If you have been searching for how to get amber DRLs on a 10th Gen Honda Accord, there is a way to get the amber daytime running light look without replacing your headlights or permanently modifying the factory wiring.
The 2018–2022 Honda Accord Amber DRL Override Kit is designed specifically for the 10th Gen Accord. It uses the factory amber turn signal section as the daytime running light, while keeping the turn signals fully functional when commanded.
The kit works across the 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022 Honda Accord range and is designed to work with any factory headlight model.
Most importantly, this is not a switchback bulb conversion and it does not turn the factory white DRL strip amber. Instead, it changes which factory lighting section is used as the daytime running light.
HEADLIGHTS NOT INCLUDED. The kit works with the headlights already on your Accord.
Quick Answer
- Install a 10th Gen Accord amber DRL override kit. No new headlights needed.
- The factory white DRL turns off and the amber turn signal section stays on as the running light.
- Turn signals still work.
- Pick a version. Standard Amber is amber by day and goes back to the factory white DRL at night. Full Time Amber stays amber day and night in every headlight mode.
For a full walkthrough of the kit, see the 2018–2022 Honda Accord Amber DRL Override Kit Guide.
What Does an Amber DRL Look Like on a 10th Gen Honda Accord?
From the factory, the 10th Gen Honda Accord uses a white daytime running light.
With the amber override kit installed, the factory white DRL is turned off during normal daytime operation and the factory amber turn signal section stays illuminated instead.
- Factory: White DRL during the day
- With Amber Override Kit: Amber turn signal section stays illuminated as the DRL
This gives the 10th Gen Accord the amber daytime look seen on many newer vehicles while still using the existing factory lighting.
Does the White DRL Actually Turn Amber?
No. This is an important distinction when searching for an amber DRL kit for a Honda Accord.
The white DRL bar stays white. The kit turns the white DRL off and keeps the amber turn signal section illuminated. It uses the amber lighting already built into the headlight rather than trying to change the color of the white LED DRL.
Two Versions: Standard Amber and Full Time Amber
The kit is sold in two versions. Pick the one that matches how you want the lights to behave.
- Standard Amber: amber during the day. The factory white DRL returns at night, in low light, or when you select Low Beam/Headlight mode.
- Full Time Amber: amber day and night in every headlight mode, including OFF, Parking Light, AUTO and Low Beam/Headlight. The amber lights run whenever the ignition has power, including accessory mode. They turn off when the vehicle is completely off.
Both versions keep full turn signal function. Select your version on the product page before you order.
Does the Amber DRL Kit Work on All 10th Gen Honda Accord Trims?
The kit is designed to work with the factory headlight configurations across the 2018–2022 10th Gen Honda Accord lineup.
That includes applicable models and trims such as:
- Honda Accord LX
- Honda Accord Sport
- Honda Accord Sport 1.5T
- Honda Accord Sport 2.0T
- Honda Accord Sport Special Edition
- Honda Accord EX
- Honda Accord EX-L
- Honda Accord EX-L 1.5T
- Honda Accord EX-L 2.0T
- Honda Accord Touring
- Honda Accord Touring 2.0T
- Honda Accord Hybrid
- Honda Accord Hybrid EX
- Honda Accord Hybrid EX-L
- Honda Accord Hybrid Touring
Trim availability changed depending on model year, so not every trim listed above was sold every year.
The important part for the amber DRL conversion is that the kit is designed around the factory 10th Gen Accord headlight system.
Amber DRLs by Model Year
2018 Honda Accord Amber DRL
The 2018 Honda Accord was the first model year of the 10th generation. The override kit lets the factory amber turn signal section stay on during daytime driving while the normal white DRL is turned off. The turn signal still works.
2019 Honda Accord Amber DRL
The same kit fits the 2019 Honda Accord. There is no need to replace the headlight assembly or install universal lighting parts. You keep the original headlights.
2020 Honda Accord Amber DRL
The 2020 Honda Accord uses the same setup. During normal daytime operation, the amber section stays on while the factory white DRL is off. Turn signals work when commanded.
2021 Honda Accord Amber DRL
The kit also supports the refreshed 2021 Honda Accord. The basic operation is the same as the earlier years.
2022 Honda Accord Amber DRL
The 2022 Honda Accord was the final model year of the 10th generation, and it is also supported.
Have a 2023 or newer 11th Gen Accord? That needs a different kit: the 2023+ Honda Accord Amber DRL Override Kit.
How the 10th Gen Accord Amber DRL Kit Works (Standard Amber Version)
With the Standard Amber version, the amber DRL does not stay on under every condition. It follows the factory headlight control. The Full Time Amber version stays amber in every mode.
AUTO Mode During the Day
This is the main mode for showcasing the amber DRLs.
During normal daytime driving with the headlight control in AUTO, the factory white DRL is turned off and the amber turn signal section becomes the daytime running light.
