QUESTION: My question is about blue headlights, like the 'diamond blue' type of headlights that set off a subtly blue glow. The other day I was in Kragen Auto Parts, looking for a replacement bulb. I came upon not only the regular white halogens, but these blue ones as well. I decided to get those instead, just to jazz up my commutes a bit. A few bucks more, what the heck, right? Adds a bit of color to my beige 91 Escort.
So when I go up to the counter to pay, the woman informs me that these lights are illegal and that it's usually show cars that use these bulbs. My boyfriend, who was with me, mentioned that he had heard that these lights had once been illegal, but thought that they were now okay. After all, we've all seen a couple of cars every once in a while driving by with bluish lights on.
The woman then asks her supervisor, who says he believes that these blue lights are legal in some places, illegal in others. To avoid this risk, I ended up going with the regular white halogens after all. but I was rather disappointed, after having gotten so excited and worked up about finally having some fun.
I'm emailing you because a part of me still wants to get these blue lights. But, only if they are absolutely legal. I live in the Los Angeles area and often make drives up to the San Francisco Bay area as well. So if you could possibly help me out and finally tell me what exactly is legal these days regarding these lights, I'd really appreciate it.
ANSWER: The only way to know for sure on any legal issue relating to a car is to contact the local Department of Motor Vehicles office for your state (California). They are the ultimate resource for all things legal that relate to cars.
Give them a call or go down to one of their offices and ask these questions. Oh, and if you have AAA of Southern California membership, you can certainly call them too.
DISCLAIMER: Responses to questions posed by users of NEW CAR BUYING GUIDE are offered only for general education purposes. User expressly agrees that the information contained herein will be used at its sole risk. Neither NEW CAR BUYING GUIDE nor any of its information providers, licensors, employees, or agents warrant that the responses will be error free nor make any warranty as to the results to be obtained from use of the information contained herein. Neither NEW CAR BUYING GUIDE nor anyone else involved in creating, producing or hosting the response shall be liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, special or consequential damages arising out of use of the response information. User agrees that it will not in any way hold NEW CAR BUYING GUIDE responsible for any selection or retention of, or the acts or omissions of, third parties in connection with the response information.
