Are Neon License frames illegal in any of the 48 states

[pavanbabut]

Hi all,

i am plannin to install neon license frames on both front and back. But i dont know about the regulations. I want to know whether we can use them in Ohio and if we can, can we use them on both front and back or whether it is illegal to use in front.

anyone having any idea please lemme know...

thanks,
Pavan.

[thundering02]

Missouri white or yellow(amber)in front, rear red white or amber most cops will ignore most anything though.

[pavanbabut]

mine r green....., are they allowed.. i mean generally not in our state particularly

[lee]

blue will get you a ticket in FLA. A friend of one of my kids got a ticket for the blue LED window washer things on the hood.

[pavanbabut]

just of some curiosity... why do they give tickets for these lights?. they wont obstruct anyones visibility coming in oppsoite direction naa...am i right....

Oh boy... now i am really confused whether to install green ones or not on my car...

[Earthworm]

Originally posted by pavanbabut
why do they give tickets for these lights?Because they can. Any blue light on the front of a non-cop car is considered illegal.

As for the blue LED's I was following a truck that had 2 of them on his rear license plate and I could not read his plate as a result.

[pavanbabut]

ok ... wht u guys suggest?...shall i install them or not.... or can i go by installing only on the rear plate.... i really like them... but i am not familiar with rules and regulations of those over here... as u know i am from India and in India we can have any number of lights unless they are yellow focus lights in the front (only in some places).

[Earthworm]

Best thing is to ask the authority.

[pavanbabut]

Yeah Yeah i am goin to do tht on friday, i will call them and clarify my doubt.... but meanwhile i just want to know abt ur experiences and suggestions.... thts why i have posted this thread

thanks for ur replies,
Pavan.

[Landshark]

you will surely get cited by the good taste police. :)

[pavanbabut]

Originally posted by LandShark
you will surely get cited by the good taste police.


Sorry i didn't get ur point, does tht mean am i sure of getting a ticket if i am goin to use them.

thanks,
Pavan.

[Rotorflyr]

No,
He mean's they are in Poor Taste and don't belong on the car.
Poor Taste=Ricer/Ugly
(however it is your car and you are free to do as you please)

[Pure_Insanity8]

Well, I'd have to agree with Alan.;) However, if you really want to do that... that's cool. I have never known anyone to get pulled over or ticketed strictly because of neons but I thought they were basically illegal in all states as far as street use goes. Maybe not, but I'd leave them off... at least for now until you can make sure of what Ohio permits.

It is like a front license plate... most states require them (I don't see the point) but some do not. I have known many people who leave them off in Minnesota and don't get ticketed... then others who take them off for a short stint and get pulled over and ticketed multiple times. It seems to be all in the mood and attitude of the cops in your area.<shrug>

[SilverSpear]

hehehe, come to Lebanon guys, you can put fireworks on your car without even being noticed by the police !!!

[mohrds]

Originally posted by Pure_Insanity8
I have never known anyone to get pulled over or ticketed strictly because of neons but I thought they were basically illegal in all states as far as street use goes. Maybe not, but I'd leave them off... at least for now until you can make sure of what Ohio permits.


My brother got ticketed several times for having green lights under his Monte Carlo. Granted that was back in the 80's and it was a small town with cops who have nothing better to do, but in Wisconsin its illegal.

Interesting point of fact, in Wisconsin it is illegal to have lights that are not visible from 4 ft off the ground. That makes all lights under the car illegal here. You can put yellow lights on the side skirts and lowest point of the bumpers (yellow or white in front, red in rear) but not under the car.

Granted in Milwaukee, they will never pull you over for those types of violations.

Window tint forward of the driver's head (ie, door windows) is also illegal here, but over half the cars on the road have full tinting.

Doug

[pavanbabut]

so from all ur discussion and ideas, it happens to me tht even i contact the authorities, i may get a ticket from a cop who is not having good taste or not in mood and it all depends on our luck....and fate on tht day... i think most of the ameericans wont rely on them (luck and fate) but as an Indian I am having a littlebit belief over them.

