Wondering what the North Carolina light laws are?
While there are no specific laws against additional vehicle lighting, there are a few restrictions to note:
The colors blue and red are reserved for emergency vehicles and even being caught with lights that are able to change to red and blue would be considered illegal.
White color light may not be visible from the back of the vehicle.
Also good to note, the use of light bars for trucks while on the roads are illegal. Even if you’re not using them, just merely having them on your vehicle while on the roads is against the law.
Unlike many other states, there are no laws against flashing or any non-stationary lights, however if you do cause a distraction to other drivers on the road, you could still get hassled, so be considerate with how you use them.
Extra Information
Steveboos55
I found this on a website, but does this text mean ANYWHERE on my car?
§ 20‑130.1. Use of red or blue lights on vehicles prohibited; exceptions.
(a) It is unlawful for any person to install or activate or operate a red light in or on any vehicle in this State. As used in this subsection, unless the context requires otherwise, “red light” means an operable red light not sealed in the manufacturer’s original package which: (i) is designed for use by an emergency vehicle or is similar in appearance to a red light designed for use by an emergency vehicle; and (ii) can be operated by use of the vehicle’s battery, vehicle’s electrical system, or a dry cell battery. As used in this subsection, the term “red light” shall also mean any forward facing red light installed on a vehicle after initial manufacture of the vehicle.
(b) The provisions of subsection (a) of this section do not apply to the following:
(1) A police car;
(2) A highway patrol car;
(3) A vehicle owned by the Wildlife Resources Commission and operated exclusively for law & enforcement purposes;
(4) An ambulance;
(5) A vehicle used by an organ procurement organization or agency for the recovery and transportation of blood, human tissues, or organs for transplantation;
(6) A fire fighting vehicle;
(7) A school bus;
(8) A vehicle operated by any member of a municipal or rural fire department in the performance of his duties, regardless of whether members of that fire department are paid or voluntary;
(9) A vehicle of a voluntary lifesaving organization (including the private vehicles of the members of such an organization) that has been officially approved by the local police authorities and which is manned or operated by members of that organization while answering an official call;
(10) A vehicle operated by medical doctors or anesthetists in emergencies;
(11) A motor vehicle used in law enforcement by the sheriff, or any salaried rural policeman in any county, regardless of whether or not the county owns the vehicle;
(11a) A vehicle operated by the State Fire Marshal or his representatives in the performance of their duties, whether or not the State owns the vehicle;
(12) A vehicle operated by any county fire marshal, assistant fire marshal, or emergency management coordinator in the performance of his duties, regardless of whether or not the county owns the vehicle;
(13) A light required by the Federal Highway Administration;
(14) A vehicle operated by a transplant coordinator who is an employee of an organ procurement organization or agency when the transplant coordinator is responding to a call to recover or transport human tissues or organs for transplantation;
(15) A vehicle operated by an emergency medical service as an emergency support vehicle; and
(16) A State emergency management vehicle.
(c) It is unlawful for any person to possess a blue light or to install, activate, or operate a blue light in or on any vehicle in this State, except for a publicly owned vehicle used for law enforcement purposes or any other vehicle when used by law enforcement officers in the performance of their official duties. As used in this subsection, unless the context requires otherwise, “blue light” means any forward facing blue light installed on a vehicle after initial manufacture of the vehicle; or an operable blue light which:
(1) Is not (i) being installed on, held in inventory for the purpose of being installed on, or held in inventory for the purpose of sale for installation on a vehicle on which it may be lawfully operated or (ii) installed on a vehicle which is used solely for the purpose of demonstrating the blue light for sale to law enforcement personnel;
(1a) Is designed for use by an emergency vehicle, or is similar in appearance to a blue light designed for use by an emergency vehicle; and
(2) Can be operated by use of the vehicle’s battery, the vehicle’s electrical system, or a dry cell battery.
(d) Repealed by Session Laws 1999‑249, s. 1.
(e) Violation of subsection (a) or (c) of this section is a Class 1 misdemeanor. (1943, c. 726; 1947, c. 1032; 1953, c. 354; 1955, c. 528; 1957, c. 65, s. 11; 1959, c. 166, s. 2; c. 1170, s. 2; 1967, c. 651, s. 1; 1971, c. 1214; 1977, c. 52, s. 2; c. 438, s. 2; 1979, c. 653, s. 1; c. 887; 1983, c. 32, s. 1; c. 768, s. 6; 1985 (Reg. Sess., 1986), c. 1027, s. 50; 1989, c. 537, s. 2; 1989 (Reg. Sess., 1990), c. 1020, s. 2; 1991, c. 263, s. 1; 1993, c. 539, s. 361; 1994, Ex. Sess., c. 24, s. 14(c); 1993 (Reg. Sess., 1994), c. 719, s. 1; 1995, c. 168, s. 1; 1995 (Reg. Sess., 1996), c. 756, s. 16; 1999‑249, s. 1; 2005‑152, s. 1.)
If this does mean anywhere, that would suck a lot!
Stephen.
Are clear or amber strobe ights legal in NC? I would like to have lear white stobes in the front grille and two in the rear. Thank you.
No rear facing white lights while the vehicle is in forward motion
Is it legal to have LED light strips under the wheel well and/or passenger glovebox area? The ones that can change colors or stay one color. I am a young driver and would hate to get pulled over for the lights. (I don’t think they’re visible but idk) mine are on the side of the console area, on the floor, facing towards the doors on both sides. So they may reflect onto the windows at night.
What law for blue on tag area of truck ..
With regard to the above “Also good to note, the use of light bars for trucks while on the roads are illegal. Even if you’re not using them, just merely having them on your vehicle while on the roads is against the law. Unlike many other states, there are no laws against flashing or any non-stationary lights, however if you do cause a distraction to other drivers on the road, you could still get hassled, so be considerate with how you use them.” I take issue with cars and trucks – mainly trucks – that travel with flashing lights on even though they are not ‘in service’ such as tow trucks, construction pickups, etc. Because their lights are a distraction they cause other vehicles to move out of the way or drive to avoid them which is at least inconvenient and at most dangerous. Aren’t there any restrictions and laws about this.
I live in Eden NC. I have a Jeep wrangler with a curved light bar and two spot light and also two 4 ft whips on the rear bumper. I use them for show at Jeep event. This Christmas I had green and purple lights on my whips changing back and forth with a fade. Same for the bar and spot lights. I got pulled over by a town cop and was informed that my light bar is ok as long as it’s on a switch. Same for my whips. I can have a solid color on, without motion or changing and it has to be dim. No rear facing white lights, no red or blue whatsoever. I have tire well under glow as well. So in short… I have everything a steady green, dimmed down, and I will only have the colors dancing at Jeep shows. He stated that and distraction that lights may cause is a ticketed offense. So my lights are now off and they come on at shows only. No worth the hassle or being targeted.