Is it illegal to have Christmas lights wrapped around your car?

In the UK, it is not illegal to have Christmas lights wrapped around your car, as long as you follow certain safety guidelines and traffic regulations. However, there are several important factors to consider to ensure that your lights are safe, legal, and not distracting to other road users.

Key Considerations:

1. Visibility and Safety:

   • Avoid covering important vehicle lights: Christmas lights should not obstruct your headlights, brake lights, or indicators. These lights are crucial for road safety, and covering or blocking them could lead to accidents or fines.
   • Ensure the lights are securely attached: The lights should be fixed in such a way that they won’t fall off while driving. Loose decorations that could fly off your car and cause hazards on the road are illegal and could lead to fines or accidents.
   • No obstruction of windows or mirrors: Ensure that the lights don't obstruct your windows, side mirrors, or windshield. You must have full visibility when driving.

2. Road Traffic Laws:

   • Lights must not be distracting: While decorative lights are fun, they should not be excessively bright or cause glare, which could be distracting to other drivers. Lights that flash rapidly or are very bright could lead to safety concerns.
   • No blue or red lights on the front: Under UK law, blue lights are reserved for emergency vehicles, and red lights should only be used on the rear of the car. Avoid using these colors for Christmas lights on the front of the car.
   • License plate visibility: Ensure that your car’s number plate is clearly visible. If your lights obstruct the plate, it could lead to fines.

3. Temporary Use:

   • Christmas lights are intended to be temporary decorations. It's best to use them for special events like Christmas, holidays, or parades, and to remove them after the season. Keeping the lights on your car permanently could violate local ordinances or be considered a distraction.

4. Electrical Considerations:

   • Battery-powered lights: These are often the best choice because they do not interfere with your car's electrical system. They are also easier to install and remove.
   • Avoid hardwiring lights into your car’s system, as this can lead to electrical issues, draining the car's battery, or causing short circuits.

Things to Avoid:

• Flashing lights: Rapidly flashing or brightly colored lights can be distracting and could cause accidents, leading to fines or penalties.
• Obstructing number plates or essential vehicle lights: This is a serious safety issue and could lead to legal trouble.
• Overly bright lights: If your lights are too bright, they could be considered a distraction for other road users, which could lead to penalties.

Summary:

It’s not illegal to have Christmas lights wrapped around your car, but it’s essential that they are securely attached, don’t obstruct essential vehicle lights, and don’t distract or confuse other drivers. Always ensure that your car is roadworthy, and that the lights are for temporary decorative purposes. If you're unsure, it's a good idea to check with your local authorities or police regarding any specific local regulations.