# What was up with the lights on this truck? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [December 1, 2025, 1:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-up-with-the-lights-on-this-truck/1025277 "2025-12-01T01:59:51Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Al128](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/al128/32/16541_2.png) [@Al128](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Al128)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2025, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-up-with-the-lights-on-this-truck/1025277/21 "2025-12-01T17:42:10Z")
> [@Jasmine](#): > > Wow, the things people actually spend money on. LOL yep, esp. the machinery on top of the (relatively inexpensive lights) … bonus points if its 3 tons of metal to move 0.08 tons of flesh at a leisurly pace … ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2025, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-up-with-the-lights-on-this-truck/1025277/22 "2025-12-01T18:15:33Z")
> [@Tim\_T-Bonham.net](#): > > It’s called ‘underglow’ lighting. (Sign of under-intelligence, IMO.) > > See Amazon [https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82915426457](https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82915426457) for examples. Your cite says Amazon and your link is to Zoom. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2025, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-up-with-the-lights-on-this-truck/1025277/23 "2025-12-01T18:18:58Z")
> [@Al128](#): > > > [@Jasmine](#): > > > > Wow, the things people actually spend money on. LOL > > yep, esp. the machinery on top of the (relatively inexpensive lights) Yeah. The truck is 1000 to 2000x the price of the underglows. I can sure see somebody spending an extra 0.05% to make their ride extra-cool by their standards. Boy do we have a lot of boringly practical people around here. ---
**Author:** ![solost](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/solost/32/11776_2.png) [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2025, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-up-with-the-lights-on-this-truck/1025277/24 "2025-12-01T18:24:07Z")
> [@ZonexandScout](#): > > My only objection to underglow rigs is that the vehicle owners SHOULD be spending their money on spinners. Spinners are amusing…underglow is not. Are ‘spinners’ where the hubcaps / rims are spinning independently of the tires? I jammed on my brakes before going through a green light once because the car at the red light, though completely stopped, had its hubcaps spinning-- I caught the movement and thought the car was rolling into the intersection 😡 ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2025, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-up-with-the-lights-on-this-truck/1025277/25 "2025-12-01T18:26:54Z")
Yup, them’s spinners. Also called dubs. A fad that seems to have pretty thoroughly run its course. ---
**Author:** ![Jasmine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jasmine/32/2964_2.png) [@Jasmine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jasmine)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2025, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-up-with-the-lights-on-this-truck/1025277/26 "2025-12-01T18:57:14Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > I can sure see somebody spending an extra 0.05% to make their ride extra-cool by their standards. > [@LSLGuy](#): > > The truck is 1000 to 2000x the price of the underglows. I can sure see somebody spending an extra 0.05% to make their ride extra-cool by their standards. Yeah, but you can’t see it from inside the car, can you? ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2025, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-up-with-the-lights-on-this-truck/1025277/27 "2025-12-01T18:58:13Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > Boy do we have a lot of boringly practical people around here. I’m sure that can’t be a surprise to you ---
**Author:** ![solost](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/solost/32/11776_2.png) [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2025, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-up-with-the-lights-on-this-truck/1025277/28 "2025-12-01T19:00:14Z")
> [@Jasmine](#): > > Yeah, but you can’t see it from inside the car, can you? People get back tattoos that they can’t see, unless someone takes a pic or they do something with mirrors. They’re doing it ti show off for other people. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2025, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-up-with-the-lights-on-this-truck/1025277/29 "2025-12-01T19:11:41Z")
> [@Whack-a-Mole](#): > > It is illegal many places…and legal in others. Need to check to be sure. > [@steronz](#): > > Questionably legal depending on implementation (generally speaking, it’s not) and strictly cosmetic. [Here in Virginia, any extra lighting is illegal](https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title46.2/chapter10/section46.2-1020/) unless the vehicle in question is off-road, in a car show setting, or an official emergency vehicle. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2025, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-up-with-the-lights-on-this-truck/1025277/30 "2025-12-01T19:26:46Z")
> [@Jasmine](#): > > Yeah, but you can’t see it from inside the car, can you? You can’t see bumper stickers from inside your car but plenty of people have those. ---
**Author:** ![Jasmine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jasmine/32/2964_2.png) [@Jasmine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jasmine)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2025, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-up-with-the-lights-on-this-truck/1025277/31 "2025-12-01T19:33:55Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > You can’t see bumper stickers from inside your car but plenty of people have those. Not to nit pick, but I haven’t seen bumper stickers on cars in longer than I can remember. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2025, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-up-with-the-lights-on-this-truck/1025277/32 "2025-12-01T19:37:08Z")
> [@Jasmine](#): > > but I haven’t seen bumper stickers on cars in longer than I can remember. I still see them quite regularly, as well as bumper sticker-like decals and stickers on rear windows. ---
