Your car color can get you into a world of trouble.
Changing your car’s shade to reflect your unique personality is often the first step in car ownership. What you may be unaware of is that altering your car’s exterior color is not only expensive but may have legal implications.
One woman in Florida learned this the hard way.
Do you know what happens if you choose the “forbidden” shade?
Yes, they’re controlling us more and more on the roads
As drivers, we’ve all faced increasing scrutiny from law enforcement in recent years as the long arm of the law exercises its strength.
For example, state officials in Virginia are about to install new speed-limiting devices on selected models as of July. What will the effect of increased scrutiny have on the plethora of drivers in the US?
The NHTSA is contemplating installing new impaired driving sensors in the near future on a wide range of selected vehicles popular with the public. The government is extending its reach, even forcing citizens to install this device.
But what if they also decided to exercise control over the color we choose for our car?
One wrong color and you’ll end up with a fine
In general, you are free to paint your car in any color your heart desires. It’s a great form of self-expression, and with the advancements in painting technology, more and more drivers are personalizing their vehicles with custom jobs.
However, there are limitations that need to be considered when choosing your car color, or you may end up in trouble with the powers-that-be.
Obviously, you want to steer clear of any branding or shades that may represent a specific brand or identity. Another clear rule is to avoid offensive messages or designs not for public consumption, similar to what you’re not allowed on your license plates.
Ensuring your car meets the rules and regulations of the road is a personal responsibility and requires you to think before making decisions. Mostly, you are free to paint your car in any color you fancy. Like Ferrari may soon do to leave red behind.
But there’s one specific shade that should be avoided at all costs. It recently led one woman with a significant online presence to get fined in Miami.
All because she fell in love with a color without knowing it was banned
On an average night in Miami, Florida Highway Patrol noticed a Dodge Charger with a familiar paint job zipping past them. The officers quickly discovered that the vehicle was not one of their own and was being driven by Iulia Pugachev.
The Hollywood-based social media influencer opted to paint her car in a similar paint scheme to a FHP patrol vehicle, with the top roof half cream or tan, and the bottom black — the “creamsicle” look.
Florida law enforcement does not allow any vehicle to resemble one of theirs, and implements this law down to the T. The driver in question was not aware that she had broken any laws, and merely painted her vehicle the shades she prefers.
The online star owns several car customization businesses and decided she wanted hers to resemble an FHP patrol vehicle — a big no-no.
She was then subsequently charged with imitating an FHP vehicle’s colors, failing to register a motor vehicle, and misusing a dealer or manufacturer license plate. The charges were dropped to a misdemeanor, but the vehicle was impounded.
So when choosing your next car color, be certain to avoid any design that is even remotely similar to a law enforcement vehicle. You may not get off as lightly if you go for the “FHP vibe, or if you don’t follow this new rule in New York that cost a driver $95,000 in fines.