This is the mode we recommend using for normal operation.
AUTO Mode at Night
At night or when the vehicle detects low light, the lighting automatically returns to the factory white DRL to match the headlights.
You do not have to manually disable the amber DRL every night.
Low Beam / Headlight Mode
If you manually switch the headlight control to the Low Beam/Headlight setting, the vehicle returns to the factory white DRL.
This also gives you a way to manually switch from amber back to white during the day.
Parking Light Mode
With the parking light setting selected, the amber lighting stays on during both day and night.
OFF Mode
With the control in OFF mode, the kit also provides amber lighting during day and night.
Amber DRL Operation at a Glance
| Headlight Setting | Standard Amber: Daytime | Standard Amber: Nighttime | Full Time Amber: Day and Night |
|---|---|---|---|
| OFF | Amber | Amber | Amber |
| Parking Lights | Amber | Amber | Amber |
| AUTO | Amber | Factory White DRL | Amber |
| Low Beam / Headlights | Factory White DRL | Factory White DRL | Amber |
For Standard Amber owners, AUTO mode is the setting to use. You get the amber look during the day, and the vehicle returns to the factory white lighting at night.
Do the Turn Signals Still Work With the Amber DRLs On?
Yes. This is one of the most important parts of the design, and it applies to both versions.
The amber section normally works as the front turn signal. The kit's control circuitry handles the lighting logic so that using the amber section as a DRL does not remove its turn signal function.
When a turn signal is commanded, that side still signals normally. Once signaling is complete, the amber running light comes back on.
What Happens When the Parking Brake Is On?
This applies to the Standard Amber version.
If you start the vehicle while the parking brake is engaged, the daytime running lights may stay off at first.
This comes from Honda's factory DRL logic, not a problem with the amber DRL kit. Once the parking brake is released, the DRLs power on normally.
Remember this when testing the kit right after installation. If you start the Accord and do not see the amber DRLs, release the parking brake before assuming there is a problem.
Do You Need Different Headlights?
No.
The kit is designed to work with the factory headlights already installed on the vehicle.
You are not buying orange headlights, replacing the factory DRL strip, or installing an aftermarket switchback headlight assembly. The system uses the factory amber turn signal section already in the 10th Gen Accord headlights.
HEADLIGHTS NOT INCLUDED. Headlights are not part of the kit and are not required for the conversion.
Why Use an Amber DRL Override Kit Instead of Custom Wiring?
It may be tempting to create an amber DRL by tapping wires, adding relays, or permanently modifying the factory headlight harness.
The problem is that the Accord's lighting functions interact with each other. Simply applying constant power to the amber turn signal circuit does not give the same controlled operation.
A purpose-built Honda Accord amber DRL override kit manages the lighting logic so you keep:
- Amber daytime running lights
- Normal turn signal operation
- Automatic nighttime lighting behavior (Standard Amber)
- Factory white DRL operation when required (Standard Amber)
- Factory headlight control operation
Is the Amber DRL Always On?
It depends on the version.
With Standard Amber in the recommended AUTO setting, the amber DRL is a daytime feature. The factory white DRL returns at night or in low light. This keeps the lighting tied to the Accord's automatic headlight system.
With Full Time Amber, the amber light stays on day and night in every headlight mode whenever the ignition has power. It turns off when the vehicle is completely off.
Can You Switch Back to White DRLs?
With the Standard Amber version, yes. You do not have to remove the kit.
Turn the factory headlight control to the Low Beam/Headlight position and the vehicle returns to the white DRL. Switch back to AUTO and the amber daytime operation returns.
The Full Time Amber version stays amber in every headlight mode.
Is This an Amber DRL Conversion or an Amber DRL Override?
Amber DRL override kit is the more accurate description.
The kit does not replace the white LEDs with amber LEDs. It overrides the normal daytime lighting operation so the factory amber turn signal section becomes the daytime running light.
Summary
To get amber DRLs on a 2018–2022 Honda Accord, you do not need to replace the headlight assembly. A vehicle-specific 10th Gen Honda Accord Amber DRL Override Kit uses the factory amber turn signal section as the daytime running light and keeps the turn signals working.
Choose Standard Amber if you want amber by day and the factory white DRL at night. Leave the headlight control in AUTO for that. Choose Full Time Amber if you want amber at all times while the ignition is on.
Related KVS Pages
- 2018–2022 Honda Accord Amber DRL Override Kit (choose Standard or Full Time Amber)
- 2018–2022 Honda Accord Amber DRL Override Kit Guide, with install notes and FAQ
- 2023+ Honda Accord Amber DRL Override Kit for the 11th Gen Accord
- All Honda Accord parts
HEADLIGHTS NOT INCLUDED. Questions about fitment? Contact us before you order.
