Driving at night comes with some anxiety. Between decreased visibility and unpredictable drivers, most people will grab any upgrade that helps them see a little better. So when a headlight bulb promises brighter visibility, longer life, or a cleaner-looking beam, it’s easy to assume it’s a harmless improvement. But according to one automotive expert, some of the lights people are putting in their cars might actually be illegal, and a lot of drivers don’t realize it. Which Light Bulb Might Be Illegal? In a recent TikTok posted by G&M Automotive (@gandmautomotivehd), a mechanic breaks down different Sylvania bulbs and explains why certain options could get drivers in trouble. The video quickly sparked debate in the comments. "So today’s topic on bulbs," he starts. He holds up a Sylvania bulb and explains that the brand separates its halogen bulbs into basic, good, and better. "You might ask, what’s the difference between those three?" he says. "Your basic is your basic OEM replacement bulb. Your good is gonna be slightly brighter than basic. And your better is gonna be the brightest." He explains that most people try to grab the brightest version without realizing the trade-off, saying, "What a lot of consumers don’t realize is that the brighter the bulb you go with, the shorter lifespan it’s gonna have." OWNERSHIP STORIES Viral stories from across the web Our team of experts tracks what owners are saying about car-shopping, repairs, the daily driving experience and more on social media. If your original halogen bulb lasted five to seven years, he says a brighter version might last only two or three. The issue, according to the expert, starts when drivers try to replace halogen bulbs with LED ones. "The younger generation […] is wanting to swap out their halogen bulbs with LED bulbs," he says. "Technically speaking, LED bulbs are illegal, and they are not approved by the Department of Transportation." He clarifies that if your vehicle came with LED headlights from the manufacturer, then they’re legal. Aftermarket LED bulbs, however, are reportedly generally illegal. He shows an LED light listing from the Sylvania website, which states, "Brightest premium LED replacement bulbs for fog and powersports only. It does not meet [Department of Transportation] regulations for performance and life." "I didn’t make the rules," he says. "Just letting you all know." Then he adds one last jab: if someone blinds you as they pass by, "you can call the cops on him, he’s got LED bulbs." Is This Actually True? LED headlights are legal across the US, but only when they meet federal safety standards and come installed on the car from the factory, or when they’re part of a DOT-approved headlight assembly that replaces the whole housing. However, as the expert stated, installing LED bulbs in a halogen housing is not permitted. Halogen headlights are designed for the shape, brightness, and heat output of a halogen bulb. When you stick an LED inside, the beam scatters in ways the housing wasn’t designed for. That extra scatter is what blinds other drivers, even if the LED bulb itself is technically DOT-approved. Color temperature matters, too. Headlights are only legal when they produce white or selective yellow light. Some aftermarket LEDs emit a blue-white light with color temperatures exceeding 6000K, which falls outside the legal limits for road use. Can You Upgrade Legally? You can upgrade legally by replacing the entire headlight assembly with one specifically designed for your vehicle and certified as DOT-compliant. Those kits match bulb type, housing shape, and beam pattern together. Anything else opens the door to citations, and those aren’t even the worst part. Illegal headlights can lead to failed inspections, higher liability in crashes, or fix-it tickets that usually land around $100–$200. Police don’t look for lumen numbers; they look for light pattern, glare, and whether the bulb itself is approved for highway use. Commenters Have Thoughts In the comments under the TikTok, some users argued back. Others shared their own nighttime driving frustrations. "Not illegal in Michigan, son. Try and pull me over for it you ain’t catching me," one person wrote. Another added, "LED bulbs are absolutely unnecessary. I get hit with those at night and it literally blinds me." "Bright headlights need to be a $100 fine that doubles with each offense," a fourth recommended. "When the fine exceeds $25,000, take their license for a year." Others complain that factory LEDs are some of the worst offenders. "The only vehicles with LEDs that are bad are factory-installed, especially the Ford Super Duty," said one. "They are the absolute worst." Motor1 has reached out to Sylvania via a contact form on their website and to G&M through TikTok and Instagram messages. We’ll update this article if they respond. We want your opinion! What would you like to see on Motor1.com? Take our 3 minute survey. - The Motor1.com Team