Are LED Valve Caps Illegal? A Clear and Legal Answer!

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are led valve caps illegal

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LED valve caps add some flair to your vehicle and make them stand out in the crowd. But many car owners are confused about the law and wonder, are LED valve caps illegal?

Yes, LED valve caps are illegal. Even though they might not impair the driver’s normal vision, they will create confusion among other drivers and distract them. According to the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards, doing so is illegal. So, you can’t use LED valve caps in your car.

Let me simplify the complex law statutes and confirm why you can’t use LED valve caps.

are led valve caps illegal

What Are LED Valve Caps?

LED valve caps are aftermarket accessories used to adorn vehicles. These small devices are attached to the valve stems on the tires. They have small LED bulbs and motion sensors.

When the vehicle is on the move, the sensors activate the LED bulbs. The light emitted from these valve caps then creates a circular lighting effect that looks charming. These caps come in a variety of colors, intensities, and designs.

Many car owners tend to embellish their cars with these little accessories but don’t even think about the legality. Others are a bit more careful and know what the law says to keep from penalties.

See how LED valve caps work.

Are LED Valve Caps Illegal? Detailed Discussion

LED valve caps fall under the category of lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment. The scope of this definition is given in section 571.108 of the Electronic Code of Federal Regulations.

The permitted lights on a vehicle are mentioned in section 6.6 of the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards. According to this law, vehicles must have turn signals, a switching device for the headlamp beam, and an upper beam indicator for the headlamp.

This equipment should meet the requirements mentioned in section 9 of this standard. No other devices are mentioned as must-have equipment in this section.

I want to draw your attention to section 6.2 of the Standard No. 108. It talks about the impairment. According to section 6.2.1 of this standard, you can’t install any additional lamps or other motor vehicle equipment that impairs the lighting equipment.

It means you can’t have any lighting device that reduces the effectiveness of the required lighting devices. For example, if you have LED valve caps in your car, they can impair the effectiveness of your turn signals.

The bright light emitted from these caps will especially produce glares in the night. It can make your turn signals poorly visible to other drivers. As a result, other drivers might not assume your intended direction correctly and get into an accident.

So, you see, LED valve caps can cause road hazards. These additional lighting devices are prohibited by the law, and you can’t use them in your car.

What Color LED Valve Caps Are Illegal?

The Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards permit the use of only white, amber, and red color lights in different combinations. You might think of installing LED valve caps that have these colors. The logic behind such thinking is these colors won’t interfere with the required lighting devices.

But that may not be true. Even if you use LED valve caps that are white, amber, or red, they can impair other lights. For example, turn signal indicators need to be amber. If you use amber LED valve caps, the moving pattern of these lights may create a false impression that the amber light is blinking.

Many cars now come with sequential turn signals. So, other drivers might think that your turn signal indicator is on due to the moving LED valve caps. It can be risky for both you and other drivers.

Again, if you use red LED valve caps, they might impair the red brake lamps. White LED valve caps may create confusion among drivers coming from the other direction. They won’t be able to determine the width of your car due to the light glare from the valve caps.

You should never use LED valve caps under any conditions, regardless of their color, design, or intensity. There is no problem in driving a car without these LED valve caps. But can you drive without an engine splash shield? Yes, you can, but you should fix this.

What Is the Penalty of Using LED Valve Caps in Motor Vehicles?

It varies depending on the state. In most cases, you may need to pay a fine of $175 for the first offense. For subsequent offenses, the fine can go up to $300. Besides, you need to bear the court fee.

Can I Use Neon LED Valve Caps?

I fear you can’t. Though neon LED valve caps don’t emit very bright lights, they are still additional lamps. And the use of additional lamps in your car is strictly prohibited by the law. So, I suggest not using neon LED valve caps.

You better focus on the dashboard lights while driving. Different lights indicate various problems with the car. If these lights don’t work properly, you can be in great trouble. So, learn why the check engine light is not working.

People Also Ask

FAQ Gear Head New

Check answers to some frequently asked questions about the legality of LED valve caps.

Are LED valve caps illegal in California?

As federal laws prohibit the use of LED valve caps, you can’t use them anywhere in the United States. So, they are illegal in California and all other states.

Can I use LED valve caps on bicycles?

Yes. Bicycles don’t fall under the jurisdiction of the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards. So, there is no such thing as lighting impairment in bicycles. You can use LED valve caps on bicycles.

Conclusion

LED valve caps are surely some fancy items to adorn your car. But you should be aware of the federal laws according to the lighting equipment in your car. So, are LED valve caps illegal? Yes, they are.

Federal laws specifically determine the scope of lamps or reflective devices in cars. LED valve caps aren’t specified in the regulation. They actually impair the effectiveness of regular lamps, so using them in cars is illegal. I suggest you abide by the safety regulations to make the road safer for yourself and others.

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