Amber and white grill lights is it legal in California (not flashing/strobe)

No

 

California Vehicle Code states that you can only have white or amber on the front, so you're good.

 

Well there you go OP!

 

Yes and no

 

I have a CA vin verification with CHP scheduled for 6/17 and I plan to remove mine for that. If I don’t run into trouble and he signs the paperwork I may ask about this. Kinda matters more what CHP thinks than the letter of the law, for sure we would all yank the lights and get the fixit ticket signed off than take it to a judge right?

 

Why do you have an inspection with the CHP?

 

Vin number check ^^

 

Nothing beats a good raptor light thread

 

Whats the reason for the VIN check though? When I was in California I worked at a PD for years but never heard of that.

 

Most likely for out of state vehicle transfer. Had to do one for Oregon

 

Oh, I see. I did that for California to Texas but you can get it inspected here just about anywhere for $7.

 

Purchased a 2016 which was originally titled at the Oceanside DMV but looks like the owner moved to VA about a year ago then traded in for a Tesla. GA Dealer bought at Tesla auction but maybe wasn’t too high and tight on CA rules. As instructed by the DMV, I had to get a smog, pay a bit more than the dealer collected for tax, and get Reg 31 completed for VIN verification which appears to be the most difficult step. Since the DMV offices are all closed, CHP is the only option for this AFAIK. The email I got from CHP was pretty strict, sounds like they would fail for stuff like front window tint even though that has nothing to do with the VIN. Since my temp GA registration expires at the end of the month I really want to pass the first time, otherwise I’m not sure if I would need to tow it for a second inspection which would really piss me off.

 

You can always get a trip permit if needed, don’t quote me but I think they’re good for up to a week

edit: looks like you can get a one day no fee trip permit for inspection purposes: https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/dmv/detail/pubs/brochures/fast_facts/ffvr36

 

Got my VIN verification done on Wednesday. I asked the officer about front and rear facing lights. He was pretty chill about the topic, though he did mention the extensive CA vehicle codes regarding lighting. I believe he used the word "nerd" to describe officers who might be sticklers about any aux lights which do not have a black cover installed while operating on a roadway.

He didn't seem too interested in elaborating so I didn't dive into grille lights specifically (I had mine removed and he didn't ask about the empty plugs inside the grille if he noticed them at all) but he did say white or amber for forward facing and red or amber for rear facing except for reverse lights which are the only white lights allowed (i.e. the obvious stuff.) I was left with the impression that not doing anything stupid should be a safe way to avoid unnecessary encounters.

TLDR: My gut says the chances of getting pulled over for amber or white grille lights alone in CA is pretty low to nonexistent.

 

Unless one of those lights is not functioning. This might very by state, and if the lights are original equipment or aftermarket.

 

Yah commercial Vehicles have white and Amber in the front. White headlights, Amber marker lights. It is the same sort of thing as the grill lights. Any red light facing forward is a huge no no to CHP though, they will ruin your day for that one.

 

Well they sell Raptors in CA. Ambers must be OK. My neighbor is a cop in our city and was talking to me as I installed my Pro grill with amber lights....said nothing. Of course I did feed him a beer at the time.