Is Underglow Illegal In Canada? The Truth Revealed! - Auto Modifying (2024)

If you are a car junkie, you already know that you have a plethora of options when it comes to car customization. You can change the factory color of the car, put in a new stereo system, or even add some jacked up wheels. That being said, one of the most popular customization options currently available is lighting. You will find that drivers in Canada are not only changing out their factory head and tail lights, but they are also adding underglow lights to their undercarriage. Underglow lights are truly amazing and create quite a look, but they also make your vehicle more prominent on the road.

The only problem with underglow lights in Canada is that they have drawn a lot of mixed reviews. Some individuals will tell you that these types of lights are illegal, while others will swear up and down that they are legal. So, what’s the truth? Is underglow illegal in Canada? The Highway Traffic Act currently says nothing specific about underglow lights or the specific colors available, but there are other stipulations that one must take into account.

What Are Underglow Lights?

Underglow lights, also known as ground effects lighting, are installed on the bottom of vehicles. The lights are designed in long and short tubes and contain high levels of neon gas. The neon gas is responsible for producing a red coloring. When the neon gas is combined with other gases, such as mercury, carbon dioxide, phosphorus, and helium, it will produce different colors. For example, neon gas and mercury produce a white color, while neon gas and helium produce a gold coloring.

While these lights might be cool, they may also be illegal. Therefore, you should never install them on your vehicle until you’re positive.

The Prohibited And Restricted Lights

Just because the Highway Traffic Act in Canada doesn’t say anything specific about underglow lights it doesn’t mean that there aren’t restrictions. In fact, the act states clearly that lights can be prohibited and restricted based on their combination and/or the direction they are visible from. For instance, flashing red lights that are visible from any direction are only considered legal on law enforcement vehicles. It should be noted that this does not include four-way flashers. A combination of red and blue lights are also restricted to law enforcement vehicles. Flashing blue lights alone are also slated for police vehicles as well as snow removal vehicles. The fire department and volunteer firefighters get to claim the flashing green lights. Just keep in mind that these specific laws are always open to interpretation by police offices and might vary from province to province.

LED Underglow Lighting VS Neon Lighting

Underglow lighting can also be made of LEDs, light-emitting diodes. Some people prefer this design because LEDs have a life expectancy of about 50,000 hours or 13.7 years. Neon lights, on the other hand, have a life expectancy of up to 10 years. LED underglow lighting installs under the vehicle in the same manner as neon underglow lighting. Unlike neon lights, LEDs are available in flexible tubes and strips.

Another reason why LED underglow lights are more popular than neon is because they produce multicolor strobe effects. Neon lights were the first lighting system to come around and they are without a doubt brighter than their counterparts. Along with this, there are several different models that have the ability to achieve strobe effects. While they might be bright, neon lights really aren’t suitable for vehicles that are going to be driven every day because they are extremely fragile. Going over an oversized speed bump could mean the end of your lighting system.

British Columbia, Canada

In British Columbia as with most neighboring provinces LED Underglow is generally Illegal and this includes washer nozzle’s, and tire valve LED. These are considered “Off-Road” lights and need to be covered with an opaque cover at all times on the road period, Off-road use would be totally Legal.

Alberta, Canada

Alberta lawmakers have yet to legalize underglow neon lights in Alberta, Canada. The theory is that the lights can distract oncoming motorists, increasing the risks of motor vehicle collisions. While some motorists, especially younger drivers, find the lights aesthetically appealing, lawmakers have a different take on them. Remember that it is illegal to use underglow lights on all vehicles in Alberta. This includes motorcycles too.

Ontario, Canada

The laws can vary from one province to thenext. With that being said, you should know that Ontario has pretty similarlaws to Alberta. It is said that the only light color that is permitted in thisarea is green. However, other experts claim that it is completely illegal touse lights regardless of their color. It is very rare for someone to get aticket for using Canadian underglow lights. Nevertheless, it is true that you’rebetter safe than sorry. With that being said, you should probably avoid usingthem in Ontario when your vehicle is moving.

Is underglow illegal in Canada? Yes, sodon’t take that risk.

The Costs Of Underglow

Now, you should know that underglow lightsare very inexpensive. This is one of the main reasons that they’ve become sopopular during past years. Who doesn’t want to make their vehicle look coolwithout breaking the bank? While the initial price is low, you have to be verycautious about getting tickets. If you do that, the costs are going to climbhigher very quickly. With this in mind, it is best to think about the futurerepercussions. Do not install under the car lights unless you’re positive thatyou can afford to pay a ticket in the future.