Anyway for safe, first i will contact authorities and then only i will proceed.

if anyone is in Ohio and having some idea on this issue plz...lemme know.
thanks a lot,
Pavan.

[Phoenix_3737]

here in texas ive heard of some people getting ticketed for the windshield sprayer lights, but never heard of anything yet for the license plate lights or underbody lights...tint darker than a certain percent is illegal but most cops wont do anything unless you look like you look like your looking for attentian ( ricers, trucks with spinners ect) sometime if it is really really reflective and noticable or really really dark but most cars have illegal tint and cops dont do anything.

[pavanbabut]

wht is the most allowable color.... and wht color is not allowed for most extent....

i am using green color neons for both underbody (not yet purchased) and license frames (purchased).... does this color fall under the second catogery in most places as far as u guys know....

Does there any restriction of not using neon license frame plates in "FRONT".

thanks,
Pavan.

[thundering02]

White by far then green and purple. red and blues are generally the ticketed ones.

[Phoenix_3737]

i think the passed a new law even were you cant have license plate frames or i dont know if its just no license plate frames at all or just ones that cut off the side of the letters or number im not sure dont know about in ohio but i know its here in texas

[pavanbabut]

Hi,
here is the other thing i want to make sure of, i am plannin to install these lights on the front fender(bumper)

http://www.subaru-svx.net/photos/files/pavanbabut/22346.jpg

am i allowed to fix them or its illegal...

thanks
Pavan.

[Earthworm]

I believe that's fine as long as you don't have more than 2 sets of lights on at any given time.

[pavanbabut]

ok... so at nights while the lights are on we are already having 2 sets of lights. so, am i not able to use these lights along with them? am i right...?

if i want to use then i have to switch off the low beam lights and i have to use this set...

because i have seen some chevy blazer type vehicles having 3 sets of lights on at nights, tht why i am askin whether i can use this set along with the low beam setting of our lights...

thanks,
Pavan.

[drivemusicnow]

Originally posted by pavanbabut
ok... so at nights while the lights are on we are already having 2 sets of lights. so, am i not able to use these lights along with them? am i right...?

if i want to use then i have to switch off the low beam lights and i have to use this set...

because i have seen some chevy blazer type vehicles having 3 sets of lights on at nights, tht why i am askin whether i can use this set along with the low beam setting of our lights...

thanks,
Pavan.

If you install those, just don't use the stock crappy fogs, cause those will be better anywho.. you're really not supposed to drive with your foglights on anyway.
The key thing when putting neons on your car, is will it obstruct vision of your license plate, annoy other drivers, or distract anyone. And MAJOR bad moves are red lights in front, blue lights in back. talk to the local authorities, and see what they say.. most likely you won't get pulled over for it, however knowing the law ahead of time is MUCH better than finding out afterwords... do a google search for ohio motor vehicle regulations.

[pavanbabut]

thanks a lot for ur suggestions....

i got ur point and i will try to use this aftermarket set of lights in stead of our fog lights.... actually i am having some doubt wht r our fog lights... r they those in round shape with some different lens or the other ones....

anyway i will try to use these new set instead of old stock ones...

one more thing i didn't get correct answer for this question, can i use the green neon license frame in front...

Thanks,
pavan.

[thundering02]

Originally posted by pavanbabut
one more thing i didn't get correct answer for this question, can i use the green neon license frame in front...

Sure in MO theres no question unless your being cited for everything by a real doughnut hole of a cop

[SVX-FF]

Here is what Minnesota Regulations have to say.
Prohibited lights (http://www.revisor.leg.state.mn.us/stats/169/64.html)
The short of it is that most if not all states do not allow any color other than amber or white in the front, and red, white, amber in the rear WHILE DRIVING. Some states like Minnesota allow them when you are not on a public roadway. This is from one of the Champlin, MN police officers.

