Is it legal to have LED strip lights in your car?

LED strip lights can be a fun and stylish addition to your car, offering customizable lighting for the interior and even the exterior. However, before you install them, it's essential to understand the legal considerations that come with using LED lights in your vehicle, particularly in the UK.

General Legality of LED Lights in Cars in the UK

In general, LED strip lights are legal to use in your car, but there are specific rules and regulations regarding where and how you use them. These regulations ensure that your car remains roadworthy and safe for both the driver and other road users.

Interior LED Strip Lights (Inside the Car)

LED strip lights inside the car (on footwells, dashboard, or under seats) are typically legal, but there are a few considerations to keep in mind:

1. Distraction:
   The primary concern with interior LED lights is that they should not distract the driver. The law in the UK stipulates that lights inside the vehicle should not interfere with the driver’s ability to operate the car safely.

   • Recommendation: If you're using interior lights, it's a good idea to choose low brightness and avoid flashing or overly bright colours that could cause distractions.

2. Colour of the Lights:
   While white, blue, and other colours are generally allowed inside the car, flashing lights or colours that could confuse other drivers (such as red and blue, typically associated with emergency vehicles) should be avoided.

   • Blue lights: Although blue LED lights inside the car are legal in most cases, they can cause confusion with police vehicles. It's best to avoid overly bright blue lights that could resemble emergency vehicle lights.
   • Red lights: Red is often associated with the rear lights of a vehicle, so using them in places where they may be confused with brake lights can be problematic.

3. Installation:
   The installation of LED strips should not obstruct the driver's view or interfere with vehicle controls (such as the pedals, steering wheel, or view through the windscreen).

Exterior LED Strip Lights (Outside the Car)

LED strip lights installed on the exterior of the car are subject to stricter regulations in the UK:

1. Flashing and Strobe Lights:
   Flashing, strobe, or rotating lights on the outside of the vehicle are generally illegal unless they are used for specific purposes (e.g., emergency vehicles, police vehicles). For regular road use, flashing lights can confuse other drivers and may be hazardous.

2. Colour of Exterior Lights:

   • White: White lights are typically allowed on the front of the vehicle, but using them on the rear could be misleading.
   • Amber: Amber lights are generally permitted on the side markers and indicators.
   • Red: Red lights can only be used on the rear of the vehicle and must not be visible from the front.

   Avoid using blue or green lights on the exterior, as these are commonly associated with emergency vehicles, law enforcement, or military vehicles.

3. Positioning and Visibility:
   When using exterior LED strip lights, ensure that they are properly mounted and don’t obstruct any of the vehicle’s essential lighting, such as the headlights, indicators, or brake lights.

4. Underbody Lights:
   While underbody LED lights are legal in the UK, they must not flash or cause distractions to other road users. Additionally, the lights should not be visible from the front or rear of the vehicle while driving.

   • Recommendation: Underbody lighting should be non-flashing and positioned so it doesn’t create a distraction or confusion for other drivers.

LED Lights and MOT Tests

If you're planning to install LED strip lights, make sure that they don’t interfere with the MOT test requirements for your vehicle. During an MOT (Ministry of Transport) test, the car's lights are thoroughly inspected to ensure they meet safety standards. If your LED lights are improperly installed or cause issues with the visibility of essential lights (such as indicators or brake lights), they could potentially fail the MOT test.

Key Points to Keep in Mind:

• Interior LED strip lights are typically legal, as long as they don’t distract the driver or obscure essential vehicle controls.
• Exterior LED lights (such as underbody lights) must comply with regulations concerning colour and visibility and cannot be flashing or strobe-like.
• Blue and red lights should be avoided on the exterior, as they are associated with emergency vehicles.
• Ensure proper installation: The lights should not obstruct any essential driving controls or affect your view of the road.
• MOT compliance: Make sure that your LED lights do not interfere with the functioning of standard car lights, such as indicators, brake lights, and headlights.

Conclusion

LED strip lights can be a stylish and fun addition to your car, but it's important to stay within the legal limits to ensure you remain compliant with UK road laws. Interior lights are generally fine, as long as they don’t cause distractions, while exterior lights should follow strict guidelines, particularly regarding flashing lights and colours that may confuse other drivers.

Before installing LED lights in your car, it’s always best to check local regulations and make sure the lights won’t interfere with your car’s functionality or safety.