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Many people debate whether or not blue headlights are illegal, and although this should be common knowledge, it can be confusing due to the regulation changes across states. Oncoming drivers are sometimes irritated by these powerful, brilliant, and beaming headlights, but the truth is that blue-headlight automobiles manufactured that way are entirely legal.
However, some vehicles with blue headlights have unauthorized modifications. These unauthorized alterations may result in a pricey ticket or even worse. Knowing what can and cannot be done while personalizing a car is crucial to avoid these situations. This article will answer the question, "Is it illegal to have blue lights on your car in Missouri state?"
The Quick Answer
The answer is no. According to Missouri legislation, headlights must be mostly white. Missouri's statute explains that when illuminated, headlights must display lights that are essentially white in hue.
They cannot be any other color, including red, orange, blue, or pink. The truth is that manufacturers usually don't install these colorful lights themselves. Instead, they are added by car owners who spend extra money on bulbs.
Most people are used to seeing white. The white and yellow markings on the road are made to be illuminated by white light.
Other drivers may momentarily get blinded by excessively bright headlights. Moreover, certain automakers include LED lights in their new vehicles, and those bulbs sometimes have a faint blue hue. However, anybody can distinguish between a light tint and blue-colored bulbs.
How Are Blue Lights Different?
There are two types of bulbs that drivers use to replace the original ones, but they are pretty different in hue, which makes the whole legal context a bit tricky. Both of these bulbs could look blue, but they don't use the same technology.
Regular halogen lights with a blue coating are known as stock halogen headlights. Halogen headlights are used in most modern automobiles because they are inexpensive and easy to repair. They consist of a halogen capsule and a permanent reflector.
Instead of paying for and replacing the entire reflector assembly when they burn out, drivers just need to change the halogen capsule. While stock halogen lights use a reflector, high-intensity discharge (HID) lights use a projector component.
Furthermore, while drivers may buy HID capsules that fit into their OEM headlight assembly easily, they will have to deal with strong headlight beams that interfere with other drivers.
NHTSA Rules for Motor Vehicles in Missouri State
The mission of this government organization is to save lives, prevent injuries, and lessen car crashes. Currently, most US counties demand that headlights adhere to their safety regulations, particularly Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards. A car accident attorney from The Powell Law Firm can help advise on these standards.
Replacement headlamp capsules must match the original factory equipment's physical dimensions and electrical requirements to comply with these rules, which are in place to keep all motorists safe.
With these rules, the issue of blue headlight legality is quickly resolved. The NHTSA has extreme rules on what is and isn't permitted because HID headlights don't operate the same way as halogen headlights. Powell Law Firm can answer questions like, "Is underglow illegal in Missouri?"
According to NHTSA, the H1 halogen bulb would have to precisely match an H1 bulb's filament size and location, electrical connector, and ballast for an HID replacement to be permitted. However, since halogen lamps don't use ballasts, it isn't easy to adhere to this requirement.
The NHTSA has also found that HID conversion kits often produce more light than permitted for OEM headlights. In rare circumstances, it has been discovered that aftermarket HID headlights are more powerful than halogen headlights by more than 800 percent.
Emergency Vehicle Statutes
The most straightforward approach to spotting and recognizing any unique vehicles on the road is to look at the color of the lights the emergency vehicle has. Its light color usually allows you to identify it even when it is too dark to see. Some light hues may change in different places because not every location has the same emergency vehicle lighting regulations.
Moreover, the most common emergency lighting consists of rotating lights or flashing lights, which are used by the organized fire department, the state highway patrol, and other public entities in Missouri state.
Rigorous laws govern the kind of emergency vehicle lights used by different emergency vehicles in Missouri. Some of the most common emergency vehicles and their permitted lights are listed below.
Police Vehicles: They must have at least one blue light that can flash and one red light that can be seen from at least 500 feet away. However, a license is required for cars with blue police lights. In order to install these lights, the driver must meet in person with the chief of the pertinent department to discuss the permission and obtain written authorization.
Fire Trucks: These vehicles use blue fire truck lights while responding to a fire or ambulance call. Fire trucks in Missouri state can only turn on their lights during a "real emergency." They are also required to use their sirens when going to the emergency.
By submitting an application to the chief of their fire department and requesting approval in writing, fire department vehicles can obtain licenses for these flashing lights. In regards to volunteer firefighters, as long as they have official authorization from their department head, their vehicles can display emergency lighting. The volunteer firefighters must activate a siren while the emergency lights are on, which must be due to a genuine emergency.
Ambulances and Security Vehicles: An ambulance can use a blue light while responding to an emergency call or transporting emergency medical supplies. The ambulance's siren must also be activated when using this light. Only ambulance vehicles with formal authorization from the head of their ambulance department are permitted to use lights.
Tow Trucks: If a tow truck is owned and run by a public entity or service corporation performing an emergency service, it can use a red light with a flashing blue light. The law mandates that every tow truck employing emergency lights must also use a siren. However, tow vehicles are only permitted to use these lights in emergencies. Although no additional laws address tow truck lights regulations, some vehicles may choose to get an amber-fixed or flashing light for increased visibility.
Construction Vehicles: Road equipment or tools must have at least one white lamp that can be seen from the front 500 feet away and one red bulb that can be seen from the back 500 feet away. Some construction vehicles could use construction vehicle illumination because of their extremely slow motion. An emergency vehicle does not need certified headlights as long as it does not go faster than 20 mph and has two white or yellow lights that are powerful enough to illuminate objects 75 feet in front of the vehicle.
Utility Vehicle Lights: Vehicles are categorized as utility vehicles if they are used to provide public utility services, such as water or electricity. These vehicles can show flashing amber or amber and white emergency lighting while not moving to warn other drivers.
Pilot Vehicle: The vehicles used to carry a large cargo down a roadway are known as pilot vehicles. Although several rules in Missouri apply to these vehicles, none of them directly mention the strobe lights on these cars.
Are There Exceptions?
Some automobiles are built with blue headlights. Anything included in the car by the manufacturer will always be legal. Furthermore, if a driver replaces their headlight reflector assembly with a projector assembly, they must make sure their headlights are correctly aimed and installed by a professional.
This will prevent them from getting stopped or reprimanded by other motorists. Nevertheless, it's vital to be aware that the driver might be stopped and fined if the headlights seem blue. This also applies to blue-tinted halogen lights. Whether the ticket is upheld in court or not depends on the local headlight regulations in the area.
The best thing drivers can do is to become familiar with the local rules before adding any aftermarket car parts. Nobody wants to pay a pricey fine and get involved in a legal issue over something as little as a headlight.
Debunking the DOT Rumor
It's a widespread misconception that installing an HID conversion kit is okay if it bears the Department of Transportation Approval mark. Unfortunately, this mark simply shows that the business producing the kit complies with legal standards. The NHTSA is in charge of establishing standards, but it doesn't and probably won't certify an HID bulb that would put others at risk.
There is no such thing as a headlamp approved by the Department of Transportation, although many may believe the logo indicates the product complies with its requirements.
Bottom Line
In summary, unless it is an emergency vehicle, most cars cannot use blue lights in Missouri state. This is a strict rule that the state highway patrol makes sure everyone follows so that accidents are less likely to happen. Therefore, all car owners should think twice before modifying their cars and follow the state regulations to stay out of trouble.
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