How To Avoid Problems

Again, there is nothing wrong with installing underglow lights on your vehicle. However, you need to know when you can use them and when you cannot use them. If you’re going to be driving in Canada, you’ll actually need to keep them covered up. If you’re parked beside the road, you can turn them on. The lights need to be covered up and using an opaque cover is one of the best ways to do just that. If you get pulled over and the lights are somewhat visible, there is a big risk that you’re going to get into trouble. At the very least, you’ll likely get a warning.

With that being said, you should becautious. Hide them with an opaque cover and make sure that they’re completelycovered. This will allow you to enjoy the lights when it is legal to do so andavoid repercussions when they’re considered illegal.

Keeping Them Covered

Just because underglow lights might be illegal in Canada doesn’t mean that you cannot use them. However, doing so is going to make your life a little more difficult in the long run. After all, it is illegal to use such lights on the public roadways. If you’re going to be driving on the public roads with these lights, you’ll need to cover them up in advance. The tube cannot be exposed to the public. While you can have underglow lights, you cannot actually use them on the roadway legally. In other words, you’re going to be driving illegally if you use underglow lights on public roadways in Canada.

Are They Worth It?

Ultimately, these lights are definitely very cool. They’re going to greatly enhance the appearance of your vehicle and make it stand out from the crowd. If you’re an attention seeker, you can guarantee that you’re going to love these lights. The only problem is that they do come with some risks. After all, these lights are considered illegal in many areas across Canada and the United States. Therefore, they may not actually be worth the money or effort. If you want to be safe, you should avoid them. If you’re a risk-taker, you can install the lights and drive on public roadways anyway. However, it is recommended that you cover them up completely before hitting the road.

Summary

Unfortunately, the laws regarding underglowlights are not cut and dry. There are some gray areas here and there. With thatbeing said, there is really no definite answer. Is underglow illegal in Canada?The legality of underglow lights in Canada really depends on the installationand the area where you are. In some provinces, the lights are indeed illegal.In others, it depends on numerous factors. Suffice to say, you should neverinstall these lights until you’ve learned more about the laws.

Related Questions

Why Would Underglow Be ConsideredIllegal?

Underglow lights are actually consideredillegal in areas across the United States and Canada. Why is this the case?Well, police officers claim that the colors are distracting to other drivers.They suggest that they might be distracting to the vehicle’s operator as well.While this is questionable, it is really the main reason that states andprovinces have decided to outlaw underglow lights.

What Colors Are Prohibited?

Another thing to note is that certaincolors are almost always prohibited. They include blue and red. After all,these are the colors that are primarily utilized by emergency vehicles. If youwere driving down the road with blue or red underglow lights, there is apossibility that someone may suspect that you’re a police officer or ambulancedriver. Therefore, these colors are banned in most areas.

Is Underglow Illegal In Canada? The Truth Revealed! - Auto Modifying (2024)

FAQs

Is underglow illegal in Canada? ›

Canada. Underglow or ground effects lightings are illegal in the province of Alberta, Canada. The use of these lightings are prohibited under section 4 subsection (4) of Alberta's Vehicle Equipment Regulation.

Is underglow illegal in Ontario 2021? ›

Ontario: Green LED underglow lights are permitted, but other colors are illegal. Ticketing is rare, but it's not something you should risk.

What colors are illegal for underglow? ›

According to California laws your vehicle may not display red color at the front of vehicles. Though most states restrict colors such as blue or red since it may appear like a police vehicle, in California you can use any colors for the underglow (other than red restriction on the front of your car).

What car mods are illegal in Canada? ›

Common modifications that are illegal
  • Tinted windows / window glazing. ...
  • Headlamps. ...
  • Tail lamps. ...
  • Colour. ...
  • Mufflers. ...
  • License plates.

Are LED lights legal in Canada? ›

It is unlawful to use LED or HID bulbs in a headlamp that originally came with Halogen bulbs. Fog lamps and Driving lamps displaying an 'E' mark are street legal in all provinces except AB, MB and SK.

Are blue Underglow lights illegal in Ontario? ›

A: Bob Nichols of the MTO replies: Except for specified emergency vehicles, the HTA prohibits the use of flashing red, blue or green lights, as well as a steady-on combined red and blue light to the front. If a steady blue light is installed on a vehicle, you may still be ticketed if it appears to flicker or flash.