If you want to put them on go ahead and do so, but do not drive with them on. Or play real dumb if you get stopped.:D

Steve

Geen undercar kit on a 92 green SVX

[pavanbabut]

Originally posted by SVX-FF,
Geen undercar kit on a 92 green SVX

so r u using green undercar kit... so can i also use them for my car...?...just of curiosity..

Pavan.

[HighwayUFO]

In Idaho, the rules for auxiliary lighting follow as such..

49-921. REAR MOUNTED ACCELERATION AND DECELERATION LIGHTING SYSTEM. (1)
Every motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, truck tractor, and pole trailer
used in the state may be equipped with an auxiliary lighting system consisting
of:
(a) One (1) green light to be activated when the accelerator of the motor
vehicle is depressed;
(b) Not more than two (2) amber lights to be activated when the motor
vehicle is moving forward, or standing and idling, but is not under the
power of the engine.
(2) An auxiliary system shall not interfere with the operation of vehicle
tail lamps and shall not interfere with the operation of vehicle signal lamps
and signal devices. The system may operate in conjunction with tail lamps or
signal lamps and signal devices.
(3) Only one (1) color of the system may be illuminated at any one (1)
time, and at all times either the green light, or amber light or lights shall
be illuminated when the tail lamps of the vehicle are not illuminated.
(4) The green light and the amber light or lights, when illuminated,
shall be plainly visible at a distance of five hundred (500) feet to the rear.
(5) Only one (1) system may be mounted on a motor vehicle, trailer,
semitrailer, truck tractor, or pole trailer; and the system shall be rear
mounted in a horizontal fashion, at a height of not more than seventy-two (72)
inches, nor less than twenty (20) inches.
(6) On a combination of vehicles, only the lights of the rearmost vehicle
need actually be seen and distinguished as provided in subsection (4) of this
section.
(7) Each manufacturer's model of such a system described in this section
shall be approved by the board before it may be sold or offered for sale in
the state.

So basically, a white light up front, amber on the sides and green and red in the back. Green only displayed while moving forward, once you reach the speed limit and level off acceleration, no more green light. Red light only under braking.

Most states are very similar about the lighting laws. As far as the liscence plate neon goes, you should have no problem if it is red. Just to be safe, I would run it off of a toggle switch. Also, run all additional lighting on a toggle switch, becasue if you ever get pulled over, you can pull into a parking lot and flip em on. There is no law against displaying neon lights on ANY private property.

Keith

ps...cops in Idaho hate me.....:D;)

[SVX-FF]

Originally posted by pavanbabut


so r u using green undercar kit... so can i also use them for my car...?...just of curiosity..

Pavan.

Yes I am..
http://www.subaru-svx.net/photos/files/SVX-FF/16505.jpg
Yes I know about the rims too :p

You can put them on your car if you want, but they are still illegal to use any color other than what your car was nemt to have on it. It is that simple.
Steve

[rob_4187]

Originally posted by lee
blue will get you a ticket in FLA. A friend of one of my kids got a ticket for the blue LED window washer things on the hood.

I live in FL and I had the blue ones on my del sol and the cop made me pop my hood and cut the wires, but its better than a ticket.

[pavanbabut]

hehehe!....:D thts funny....yeah better than a ticket.....

[pavanbabut]

sorry please be with patience its very long ......


Thank you for your question regarding colored lights. Your question has been forwarded to the Ohio State Highway Patrol for response.
Specifications for motor vehicle lighting are defined in the Ohio Administrative code and are enforceable through the Ohio Revised Code. These laws are designed to provide standards that clearly define the lighting and direction of motor vehicles traveling on Ohio roadways at night and during conditions when lighting is needed and required. Ohio Revised Code, section 4513.17 prohibits flashing lights on motor vehicles with the exception of emergency vehicles, turn signals, and hazard flashers.
As long as the neon lights are less than 300 candle power, and do not interfere with color requirements or viewing of a license plate, they are not in violation of State law. If the lights are more than 300 candle power they must be directed to strike the pavement the vehicle sets upon at a distance of no more than 75 feet. The lights can not exceed 500 candle power. Colored lights, such as neon lights around a license plate, could be illegal if the light changes the color of the plate and does not allow for discernment of the plate or causes interference with reading the plate from within 100 feet. State law requires a white light to illuminate the rear license plate.
The Ohio Administrative and Revised Codes regarding vehicle lighting has been included in-part for your review.

