Underglow lights have become all the rage in motor vehicles. Many motorists are opting for lights installed under the chassis to light up the ground beneath for that halo effect.
As cool as ground-effect lighting appears, it’s not legal in every state in the U.S. There’s a reason why this type of lighting is regulated by the motor vehicle laws of each state. In this article, we’ll discuss the underglow light laws in the state of Idaho.
Here’s everything you need to know if you want to install underglow lighting for your vehicle in the Gem State.
Idaho Laws for Underglow Lights
Barring some exceptions, underglow lights are legal in Idaho, as per “Title 49: Motor Vehicles”, “Chapter 9: Vehicle Equipment” in the Idaho Statutes.
As long as the following conditions are adhered to, you can install underglow lighting in your vehicle:
- Light type: Both neon and LED lighting (the two available types of underglow lighting) seem to be permitted by Idaho law as there is nothing in the Statutes that specifically outlaws either.
- Size: There are no size restrictions in place yet for underglow lighting.
- Permitted colors: Bear in mind that red light is visible in the car’s rear region, shouldn’t be visible from the car’s front, and blue color is expressly disallowed in all vehicles. The license plate should be illuminated in white light.
- Intensity: The Statutes say that any lamp or equivalent device that has a candlepower higher than 300 should not project beyond 75 feet from the vehicle. Additionally, aftermarket lights that illuminate anything in their path higher than 42″ from the ground and more than 75 feet ahead are considered illegal.
Are Underglow Neon Lights Legal in Idaho?
As long as your underglow lights are in line with the laws mentioned above, they’ll be perfectly legal. Additionally, note that if you’re installing underglow lighting, the tubes shouldn’t be visible.
Remember to stay away from blue lighting, as this is for police vehicles only. To stay legally safe, it is recommended that you install amber or white underglow lighting at the front of the car and amber or red at the rear.
Flashing lights can only be used by emergency vehicles and the police. Other vehicles are allowed to have amber flashing lights, only to indicate a possible traffic hazard or problem to other vehicles on the road, and not casually.
It is also recommended that strobing, blinking, rotating, and oscillating lights not be used; though these are not mentioned in the Statutes, they can be quite dangerous to other drivers and give officers a cause to pull you over.
State of Idaho Info
Idaho is a state in the United States that is surrounded by Wyoming, Montana, Nevada, Utah, and Washington.
It is the 11th largest state in the country but is only mildly populated.
It became an official part of the country in 1846. The state is home to different regions and territories with varying weather conditions. It is also full of lakes, rivers, and national parks.
Population: 1,900,923
Capital: Boise
Registered vehicles: 607,902
Total lane miles: 107,568
Number of highways: 8
Underglow light law reference: Idaho Status, Title 49, Chapter 9