San Diego man stunned by ‘glowing’ Tesla on freeway: ‘How is this legal?’

A San Diego man seemed surprised when he spotted a Tesla on a freeway that appeared to change colors while driving, prompting questions about whether the vehicle’s unusual appearance crossed any legal lines.

TikTok creator Nexiph (@nate_nexiph), a fairly well-known content creator, shared a video showing what he described as a Tesla with a holographic-style wrap. In the clip, he reacted to the vehicle’s shifting appearance and questioned whether the colors could create confusion with emergency lighting.

“Oh, my god,” Nexiph said in the video. “Yo, that’s insane.” As the vehicle moved along the roadway, Nexiph pointed out the way the wrap reflected light and appeared to change shades. “Look at it behind. It’s literally yellow,” he said.

Then the car appeared to alternate between blue and red

Later on in the post, Nexiph suggested the vehicle could be breaking the law when it displays colors commonly associated with emergency vehicles.

“I’m surprised that’s illegal, making blue and red,” Nexiph said. “Like, you’re not allowed to have blue and red lights,” he claimed.

(Nexiph’s comments appeared to refer to vehicle lighting restrictions rather than the wrap itself. The video did not show whether the Tesla used any colored lights, and Nexiph did not claim that the vehicle had emergency-style lighting installed. The video itself only documents Nexiph’s reaction to seeing the Tesla and does not establish whether the vehicle owner broke any laws.)

What are holographic wraps?

Holographic wraps, as the car seemed to have, are a type of automotive finish designed to reflect light differently depending on the viewing angle. Unlike traditional paint colors, these wraps can create shifting visual effects as lighting conditions change. Companies that sell vehicle wraps market them as customization options for cars, trucks, and motorcycles.

Rules surrounding vehicle modifications vary by location. In California, state vehicle regulations address restrictions on certain types of lighting, including colors and equipment that could be confused with emergency vehicles. The California Department of Motor Vehicles and the state vehicle code outline requirements for vehicle lighting equipment, but a reflective or color-changing exterior wrap alone does not automatically indicate a violation.

Nexiph did not identify the Tesla owner in the video or provide additional information about where the vehicle was registered. It also remains unclear whether the Tesla’s appearance came from a holographic wrap, another type of finish, or a lighting effect captured by the camera. Nexiph’s post has not been independently verified, and opinions expressed are his.