Lieutenant Rick Zwayer
Ohio State Highway Patrol
Public Affairs Unit

ORC § 4513.17. Number of lights permitted; direction of beam; flashing, oscillating or rotating lights.
(A) Whenever a motor vehicle equipped with headlights also is equipped with any auxiliary lights or spotlight or any other light on the front thereof projecting a beam of an intensity greater than three hundred candle power, not more than a total of five of any such lights on the front of a vehicle shall be lighted at any one time when the vehicle is upon a highway.
(B) Any lighted light or illuminating device upon a motor vehicle, other than headlights, spotlights, signal lights, or auxiliary driving lights, that projects a beam of light of an intensity greater than three hundred candle power, shall be so directed that no part of the beam will strike the level of the roadway on which the vehicle stands at a distance of more than seventy-five feet from the vehicle.
(C) (1) Flashing lights are prohibited on motor vehicles, except as a means for indicating a right or a left turn, or in the presence of a vehicular traffic hazard requiring unusual care in approaching, or overtaking or passing. This prohibition does not apply to emergency vehicles, road service vehicles servicing or towing a disabled vehicle, traffic line stripers, snow plows, rural mail delivery vehicles, vehicles as provided in section 4513.182 of the Revised Code, department of transportation maintenance vehicles, funeral hearses, funeral escort vehicles, and similar equipment operated by the department or local authorities, which shall be equipped with and display, when used on a street or highway for the special purpose necessitating such lights, a flashing, oscillating, or rotating amber light, but shall not display a flashing, oscillating, or rotating light of any other color, nor to vehicles or machinery permitted by section 4513.11 of the Revised Code to have a flashing red light.
(2) When used on a street or highway, farm machinery and vehicles escorting farm machinery may be equipped with and display a flashing, oscillating, or rotating amber light, and the prohibition contained in division (C)(1) of this section does not apply to such machinery or vehicles. Farm machinery also may display the lights described in section 4513.11 of the Revised Code.
(D) Except a person operating a public safety vehicle, as defined in division (E) of section 4511.01 of the Revised Code, or a school bus, no person shall operate, move, or park upon, or permit to stand within the right-of-way of any public street or highway any vehicle or equipment that is equipped with and displaying a flashing red or a flashing combination red and white light, or an oscillating or rotating red light, or a combination red and white oscillating or rotating light; and except a public law enforcement officer, or other person sworn to enforce the criminal and traffic laws of the state, operating a public safety vehicle when on duty, no person shall operate, move, or park upon, or permit to stand within the right-of-way of any street or highway any vehicle or equipment that is equipped with, or upon which is mounted, and displaying a flashing blue or a flashing combination blue and white light, or an oscillating or rotating blue light, or a combination blue and white oscillating or rotating light.
(E) This section does not prohibit the use of warning lights required by law or the simultaneous flashing of turn signals on disabled vehicles or on vehicles being operated in unfavorable atmospheric conditions in order to enhance their visibility. This section also does not prohibit the simultaneous flashing of turn signals or warning lights either on farm machinery or vehicles escorting farm machinery, when used on a street or highway.
(F) Whoever violates this section shall be punished as provided in section 4513.99 of the Revised Code

4501-15-02 Taillights, registration lights and stop lights.





(A) Taillights and license plate lights shall be constructed and installed so as to provide adequate and reliable illumination and shall conform to the appropriate S.A.E. "Standards for Taillights and License Plate Lights."





