Light bars remain a popular aftermarket upgrade, especially for off-road use. However, laws on public-road use vary widely by state. Because of that, drivers should always verify local rules before using auxiliary lighting.
This guide provides a clear overview of light-bar laws across the United States. It helps you stay compliant and avoid tickets while still getting the most from your lighting setup. For full legal details, use the regulation links listed for each state.
Alabama
In Alabama, you may run no more than two non-glare auxiliary lights. In addition, brightness must stay under 300 candlepower (approx. 3,771 lumens); otherwise, use is limited to off-road only.
Alabama Regulations →
Alaska
In Alaska, you can run up to four forward-facing lights at once. However, the beam must not hit the roadway beyond 75 feet.
Alaska Regulations →
Arizona
In Arizona, front-facing lights cannot show red or blue. Additionally, brightness must stay under 300 candlepower, and the beam cannot project more than 75 feet ahead. Otherwise, use remains off-road only.
Arizona Regulations →
Arkansas
Arkansas allows up to two auxiliary or ornamental LED lights on the front. They must be properly aimed and mounted at legal height; otherwise, they are for off-road use only.
Arkansas Regulations →
Colorado
In Colorado, you may run up to two white front-mounted LED light bars between 16–42 inches high. Still, the beam must not cause glare or project beyond 100 feet.
Colorado Regulations →
Connecticut
Connecticut allows up to two auxiliary front lights. They must be white, yellow, or amber, mounted at legal height, and aimed to avoid glare. Otherwise, they are restricted to off-road use.
Connecticut Regulations →
Delaware
In Delaware, no more than four forward lights over 300 candlepower may run at once. Additionally, colored or flashing lights are prohibited on the front unless used by emergency vehicles.
Delaware Regulations →
D.C.
In Washington D.C., drivers may use up to two auxiliary front lights. They must be white or amber, mounted 16–42 inches high, and aimed so the beam stays under 300 candlepower and within 75 feet.
D.C. Regulations →
Hawaii
Hawaii does not allow LED light bars or under-chassis lighting on public roads. Therefore, use is limited strictly to off-road situations.
Hawaii Regulations →
Idaho
Idaho permits up to four forward lights over 300 candlepower. Each auxiliary light must be white, mounted 16–42 inches high, and aimed so the beam stays within 75 feet.
Idaho Regulations →
Indiana
In Indiana, you may run up to two auxiliary lights on the front. They must be white or amber, mounted 24–54 inches high, and aimed to prevent glare.
Indiana Regulations →
Iowa
Iowa allows up to three auxiliary front lights mounted between 12–42 inches high. Lights over 300 candlepower must not project beyond 75 feet.
Iowa Regulations →
Kentucky
Kentucky prohibits LED light bars on public roads. As a result, use is limited to off-road only.
Kentucky Regulations →
Louisiana
Louisiana allows up to four forward lights over 300 candlepower. However, beams must stay within 75 feet, and red or green lights cannot face forward.
Louisiana Regulations →
Maine
In Maine, front LED light bars must emit a steady white or amber beam. They also must not overpower standard headlights or impair visibility.
Maine Regulations →
Maryland
Maryland allows two driving lamps, two fog lamps, and one spot lamp. Each must mount at legal height and remain properly aimed within 100 feet.
Maryland Regulations →
Massachusetts
Massachusetts prohibits driving with LED light bars activated on public roads. Therefore, use remains off-road only.
Massachusetts Regulations →
Minnesota
Minnesota permits two auxiliary driving lamps or fog lamps. However, beams must stay right of center and within 100 feet.
Minnesota Regulations →
Mississippi
Mississippi allows two auxiliary lights and one spot lamp. They must be white or amber and must not cause glare or distraction.
Mississippi Regulations →
Missouri
Missouri permits up to three auxiliary lights in white, yellow, or amber. Still, no more than four lights over 300 candlepower may run at once.
Missouri Regulations →
Montana
Montana allows two driving lamps, two fog lamps, and two spot lamps. However, off-road lights mounted above 42 inches cannot operate on highways.
