Underbody or underglow lighting, comes in a range of colors. The reason why many people love it is that it creates a cloud of color around the car by lighting up the surface under the chassis.
Sure, underglow lighting is cool and all that, but it also comes with its fair share of problems. Extremely bright underglow light can distract other drivers on the street, which is unsafe.
Additionally, certain types of lights are reserved exclusively for law enforcement vehicles and so it shouldn’t be used by civilians.
As a result, the usage of underglow lights is regulated in all states and it is very important to understand your state’s laws before buying or installing these.
What is the underglow scene in the Land of Enchantment? Is underglow legal in New Mexico?
New Mexico Laws for Underglow Lights
Underglow lighting is legally permitted in New Mexico and governed by Section 9 (“Equipment”) under Article 3 in Chapter 66 (“Motor Vehicles”) of the New Mexico Statutes.
These statutes contain the rules outlining what types of lights you’re permitted to install on your car, including everything from the colors allowed to the intensity and the size of the lights.
It should be noted that there are two types of underglow lights — those which use neon and those which use LED technology.
Here’s an in-depth look at what New Mexico’s laws say about underglow lighting:
- Light type: There are no explicit restrictions against either neon or LED lights, so both may be used.
- Size: There are no specifications laid down for the light size.
- Permitted colors: Flashing lights are prohibited. Additionally, no red light should be visible from the car’s frontend.
- Intensity: All light emitted from the vehicle should be without a glare so that other drivers on the road aren’t blinded.
Are Underglow Neon Lights Legal in New Mexico?
Yes, underglow neon lights are legal in New Mexico, as long as you follow the rules mentioned above and don’t break any other laws.
The underglow laws in New Mexico are relatively lenient, so you only need to pay attention to the colors and avoid using flashing lights of any kind.
Flashing lights, as mentioned above, should be avoided, along with blue, green, and red lights, as these are typically used for authorized emergency vehicles, snow-removal vehicles, school buses, and equipment used to mark highways.
Flashing lights can also be used to indicate a left or right turn, as well as to warn other traffic on the road that the vehicle is parked or broken down.
Similarly, it is recommended that strobes, rotating lights, and oscillating lights should be avoided.
Breaking any of these laws, especially the use of flashing lights, could land you with a misdemeanor charge for impersonating an emergency or law enforcement vehicle.
Local laws may differ from county to county, so it is always wise to check these if you’re planning to move or purchase a vehicle in any county.
State of New Mexico Info
New Mexico is situated in the southwestern part of the United States
It is full of mountainous topographies, as a result of which it has an alpine climate with generally cold and dry conditions, although it can get quite hot in the summers too.
There are 33 counties in this state. It is one of the largest states in the country but has one of the lowest population densities. The state has several parks, forests and cultural monuments.
Population: 2,115,877
Capital: Santa Fe
Registered vehicles: 1,783,151
Total lane miles: 150,216
Number of highways: 3
Underglow light law reference: New Mexico Statutes, Chapter 66