Candypants
New member
I was wondering whether anyone knows whether it’s allowed by law to put a LED-based light on top of my car?
Is it illegal to attach a light on top of your car?
- Thread starter Candypants
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I live in north carolina and got arrested for it when I was 17. Some of the people on this board were around when it happened. It was complete BS and typically that wont happen. Long story short, It is legal as long as they are clear when off, not red or blue when on or off.
I got in trouble for having red blue and white strobes all over for show and messing around off road only off course. But just possessing them is illegal(unless of course you are VFF or any of LEO.
As far as the strobes go in tail and head lights and leds on top I believe there is also one other restriction to having a weighted license plate or being a sort of utility vehicle but the law in NC is fairly relaxed as long as your using with responsibility and with real reason to needing to use them.(AND NO RED OR BLUE ANYTHING)
I got in trouble for having red blue and white strobes all over for show and messing around off road only off course. But just possessing them is illegal(unless of course you are VFF or any of LEO.
As far as the strobes go in tail and head lights and leds on top I believe there is also one other restriction to having a weighted license plate or being a sort of utility vehicle but the law in NC is fairly relaxed as long as your using with responsibility and with real reason to needing to use them.(AND NO RED OR BLUE ANYTHING)
fourwd1
Moderator
Exactly.
How would people in the other 49 states know what's legal in your state? or if they were even correct?
I can see it now "but officer, someone on the internet 3000 miles away said it was OK".
Jeff T
Member
Exactly.
How would people in the other 49 states know what's legal in your state? or if they were even correct?
I can see it now "but officer, someone on the internet 3000 miles away said it was OK".
No red or blue would be in line with most states. I have a yellow on mine quite a bit, road construction, and have never been bothered.
I responded before you posted this though? I am in his state? I know what's legal in our state because I talked with 4 LEOs and a judge about it?
He's not asking to say hey! officer this is what i heard on the internet, he's asking to get a general idea and looking for an answer like the one I gave him. :bigok:
Candypants
New member
@broncosi: YES, your reply is very very helpful!! The light I was talking about is this one, so yes.. it's clear when off and definitely not red or blue! 
it's this one btw:
It's my younger brother who wants to mess around with his car, so I thought I'd better ask around what the deal with these lights are... Thanks again!! Very much appreciated!!!
it's this one btw:
It's my younger brother who wants to mess around with his car, so I thought I'd better ask around what the deal with these lights are... Thanks again!! Very much appreciated!!!
Colemanfu
New member
I run red light on the roof of my rig? But tow lights. No question about them.
In FL there is a law about the amount of non stock lights you can have and the direction they point. I have some of the frame rails as well as big rear facing light hanging off the rear frame. It would take a not nice cop to pull me over or site me for em.
In FL there is a law about the amount of non stock lights you can have and the direction they point. I have some of the frame rails as well as big rear facing light hanging off the rear frame. It would take a not nice cop to pull me over or site me for em.
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Being a vollie FF in a suburban/rural area, I know for a fact that cops will go after you for displaying illegal lights and have no problem making arrests or outrageous citations and then confiscating them. And depending on the colors you choose, some areas the police use red, others blue, but most times its a combination (usually applies statewide). Most permit applications on state websites explain who, what, where and when.
If you aren't in an emergency profession I would strongly discourage getting anything but amber. Here you can get away using amber w/o a permit or plates as long as you are using it RESPONSIBLY. I understand you intend to use it on private property which is fine, but you also need to know you can get in some deep crap for having them in public. If you permanently install them, also make sure understand other state laws.
If you aren't in an emergency profession I would strongly discourage getting anything but amber. Here you can get away using amber w/o a permit or plates as long as you are using it RESPONSIBLY. I understand you intend to use it on private property which is fine, but you also need to know you can get in some deep crap for having them in public. If you permanently install them, also make sure understand other state laws.
