question about driving w/ neons in FL

[vodfan]

I have heard that it is legal to have underbody neons on while driving, except for blue and red. Assuming that the tubes themselves are not seen and the lights are green, I should be safe? If so, I cannot wait. Had neons for 2 years and that'll be the most I've EVER used them! :)

[RedDragon]

From what I understand, the only thing you cant have is red or blue under the car, and you cant have any flashing lights of any color. You cant have anything that even slightly resembles those two colors as well, so dont go trying to tell the police "but officer, thats not blue, its aqua!". Wont work. ;)

[Citrus]

you should be fine with green and you said that you cant see the tubes which is a plus cause Ive heard that you can get nailed for that plus tubeage is bad

[Pinhy]

yeah youre all good....we all drive around all over the place with ours one....yellow, green, orange....just no bllue or red.

[vodfan]

nice. thanks for the replies. can't wait to actually get some good use out of those damn things! :)

[CatsCougar]

Actually, there is a statute out there that says that the DMV of FL has to approve all lighting and you have to have a certificate (Statute 316.216). If a cop wants to be a jerk, he/she can because of that statute. I found this out when I was pulled over for my green neons. It also says that they have to publish lists of all devices that have already been approved by them.

[Morph]

Florida Lighting Statute (http://www.flsenate.gov/Statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&Search_String=&URL=Ch0316/SEC2397.HTM&Title=->2002->Ch0316->Section%202397)

According to this as long as its not red, blue or flashing, you're good. In three years I haven't gotten pulled over for my neons yet but I keep a copy of this in my car just in case. If a cop says something to the contrary I would suggest (politely) asking him to show you where in the Florida statute it says neon lighting is prohibited. The law seems to change depending on what cop you're dealing with so my guess is that most of them aren't completely sure themselves and are just being jerks.

For example, my wife was once ticketed here in Orlando for partially blue neon, the cop said having any blue was illegal. So according to him, neon is legal except for red/blue.
In Tampa we were at one of the malls one night and cop that was patrolling there warned me that neon altogether (mine is yellow/green) was illegal and if I kept them on I might get ticketed. Since he wasn't ticketing me I didn't want to argue with him so I just turned them off.

My point is that cops here seem to have different interpretations on this neon thing, so ask to see the specific law if you happen to get pulled over it.

[vodfan]

Thanks, I'll keep that in mind.

[CatsCougar]

Like I said, this one wipes out all the other lighting statutes because they can make up their own rules. I have been stopped twice and I have green. This is also why every cop has their own opinion because there really isn't a list like there is supposed to be (at least I haven't found it yet):

Title XXIII
MOTOR VEHICLES Chapter 316
STATE UNIFORM TRAFFIC CONTROL View Entire Chapter

316.216 Authority of department with reference to lighting devices.--

(1) The department is authorized to approve or disapprove lighting devices and to issue and enforce regulations establishing standards and specifications for the approval of such lighting devices, their installation, adjustment, and aiming, and adjustment when in use on motor vehicles. Such regulations shall correlate with standards and specifications of the society of automotive engineers applicable to such equipment.

(2) The department is required to approve or disapprove any lighting device of a type on which approval is specifically required in this chapter within a reasonable time after such device has been submitted.

(3) The department is further authorized to set up the procedure which shall be followed when any device is submitted for approval.

(4) The department, upon approving any such lamp or device, shall issue to the applicant a certificate of approval together with any instructions determined by it.

(5) The department shall publish lists of all lamps and devices by name and type which have been approved by it.

History.--s. 1, ch. 71-135.

[ILLicitKougar]

So who's pocket's do we have to pad to get this certificate... I got a ticket for having UV led's for license plate bolts. When I asked the cop to tell me which law I broke, his exact words were"I don't have to show you anything". PRICK

[CatsCougar]

As far as I can figure out, it looks like the DMV because they keep saying the department but I'm not real sure. And that cop did have to show what law you broke if he ticketed you and it should have been on the ticket otherwise they can't site you for it.

[ILLicitKougar]

It was on the ticket, afterwards I went and looked it up. Sure enough there's a law stating that only white light may emit over or on the license plate. $40 ticket

[Morph]

Originally posted by: CatsCougar

Title XXIII
MOTOR VEHICLES Chapter 316
STATE UNIFORM TRAFFIC CONTROL View Entire Chapter
316.216 Authority of department with reference to lighting devices.--

(1) The department is authorized to approve or disapprove lighting devices and to issue and enforce regulations establishing standards and specifications for the approval of such lighting devices, their installation, adjustment, and aiming, and adjustment when in use on motor vehicles. Such regulations shall correlate with standards and specifications of the society of automotive engineers applicable to such equipment.


I've been through the Society of Automotive Engineers website and they have no specifications regarding neon lighting or under-vehicle lighting. Since 'the department' can only approve or disapprove lighting device based on SAE's standards, that clause is inapplicable to neon. SAE mostly defines manufacturer standards.

If that clause were true and applicable to neon, FL cops would be ticketing all neon left and right, but, from what I can tell, they primarily enforce the red/blue code because there are no other existing codes that they can legitimately apply to neon.

[CatsCougar]

When I got pulled over for my neons, that was the one the cop quoted me (316.216) so there are some cops who do know about it and will ticket you for it. I talked my way out that one so I'm not worried but I got lucky I think.

[THUNDERCAT2K]

actually like murphy said that law pretty much covers all your tracks. I was pulled over once adn my green lights up the whole ground. he said it could be considered disturbing to other drivers. I have had neons on in the most a$$hole of cities, namely panama city, clearwater beach, daytona beach and savanna ga and I have never had a problem. The majority of time you will not have a problem especially because in court it won't hold up, and i can tell you I know 3 people who went to court over neon tickets, and the judge basically laughed the cop out of the building. You should be fine.

[Loyalty]

I spoke to one of the cops that was at my house a couple years ago when it was broken into, and he said that having neon of any color is considered "Excessive Lighting" and you could be ticketed for it. I'm assuming, like Murphy said....it depends on the cop.