With Thansgiving just around the corner, many Wisconsinites are already putting up Christmas lights and decorations to prepare for the winter holiday season.
For some, the festivities go beyond the home, spilling onto the streets in the form of decorated vehicles. But is it legal to drive a car covered with decorative lights on Wisconsin roadways?
Is it legal to cover my car in Christmas lights?
While a creative way to celebrate the holidays, it is illegal to put Christmas lights on your car and operate it on public roads in Wisconsin.
State law restricts vehicle lighting colors to white or amber in for the front and red for the rear. Additionally, vehicles cannot have any flashing lights. Drivers in violation of this law can face up to a $200 fine.
The Wisconsin State Patrol reminded Wisconsinites in a social media post last December that decorative lights can be distracting to other drivers on the road and cause traffic incidents.
Can I decorate my car in other ways?
Yes, but you must adhere to safety and state regulations, which means you cannot use illuminated or flashing holiday lights while driving.
Decorations that are non-illuminated such as magnetic ornaments, car wraps and window decals that do not reduce visability, your license plate or your vehicle’s lights are acceptable.
Additionally, it is important to make sure your decorations are securely attached so they do not become hazards if they fall off while driving.
Anna Kleiber can be reached at akleiber@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Is it legal to put Christmas lights on your car in Wisconsin? Here’s what state law says.
Reporting by Anna Kleiber, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
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