TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — As the holiday season kicks in, many Florida residents are eager to get in the spirit of decorating their homes, their offices, and even their cars.

From the cute antlers and red nose on the front to elf legs sticking out from the trunk, drivers love to be creative and festive this time of year.

Can you legally put Christmas lights in or around your car?

According to Florida Statutes, you technically can, as long as it doesn’t fall under the prohibited lights.

Prohibited lights

Vehicles must not have any lamp or device displaying a red, red and white, or blue light, due to these mimicking an emergency and other authorized vehicles.

Flashing lights are also a no-go, as these can disrupt normal traffic operations and necessary vehicular signals. For example, flashing lights can indicate a right or left turn, mimic emergency response lights, and be used for periods of low visibility.

What is allowed?

In Florida, vehicles are allowed to have additional lighting equipment, as long as they remain within the following guidelines:

  • A maximum of two side cowl or fender lamps, emitting an amber or white light without glare
  • Only one running board courtesy lamp on each side, emitting an amber or white light without glare
  • One or more lamps or devices underneath the motor vehicle as long as such lamps or devices do not mimic emergency vehicle lights, as stated in the prohibited lights above
  • One or more backup lamps either separately or in combination with other lamps, but can’t be lit when the vehicle is moving forward
  • Vehicles over 80 inches wide cannot have more than three identification lamps showing to the rear, emitting a red light without glare

Vehicles with multiple-beam road lighting equipment must do the following:

  • An uppermost distribution of light, or composite beam should be aimed, and of such intensity to reveal other people and cars at a distance of at least 450 feet ahead
  • A lowermost distribution of light, or composite beam, should be aimed and of sufficient intensity to reveal other people and cars at a distance of at least 150 feet ahead, and on a straight level road, none of the high-intensity portions of the beam shall be directed to strike the eyes of an approaching driver.

With this, an object or material must not alter or cover the headlamp and its visibility from at least 450 feet for an uppermost distribution of light, and 150 feet for a low distribution of light.

Simple terms

Florida drivers are allowed to have Christmas lights on their vehicles, as long as it doesn’t interfere with the existing lights on vehicles or provide a glare to the driver themselves or other nearby drivers.

To view all 2024 Florida Statutes regarding motor vehicles, click here.