IS MY MOD LEGAL?

Light Bars & LED Lighting in Washington

Conditional

Washington requires no cover and permits two each of spot, auxiliary passing, auxiliary driving, and fog lamps, with a four-lamp cap on front lamps over 300 candlepower.

Verified against primary sources · August 2026

What the law says

Contrary to widely repeated advice, no cover is required in this state — the rule is simply that the lamps are off on the highway. Mounting a light bar is legal everywhere; what states regulate is using it on public roads, and the usual constraint is a mounting-height ceiling plus a per-type lamp count.

Specific Limits

Max lit
4 front lamps over 300 candlepower at one time on a highway
Max lamps
2 spot, 2 auxiliary passing (24-42 in), 2 auxiliary driving (16-42 in), 2 fog lamps
Cover required
No

Statute

RCW 46.37.180 (aiming: RCW 46.37.280)

Read the statute →

Frequently Asked Questions

Are light bars & led lighting legal in Washington?
Washington requires no cover and permits two each of spot, auxiliary passing, auxiliary driving, and fog lamps, with a four-lamp cap on front lamps over 300 candlepower.
What are the exact light bars & led lighting limits in Washington?
Max lit: 4 front lamps over 300 candlepower at one time on a highway. Max lamps: 2 spot, 2 auxiliary passing (24-42 in), 2 auxiliary driving (16-42 in), 2 fog lamps. Cover required: No. Source: RCW 46.37.180 (aiming: RCW 46.37.280).

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