I have had several people ask me to install these kits. What is legal and what isn't, especially concerning blue and red. I heard that as long as the bulbs are not visible that the could be used legally. Anyone know?

 

White, yellow, and red are the only legal colors.

All other colors, even if the bulb is hidden, are illegal, despite what many websites say. Trust me, a few years ago I was lame enough to have some blue ones on my V6 Camaro, and I got 3 tickets for them. Each time I asked the cop "Aren't they legal though if you can't see the bulb" and each time they explained it to me the same way.... which was "No, only legal colors period are white, yellow, and red".

 

But what law says that they can only be those 3 color? I looked through the statutes and found nothing really relating to other lighting and colors. Only beacon flashing lighting. Any cops shed some light (no pun intended) on this?

 

They are all legal unless your car is moving and I bet red will get you pulled over even if though that cop said they were legal.

Thats how it is up here anyway it differs city to city I would suggest calling you local DPS officer and asking him/her (usually in phone book)

 

I asked a policeman friend of mine once and he told me that the actual bulb can't be visible. If you have lights on the front or rear of the car they have to be/not be certain colors. I've seen about every color possible on cars here in west texas....

 

Chapter 547 in the Transportation Code sets forth the requirements/restrictions. I don't see anything addressing neon auxillary lights specifically either. But, there are certainly restrictions on using blue, white, or red lights visible from the front (547.305, except authorized headlamps, signals, etc ...). That would probably include neons inside the car since those would probably be visible from the front.

And, from the rear, it must be "red" unless for signals, which can be red, amber, or yellow (547.303). So a neon behind a dremeled "CAMARO" panel should be red.

I expected to find a "if it isn't authorized in the Chapter, it isn't legal" provision, but didn't find one off hand. In that case, I would say the only other visible neons to run would be those under the sides of the car, or in wheel wells, and certainly not red, blue, or white to be safe. I would say the "seeing the bulb" comments might stem partially from the non-glare requirement for runnings lights (547.332 Other Lamps Permitted). The problem with lighting under the car is that it is arguably visible from the front and rear, so you run into the color requirements/restrictions.

The DOT may have some Administrative Rules on the subject. I would certainly check with them as suggested. Also check with your automotive industry lobby. Given that Street Racing was the subject of some legislation, popular aftermarket products in that scene may have gotten some attention as well.