Anderson Injury Lawyers | June 5, 2025 | Texas Law
Many of us remember riding down the road at night, and wanting to turn on the interior car lights, only to be told not to by our parents. Some parents told us it was dangerous, while others said it was illegal. Still, many adults remain uncertain whether it is actually illegal, or just a white lie our parents told to protect their sanity while driving at night.
This article will look at Texas Transportation Code regulations and clarify whether driving with interior car lights on is actually illegal in the state. We’ll also explore the potential safety concerns, how law enforcement may view it, and what drivers should keep in mind when using dome lights at night.
Texas Transportation Code Does Not Prohibit Driving with Interior Car Lights
Though it may be ill-advised for several reasons—such as increasing the risk of a car accident— driving with interior lights on is not inherently illegal in Texas or federally. The Texas Transportation Code does not explicitly prohibit turning the internal car light on, but doing so may contribute to distracted driving law violations under the right circumstances.
For example, a police officer should not be able to pull you over for simply driving with the light on. However, if you are driving erratically or there are other road violations, a police officer may consider the light as evidence that you were distracted. This may be because you dropped your phone at your feet and used the light to locate it, or because you were trying to see your food while eating dinner on the way home.
You may think that distracted driving laws only cover the use of electronic devices, as Texas does have hands-free laws. However, distracted driving laws also include behavior that may result in loss of focus and an accident. The Texas Department of Insurance reports that behaviors like reaching for something in the car may qualify as distracted driving and increase the chances of an accident.
What Are the Risks of Driving with the Interior Car Lights on?
Just because something is technically legal doesn’t mean it is safe. The interior vehicle light is a great resource for helping you see what is happening inside the car. While it may not be as distracting if a passenger uses it to locate an object or look at something, this doesn’t mean it won’t affect your driving.
One of the biggest dangers of driving with the internal light is glare. When the light is on inside and the outside is dark, it can create glare on the windshield, reducing visibility. Even if you are perfectly focused on driving, you may miss something on the road that causes an accident.
Even if glare is not an issue, your eyes may still need to adjust to the light differences inside and outside the vehicle, and that extra second may be the difference between avoiding a hazard and colliding with it.
Safe Uses of the Interior Light
Your interior lights are there to aid you, and you shouldn’t be afraid to use them, but you should assess the risk of using them in certain circumstances. Legal use does not equate to safe or responsible use.
If you need to locate something in the vehicle, it is almost always safest to pull over and find your item or finish eating. If a passenger needs it, consider the risk of glare and how dramatically it may illuminate the inside of the car compared to the outside.
Contact an Attorney for Additional Information or Guidance on Driving with Your Lights On
The decision to use your vehicle’s internal lights is yours to make. However, much like driving barefoot, just because you can, doesn’t mean you should. If you have questions or concerns about the legality of driving with your vehicle’s lights on or are facing a citation for doing so, it may be time to consult with an attorney.
If you’ve been injured in an accident in Fort Worth or Dallas and need legal help, contact our personal injury lawyers at Anderson Injury Lawyers to schedule a free consultation. We proudly serve Tarrant County, Dallas County, and throughout Texas.
Anderson Injury Lawyers – Fort Worth Office
1310 W El Paso St, Fort Worth, TX 76102
(817) 294-1900
Find us with our GeoCoordinates: 32.74621197527774, -97.33552733508391
Anderson Injury Lawyers – Fort Worth Office (Secondary)
6618 Fossil Bluff Dr # 108, Fort Worth, TX 76137
(817) 631-4113
Find us with our GeoCoordinates: 32.86241013538118, -97.30973893918065
Anderson Injury Lawyers – Dallas Office
408 W Eighth St Suite 202, Dallas, TX 75208
(214) 327-8000
Find us with our GeoCoordinates: 32.748815542196404, -96.82524302658787
Anderson Injury Lawyers – Dallas Office (Secondary)
6301 Gaston Ave suite 820, Dallas, TX 75214
(469) 457-4711
Find us with our GeoCoordinates: 32.81376715527634, -96.75182563343417