Are purple lights illegal in Ontario? ›

"But there's guys that run purple, green, all the other colours but the emergency colours and they're getting mixed answers." Motorists who violate the rules can be fined $180 for a first offence and $237.50 for subsequent offences, said RCMP spokesperson Cpl. Dal Hutchinson.

Is car underglow illegal in BC? ›

Can I put neon/underglow lighting on my car? These lights, and many other kinds such as washer nozzle and tire valve LEDs are considered to be "off road" lights and must be covered with an opaque cover at any time when the vehicle is on the highway, parked or being driven.

Is car underglow illegal US? ›

As a general principle, underglow lights are legal so long as they remain covered and unlit on public roads and do not flash or include the colors red or blue.

Is underglow coming back? ›

In the past few years, underglow has been pretty frowned upon and considered to be a riced out style. However, we are slowly starting to see it come back and we embrace this completely. It brings back memories of our earlier years and gets us excited to see what it can become.

Can you have green lights on your car? ›

Green lights are strictly prohibited. Make sure all red or blue lights are not visible from the front of the car. Avoid blue and red color lights as these are used for emergency vehicles.

Is modifying cars legal in Canada? ›

Passenger vehicles may be modified to change their appearance or improve performance. However, modifications must comply with the law in order for the vehicle to be authorized for road use. It is therefore important to check the procedure for modifying a vehicle to avoid any problems or fines.

Are turbos illegal in Canada? ›

Adding a turbocharger or supercharger to your engine is also legal car mod. Tinted windows: You can tint your back windows to any intensity, but your front windows and windshield are required to have a clear view. Paint colour : You can change your vehicle colour if you apply for a new vehicle permit.

Is straight pipe legal in Canada? ›

(1.1) No person shall operate a motor vehicle or motor assisted bicycle equipped with a muffler cut-out, straight exhaust, gutted muffler, hollywood muffler, by-pass or similar device. (1.2) No person shall modify a muffler to increase the sound output of a motor vehicle or motor assisted bicycle.

Are blue lights illegal in Canada? ›

In addition to this, red lights and red and blue combinations of lights to the front are also restricted to law enforcement vehicles. Flashing blue lights are restricted to police vehicles and snow removal vehicles, but only while they are actually engaged in the removal of snow (or de-icing, etc).

Are LED high beams illegal? ›

LED lights are not illegal, except where the headlight is concerned. You may use LEDs in unregulated auxiliary lights.

Are 6k LED lights legal? ›

Yes, LED headlights are legal. LED lighting is now standard in new cars, but LED headlights cannot be brighter than 3,000 lumens.

Are light bars legal in Canada? ›

Traffic Tuesday - LED light bars on vehicles, either mounted to the roof or embedded in the grill, are illegal to use while driving because of the very strong white spot light they emit.

Are interior LED lights illegal in Canada? ›

ANSWER: There is nothing specific in the Motor Vehicle Act or Regulations that prohibits this. However, in a round about way you could run into trouble if the light interferes with your ability to see, which a bright interior light could do at night.

Are neon lights illegal? ›

Neon lights can be a nuisance, and they're almost exclusively illegal when fitted on regular cars. The law states that only white lights can be fitted to the headlights at the front and red lights to the back of the car. Any other colour is not allowed.

Are ice blue fog lights illegal? ›

These bulbs are bright blue which is illegal to use unless you are a police officer.

Are flashing brake lights legal in Canada? ›

In late March, CTA received confirmation from Transport Canada that clarified there are no restrictions from Transport Canada's perspective for the use brake-activated pulsating lamps, provided the technology does not impair the effectiveness of the required lighting standards.

Is 8000K HID legal? ›

Xenon HID bulbs with a high colour temperature - such as 8000K or above - are sometimes not road legal. Halogen bulbs with a colour temperature of 4300K or over also tend to be non-road legal.

Is it illegal to flash your headlights in Ontario? ›

The section that deals with alternating headlights in Ontario is Section 169 of the Highway Traffic Act. It is an offence to improperly use high-beams at night, which is dealt with by way of section 168 of the Highway Traffic Act.

Are blue fog lights legal in Ontario? ›

You see blue fog lights are actually highly illegal in Ontario.

Is underglow illegal in Nova Scotia? ›

Finally, underglow lighting is fully illegal in Nova Scotia, too. Civilian vehicles aren't permitted to make use of flashing blue, red, or yellow lights.

Is underglow illegal in Victoria? ›

Yes, this is underglow on my 164Q. For everyone saying this is illegal, it's only illegal when your actually driving, not when your parked.

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