(B) Motorcycles and motor-driven cycles, shall have at least one tail lamp. On a combination of vehicles, only the tail lamps on the rearmost vehicle need actually be seen from the distance specified. On vehicles equipped with more than one tail lamp, the lamps shall be mounted on the same level and as widely spaced laterally as practicable.





Every tail lamp upon every vehicle shall be located at a height of not more than seventy-two inches nor less than twenty inches.





(C) When stop lights are used as authorized by section 4511.39 of the Revised Code, they shall be constructed and installed so as to provide adequate and reliable illumination and shall conform to the appropriate S.A.E. "Standards for Stop Lamps."





(1) After January 1, 1967, every motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer and pole trailer shall be equipped with two or more stop lamps, except that passenger cars manufactured or assembled prior to January 1, 1967, and motorcycles and motor-driven cycles shall be equipped with at least one stop lamp. On a combination of vehicles, only the stop lamps on the rearmost vehicle need actually be seen from the distance specified in this rule.





(2) Any vehicle may be equipped and when required under this rule shall be equipped with a stop lamp or lamps on the rear of the vehicle which shall display a red light, visible from a distance of not less than three hundred feet to the rear in normal sunlight, and which shall be actuated upon application of the service (foot) brake, and which may but need not be incorporated with one or more other rear lamps.





HISTORY: Eff 11-17-66; 10-16-82; 7-23-01





Rule promulgated under: RC Chapter 119.





Rule authorized by: RC 4513.19





Rule amplifies: RC 4513.19

R.C. 119.032 review dates: 3/9/00, 3/9/05





CASE NOTES AND OAG





1. (1993) Revised Code §§ 4513.05 and 4513.07.1 provide that motor vehicles need have only one operating taillight. Thus the fact that one shows a white, rather than red, light does not provide a basis for an investigative stop and subsequent arrest for driving under the influence: State v. Guysinger, 86 OApp3d 592, 621 NE2d 726.





2. (1998) Ohio Administrative Code 4501-15-02(C) "has the force of law" and requires that a motor vehicle be equipped with two or more operable brake lights. There is no conflict between the Ohio Revised Code and Ohio Administrative Code since "two or more" stop lights are "at least one" stop light: State v. Preston, NO. CA97-08-085 (12th Dist.), 1998 Ohio App. LEXIS 1443.


Top of Form 1

4501-15-04 Clearance lights, marker lights, stop lights and reflectors on vehicles.





(A) Clearance lights, marker lights, stop lights, and reflectors on commercial vehicles shall be constructed to conform to appropriate requirements of the S.A.E. Standard for Clearance, Side-Marker, Identification and Parking Lamps, or the S.A.E. Standard for Stop Lamps, or the S.A.E. Standard for Reflex Reflectors and shall be installed at locations on the vehicle in accordance with the current federal motor carrier safety regulations, U.S. department of transportation, bureau of motor carrier safety.





(B) In addition to the other equipment required in sections 4513.04 to 4513.18 of the Revised Code, the following vehicles shall be equipped as herein stated under the conditions stated in section 4513.07 of the Revised Code, and in addition, the reflectors elsewhere enumerated for such vehicles shall conform to the requirements of section 4513.06 of the Revised Code.





(1) Buses, trucks and house vehicles eighty inches or more in overall width:





(a) On the front, two clearance lamps, one at each side, and on vehicles manufactured or assembled after January 1, 1967, three identification lamps meeting the specifications of subdivision (1) of S.A.E. Standard for Clearance, Side-Marker, Identification, and Parking Lamps.





(b) On the rear, two clearance lamps, one at each side, and after January 1, 1967, three identification lamps meeting the specifications of subdivision (1) of S.A.E. Standard for Clearance, Side-Marker, Identification, and Parking Lamps.





(c) On each side, two side marker lamps, one at or near the front and one at or near the rear.





(d) On each side, two reflectors, one at or near the front and one at or near the rear.





