opting for underglow lights.
Underglow lights sit under the car, as the name suggests. They’re attached to your chassis’s underside, so that the surface below is lit up.
Underglow lights are also referred to as “ground effects lighting” and can either utilize LED or neon lights. It should be noted that underglow lights are an aftermarket customization, which means you won’t find these installed from factory.
Underglow lighting is not always legal — the legality surrounding these is different in different US states. Some states allow them unconditionally, while some have restrictions in place.
So, what about Delaware? Is underglow legal in Delaware? Read on to know Delaware’s neon underglow light laws.
Delaware Laws for Underglow Lights
Delaware’s underglow lighting laws are governed by the state’s Vehicle Code. All laws relating to underglow lighting can be found in Subchapter II: Lights, within chapter 43 Equipment and Construction of Vehicles, under the title 21 Motor Vehicles of the Delaware Vehicle Code.
Based on this, aftermarket underglow lighting is legal in the state, but there are a few conditions to follow. Here’s everything you need to know about these:
- Light type: There are no specifications when it comes to the type of light, concerning LED or neon underglow lighting.
- Size: There are no specifications regarding the size of the underglow lighting. Headlights, for instance, should be no lower than 24″ and no higher than 54″ from the ground.
- Permitted colors: The license plate should be lit in white only.
All lighting visible from the car’s front or sides should only be amber or white, and lights visible from the car’s rear should be amber or red.- Red lighting shouldn’t be visible on the car’s front side. Since underglow lighting is visible from these angles, this extends to underglow lighting as well.
- We recommend avoiding blue, red, and green lights since these are reserved for use by emergency vehicles.
- Intensity: While there are no specific laws in place regarding the intensity of the light for underglow, the Code does mention having lighting without glare and that no more than four lights (with candlepower over 300) on the vehicle’s front should be lit simultaneously.
Are Underglow Neon Lights Legal in Delaware?
As you can see, underglow lighting can be customized in a way that makes it legal in Delaware since there is nothing in the law books that expressly prohibits it. However, ensure you follow the above conditions and don’t violate them (you will be fined for doing so) if you’re opting for underglow lighting.
Different areas in Delaware may have specific underglow lighting laws, so always check with the local Division of Motor Vehicles to stay on the right side of the law.
State of Delaware Info
Named after the Delaware River, Delaware is the 6th most densely populated state in the U.S., though it is also the 2nd smallest state.
The state shares borders with Pennsylvania in the north, Maryland in the west and south, and the Atlantic Ocean and New Jersey in the east.
While historically indigenous land that was later colonized by the Dutch, Delaware today is a hotspot for corporate bodies, home to over half of all businesses listed on the New York Stock Exchange.
Population: 1,003,384
Capital: Dover
Registered vehicles: 417,700
Total lane miles: 14,069
Number of highways: 3
Underglow light law reference: Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles