Introduction to Headlight Colors
Americans love to personalize their vehicles. Since the launch of Henry Ford's Model T in 1908, car owners have been customizing their cars. However, when it comes to headlight colors, there are rules to follow.
Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards
The National Highway Safety Bureau was created in 1966 to reduce traffic accidents. The first Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) were introduced in 1968. Section 571.108 of the FMVSS outlines regulations for vehicle lighting, including headlamps. The only allowed colors for headlights are white and yellow, and they must be uniform.
State and Local Regulations
While the FMVSS is nationwide, state and local regulations vary. For example:
- California allows white and yellow headlights
- Michigan, Oklahoma, and Texas only allow white headlights
- Florida and Ohio allow white or amber headlights
- New York prohibits headlight modifications that change the original design or performance
Tinting headlights is prohibited in most states, except Arizona. However, Arizona still requires headlights to be white or yellow and visible from a distance.
What I Loved and What Felt Weird
- What I Loved:
- Learning about the history of car customization in the US
- Discovering the importance of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards
- What Felt Weird:
- The varying state and local regulations for headlight colors
- The fact that tinting headlights is prohibited in most states