Before I go into the reasoning let me make this clear, yes you will get pulled over at some point if not a lot. So it's a calculated decision. Just because something is legal, doesn't mean they won't pull you over.:stop
I really wish this weren't true :my2cents
If it looks illegal, you will be pulled over. So here goes.
CVC:24003 (
http://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?sectionNum=24003.&lawCode=VEH)
In short, says if it's not permitted in the vehicle code, then they are not permitted. If it doesn't say they are allowed they are not allowed. This is the catch all and if you ever get a lighting violation, for really anything, they will write this in. *Those little washer jets are not diffused lighting and they are not mentioned in vehicle code, therefor not permitted.
One problem with this, they are assuming knowledge of the entire code. Which as a local sheriff that pulled me over stated he was given 3 days in training for. Which if anybody has seen how many codes there are, well ya no way.
So we must find a law that permits exterior lighting that is diffused. AKA non glaring.
In comes CVC:25400-25401 (
http://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?sectionNum=25400.&lawCode=VEH)
Not only does this state that diffused exteriors are permitted, it goes into the restrictions based on color, placement, ect. Placement from 1 ft from lights is easy enough. No red, blue is, well it's legal but not recommended in my opinion. Make sure your lighting is diffused though, essentially make sure your bulbs are not visible. Now the one that is always a fun one, which is the candela per square inch. This is the most ambiguous part, and the part that you know the person writing the law thought non of this through. That of course being, how the hell do you measure this. It is honestly not possible to any standards without a dark room environment. And even if you had that, WHERE is it measured? It's diffused light. Where it hits the ground? And sure this falls on the interpretation of a judge, problem is they don't have the tools to measure this in the first place, well you can't present that evidence. (CHP officer just kinda laughed and went ya we cant measure that and dismissed that part of the code.) Oh man i should really pull off my dash cam footage of a CHP going through code and when out of options he just says "Says right here, no underglow on Toyota Corollas."
Actually I give a lot of respect to CHP, I've talked to a lot of officers that just straight told me they were illegal, then after 20 min of vehicle code, they go "well shit, your right. I had no idea" I had a CHP follow me for a few miles then pull over the guy next to me for taking a picture on his phone, that's dangerous! Sheriff are the only people that give me problems, probably because they aren't really that familiar with intricacies of vehicle code, they know the basics, and throw in catch alls when they aren't sure. CHP specialize in vehicle code.
I've had them for about 8 months or so, I run them every night on way back from college, and anytime I drive at night. Thousands of miles logged, almost all city. Been pulled over maybe 5-6 times, never gotten a ticket, always just go through the code, and make it clear I definitely would fight this in court, when you quote more vehicle code verbatim than they know, they kinda tend to not want to deal with it.
SIDE NOTE! The amount of police that try to race me at stop lights... is concerning. Had this happen like 3 times. They get to light, slam on brakes next to me, then on green just foot to floor it to 70 in a 45. Like let's say i wanted to race him. All what 95 maybe 100 hp that my engine still has, 0-60 in 20 seconds? Like I'm assuming its bait, but do they think i have an ls2 swap under the hood? Must just be showing off.
Also i think its cvc:25250 that says no flashing or blinking lights, but that's just kinda ya, don't do that. Keep it solid color.
Funnest thing to do though is to let people know they have a break-light out while at a stop light. Gotta make sure others aren't breaking any lighting violations ya know!
t: By the way this has happened twice in the last two days, and i feel this needs to be said. The only acceptable answer to you have absolutely NO BRAKE LIGHTS. At 10 at night. 1. OMG thank you for telling me I need to get that fixed right away. or 2. Yes I'm heading to (insert auto part store name here) to get them fixed and i brought my tools to do it in their parking lot. Saying "Ya i know been like that for awhile, gotta get them fixed soon." is not one of the acceptable responses.