Is underglow legal in Delaware?

We install underglow on a lot of cars, and almost everyone asks the same thing while we’re wiring it: “Can I drive with this on?” Here’s the plain-English version of Delaware’s rules, written by a shop, not a lawyer.

Here’s what you’ll find below:

• The short answer
• What the law says
• Which colors are a problem
• How to run underglow without a ticket
• PA, MD and NJ

The short answer

Treat underglow as off-road and show lighting in Delaware. Parked at a meet, in your driveway, at a show: enjoy it. Driving down Kirkwood Highway with it on is asking for a stop, and certain colors turn it from “asking” into “guaranteed.”

Underglow is a parked-car upgrade in Delaware. Wire it to its own switch and it’s never a problem.

What Delaware law actually says about vehicle lights

Delaware’s vehicle lighting rules are in Title 21, Chapter 43 of the Delaware Code. There’s no section titled “underglow,” which is why people get confused. The rules that apply are the general ones about what lights a vehicle can show:

• Red can’t be visible from the front. Red lights facing forward are reserved for emergency vehicles.
• Flashing lights are restricted. Other than turn signals and hazards, flashing or strobing lights aren’t allowed on regular vehicles. Red, blue and green flashing lights are for police, fire and authorized vehicles.
• Extra front lights are capped. Up to 2 spot lights and 2 fog lights, and no more than 4 extra high-intensity lights lit at once.
• Lights have to be the approved types. Vehicle lighting is expected to match the standard lighting equipment the law describes. Underglow isn’t one of those, which is why it falls under “not for the road.”

Source: Delaware Code, Title 21, Chapter 43. This is a general guide, not legal advice.

Which underglow colors are a problem?

Parked, any color is fine. We just make sure the car can’t accidentally drive off with it on.

How to run underglow without a ticket in 4 steps

Here are the 4 steps we follow on every underglow install:

1. Put it on its own switch
2. Wire it so it can’t stay on by accident
3. Keep red and blue off the front
4. Skip strobe modes on the road

Let’s go over each step.

1. Put it on its own switch

Underglow never shares a switch with your headlights or parking lights. It gets its own switch on a panel, or its own channel on the phone app, so turning it off is one tap before you pull out.

2. Wire it so it can’t stay on by accident

We trigger the controller from an ignition-switched circuit, so when the car’s off the lights are off. No dead battery in the morning and no lit-up car in the parking lot you forgot about.

3. Keep red and blue off the front

If you love red or blue, that’s fine for shows. For a color you’ll run while rolling into a meet, pick white, amber, purple or anything that isn’t an emergency color.

4. Skip strobe modes on the road

Every controller has strobe, chase and music modes. They’re for the show, parked. On the road a strobing underglow is flashing lighting, which is a stop no matter the color.

What about Pennsylvania, Maryland and New Jersey?

Each state writes its own rules, and they’re not identical to Delaware’s. The safe assumptions everywhere: no red or blue visible from the front, no flashing lights, and underglow stays off while driving. New Jersey requires permits for some flashing lights, so be extra careful there. Check your state’s vehicle code before a trip.

What about rock lights, grille lights and interior lighting?

• Rock lights: same as underglow. Off-road, parked or at a show. How we wire them.
• Grille lights and light-up badges: steady white or amber facing forward is the safest. No red forward, no flashing.
• Interior ambient lighting: generally fine in a steady, dim color. Avoid red or blue that’s visible from outside and anything flashing.
• Light bars: off-road only. Light bar vs pods.

Delaware underglow FAQ