June 1, 2026 6:53 PM

Christmas Lights on your Vehicle Bring Cheer… but it’s Illegal

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA, CA. (Pain In The Pass) >> Christmas lights on cars and trucks have been spotted throughout Southern California this time of the year, but driving with the lights on raises legal questions.

The answer is its illegal and California Highway Patrol will get you, and could be ticketed if those lights are on.

I totally understand people want to be festive and share their holiday spirit but there’s so many distractions already out on the roadway add Christmas light shouldn’t be one of them.

But it’s illegal to drive non-emergency vehicles covered with multi-colored lights, according to the California Highway Patrol. Section 25252 of the California Vehicle Code, which says “red lights” in the front are for emergency vehicles only. According to the CHP, non-emergency vehicles can only display a white or amber light on the front. White Christmas lights are okay or just take out the red and blue lights.

Driving with holiday lights is illegal in most states, according to various sources.

When is it OK to cover your car with holiday lights you ask?

Multi-colored lights on vehicles are allowed in parades and on private property, the CHP said.

There are more ways to follow the Pain In The Pass. Join the Traffic Group on Facebook with over 166,000 members. Join the group on MeWe. Like us on the on Facebook. Follow us on Instagram, and also follow us on Threads, and X aka Twitter.

loader-image
Cajon Pass
6:53 pm, Jun 1, 2026
temperature icon 74°F
clear sky
Humidity: 34 %
Pressure: 1012 mb
Wind: 14 mph
Wind Gust: 25 mph
Clouds: 0%
Visibility: 10 km
Sunrise: 5:38 am
Sunset: 7:56 pm
  • Temperature
  • Precipitation
  • Rain Chance
  • Wind
  • Humidity
  • Pressure
8:00 pm
temperature icon
65°/74°°F 0 mm 0% 10 mph 34% 1013 mb 0 mm/h
11:00 pm
temperature icon
61°/70°°F 0 mm 0% 7 mph 39% 1014 mb 0 mm/h
2:00 am
temperature icon
58°/64°°F 0 mm 0% 6 mph 46% 1014 mb 0 mm/h
5:00 am
temperature icon
56°/56°°F 0 mm 0% 1 mph 48% 1014 mb 0 mm/h
8:00 am
temperature icon
71°/71°°F 0 mm 0% 1 mph 25% 1014 mb 0 mm/h
11:00 am
temperature icon
80°/80°°F 0 mm 0% 5 mph 22% 1014 mb 0 mm/h
2:00 pm
temperature icon
85°/85°°F 0 mm 0% 18 mph 15% 1013 mb 0 mm/h
5:00 pm
temperature icon
83°/83°°F 0 mm 0% 8 mph 18% 1012 mb 0 mm/h