What Modifications on Police Cars Are Illegal for Civilian Use?
Carlos Kirby
· 4 min read
Police cars are known for their flashing red and blue lights, 'get out of the way' sirens, dark window tints, and a laptop mount in the front. We admit it… we’d love to have these too. Unfortunately, these
car modifications
are illegal in most or all states. Unless you're driving a law enforcement vehicle, that is.And you thought cool car mods like amplified exhaust, brighter headlamps, or under-mounted neon lights were the only changes that could get you in trouble with the law!
Blue lights and sirens are limited to police cars
Flashing light bars aren't the only colorful lights that can get you pulled over. According to
HotCars
, flashing blue and red lights are illegal in all 50 states. However, blue lights by themselves are also illegal. If you like the appearance of blue lights on a vehicle, you'd better either get a job in law enforcement or on diplomatic security detail. Federal law allows diplomatic convoys to sport blue lights on their vehicles. Otherwise, you're out of luck.
Like certain colorful lights, sirens are also a serious no-no. Only emergency vehicles are allowed to blast other vehicles out of their way with a siren. Sorry, but you'll have to make do with a regular car horn. Just make sure you don't trigger a road rage incident with it or you might be the one hearing sirens!
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Can you make these police car mods on a civilian vehicle?
MORE: The Benefits of Mobile Window Tinting
Some police cars have dark tinted windows all around. So why can't yours? Well, unless you have a medical condition that requires it (or you're the latest version of Magnum, PI) you'll probably have to settle for a lighter, partial tint.
You'll want to carefully check the laws in your state before you take the plunge. Most window tint laws are very specific about the amount, transparency, and location of window tinting that's allowed.
Another mod that isn't allowed on civilian vehicles concerns back door locks. The back doors of police cars aren't unlocked like a normal car. There's no child-safety switch and the key fob won't work either. After all, the whole idea is to get a criminal sitting in the back seat to the police station. Doors that can only be opened from the outside are one way of doing that.
However, a locked door is the last thing you want in case of an accident in your car. Especially if your kids are in the back seat! A quick escape route is essential in the case of an accident, fire, or a plunge into water. Locked back doors could turn what should be a quick escape into a death trap. That's why you aren't allowed to make this law enforcement-only modification.
No, you can't dress your vehicle to look like a cool cop car
MORE: The World's Fastest Police Cars
That means no similar paint jobs, no police decals, and no police radios. Retired police cars are sometimes sold off with a working police radio still inside. Ditch it, fast! It's illegal to have a police radio that can communicate with officers.
Imagine the chaos that could ensue if anyone with nefarious intentions had one and used it. No wonder the police will arrest you if you try to keep it!
If you want to stay out of trouble with the law, make sure you always have the appropriate insurance on your vehicle.
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Fortunately,
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