Yes, LED headlights are legal in Texas, as long as they comply with state brightness, color, and equipment standards. Texas law does not ban LED bulbs themselves; what it restricts is how bright they are, what color they emit, and whether they fit DOT-approved headlight housings. So a legal LED headlight is one that produces a white or slightly bluish-white beam, is not excessively bright or misaligned, and is installed in a DOT-approved assembly.
This means you can legally install factory LED headlights, aftermarket LED bulbs, and LED projector systems. You cannot legally install ultra-bright lights, illegal colored lights, or LED bulbs that blind oncoming drivers because they are placed in housings not designed for them.
What Makes an LED Headlight Legal in Texas?
1. Color Must Be White or Near-White
Texas Transportation Code §547.321 requires headlights to be:
- White
- Or “white with a slight blue tint”
Texas does not allow:
- Blue headlights
- Purple, pink, green, or yellow headlamps (even if “bright”)
If the color looks like emergency lighting, you can be ticketed.
2. They Must Not Blind Other Drivers
Texas Transportation Code §547.333 prohibits headlamps that create glare and impair others’ vision. A light can be too bright even if it’s white. Police often ticket drivers for “improper headlamp adjustment” rather than brightness alone.
3. Headlights Must Be DOT-Approved
Texas inspection rules require headlamps to be FMVSS 108 (DOT) approved. If your LED bulb has no DOT marking or is placed in a reflector not designed for it, the light pattern may become illegal.
4. Two to Four Headlamps Only
Texas allows no more than four forward-facing headlights operating at one time (example: two low beams and two auxiliary lights). Anything beyond that is illegal.
What Makes an LED Headlight Illegal in Texas?
Even if the bulb is “LED,” the installation may break the law.
Illegal Examples:
- LED bulbs installed in halogen-only reflectors causing glare
- Blue, purple, green, or “ice blue” headlamps
- Ultra-bright aftermarket kits exceeding DOT standards
- Headlights above legal height limits
- Lights that mimic emergency vehicles
Colored LED Headlight Modifications
You cannot legally drive with:
- RGB headlights
- “Show mode” colors while on the road
- Flashing LED headlights
These are legal at car meets or private property only.
Are Aftermarket LED Bulbs Legal?
Legal if:
- They are DOT-approved
- They are installed in compatible housings
- They produce a proper beam pattern with no glare
Illegal if:
- They are marked “For Off-Road Use Only”
- They lack DOT/FMVSS 108 approval
- They make your low beams blinding or scattered
Many cheap Amazon/eBay LED kits are technically illegal because they are not approved for road use, even if they look bright and “cool.”
Texas Vehicle Inspection Rules
Although Texas eliminated annual safety inspections for most vehicles in 2025, emissions counties still require visual headlight compliance. And even without inspection, it is still illegal to drive with unlawful headlights and you can still be cited during traffic stops.
Counties where LED headlight violations still show up in inspections:
- Harris (Houston)
- Travis (Austin)
- Dallas
- Tarrant (Fort Worth)
- Bexar (San Antonio)
- El Paso
…and 11 others in Texas subject to emissions testing.
Even in counties with no inspections, police can ticket illegal lights at any time.
Penalties for Illegal LED Headlights in Texas
You may be charged with:
- Failure to Comply with Lighting Requirements
- Improper Equipment
- Operating Unsafe Vehicle
Penalties usually include:
- A traffic citation ($150+)
- Requirement to remove/replace lights
- Ticket dismissal only after proof of correction
If lights mimic emergency signals, penalties are harsher.
Final Note
Yes, LED headlights are legal in Texas, but only if they are white or near-white, DOT-approved, properly installed, and not blinding to other drivers. The law does not ban LED technology — it bans poor installation, excessive brightness, and improper colors.
