The use of decorative or aftermarket lights on private vehicles has become a trend, especially among younger drivers. However, traffic laws strictly regulate vehicle lighting to ensure road safety. Unauthorized or excessively bright lights can be distracting to other drivers and may lead to legal consequences.
The Motor Vehicles Act and relevant RTO (Regional Transport Office) regulations allow only specific types of lighting on vehicles. Lights that are not part of the original manufacturer setup must be approved by the RTO.
Red and Blue Lights: These are strictly reserved for emergency and government vehicles (like police, ambulance, and fire services). Use of these colors on private vehicles is illegal.
Flashing or Rotating Lights: Flashers, strobes, and beacon-style lights are not allowed on private vehicles unless authorized.
Underglow and Neon Lights: These are generally not permitted on public roads, especially if they are distracting or excessively bright. However, they may be used on private property or during auto shows.
Modifying headlights to high-intensity discharge (HID) lamps or installing extremely bright white, blue, or multi-color lights is considered illegal unless approved. It can impair visibility for other drivers and pose a safety risk.
Decorative lights installed on bumpers, roof racks, number plates, or inside the car (if visible and distracting) may also be considered violations, depending on how they affect the safety of road users.
Under Section 190 and 191 of the Motor Vehicles Act, unauthorized modifications—including lighting—can lead to fines ranging from ₹500 to ₹5000. In serious cases, the registration of the vehicle may be suspended, or the vehicle may be impounded.
Decorative lights, especially those that flash or change color, may confuse or distract other drivers, increasing the risk of accidents—particularly at night.
Interior ambient lighting (like footwell or dashboard glow) is usually permitted if it's not too bright or distracting. Similarly, brake lights, indicators, and reverse lights must adhere to factory specifications.
A car owner installs blue LED underglow lights and flashing red LEDs on the front grill of his private car in Mumbai. While driving at night, the lights create confusion for other road users and catch the attention of traffic police. The driver is stopped and fined ₹2,000 under vehicle modification and lighting rule violations. Additionally, the RTO may instruct the owner to remove the unauthorized lights and present the vehicle for inspection.
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