By The Perazzo Law Firm – Miami Car Accident Attorneys serving Florida

Ever wondered if your aftermarket headlights are legal in Florida? You’re not alone. Many drivers unintentionally violate Florida headlight laws simply because they’re unaware of the rules when it comes to customizing their vehicles. Unfortunately, even minor lighting violations can lead to tickets, or worse, contribute to serious traffic accidents. In this guide, we’ll explain when headlights should be used in Florida, what colors are legal, and how simple lighting mistakes could impact your safety and liability behind the wheel and on the road (see also: The Dangers of Busted Headlights).

When Are Headlights Legally Required in Florida?

Under Florida Statutes 316.217 and 316.2397, drivers must use headlights:

• From Sunset to Sunrise: Headlights are legally required from sunset to sunrise in Florida to maintain safe visibility for all motorists on the road. Driving without headlights at night reduces your ability to detect obstacles, pedestrians, and curves in time to react safely. It also makes your vehicle harder for others to see, increasing the risk of nighttime collisions. Florida law ensures that both you and oncoming drivers can clearly identify each other’s presence in low-light conditions.
• During Rain, Fog, or Smoke: Whenever your windshield wipers are in use due to rain, fog, or smoke, Florida law requires that your headlights also be turned on. This helps improve your own visibility while ensuring your car is visible to other drivers in poor weather conditions. Many accidents occur during light rain because drivers assume visibility is “good enough,” but reflections and glare can easily obscure vehicles without headlights on.
• When Visibility Is Reduced (500 feet or less):If you cannot clearly see at least 500 feet ahead, even in broad daylight, your headlights must be on. Reduced visibility can occur due to heavy rain, construction dust, fog, or smoke from wildfires—common in Florida’s changing weather conditions. Turning on your headlights during these moments doesn’t just help you see the road better; it ensures that oncoming traffic can detect your vehicle sooner, significantly lowering the likelihood of collisions.

Example: Driving through heavy fog at 10 a.m.? According to Florida law, you’re required to turn on your headlights.

These laws protect not only you but everyone on the road. Failing to use your headlights properly can result in citations and increased risk of collisions.

What Color Headlights Are Legal in Florida?

According to Florida Statute 316.234, only white headlights are legal.

That means:

• Red, yellow, blue, or green headlights are prohibited.
• Custom LED strips or aftermarket bulbs that change colors are illegal if they project non-white light forward.
• Rear lights must be red or amber, not white or blue.

Common Questions:

• Are red headlights legal in Florida? — No. Red headlights are strictly prohibited under Florida law because they can easily be mistaken for emergency vehicle lights or rear brake lights, creating confusion and potential danger for other drivers. Any red light visible from the front of a vehicle can result in a citation and may also lead to your car being deemed unsafe for road use.
• Are yellow headlights legal in Florida? — No. Although yellow-tinted headlights are popular in some states for fog or rain visibility, Florida law allows only white headlights. Yellow or amber front-facing lights can impair oncoming drivers’ visibility and are considered non-compliant with the state’s uniform lighting standards.
• Are green headlights legal? — No. Green headlights are also illegal in Florida because green lighting is reserved for authorized law enforcement or emergency vehicles. Using green lights on a civilian car can result in fines, vehicle inspection failures, or even criminal penalties if it’s perceived as impersonating an emergency vehicle.

Using non-compliant colors could result in fines or even vehicle impoundment.

Headlight Height and Beam Settings

Per Florida Statute 316.220, your vehicle’s headlights must be:

• Mounted between 24 and 54 inches from the ground. Florida law requires headlights to be positioned within this specific height range to ensure proper illumination of the road without blinding oncoming drivers. Lights that are too high can impair the vision of others, while lights that are too low may not provide adequate visibility at night or in poor weather conditions.
• High beams must not be used within 500 feet of oncoming traffic. Drivers must switch to low beams when approaching another vehicle within 500 feet to prevent glare that can temporarily blind other motorists. Misuse of high beams not only violates state traffic laws but also increases the risk of head-on collisions, especially on two-lane roads.
• Low beams are required in most normal driving situations and during poor visibility. Low beams provide balanced illumination that enhances visibility without creating glare. They are mandatory at night, during heavy rain, or when fog or smoke reduces visibility to less than 500 feet, making them the default and safest option for everyday driving in Florida.

Perazzo Law Firm Tip: Always dim your high beams when approaching another car to stay safe and avoid violations.