Montana Regulations →
Nevada
Nevada permits two auxiliary front lights mounted 16–42 inches high. They must not cause glare or distraction to other drivers.
Nevada Regulations →
New Hampshire
New Hampshire allows three auxiliary lights and two spot lamps. Still, beams must stay below 42 inches high at 75 feet.
>New Hampshire Regulations →
New Jersey
>New Jersey allows LED light bars only if they emit white or amber and do not flash. Meanwhile, red or blue lights remain restricted to emergency vehicles.
>New Jersey Regulations →
New Mexico
>New Mexico allows two spot lamps, two fog lamps, and one driving lamp. However, drivers must turn them off within 500 feet of oncoming traffic.
New Mexico Regulations →
North Carolina
North Carolina does not list a specific limit. Still, all lighting must meet DOT standards and must not cause glare or distraction.
>North Carolina Regulations →
North Dakota
>North Dakota allows two auxiliary lights, two fog lamps, and two spot lamps. However, no more than four lights over 300 candlepower may operate at once.
North Dakota Regulations →
Ohio
Ohio permits three auxiliary lights and one spotlight. Still, no more than five lights over 300 candlepower may run simultaneously.
Ohio Regulations →
Oklahoma
Oklahoma allows four forward lights over 300 candlepower at once. Each auxiliary light must be white and properly aimed within 75 feet.
Oklahoma Regulations →
Oregon
Oregon requires all lighting to meet DOT standards and remain properly aimed. Additionally, colored or flashing lights are restricted to emergency vehicles.
Oregon Regulations →
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania allows two auxiliary lamps. However, roof-mounted LED light bars must remain covered and off on public roads.
Pennsylvania Regulations →
Rhode Island
Rhode Island allows two auxiliary lamps. They must mount below the headlights and stay under 18 inches high at 75 feet.
Rhode Island Regulations →
South Carolina
South Carolina does not list a specific number. Still, all lighting must be DOT-approved and must not cause glare.
>South Carolina Regulations →
South Dakota
>South Dakota allows three auxiliary driving lamps. However, most cannot operate at the same time as low-beam headlights.
South Dakota Regulations →
Tennessee
Tennessee allows two auxiliary lights. They must be white or amber and aimed so the beam stays within 100 feet.
Tennessee Regulations →
Utah
Utah permits four forward lights over 300 candlepower. Each must emit a steady white or amber beam and stay within 75 feet.
Utah Regulations →
Vermont
Vermont does not specifically regulate LED light bars. However, only white or amber front lights are allowed, and flashing colors remain prohibited.
Virginia
Virginia allows only four forward lights total at one time. All must be DOT-approved, white or amber, and properly aimed.
Virginia Regulations →
Washington
Washington allows two auxiliary lights or spot lamps. They must be aimed so they do not create glare or reflect into other drivers’ mirrors.
West Virginia
West Virginia allows two driving lamps and two fog lamps. However, roof-mounted off-road light bars must remain off on public roads.
West Virginia Regulations →
Wisconsin
Wisconsin allows four forward lights over 300 candlepower at once. They must be white or amber and properly aimed to prevent glare.
Wyoming
Wyoming allows four forward lights over 300 candlepower at once. However, beams must stay within 75 feet and cannot display red or blue.
Meet the people behind Better Automotive Lighting
John Tobias, Headlight Junkie and Industry Veteran
Before managing pricing and product categories for the DLG brands, John worked directly with customers in customer service and tech support, then spent several years in marketing creating content like this and the videos published online. Today he takes more than ten years of aftermarket automotive lighting experience to events all over the USA, meeting customers and talking to real people about what they care about. He is focused on understanding the market, the trends, the big players, and what matters to lighting enthusiasts. John has tested thousands of lights, works directly with lighting engineers to evaluate the technical performance behind every recommendation, and is one of the foremost experts on everything happening in the world of aftermarket automotive lighting. LinkedIn
