Lights and the Law

[Scott Maentz]

As you may know, each state has different laws regarding riding with accent lights on your bike. Many states have specific laws about certain colors you can not have on when riding. We're trying to compile a database of links to the various state motor vehicle laws regarding the use of our products and we thought you might be able to help. If you can locate a specific statute that references the use of various colored lights on motorcycles for your state, please share the link with us.

[SHILO]

That was worse than reading stereo instructions, lol!

[Scott Maentz]

The pics are great though.

[Mark]

In reference to your website:

http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/msb/standout.htm

Texas DPS seems to condone the use of auxiliary lighting to increase the visibility of a motorcycle when on the road. You do not, however, specify any restrictions regarding color or location of the auxiliary lighting. I am specifically curious regarding such products as the Boogey Lights accent lighting seen here:

http://www.boogey.com/

Since these lights mount so that only indirect light is presented, as opposed to direct lighting… are there any color or color combinations that are restricted?

Thank you for helping to clear this matter.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

There’s nothing specific in the Texas Transportation Code (TRC) regarding adding extra lighting to motorcycles other than you can not have red visible from directly in front of the center of the vehicle or have red, white, or blue when it's a beacon, flashing or alternating light. I’m including a link to the TRC below, please look at Chapter 547 which covers vehicle equipment. Section 305 of that chapter covers restrictions on use of lights in general and Section 801 has to do specifically with motorcycles. Hope this helps.
http://tlo2.tlc.state.tx.us/statutes/tn.toc.htm

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me by email or at either of the numbers below. You can also visit our homepage at www.txdps.state.tx.us/msb/ for more information or to download forms.

Thank you,

TxDPS Motorcycle Safety Unit
512-424-2817 or 800-292-5787
Fax# [phone]

[Scott Maentz]

Great information! Thanks, Mark.

[Ron]

in Maryland the law goes into effect on June 1, 2008....
http://www.lightupyourbike.com/law

[SHILO]

Alright, We have now traversed this awesome country a few times installing lights every where we go. We have installed lights on numerous police Officers bikes and have had conversations with officers all over the country. All had the same thing to say. They or their buddies would no sooner pull over a bike with LEDS regardless what the color, because they were on. The only place in the country that I know of that is contrary to this is Daytona Florida from New Smyrna Beach to Ormond Beach. If you have BLUE lights on your bike they will use this as an excuse to pull you over and smell your breath for booze. I was pulled over 6 times in one night for blue lights, was never cited, just told to turn them off because the Color Blue was reserved for law enforcement, which is the way the Florida law is written. I now have orange lights on my scooter, lol! So basically be nice when pulled over, if ever and yes sir and no sir and thank you sir and be on your way!

[Darren Starkebaum]

Reading this discussion made me look into kansas law and i found a good statute that basicly allows all Neon lights, except red and rotating or flashing.hope this helps all the Kansas riders.

[Darren Starkebaum]

ok the first attachment didnt work lets try this again .

8-1723
Chapter 8.--AUTOMOBILES AND OTHER VEHICLES
Article 17.--UNIFORM ACT REGULATING TRAFFIC; EQUIPMENT OF VEHICLES
8-1723. Additional lighting equipment permitted; neon ground effect lighting; lead vehicle of funeral procession. (a) Any motor vehicle may be equipped with not more than two side cowl or fender lamps which shall emit an amber or white light without glare.

(b) Any motor vehicle may be equipped with not more than one running-board courtesy lamp on each side which shall emit a white or amber light without glare.

(c) Any motor vehicle may be equipped with one or more back-up lamps either separately or in combination with other lamps, but any such back-up lamp or lamps shall not be lighted when the motor vehicle is in forward motion.

(d) Any vehicle 80 inches or more in overall width, if not otherwise required by K.S.A. 8-1710, and amendments thereto, may be equipped with not more than three identification lamps showing to the front which shall emit an amber light without glare and not more than three identification lamps showing to the rear which shall emit a red light without glare. Such lamps shall be mounted as specified in subsection (g) of K.S.A. 8-1710, and amendments thereto.

(e) Any vehicle may be equipped with one or more side marker lamps and any such lamp may be flashed in conjunction with turn or vehicular hazard warning signals. Side marker lamps located toward the front of a vehicle shall be amber and side marker lamps located toward the rear shall be red.

(f) Any motor vehicle may be equipped with neon ground effect lighting, except that such lighting shall not flash, be any shade of red nor shall any portion of the neon tubes be visible. "Neon ground effect lighting" means neon tubes placed underneath the motor vehicle for the purpose of illuminating the ground below the motor vehicle creating a halo light effect.

(g) Any motor vehicle may be equipped with head lamps which alternately flash or simultaneously flash when such motor vehicle is being used as the lead motor vehicle of a funeral procession. A funeral hearse may serve as a funeral lead vehicle.

History: L. 1974, ch. 33, § 8-1723; L. 1994, ch. 342, § 3; L. 2003, ch. 100, § 5; L. 2005, ch. 18, § 2; July 1.

[Ben]

Well I have been doing some reading and LED lights are not illegal in michigan BECAUSE they are not considered to be reflective. neon is illegal because they are "reflective". Even so you can have neon mounted on your vehicles but they just cant be on and need to be covered unless your parked.

[Scott Maentz]

You may well have a problem in Michigan with blue lights, regardless of the type. This is what our customers from Michigan tell us.

[Ben]

yes blue and red are reserved only for police and emergency vehicles. Thats okay cause I like green better anyways :D.

[Billy (Dragon) Griffey]

Kentucky Law.
I called and ask the KSP and they said the law stated No Red or Blue lights are allowed to be placed on the front. Engine lights on a motorcycle they said I shouldn't have any problem. Just becareful with placement of red and blue.