Driving with One Headlight, Fog Lights & Under-glow Laws

• Driving with One Headlight: Illegal in Florida. Both headlights must be fully functional. Driving with only one functioning headlight is illegal in Florida and can lead to a traffic citation or safety inspection notice. Headlights are essential for visibility and depth perception, especially at night or in low-light conditions. Operating a vehicle with one headlight out not only reduces your ability to see the road clearly but also makes it harder for other drivers to judge your vehicle’s distance and position, significantly increasing the risk of an accident.
• Fog Lights: Not mandatory, but if installed, they must align correctly and comply with visibility standards. While fog lights are not legally required in Florida, they must meet state visibility and alignment standards if installed. Properly positioned fog lights can improve visibility in dense fog, rain, or smoke, but misuse, such as keeping them on in clear weather, can cause glare for oncoming traffic. Drivers should use fog lights as supplemental illumination, not as a replacement for low beams, and always ensure they comply with Florida’s equipment regulations.
• Under-glow Lights: Permitted only if they’re not red or blue, don’t flash, and don’t distract other drivers. Under-glow or accent lighting is allowed in Florida under limited conditions: it must not be red or blue, cannot flash or pulse, and should not distract or confuse other drivers. While static under-glow lighting in neutral colors (like white or amber) may be permitted, it still carries some risk of being cited under general visibility or distraction laws. Because interpretation can vary among law enforcement officers, The Perazzo Law Firm recommends using caution and ensuring all lighting modifications are clearly compliant with Florida Statute 316.2397 to avoid fines or unnecessary legal issues.

However, officers can still cite you if lighting modifications are deemed a distraction or safety hazard.

What Happens If You Break Florida Headlight Laws?

Violating Florida’s headlight laws can result in:

• Non-criminal traffic citations – Violating Florida’s headlight laws typically results in a non-criminal moving violation, meaning it won’t lead to jail time but can still affect your driving record and add points to your license.
• Fines and fees – Depending on the county and type of violation, fines can range from minor administrative costs to several hundred dollars, and failure to pay on time may result in license suspension or additional penalties.
• Increased insurance premiums – Even a seemingly small headlight violation can raise your insurance rates, as providers often categorize lighting or visibility-related infractions as indicators of higher driving risk.
• Negligence liability in accidents – If you’re involved in a crash while driving with non-functioning or illegal headlights, you could be found partially or fully at fault, potentially reducing your ability to recover damages or increasing your financial responsibility for the accident.

Example: If you’re driving in a rainstorm without headlights and cause a collision, you could be found partially at fault for failing to comply with visibility laws.

How Attorneys Prove Headlight Violations in Crash Cases

In accidents where lighting violations may be a factor, our legal team investigates by reviewing:

• Vehicle inspection reports (for malfunctioning lights) – Attorneys review post-accident inspection reports to determine whether a vehicle’s headlights or taillights were inoperable at the time of the crash, which can serve as critical evidence of negligence or equipment failure.
• Traffic and surveillance footage – Video footage from nearby traffic cameras, businesses, or dashcams often helps establish visibility, lighting conditions, and the exact moment of impact to prove who was at fault.
• Police accident reports – Official reports provide unbiased documentation of the scene, including citations for headlight violations, officer observations, and statements from involved drivers or witnesses.
• Weather data at the time of collision – Meteorological records showing rain, fog, or low visibility help attorneys demonstrate whether a driver should have had headlights on under Florida’s lighting laws.
• Expert analysis to assess visibility and fault – Accident reconstruction experts can simulate lighting conditions and determine whether the other driver could reasonably see or be seen, strengthening your claim for compensation.

The Perazzo Law Firm uses this evidence to strengthen your case and help you recover maximum compensation after a Florida car accident.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are yellow headlights legal in Florida? No, only white headlights are allowed.
When must your headlights be on in Florida? From sunset to sunrise or whenever visibility is under 500 feet.
Is it illegal to drive with one headlight in Florida? Yes, both must be functional.
Can you have red or green headlights in Florida? No, colored front lights are prohibited.
Are fog lights required by law in Florida? No, but if installed, they must comply with visibility laws.
Is underglow legal in Florida? Only if it’s not flashing and not red or blue.
What is the legal headlight height in Florida? Between 24 and 54 inches.

Know Your Lights, Protect Your Rights

Florida law is clear: headlights must be white, used from sunset to sunrise, and properly maintained. While custom lighting may look stylish, it can lead to costly tickets, or worse, cause an accident. Staying compliant helps keep you safe and reduces your liability on the road.

Get Strong Legal Representation After a Headlight-Related Crash

The Miami Car Accident lawyers at The Perazzo Law Firm, we provide:

• Aggressive investigation and evidence review – Our legal team conducts a thorough analysis of every detail , from traffic footage to vehicle inspection reports, to uncover how a headlight violation may have contributed to the crash and strengthen your case from day one.
• Expertise in headlight violation liability – With years of experience handling cases involving improper lighting and visibility-related negligence, we know how to prove fault and hold careless drivers accountable under Florida’s traffic safety laws.
• No fees unless we win your case – At The Perazzo Law Firm, we work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing out of pocket; our commitment is to fight for justice and only get paid when we successfully recover compensation for you.

Call (888) PERAZZO or visit www.theperazzolawfirm.com for a FREE case review today.
Serving Miami, Broward, Palm Beach, and all of South Florida.