**Author:** ![jnglmassiv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f07891/32.png) [@jnglmassiv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jnglmassiv)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2025, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-up-with-the-lights-on-this-truck/1025277/33 "2025-12-01T20:26:05Z")
Looks like OP’s running lights and/or side lights might be ok to me: > Any motor vehicle may be equipped with fog lights, not more than two of which can be illuminated at any time, one or two auxiliary driving lights if so equipped by the manufacturer, two daytime running lights, two side lights of not more than … ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2025, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-up-with-the-lights-on-this-truck/1025277/34 "2025-12-01T20:46:52Z")
> [@jnglmassiv](#): > > Looks like OP’s running lights and/or side lights might be ok to me I’m skeptical, if it looked anything like the pictures of underglow which have been shared in this thread. You clipped off a relevant part of the text of that law on the “side lights” (emphasis mine): > [@](#): > > two side lights of not more than **six candlepower or 75.42 lumens** I strongly suspect that underglow lights are far brighter than that, not to mention that they may be considered more than “two side lights.” It appears that a single 60-watt incandescent bulb puts out about 800 lumens, or more than ten times what that law allows; a “side light” which complies with that law would probably be only about the lighting equivalent of a 5 watt incandescent bulb. And, the “daytime running lights” in that law likely refers to headlight-style lamps which operate even when the headlights are turned off, to improve visibility of the car. ---
**Author:** ![jnglmassiv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f07891/32.png) [@jnglmassiv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jnglmassiv)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2025, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-up-with-the-lights-on-this-truck/1025277/35 "2025-12-01T21:12:49Z")
> [@kenobi\_65](#): > > I strongly suspect that underglow lights are far brighter than that, not to mention that they may be considered more than “two side lights.” Yes, it’s a tolerance & threshold thing like window tint or music volume or tire tread depth. I was refuting a straight up prohibition of the type that probably applies to use of certain color strobes (blue & red, usually) & law enforcement markings for civilian vehicles or as in, say, a hot rod context where driving without a windshield or un-fendered slicks is not allowed or advised. ---
**Author:** ![dirtball](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dirtball/32/18772_2.png) [@dirtball](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dirtball)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2025, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-up-with-the-lights-on-this-truck/1025277/36 "2025-12-01T21:19:08Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > You can’t see bumper stickers from inside your car but plenty of people have those. I have a couple of small and (what I consider) tasteful bumper stickers on my car simply to make it easier to identify if there are otherwise similar-looking cars in a crowded parking lot. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2025, 9:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-up-with-the-lights-on-this-truck/1025277/37 "2025-12-01T21:33:43Z")
> [@kenobi\_65](#): > > > [@jnglmassiv](#): > > > > Looks like OP’s running lights and/or side lights might be ok to me > > I’m skeptical, if it looked anything like the pictures of underglow which have been shared in this thread. According to [Neon Laws,](https://www.neonlaws.com/virginia/) the Virginia State Police website used to have a FAQ entry which specifically covered the illegality of neon. ---
**Author:** ![Al128](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/al128/32/16541_2.png) [@Al128](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Al128)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2025, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-up-with-the-lights-on-this-truck/1025277/38 "2025-12-01T21:43:29Z")
> [@Jasmine](#): > > Not to nit pick, but I haven’t seen bumper stickers on cars in longer than I can remember. vanity plates? … have you seen those, lately? … ;o) (yep, janking your chain …) ---
**Author:** ![jnglmassiv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f07891/32.png) [@jnglmassiv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jnglmassiv)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2025, 11:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-up-with-the-lights-on-this-truck/1025277/39 "2025-12-01T23:03:06Z")
> [@Skywatcher](#): > > the Virginia State Police website used to have a FAQ entry which specifically covered the illegality of neon That’s not a very strong cite and the one I quoted says some lights are allowed. Certainly, any ban or restriction isn’t very firm, decorative auto lighting seems allowed and common in other forms. A current & popular automotive feature is a doorway courtesy light, often with a logo gobo projection. Garish and unnecessary lighting equipment yet factory equipment. Granddad’s camper is festooned with lights, so is Ned’s fishing trailer. Uber & Lyft notification lamps, hearses. Domino’s Delivery on the roof, Christmas lights in the luggage rack. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2025, 11:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-up-with-the-lights-on-this-truck/1025277/40 "2025-12-01T23:16:15Z")
Are they actually dangerous, though? How? I mean, they’re completely not my style, but if some folks enjoy having them, I can’t see any reason why they shouldn’t be allowed. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-up-with-the-lights-on-this-truck/1025277.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-up-with-the-lights-on-this-truck/1025277.md?page=3)