(2) Trailers, semitrailers, house trailers and travel trailers eighty inches or more in overall width:





(a) On the front, two clearance lamps, one at each side.





(b) On the rear, two clearance lamps, one at each side.





(c) On each side, two side marker lamps, one at or near the front and one at or near the rear.





(d) On each side, two reflectors, one at or near the front and one at or near the rear.





(e) After January 1, 1967, trailers and semitrailers, three identification lamps meeting the specifications of subdivision (1) of S.A.E. Standard for Clearance, Side-Marker, Identification, and Parking Lamps.





(3) Truck tractors:





On the front, two cab clearance lamps, one at each side, and on vehicles manufactured or assembled after January 1, 1967, three identification lamps meeting the specifications of subdivision (1) S.A.E. Standard for Clearance, Side-Marker, Identification, and Parking Lamps.





(4) Trailers, semitrailers, pole trailers and house trailers thirty feet or more in overall length:





On each side, one amber side marker lamp and one amber reflector, centrally located with respect to the length of the vehicle.





(5) Pole trailers:





(a) On each side, one amber side marker lamp at or near the front of the load.





(b) One amber reflector at or near the front of the load.





(c) On the rearmost support for the load, one combination marker lamp showing amber to the front and red to the rear and side, mounted to indicate maximum width of the pole trailer.





(6) Combination driveaway-towaway operation:





(a) On the front, two cab clearance lamps, one on each side.





(b) On each side and near the front, one side marker light.





(c) On each saddle mounted vehicle, on each side and near the rear, one side marker light.





(d) On rearmost vehicle, two clearance lamps and two reflectors, one at each side.





(e) Marker lights and clearance lights may be temporarily mounted on motor vehicles during the time they are in transit in any driveaway operation but in any case, must be firmly attached to the motor vehicles.





(C) Multi-wheeled agricultural tractors, units of farm machinery:





(1) Every multi-wheeled agricultural tractor whose model year was 2001 or earlier, when being operated or traveling on a street or highway at times specified in section 4513.03 of the Revised Code at a minimum shall be equipped, on the extreme left and right projection of the tractor, with amber flashing lights visible to the front and rear of the tractor, and visible from a distance of five hundred feet. The placement of these lights shall correlate with and, to the extent not inconsistent with section 4513.111 of the Revised Code, conform with paragraphs 4.1.4.1, 4.1.7.1 and 4.1.7.2 of the American Society of Agricultural Engineers Standard ANSI/ASAE S279.10, OCT98, lighting and marking of agricultural equipment on highways. These lights are in addition to the slow-moving vehicle lights permitted by sections 4513.11 and 4513.17 of the Revised Code.





(2) Every unit of farm machinery whose model year was 2002 or later, when being operated or traveling on a street or highway at times specified in section 4513.03 of the Revised Code shall be equipped with illuminated lamps that meet or exceed the standards that are applicable to that type of farm machinery for the unit's model year specified in the American Society of Agricultural Engineers Standard ANSI/ASAE S279.10 OCT98, lighting and marking of agricultural equipment on highways.





(D) Whenever required or permitted by this chapter, identification lamps shall be grouped in a horizontal row, with lamp centers spaced not less than six nor more than twelve inches apart, and mounted on the permanent structure of the vehicle as close as practicable to the vertical centerline; provided, however, that where the cab of a vehicle is not more than forty-two inches wide at the front roof line, a single identification lamp at the center of the cab shall be deemed to comply with the requirements for front identification lamps.





(E) Color of clearance lamps, identification lamps, side marker lamps, back-up lamps and reflectors:





(1) Front clearance lamps, identification lamps, and those marker lamps, and reflectors mounted on the front or on the side near the front of a vehicle shall display or reflect amber color.





(2) Rear clearance lamps, identification lamps, and those marker lamps and reflectors mounted on the rear or on the sides near the rear of a vehicle shall display or reflect red color.





