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Is it Legal to Cruise with Christmas Lights on Your Car in Texas?
KLAQ ^ | December 13, 2022 | Joanna Barba

Posted on 12/16/2022 1:14:18 PM PST by nickcarraway

Tis the season to put those adorable reindeer antlers and red nose on your car. I have to admit, I really enjoy seeing cars with the antlers, I think it's so adorable!

While everyone wants to get their car in the holiday spirit as well, how much Christmas spirit is too much for your car? For instance, can you add full on Christmas lights to your car?

I was inspired by this colorful display from local entertainer Rick Carrillo, who you may know as the guy who creates impressive holiday light shows at his own home; well, he also created an impressive light display on his truck!

It looks amazing, right? Carrillo did this for the holiday parade downtown, but I wondered, can he cruise like that on a regular night? The answer may surprise you.

The internet had a wide variety of answers ranging from "nope" to "certainly!" Over on a forum that lists some of the rules on the Texas Transportation code, it doesn't specifically say "no Christmas lights whatsoever." It does mention "beams with an intensity brighter than 300 candlepower", flashing light and emergency sirens are a no-no.

But nowhere does it say that Christmas lights are forbidden. However, this Reddit thread does warn that it would be safe to contact your local law enforcement and check firsthand.

The consensus seems to be that no officer wants to be a Grinch and give you a ticket for Christmas lights- but if they are obstructing your view, reconsider- and maybe don't over do it.


TOPICS: Local News; Travel; Weird Stuff
KEYWORDS: donutwatch
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1 posted on 12/16/2022 1:14:18 PM PST by nickcarraway
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To: nickcarraway

Yes, but the tree has to be under 4 feet.


2 posted on 12/16/2022 1:18:34 PM PST by TangoLimaSierra (⭐⭐To the Left, The Truth is Right Wing Violence⭐⭐)
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To: nickcarraway
If you can see it from space, you’ve overdone it.


3 posted on 12/16/2022 1:18:46 PM PST by ProtectOurFreedom (If you're not part of the solution, you're just scumming up the bottom of the beaker!0)
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To: nickcarraway

Cars in Texas are not allowed to have nonstandard running lights.


4 posted on 12/16/2022 1:19:04 PM PST by Paleo Conservative (<P>)
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To: nickcarraway

It’s a gamble. In one part of Texas the cops might nod and wish you a Merry Christmas.

In another they might determine this is probable cause to stop you, demand your ID, forcibly remove you from your car, beat you to a pulp, and then gin up imaginary DUI charges, resisting arrest, or etc. against you.

You take your chances expressing your First Amendment rights these days.


5 posted on 12/16/2022 1:19:19 PM PST by MeganC (There is nothing feminine about feminism. )
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To: nickcarraway

6 posted on 12/16/2022 1:23:12 PM PST by Red Badger (Homeless veterans camp in the streets while illegal aliens are put up in hotels.....................)
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To: nickcarraway

Red lights can only be visible from behind a car. White lights must only be visible from in front of the vehicle. Blue and green lights lights are banned for non-govnerment cars.


7 posted on 12/16/2022 1:26:00 PM PST by Paleo Conservative (<P>)
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To: nickcarraway

I know that a white light visible from the rear is forbidden. Other than that, I’m not sure.


8 posted on 12/16/2022 1:31:18 PM PST by fwdude (Society has been fully polarized now, and you have to decide on which pole you want to be found.)
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To: nickcarraway

Only if they spell out the right stuff, like BLM, Pride, etc.


9 posted on 12/16/2022 1:35:28 PM PST by SaxxonWoods (Successful People Have a Sense of Gratitude. Unsuccessful People Have a Sense of Entitlement)
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To: nickcarraway

in our state we cannot even put those cool lights under the car for petes sake.


10 posted on 12/16/2022 1:35:41 PM PST by Chickensoup (Genocide is here. Leftist extremists are spearhheading the Genocide against conservatives. )
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To: MeganC
If you're driving on public rights of way, you have restrictions on yourself and your vehicle. You have to have a valid drivers license with your picture on it. The vehicle has to be licensed and inspected. There are lights that you must have on your car that must be in working order and be of particular colors and in particular positions on the vehicle.

It's pretty lame to claim there is any first amendment right to put any lights you want in any configuration you want on a car that is driven on public streets.

11 posted on 12/16/2022 1:40:03 PM PST by Paleo Conservative (<P>)
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To: nickcarraway

With dumbass contractors running around all over the place with flashing blue and red lights on top and a siren blasting away, I don’t think anybody really cares what you do in Texas.


12 posted on 12/16/2022 1:41:32 PM PST by FlingWingFlyer (Hey Amerika! The whole world is watching and laughing their asses off. )
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To: Paleo Conservative

https://isalegal.info/christmas-lights-on-car-legal-california/

Yes, it is legal to put Christmas lights on your car in California. There are no specific laws that prohibit this, so as long as you are not obstructing your view or driving in a dangerous manner, you can decorate your car however you like.


13 posted on 12/16/2022 1:44:18 PM PST by MeganC (There is nothing feminine about feminism. )
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To: nickcarraway

Christmas Lights are forbidden. Holiday Lights are mandatory.


14 posted on 12/16/2022 1:48:07 PM PST by PatriotarchyQ
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To: Paleo Conservative

“It’s pretty lame to claim there is any first amendment right to put any lights you want in any configuration you want on a car that is driven on public streets.”

Ironic that some states would prohibit Christmas lights on my car but in all fifty states I can drive around with the word “MOTHER****ER” painted on it and that’s a protected right.


15 posted on 12/16/2022 1:48:38 PM PST by MeganC (There is nothing feminine about feminism. )
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To: MeganC

Read the title of this thread. It’s about Texas not California. In California, it’s legal to defecate in public streets. I don’t recommend that in Texas.


16 posted on 12/16/2022 1:50:48 PM PST by Paleo Conservative (<P>)
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To: MeganC

I’m not sure you wouldn’t get stopped in some states with that bumper sticker. Lights on cars are safety and signaling devices. Having extraneous lights on a car is a safety issue to not just the driver of the car but to drivers and occupants of other cars and pedestrians.

Furthermore, I just read that Texas prohibits all lights that are not federal DOT or SAE approved. I can guarantee that no Christmas lights manufacturers pay for DOT SAE certification.


17 posted on 12/16/2022 2:03:35 PM PST by Paleo Conservative (<P>)
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To: Paleo Conservative

.....”...Blue and green lights lights are banned for non-govnerment cars.....” indeed, as they are in most states, but not if you are a member of certain ethnic or racial minorities...these silly rules just don’t apply to you...


18 posted on 12/16/2022 2:16:15 PM PST by TokarevM57
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To: MeganC
It’s a gamble. In one part of Texas the cops might nod and wish you a Merry Christmas. In another they might determine this is probable cause to stop you, demand your ID, forcibly remove you from your car, beat you to a pulp, and then gin up imaginary DUI charges, resisting arrest, or etc. against you.

Austin, huh?

19 posted on 12/16/2022 3:37:16 PM PST by Albion Wilde ("There is no good government at all & none possible."--Mark Twain)
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To: nickcarraway

I’m about to put a Festivus Pole on mine.


20 posted on 12/16/2022 3:41:44 PM PST by Professional Engineer (Looks like I'll have to buy the White Album again.)
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