Festive Cars: Florida's Rules for Christmas Lights on Vehicles Explained

Festive Cars: Florida’s Rules for Christmas Lights on Vehicles Explained!

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — The holiday season is here, and Floridians are embracing the festive spirit by decorating not just their homes and offices but also their cars! From reindeer antlers and Rudolph’s noses on the front grille to elf legs playfully sticking out of the trunk, drivers love showing off their holiday cheer in creative ways. But one question often pops up: Can you legally put Christmas lights on your car?

What Are the Rules for Car Decorations in Florida?

Prohibited Lights

Florida law specifies certain lights that are not allowed on vehicles:

  • No red, red-and-white, or blue lights. These colors are reserved for emergency and authorized vehicles and can confuse the road.
  • No flashing lights. Flashing lights can mimic turn signals, emergency lights, or other necessary vehicle signals, potentially disrupting normal traffic.

What’s Allowed?

If you want to add extra lights to your car, Florida law does allow it, provided you follow these rules:

  • Side Cowl or Fender Lamps: Up to two lamps that emit amber or white light without glare are allowed.
  • Running Board Courtesy Lamps: One per side, emitting amber or white light without glare, is permissible.
  • Under-Car Lights: You can have lights underneath your vehicle as long as they don’t mimic emergency vehicle lights.
  • Backup Lamps: These can be installed separately or combined with other lamps but should not be on when the vehicle is moving forward.
  • Identification Lamps for Large Vehicles: Vehicles over 80 inches wide may have up to three rear-facing red identification lamps without glare.
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Specific Rules for Headlights

Vehicles with multiple-beam road lighting equipment must meet these guidelines:

  1. High Beams: The uppermost beam should reveal objects or vehicles at a distance of at least 450 feet.
  2. Low Beams: The lowermost beam must reveal objects or vehicles at a distance of 150 feet and must not blind oncoming drivers.

Headlights must remain uncovered and unobstructed to ensure visibility from 450 feet (high beam) to 150 feet (low beam).

Keeping It Simple

If you’re planning to deck out your car with Christmas lights, here’s what you need to remember:

  • Avoid using red, red-and-white, or blue lights.
  • Don’t use flashing lights.
  • Ensure any added lights don’t create glare for you or other drivers.
  • Your vehicle’s original lights, like headlights and turn signals, must stay fully visible and functional.

In short, Florida law allows festive car decorations as long as they don’t interfere with traffic safety or mimic emergency vehicles. So go ahead and spread the holiday cheer responsibly!

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