(3) The stop lamp or lamps, and the turn signals on or facing the rear of any motor vehicle shall be red, yellow, amber, or any shade of color between yellow and red; and the turn signals facing the front of any motor vehicle shall be white, amber, or any shade of color between white and amber. The light illuminating the license plate shall be white and the light emitted by a back-up lamp shall be white.





(F) Mounting of reflectors, clearance lamps and side marker lamps:





(1) Reflectors when required by section 4513.07 of the Revised Code shall be mounted at a height not less than twenty-four inches and not higher than sixty inches above the ground on which the vehicle stands, except that if the highest part of the permanent structure of the vehicle is less than twenty-four inches the reflector at such point shall be mounted as high as that part of the permanent structure will permit.





The rear reflectors on a pole trailer may be mounted on each side of the bolster or load.





Any required red reflector on the rear of a vehicle may be incorporated with the tail lamp, but such reflector shall meet all the other reflector requirements of this chapter.





(2) Clearance lamps shall be mounted on the permanent structure of the vehicle in such a manner as to indicate its extreme width and as near the top thereof as practicable. Clearance lamps and side marker lamps may be mounted in combination provided illumination is given as required herein with reference to both.





(G) Visibility requirements for reflectors, clearance lamps, identification lamps and marker lamps:





(1) Every reflector upon any vehicle referred to in section 4513.07 of the Revised Code shall be of such size and characteristics and so maintained as to be readily visible at night-time from all distances within six hundred feet to one hundred feet from the vehicle shall reflect the required color of light to the sides, and those mounted on the rear shall reflect a red color to the rear.





(2) Front and rear clearance lamps and identification lamps shall be capable of being seen and distinguished under normal atmospheric conditions at the times lights are required at all distances between five hundred and fifty feet from the front and rear, respectively, of the vehicle.





(3) Side marker lamps shall be capable of being seen and distinguished under normal atmospheric conditions at the times lights are required at all distances between five hundred and fifty feet from the side of the vehicle on which mounted.





HISTORY: Eff 11-17-66; 10-16-82; 7-23-01





Rule promulgated under: RC Chapter 119.





Rule authorized by: RC 4513.19, 4513.111





Rule amplifies: RC 4513.19, 4513.111

R.C. 119.032 review dates: 3/9/00, 3/9/05





CASE NOTES AND OAG





1. (1993) A motorist does not violate RC § 4513.05 by installing a purple neon light which illuminates the rear license plate where the required white light is present and the plate is legible from a distance of fifty feet: Trotwood v. Sampson, 63 OMisc.2d 504, 635 NE2d 79 (CoC



§ 4503.21. Display of license plates and validation stickers or temporary placard or windshield sticker.





(A) No person who is the owner or operator of a motor vehicle shall fail to display in plain view on the front and rear of the motor vehicle the distinctive number and registration mark, including any county identification sticker and any validation sticker issued under sections 4503.19 and 4503.191 of the Revised Code, furnished by the director of public safety, except that a manufacturer of motor vehicles or dealer therein, the holder of an in transit permit, and the owner or operator of a motorcycle, motorized bicycle, manufactured home, mobile home, trailer, or semitrailer shall display on the rear only. A motor vehicle that is issued two license plates shall display the validation sticker only on the rear license plate, except that a commercial tractor that does not receive an apportioned license plate under the international registration plan shall display the validation sticker on the front of the commercial tractor. An apportioned vehicle receiving an apportioned license plate under the international registration plan shall display the license plate only on the front of a commercial tractor and on the rear of all other vehicles. All license plates shall be securely fastened so as not to swing, and shall not be covered by any material that obstructs their visibility.





No person to whom a temporary license placard or windshield sticker has been issued for the use of a motor vehicle under section 4503.182 of the Revised Code, and no operator of that motor vehicle, shall fail to display the temporary license placard in plain view from the rear of the vehicle either in the rear window or on an external rear surface of the motor vehicle, or fail to display the windshield sticker in plain view on the rear window of the motor vehicle. No temporary license placard or windshield sticker shall be covered by any material that obstructs its visibility.





