Thinking about underglow for your car in Minnesota? Here is what the law says, and how to run it legally. Ready to install? See our RGBIC underglow kit and the install guide.

Is Underglow Legal in Minnesota? (2026 Guide)

Two rules are nearly universal across the US: no red light shown to the front and no blue underglow (both reserved for emergency vehicles), and no flashing, rotating, or strobing while driving. Beyond that, states differ. Here is how Minnesota handles it.

Underglow rules in Minnesota

• Effectively not road-legal: Minnesota broadly prohibits lamps displaying colors not required or permitted by the chapter, so decorative underglow is best treated as not permitted while driving. The statute is ambiguous, so this is the conservative reading.
• Colors: Front may show only white or amber, rear only red or amber. Any other color, including red to the front, is prohibited.
• Driving vs parked: Restrictions apply to vehicles driven or moved on a highway. Private property is the safest use.

Underglow while parked or on private property

Because Minnesota does not permit lit underglow on public roads, genuinely private property, a private lot, driveway, car show, or off-road, is the practical place to enjoy it, and those road rules generally do not reach private property. Be aware that a car parked on a public street is usually still treated as being on the highway, and red or blue lighting can trigger separate police-impersonation laws regardless of motion. Keep to compliant colors and check local ordinances.

How to stay legal with underglow in Minnesota

• Keep the lights steady-burning, never flashing, strobing, or rotating.
• Show no red light to the front, and avoid blue entirely.
• Do not mimic emergency-vehicle lighting or obscure your license plate.
• Confirm the current rule below and check locally before driving with it on.

The law

Minnesota Statutes 169.64 (prohibited lights). You can read the referenced law here: Minnesota statute.

Ready to install?

Our RGBIC underglow kit lets you dial in any color and keep it steady, and the install guide covers wiring it to a switched power source. Free shipping on all US orders.

Minnesota Underglow FAQ

Is underglow legal in Minnesota?
Underglow is best treated as not permitted on public roads; the statute broadly bars colors not required or permitted by the code. Keep the lights steady, show no red to the front, and avoid blue.

What underglow colors are illegal in Minnesota?
Front may show only white or amber and rear only red or amber; other colors, including red to the front, are barred. Flashing or strobing of any color is not allowed.

Can I have underglow on while parked in a lot?
On genuinely private property, such as a private lot, driveway, or car show, underglow use is generally far less restricted. On a public street a parked car is usually still treated as being on the highway, so the color rules still apply, avoid red and blue, and check your local ordinances.

Updated July 2026.