(B) Whoever violates this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor.





HISTORY: GC § 12613; 99 v 540, § 9; 99 v 543, § 24; 103 v 763; 104 v 248; 115 v 108; 123 v 513; Bureau of Code Revision, 10-1-53; 125 v 127; 125 v 230; 126 v 717 (Eff 9-30-55); 130 v 1047 (Eff 1-23-63); 135 v H 90 (Eff 10-31-73); 140 v S 169 (Eff 1-1-85); 140 v S 231 (Eff 9-20-84); 140 v H 632 (Eff 3-28-85); 141 v H 428 (Eff 12-23-86); 142 v H 158 (Eff 9-10-87); 143 v H 831 (Eff 7-17-90); 143 v S 382 (Eff 12-31-90); 144 v S 98 (Eff 11-12-92); 147 v H 143 (Eff 12-18-97); 147 v S 142. Eff 3-30-99; 149 v S 123, § 1, eff. 1-1-04.





The effective date is set by section 4 of S.B. 123.





See provisions, § 5 of S.B. 123 (149 v - ), following RC § 4501.01.






Effect of Amendments





S.B. 123, Acts 2002, effective January 1, 2004, added (B).






Ohio Adminstrative Code





Department of public safety, state highway patrol -





Motor vehicle equipment standards for license plates. OAC 4501:2-1-13.



Top of Form 1

Bottom of Form 1
Bottom of Form 1

OAC 4501-15-09 Accessory Lamps
(A) A vehicle may be equipped with accessory lamps or lights as herein defined, provided that their placement or installation on the vehicle or their use does not interfere with or tend to confuse the use of required lamps or lights, that are subject to provisions in sections 4513.03 to 4513.19 and 4513.261 of the Revised Code and respective rules herein outlined.
(B) These accessory lamps or lights may be used anytime. When used they shall not exceed twenty-one candlepower intensity and shall otherwise be in accord with the current standards for construction and use issued by the "Society of Automotive Engineers."
OAC 4501-15-11 Approval of motor vehicle lighting
Only lights and lamps which meet S.A.E. "Standards" shall be offered for sale, installed or used by motor vehicles operated on Ohio's public roads and highways.


wht do u guys refer from this....

Pavan.

[Rotorflyr]

Pavan,
Without reading it all, to me it sounds like you can use the green in front provided it doesn't change the color of the numbers or make it difficult to read from 100ft or less, I don't think you would need to worry about the candle power (brightness)

You can not use the green on the rear plate (from what Im reading) as the rear plate MUST be lit by a white light
(I've made the text where I get that from bold)

(Slight edit on the paragraph you posted)
As long as the neon lights and do not interfere with color requirements or viewing of a license plate, they are not in violation of State law. Colored lights, such as neon lights around a license plate, could be illegal if the light changes the color of the plate and does not allow for discernment of the plate or causes interference with reading the plate from within 100 feet. State law requires a white light to illuminate the rear license plate .

[pavanbabut]

Originally posted by Rotorflyr
Pavan,
Without reading it all, to me it sounds like you can use the green in front provided it doesn't change the color of the numbers or make it difficult to read from 100ft or less, I don't think you would need to worry about the candle power (brightness)

You can not use the green on the rear plate (from what Im reading) as the rear plate MUST be lit by a white light
(I've made the text where I get that from bold)

(Slight edit on the paragraph you posted)


oohhh.. god then i have to remove my rear green neon frame.... i have already fixed it ... ok i shall remove it today...
but wht i observed is when i lit it the number plate is even more celarly visible for evenm ore ditance than do with the stock lights..... anyway i will post a photo of it in a couple of days... so tht u guys can see it...

Pavan

[SVX-FF]

Dude it also sounds like you can run an undercar kit without any trouble. I did not read all the info but from what the cop wrote and the first ORC § 4513.17 section a and b.

That's cool

Steve